Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League

11 Feb 2020
By: APDFL Staff Writer

Pensacola, FL – Gulf Coast Gators enter the 2020 season ranked No. 2 after an impressive off-season signing period. Having fallen only twice on the season, both times to the National Presidents Cup Champions Mississippi Dynasty, the Gators will look to build on their accomplishments and make their way into the National Presidents Cup Championship Game.

For Gulf Coast, with a new season comes a new chapter. They will play their 2020 season in unfamiliar territory as they have relocated the team from Navarre, FL to Pensacola FL. “We are excited about the move to Pensacola as we go into our third year,” said team owner and Head Coach Phil Carver. With a team made up of players from across the Panhandle and into the state of Alabama, calling Pensacola home may be beneficial but could also pose recruiting issues as well.

Although Gulf Coast is a young team, going into their third year of existence, they are no strangers to success. A large portion of the roster remains from the inaugural 2013 APDFL Championship Team. The addition of stand-out QB Tyrone Jones, and his year two progression in the Gulf Coast system, has put them in position to be an offensive power house for years to come.

Gulf Coasts defense continues to be stacked. “We’re expecting more of the same,” said Carver. Sack leader and 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, Eugene Robinson, returns to anchor a defensive front 7 that applies pressure constantly all game long. 2 time Defensive Player of the Year Labarron Mallory returns to the secondary along with All-Star and APDFL H.O.F nominee Rico Ruffin to lead what could possibly be the most talented secondary in the country.

“We’ve got to survive the early onslaught of road games and put ourselves in a great position to compete every week,” Said Carver.

Gulf Coast will get the chance to prove exactly how good they are early in the season. They kick-off their 2020 campaign in the Commissioners Kickoff Classic in the Gator Bowl against the Central Florida Gators in Phenix City, AL. The following week they will travel to Monticello, FL as they face the Georgia Cobras in two early season top 10 match-ups.