RIVIERA BEACH – It has been a mostly arduous coaching journey this year for Remington Young.
Since being named as the newest high school football head coach at Inlet Grove on April 15, Young has had to undergo a completely overhauled roster of players and coaches. Not only that, support for Young as the Hurricanes head coach was almost nonexistent at some points over these past several months.
During 561 Media Day on Saturday, August 2 at Delray Beach Golf Club in Delray Beach, Young revealed to media members that at one point, he only had five players on his roster.
Robert “RJ” Hickox, the 6-foot-1, 165-pound starting quarterback for Inlet Grove, was one of those players selected to take part in the 561 Media Day event. He is a Dwyer transfer with one season to show what he can do as a signal caller.
Both Young and Hickox have been doubted and counted out by most. But they have used this a fuel to overcome the myriad of challenges they have faced together over these past several months.
Hickox has been happy with Young’s level of resolve and resourcefulness in the quest to turn nothing into something.
“Remy is one of very few coaches down here who have fully put their trust in me and believed in me,” Hickox said. “He said that his vision was to build a winning program. All I had to do was believe in him like he believes in me, not only as a head coach but as an offensive coordinator as well. He makes sure I’m in a position to showcase not only my talent but my hard work and dedication to get to where I am now, as well as a friend I can come to whenever.”
Inlet Grove had to endure two cancelled games – Kickoff Classic and Week 1 – due to a combination of factors that included inclement weather. But the program overcame the setbacks with extended practice time as the roster grew from five to 25 players and a coaching staff that has rounded into form.
The first official game of the season was on Thursday, Sept. 4 at home against the Somerset Academy Key Lions. It resulted in a program-lifting 30-0 win for the Hurricanes (1-0).
Hilcox completed 14 of 20 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns, one each to senior wide receivers Cinegar “CJ” Smith (5 receptions, 73 yards; touchdown reception in the first half) and Xavier Cooper (70+ yard touchdown reception in the second half). He added 55 rushing yards in his team’s season debut.
Other scores came from senior running back Cornellius “Tico” Terry (touchdown in the first half) and junior running back Antoine Jackson (touchdown in the second half).
As a result of this program-defining triumph, Young was voted as New Era Prep’s 561 Coach of Week 3 and Inlet Grove was voted as New Era Prep’s Team of Week 3.
“I think being able to just have the game was a win,” Young said. “The actual fact we won the game is maybe one of the biggest accomplishment I’ve had as a coach. Scoring 30 points and not allowing any points I think as my first official in season game for myself, I showed my potential. For my team I would have to say the energy that comes from this squad comes chip on the shoulder. Players who have been backups now are starters or getting in positions they dreamed of. Making plays is key. This team has my back, and 100 percent leadership is coming from our seniors. This team is here to make a statement and show who they are.”
Hickox shared more of his sentiment on Young’s first win as a head coach and more.
“When Coach Remy first spoke about his vision for the team, a lot of them looked at him crazy,” Hickox said. “However, when he told me his vision, I saw a lot of myself in him. We were both looking to prove people wrong. It was tough when the season started because my teammates, coaches and I all knew what we had, but no one else did and we were all eager to show it. Unfortunately we couldn’t get a kickoff classic and our Week 1 game was cancelled due to inclement weather, which led to our bye week.”
Hickox did not stop there.
“That week we really started to lock in extra because we knew we had doubters we had to prove wrong,” Hickox said. “We conditioned a lot, repped out our plays, and went over as much film as we could. We had all the tools we needed to beat Somerset Key. All we had to do was come together as a family and come out with a win, which is exactly what we did and are looking to do every week going forward.”
Inlet Grove’s next game is at home against Somerset Academy Canyons (0-2) on Friday night (Sept. 12; 7 p.m. kickoff). It is the first of two District 11-2A games for the program.
The remaining games for the 2025 regular season are as follows:
•Week 5: Home vs. Somerset Academy South Homestead – Friday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
•Week 6: Away at King’s Academy for the second and final District 11-2A game – Friday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m.
•Week 7: Home vs. ABF Academy – Friday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m.
•Week 8: Away at Jupiter Christian – Friday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.
•Week 9: Away at Legacy – Thursday, Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m.
•Week 10: Away at Orlando Christian Prep – Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
•Week 11: Away at McLaughlin – Friday, Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m.
“I have one goal,” Young said. “It’s not a championship and it’s not a playoff win. It’s making sure these athletes who came in have fun. I know with that being done, the other things will fall in place.”
Young is here to prove that he is a football head coach with staying power in this industry.
“No one wanted to give me a chance,” Young said. “I’m just trying to prove everyone at any school, any place, and any situation I am able to build. I’m happy here and blessed.”
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