From the time sixth-graders put on their pads and helmets and head out to their first day of practice, they are fully aware of one thing at Matthew Gilbert: protecting the streak.
Since a 2006 loss to Northwestern, Gilbert has reeled off eight straight undefeated seasons; 64 wins in a row.
Gilbert head coach Charon Dorsey, former Bolles and Dallas Cowboys standout, prepares his team each season for continuing the winning tradition like he does every season.
Dorsey keeps them informed of the streak when he has to but doesn’t make a big habit to keep mentioning it.
“It’s almost the same kind of speech every year, these kids understand the streak and our tradition, and they hear it from the guys before to keep it going,” Dorsey says. “It’s important to the eighth-graders to keep it going, as they don’t want to be the class that ends it.”
Success didn’t come easy right away for Dorsey, but through building a program his way, along with a great support system within the school from the principal to the athletic director, he has been able to keep it going.
“My first year, it didn’t look good, we truly started from the bottom, but quickly went to the top,” Dorsey says. “We’ve been able to maintain our winning tradition because of the kids working hard and the great talent we have had.”
Among the notable alumni to play for Dorsey or Gilbert recently includes Marquis Haynes (University Christian/Ole Miss), Richard Montgomery (Atlantic Coast/Idaho), Kavaris Harkless (Trinity Christian/Florida), Sherrod Pittman (First Coast/South Carolina), Tristan Payton (First Coast/UCF), Mytreal Denson (Ed White/Idaho) and Michael Morris (Jackson/FAMU); as well as current high school players Anthony Mitchell (Trinity Christian), Derrick Smith (Trinity Christian), Jessie Urbina (Trinity Christian), Jaalen Ford (Ribault), Tre’shawn Harris (Ribault), Ivory Durham (Cedar Creek) and Terrell Wright (Cedar Creek).
Keeping the streak going isn’t easy; the Panthers have had their share of close calls over the years.
Gilbert had a pair of one-score games last season including a 14-18 win over Northwestern and a 24-16 win over Stilwell in the county semifinals.
However, the one game people still talk about to this day is the game against nemesis Northwestern three years ago.
Gilbert found itself in a 20-0 hole to the Yellow Jackets, yet rallied for 28 unanswered points to stun Northwestern 28-20 and keep the streak going at 45 in a row.
The streak has also potentially brought out more kids wanting to play football more than ever.
“A lot of kids want to play football here, but only 35 can dress out. I have 58-60 kids who come out for football,” Dorsey says. “With the school board allowing sixth-graders to play now, there are not enough jerseys.”
A solid core of kids who were together for three years recently graduated in May and moved on to high school, meaning this year’s Panthers team will be quite young, but still talented.
“Here we go again, a new group that wants to keep it going,” Dorsey says. “It’s going to be a good year; the kids strive on keeping the streak going more than we do, and getting rings for winning championships.”
Former Gilbert standout and current Tennessee Titans tailback Leon Washington bought the team rings for winning back-to-back county championships the last two years.
Two years ago, Duval County brought back a playoff system for the first time since 1991, and the Panthers have claimed both football titles with wins over Twin Lakes and Fletcher.
Now the pressure begins again, can Gilbert win its third-straight county championship and keep its long streak going?
If Gilbert can get through North Division rivals Northwestern, Ribault, Kirby Smith, Highlands, Oceanway, and Butler again, the Panthers could be back in the playoffs with a chance at a three-peat and pushing the streak to over 70 straight.
“We coaches have lost before, but the biggest part is how will they handle it if we do lose,” Dorsey says. “However, we don’t want to lose, and they don’t want to spoil the streak.”
Gilbert Aiming for Three-Peat
By Corey Davis
