Lake Wales to "rebuild" with 20 returning starters

Tavares Johnson seeks ton continue the success he's brought to the Highlanders since 2014

LAKE WALES, FLORIDA – Lake Wales returns 20 starters, but its head coach calls it a rebuilding year.

Tavares Johnson heads into his ninth season as head coach of the Highlanders. He started his career as an assistant under Charlie Tate at Winter Haven and then under Rod Shafer at Lake Wales before getting bumped up to the head position for the 2014 season. He credits both mentors for a huge part of his success and 56-31 record.

Lake Wales players pose around a workout tire during a media day event this week. Back L to R: Corey Harris (7), Russell Watts (57), Mauricio Alvarez, Jaremiah Anglin, Sean Major (52) and Javen Bundrage (26). Front: Philipp Davis, Trent Grotjan and Deonte Harris / Photo by Bill Kemp

“Charlie is one of my all-time favorites. I am not sure he knows that, but I really learned a lot from him, from the front to the back of the program. He spends time on the little things,” said Johnson, who played for Shafer at Lake Wales and eventually received a call from his former coach to discuss his return to the program while at Winter Haven.

“It was like a mama call. It meant a lot to me because not everyone is welcome in his hometown,” Johnson said. “Lake Wales is just one of those places. There is excitement. There is a charge. There is just something different. It did worry me because you know the guy behind the fence, and they only see 10 percent of your program.”

Lake Wales reached the second round of the Class 6A playoffs last year before getting knocked off in the second round by Ocala Vanguard to finish 9-3. But with 20 returning starters, including the quarterback, senior Trent Grotjan, the Highlanders might bore much deeper into the playoffs than the second round.

Grotjan threw for 1,748 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago. He also rushed for 436 and one touchdown.

“He is a leader, passionate about his work, consistent and committed.” Johnson said. “He is going to get the attention of the county. Why? Because he puts in the work, and he wants his team to get better. He wants the guy next to him to get better. He wants the best from his coaches. He demands that. He will not leave until mastery. He is hungry and he gets it.”

Lake Wales senior quarterback Trent Grotjan prepares to throw downfield during a media day event this week / Photo by Bill Kemp

Grotjan’s work ethic seems to blend perfectly with Highlanders’ 2022 battle cry.

“Our motto this year is ‘One Extra.’ The kids will tell you what that means,” Johnson said. “Every day you have to do something extra when I blow the whistle and walk away. And then it transfers into bigger things.”

Though Lake Wales coaches talk about running a multiple offense, Johnson hinted the program is looking to return to some power football this season, possibly the veer – a trademark offense under Shafer.

“We are going to get back to some old school football,” Johnson said. “We are still trying to find our identity. I know that sounds kind of contradictory when you have 20 seniors, but they are young at their positions.

Lake Wales coaching staff: (L to R) Maelessa Carr, Marc St. Fort, Jermaine Ward, Tavaris Johnson, Harry Agee, David Campbell Sr. and Kimberly Campbell / Photo by Bill Kemp

“Trent will bring us together. We know that. He will own the offense and be the guy. We really want to develop his legs. He is really a pocket guy, well that is what the word is, but he is much more than that.”

There is plenty of skill and experience at running back with Corey Harris, Xavier Marlow and Jordan Henderson. The top receivers are Messiah Marlow, Philipp Davis, Amani Brown, Carlos Mitchell and Cardayle Brantley.

“Harris is a downhill runner and a great blocker, and Henderson will be more of a scat-back,” Johnson said. “Xavier is a great route runner who gets great spacing.”

Lake Wales senior running back Corey Harris catches a pass during a media day event this week at the school / Photo by Bill Kemp

Defense appears to be the Lake Wales real strong suit, especially the linebacking corps, led by second team all-state selection Sean Major, Messiah Marlow, Dylan Simmons and Keshun Anderson.

But the big name on defense will be three-star senior Jaremiah Anglin Jr., who has 40 offers including Oklahoma, Kentucky and Tennessee and can play corner, defensive end and safety.

Lake Wales defensive standouts Sean Major (front) and Deonte Harris take a stance during a media day event this week in Lake Wales / Photo by Bill Kemp

The D-line looks formidable with Terrell James, who has 20 offers right now and is committed to Arkansas State, Terrence Edmonds (6-5, 240), Trent Turner (6-2, 260) and Deonte Harris (6-1, 250).

“James is a rush-edge guy and a nightmare for quarterbacks,” Johnson said. “Edmonds returns to the field after getting suspended last year in an altercation in the Lakeland game. Everyone is looking forward to his return. He hits sideline to sideline. He is mean, fast and plays ground up. He is a great pass rusher.”

The kicking duties belong to 2021 all-county selection Mauricio Alvarez, who is also a soccer standout.

Lake Wales receiver Philipp Davis catches a pass during a media day event this week / Photo by Bill Kemp

Lake Wales standout receiver and defensive back Jaremiah Anglin Jr. catches a pass during a media day event this week / Photo by Bill Kemp

Lake Wales standout receiver and defensive back Jaremiah Anglin Jr. catches a pass during a media day event this week / Photo by Bill Kemp