On December 6, the Trinity Christian Academy Conquerors varsity football team won the 2014 Class 3A Florida State Championship for the second consecutive year. The Conquerors defeated the American Heritage Stallions, 27-7, in front of 1,752 fans at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.
The game remained scoreless until the 1:43 mark in the second quarter, when Trinity’s senior Kevin Toliver took the first play of a 15-yard drive in for the game’s first score. A fumbled punt set up the short drive after Trinity failed to make a first down. Conqueror freshman Tyreke Johnson picked up the loose ball and brought it into end zone, but rules state that the punting team cannot advance a dropped kick. Therefore, Toliver had his chance, and he took advantage.
The Conquerors then took a commanding 14-0 lead on senior Chris Barr’s 82-yard touchdown run with 5:57 left in the third quarter. The Conquerors put the game away with two fourth-quarter scores; one from sophomore Rasheed Martin on a 1-yd TD run with 7:55 left in the game, and the other from senior Malik Marshall, who recovered a fumble in the end zone with 3:16 left to play. A bobbled snap led to a failed two-point rush, but the Conquerors still led 27-0. Sophomore Frankie Onate converted the first three extra point attempts successfully.
American Heritage scored its lone touchdown with one second left on the clock, but at that point, the Conquerors had already begun their celebration.
The Conquerors’ defense held American Heritage to just 169 total yards. It also forced two fumbles (Johnson and Marshall recoveries) and made two interceptions (Ben Edwards, Johnson) to cap off a season as one of the top-rated defenses in all of Florida.
For the Conquerors, the championship is not only their second straight, but it is also the fifth in school history. Moreover, it is the fifth championship for head coach Verlon Dorminey, whose teams also won state titles while in Class A in 2002, 2003, and 2010. In addition, the Conquerors were Class A runners-up in both 1999 and 2009.
Coach Dorminey provided insight on his team’s 2014 championship in a Q & A session. He reflected on his team’s season 
and provided some details about which players have already made college commitments and which will decide soon.
• Q: Provide your reflections on the season. How tough of a schedule did you have, and how hard did the team work?
• A: Our schedule was probably the toughest we have had in the 24 years I have been head coach. We started with a tough loss to Buford (who went on to win a state championship in Class 4A in Georgia). They are also ranked in the Top 10 in the nation. University Christian went two rounds into the playoffs. Madison County also went two rounds in 4A before losing to Bolles, who played for the Florida state championship. Tallahassee’s Godby is playing for 5A state championship. IMG Academy (the Conquerors second and final loss) finished top 10 in all classifications in the state of Florida, and Vanguard made the playoffs in Class 6A.
• Q. What was the turning point of the season?
• A: I believe there was a refocus after the IMG loss on ESPN for the 2nd time in the same season. That loss was both humbling and embarrassing.
• Q. What were the biggest victories as far as importance?
• Beating Madison County soundly was a great win. Beating Godby, who beat us soundly last year, was also great win.
• Q. Which role players had the most impact?
• A: Kevin Toliver, Andre Smith, and Victor Alexander, all seniors, especially on defense.
The Conquerors have a number of players who will play Division I college football, including a number of seniors. These players include the following:
• Andre Smith, North Carolina
• Victor Alexander, UCLA
• Deon Eakins, Florida International
• Javon Hagan, Ohio
• Chris Barr, Utah
• T.J. Jackson, West Point
• Deontai Williams, Georgia
• Jeffery Holland, Uncommitted
• Ben Edwards, Uncommitted
• Kendrick Norton, Uncommitted
Holland, though uncommitted as of the season’s end, has offers from many colleges, including Florida and South Carolina.
The future looks just as bright with current junior Jalin Buie, sophomore Rasheed Martin, and freshman Tyreke Johnson all moving up a grade next year and carrying their experience with them. Johnson was a major force, even in eighth grade in 2013. All three already have major colleges recruiting them.
Dorminey has won over 220 games in his 24-year career. He began coaching in 1981 as an assistant Trinity junior varsity coach and eventually worked his way to varsity in 1983. He then pursued business interests in 1985 but returned as the Conquerors’ head coach in 1991. He won his first game as head coach with a 16-14 victory over Lake Highland Preparatory
School. He reached the 100-win milestone in 2001, his team’s final win of that season.
Dorminey also serves as Trinity’s athletic director. He has seen four of his football players make it to the NFL. Gus Scott had a brief career with the New England Patriots in 2005-2006, Gerard Ross played for the Seattle Seahawks in 2006, and Levi Newton briefly wore a Detroit Lions uniform. Jamie Harper played two years with the Tennessee Titans. Current Virginia Tech freshman wide receiver Isaiah Ford may very well become the fifth.
As with most jobs, Dorminey has his favorite and least-liked aspects. He recently explained what he considered the best part and most difficult parts of his job. He said “The kids and the fun I have with the staff I now coach with” were the best and “Having to deal with the parents that will not let their kids enjoy their high school experiences” as the most difficult aspects.
Coach Dorminey is a devout Christian, cares deeply about every kid he has coached, and wants each one to enjoy the experience.
Dorminey offers the following advice to all new coaches: “Do it for the right reason. Work to teach young men about Christ. Teach character, integrity, and work ethic. All the rest will fall into place.”
Congratulations to Coach Verlon Dorminey for his second consecutive state championship and fifth overall. He, his staff, and his players all share in the achievement.
written by Raymond Bureau
photography by Skyler Callender & Joey Lopes
Northeast Florida February – March 2015
