St. Frances football coach Mike Clay helps players get situated with their equipment during one of the team's first practices.
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St. Frances Panthers

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Facts: Private independent; Baltimore City

Last Year: didn't have a team

Highest State Poll Ranking: none

Coach: Mike Clay, 1st season at St. Frances; 6th overall (33-28)

Offense: Spread

Defense: 4-3

Returning Starters: none

Players To Watch: Keyson Barnes (Fr., 5-9, 175lbs, RB), Marcus Snipes (Jr., 6-1, 175lbs, WR/DB), Dominigue Spence (Soph., 6-3, 205lbs, WR/DE), Jalen Smith (Soph., 5-11, 180lbs, RB/DB), Bernie Vaughn (Jr., 6-0, 180lbs, QB), Ivell Hudson (Soph., 6-1, 265lbs, OT), Deandre Handy (Soph., 6-4, 275lbs, OT), Jeffery Baker (Sr., 5-5, 185lbs, LB), Melvin Henderson (Sr., 5-10, 180lbs, SS), Kristopher Dixon (Jr., 6-2, 195lbs, DE/QB), Derek Johnson (Soph., 6-0, 170lbs, WR), Darius Davis (Soph., 6-3, 205lbs, LB/TE), Michael Johnson (Fr., 5-9, 195lbs, LB).

Breakdown: It may be the first season ever for the football program at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, but the new coach brings a winning tradition. Mike Clay, who also started the football team at Southside Academy and revived the program at St. Mary's, was hired in June. He led the Saints to the MIAA B Conference title last season and brought his entire coaching staff with him to St. Frances.

"It's the same philosophy, the same offensive and defensive schemes, the same coaching staff," said Clay, whose team will play an independent schedule in 2008 and hopes to join the MIAA next year.

During the first week of practice, Clay had a strong group of 45 players -- 29 are either sophomores or freshmen -- on the roster. The team will play its home games at Cardinal Gibbons. Four teams from Delaware, two teams from Pennsylvania and two teams from Washington D.C. are on the schedule with a season-ending trip to MIAA A Conference foe, Calvert Hall.

"We have (Calvert Hall) on the last game on Nov. 15," said Clay, who groomed two Division I players last season in Marlon Johnson (Villanova) and Dontra Peters (New Hampshire).

"By the time we get to that point, it will be a good test to see how far we've come. Calvert Hall coach Donald Davis is a good friend of mine and the game will also be a warm-up for their team en route to the Turkey Bowl."

Junior Bernie Vaughn will start under center for the Panthers. He transferred to St. Frances last year and was a quarterback for the junior-varsity squad at Woodlawn two seasons ago.

"He's our guy," Clay said. "Bernie plays basketball, too, which is where his speed comes from. He's a natural leader and should flourish in this role."

Vaughn's ability to run the option out of the spread will be an offensive weapon for the Panthers. Running backs Jalen Smith and Keyson Barnes will start in the backfield. Barnes takes short steps and cuts hard while Smith is more athletic, has top-out speed and can also line up as a wide out. Marcus Snipes and Dominigue Spence, two players who came over with Clay from St. Mary's, are deep threats and can fill several holes in the offense.

On the offensive line, St. Frances will start three sophomores and two freshmen but there will be no lack of size. Deandre Handy (275 pounds), Ivell Hudson (265) and Darrell Alexander (220) all have previous football experience.

The defense will be anchored by one of only six seniors on the team in Jeffery Baker at the linebacker postition. Darius Davis and Michael Johnson will also roam in the Panthers' 4-3 defense at linebacker.

Kristopher Dixon will spark the defensive line while the secondary is headlined by Reggie Ellis and Devante Brown on the flanks.

Despite the small number of players on the roster, Clay insisted that there will be very few (if any) two-way players.

"Every practice for about 15-20 minutes, we have intra-squad scrimmages where all the kids get an opportunity to improve," he said. "It's the same thing we've done in the past. Offense versus defense. That's what is going to help us in these early stages." 

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