Mike Ridaught
Today’s Rising Senior spotlight is on Trent Steedley of Bell High School.
Steedley is a defensive tackle for the Bulldogs’ football team. Last year, he finished with 63 tackles with nine going for a loss.
He led the team with six sacks, earning him honorable mention on the Gainesville Sun’s All-Area team. He had a season-high 11 tackles against Taylor (Pierson).
Steedley earned certification in engineering software through a school program, along with medals of excellence in ROTC for Academics and Athletics. His goals are to finish high school, have a great senior season, and make the playoffs.
He plans on attending the University of Florida to earn a civil engineering degree.
Steedley is one of five starters returning on defense for the Bulldogs, who are scheduled to play in the kickoff classic at St. Francis Catholic of Gainesville on August 14th. The ‘Dogs will open up the regular season at home the following Friday against Franklin County.
Steedley will anchor the defensive line for Bell this fall after leading the team with six sacks in 2019. On defense, a total of five starters return.
A total of six starters return on offense for Bell. Caden Hastings is back under center for the Bulldogs after throwing for 366 yards and rushing for 298 yards.
However, the Bulldogs must replace their top three running backs from last fall as Jonathon Neudert (831 yards), Branden Wallace (427), and Joey Pinna (403) were seniors. The trio combined for 1,661 yards and 15 touchdowns rushing.
Bell, which finished 3-7 this past season, will once again be competing in Class 1A-Region 3. Six of the top nine teams in their region, which includes 3-time defending state champion Madison County, will make the postseason.
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Mike Ridaught is the founder and publisher of ThePrepZone.com, the foremost website for high school sports in northeast Florida.