Jake Guarnera would have been happy to make the junior varsity football team at Ponte Vedra High if it meant more playing time.
As it turned out, he got all the playing time he wanted as a starting strongside offensive tackle on the varsity.
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound man-child was so impressive during his freshman season, he was selected to the Football University Freshman All-America team.
After playing at Landrum Middle School a year ago and in the 2020 Future Stars all-star game last June at Atlanta, the 15-year-old now will travel to Naples to play in the FBU All-American Bowl on Dec. 21.
One of the youngest players on the varsity, Guarnera quickly asserted himself. Now he feels comfortable playing against other boys who are considerably older and more experienced.
“Maybe at the beginning it was a little overwhelming, but after a couple games, it was all smooth sailing,” Jake said. “Once we started playing, it wasn’t mentally challenging at all.
“People like to say offensive linemen aren’t smart, but we are. We have to know where we are on the field.”
Even with three years before graduation, Guarnera said it’s never too early to start thinking about the next step — college football. He’s keeping his grades up — he’s enrolled in honors and AP classes with a 3.93 grade point average — and he spends time lifting weights when he’s not on the basketball floor for the Sharks.
“I’m trying to get my name out there with football coaches,” Guarnera said. “I want to get into a good college and keep playing.”
Only 60 ninth graders were invited to the all-star game.
“I know it’s early to start thinking about it, but I’d like to play [college] football in the Carolinas,” Guarnera said. “It’s not too far from home, but it’s still not too close.
“I have a long way to get before I get there, though. I just have to keep working at it.”
