There’s a familiar face back at the helm of the Buchholz football program.

Mark Whittemore, after a year away from coaching, returns for his second stint and 12th overall year as the head coach of the Bobcats. 

“It’s been a lot of fun. Appreciate coach Chuck Bell and him not only keeping it going but improving the atmosphere at Buchholz,” Whittemore said. “The year off rejuvenated me. This is the 2024 edition, and we’re super excited about it.”

In his place, now-defensive coordinator Bell led Buchholz to its third-straight state semifinal appearance and a 13-1 overall record. The Bobcats lost a last-second 21-20 heartbreaker to state powerhouse Lakeland at Citizen’s Field. 

“A 13-0 start is never something to be disappointed in, but disappointment is a great motivator,” Whittemore said. “We’re going to do our best to be thankful for the third-straight final four, but I’d use the word disappointed because we felt like we were situated to really go the distance.

“That has been a motivating factor and will continue to be, but we also want to make sure that we’re building on the momentum of a 13-1 season.”

Now turning the page to 2024, the Bobcats reload on talent on both sides of the ball despite losing multiple starters.

Leading the offense is junior quarterback Trace Johnson, who returns after a 2800-yard, 35-touchdown performance in his first season as the starter. He’ll be joined by an experienced receiver core led by fellow junior Justin Williams.

Williams, Johnson’s top target a season ago, looks to continue his dominance after accounting for 1,005 yards and 17 touchdowns. Buchholz also returns D.J. Hicks, who had a late breakout campaign in 2023, and added two Newberry transfers in receiver Keil McGriff and tight end Tony Sanchez.

“We got four dudes that are going to catch the ball, and they all have Division I offers,” Johnson said. “Justin, been playing with him my whole life. D.J., been playing with him since ninth grade. Keil, my whole life as well. You’re not going to be able to double-team anybody.”

However, Buchholz will have to replace its dynamic duo at running back in Quinton Cutler (1,181 yards, 16 TDs) and Myles Graham (600 yards, 17 TDs). 

“It’s tough to replace the area player of the year offensively, but we try to develop a program that has a next-man-up mentality,” Whittemore said of losing Cutler. “Hopefully we have situated ourselves to be able to have some kids that can fill that void, and I think we do.”

That being said, Buchholz does have comfort in a strong offensive line unit, which is led by Coastal Carolina commit Kain McDonald.

Defensively, the Bobcats will have to replace over half of its starters on defense, which includes its entire linebacker unit. Buchholz lost three players who accounted for at least 80 tackles apiece in Graham, Matthew Kade and Amari Sheppard.

Additionally, Buchholz lost longtime defensive end Kendall Jackson, who’s now with Texas A&M. 

Despite the losses, there’s plenty of Division I talent anchoring the Bobcats’ 2024 defensive unit. Defensive end Nicholas Clayton, a Wisconsin commit, will take on a larger leadership role on the defense following the departures. 

“We know we lost about 20 seniors last year, and they were pretty big parts,” Clayton said. “Being a leader on this defense is a big thing for me and just leading them and pushing each other.”

Buchholz also has defensive tackle Elijah Daniels, who holds offers from Austin Peay, Wofford, Jackson State and UT-Martin and has safety R.J. Livingston leading the defensive backfield.

Despite some changes throughout the team, one similarity from the last couple of seasons will be a difficult schedule. Seven of the Bobcats’ 10 opponents were Florida playoff teams last season.

Buchholz will open its 2024 campaign with a matchup on the road against fellow state-semifinalist Vanguard (Ocala) on Aug. 23. Other tough road opponents include matchups against Vero Beach (Aug. 30), Richmond Hill (Ga.) (Sept. 20) alongside district-foes Nease (Sept. 27) and Bartram Trail (Oct. 25). 

The Bobcats host other playoff teams such as Manatee (Sept. 13) and Cardinal Newman (Oct. 31).

“I think it leaves a lot to look forward to,” Whittemore said. “We’re in for a tough start and trying to situate these kids mentally all summer. This is maybe the toughest schedule that we’ve faced up to this point. We got to get our big boy pants on and make sure we’re ready to go. It’s going to be intense.”