While Buccaneers fans walked away disappointed after the realization that their team will not advance to the playoffs this year, one fan, teacher and high school Varsity football coach took home much more than just memories from the season’s final game.
Earlier, Bloomingdale High School coach Jason Stokes was named the Buccaneers 2008 Coach of the Year and presented with a trophy and $1,000 for his efforts by Buccaneers General Manager Bruce Allen before kickoff of the Buccaneers’ final season home game.
Formerly a defensive coordinator at Riverview High School, Stokes replaced Corey Brinson, who resigned at the end of the last season in November of 2007, following the Bulls’ final regular season 10-20 defeat to Durant and finishing the season with only two wins out of 11 games.
Stokes, who played football at Oxon Hill High School in Maryland, went on to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, where he was part of a two-time conference champions team and named All-League Linebacker. He began his Florida teaching and coaching career at Riverview High in 2003.
Understanding his limits at the start of the 2008-09 season with the Bulls, Stokes felt confident about his new role as head coach.
“I am feeling positive about the upcoming season,” Stokes said, but added, “While I know we will have a winning season, the bottom line is that we can only go as far as the kids are willing to go and perform to the best of their ability.”
The Bloomingdale Bulls finished the past season with a 6-5 overall and 3-1 district record which has earned the program its first winning season and first playoff berth in the school’s 21-year history.
“I had a great season, but the work is not done,” Stokes said, adding, “We are eager to start the new season with its changing district line up.”
For more information about the Bloomingdale High School athletic program, please visit www.highschoolsports.net.
