United front: QB Jahtavious Gayle, DT Jahmal Covington plan to lift John I. Leonard

GREENACRES – It is a great time for John I. Leonard to be back on the Palm Beach County map.

This is something that Jahtavious Gayle (2023 quarterback) and Jahmal Convington Jr. (2023 defensive tackle) want to see happen over the next few months ahead. They want to overcome their 1-9 overall record from last season, which included a nine-game losing streak from Weeks 2-11.

“Me and Tay both have the same goal as a team this offseason,” Covington Jr. said. “Me and Tay have been really focusing on changing the narrative of John I’s football team.”

As a junior, the 6-foot-5, 336-pound defensive tackle finished with 19 tackles (16 solo), 10 quarterback hurries, and two sacks in just six games for the Lancers.

GROWTH EXPERIENCE

Meanwhile, Gayle (6-foot-3 quarterback) ended his junior year with 1,006 passing yards and 10 total touchdowns (eight passing scores, two rushing scores) in four full games and another half of one game.

Before a slew of injuries cut short Gayle’s season, he was ranked in the MaxPreps Florida Top 5 in passing yardage – evidence that the Lancers quarterback has a level of untapped potential at his position.

In Gayle’s case, a host of colleges had the opportunity to see him in person this summer. He recapped how his moments in the spotlight can help him get John I. Leonard on the right track in the fall.

“Going to college prospect camps, it allowed us to go showcase our talents,” Gayle said. “Then doing the team car wash for fundraising, it was fun with good team bonding. And then the 7-on-7 tournament at Keiser, we were able to shock a lot of people and open their eyes. Even though we fell short, that only just showed me that I need to work on my finishing trait so I can help take John I over this hump.”

John I. Leonard went 3-1 in pool play this past weekend. As the No. 9 overall seed, the Lancers reached the second round of the Keiser 7-on-7 Tournament against No. 8 overall seed Palm Beach Gardens.

“I learned no matter what’s going on, you gotta always stay focused and don’t try to force every pass,” Gayle said. “I just have to have some trust in my defense. Also I’m very hard on myself, so the loss (15-13 to Palm Beach Gardens) helped me learn how to deal with everyone mentioning it all weekend. It helped with my mental toughness as well.”

Gayle shared what went well at the Keiser 7-on-7.

“In the game winner against Centennial, we were down 20-14 with 45 seconds left on the 40 and the corner was playing off all game,” Gayle said. “He finally decided to press [John I. Leonard 2023 athlete] Glawinson [Resignac] on the line. Glawinson beat him off the line, and the rest is history. That was my favorite because Centennial beat us last year in the game right before the finals. It was kinda like a revenge game.”

Gayle finished this past weekend’s Keiser 7-on-7 Tournament with 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

“Jah was hitting his targets consistently,” Inlet Grove 2023 athlete TJ Lott said of Gayle. “He knows how to spilt the ball in tight gaps.”

JAHMAL TIME

Covington Jr. shared his insightful summer experience to date.

“I’ve been going to college camps,” said Covington Jr., who has two offers right now from Doane and Kentucky Christian. “I’m learning better pass rush moves and coming out my stance faster. Shortly after our spring game, I picked up my second offer and a lot of interest. I have to make more film this year. That’s something I have been hearing a lot, so I’m going do to what has to be done.”

Covington Jr. had a memorable moment earlier this summer at FIU’s camp in Miami.

“When Jim Harbaugh and Lane Kiffin pulled me aside to get my information, it really lit my eyes up,” Covington Jr. said. “This makes me wanna go hard this season and get done what needs to be done.”

SENIOR GOALS

For Covington Jr., he wants his final season at John I. Leonard to result in him getting as much film as possible.

“I can turn my interests to official offers,” Covington Jr. said.

For Gayle, he wants to reach at least 3,000 passing yards and have less than five interceptions on the season.

And for both, they want one thing more than anything else.