WEEK 3 STANDOUTS: Busha Leads The Way
One of the more popular things we are putting out each week is this blog – where the athletes who do well each week on the football field are spotlighted. It is here where we will talk about teams –…
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Continue ReadingOne of the more popular things we are putting out each week is this blog – where the athletes who do well each week on the football field are spotlighted.
It is here where we will talk about teams – or prospects that we see in our travels across this talent-rich state.
No matter if it’s IMG, Venice, Fort Pierce Westwood, Fort Pierce Central, St. Lucie Treasure Coast, South Fork, Hialeah Champagnat Catholic, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, Plantation American Heritage, Lehigh or Punta Gorda Charlotte, we have been on hand to see how some of the other areas are getting along – away from when we are used to watching them in practice or at camps and combines.
Having the opportunity to watch all these young men perform only helps to confirm some things from watching them on film. There is more to this sport than just being physical, and when you can see prospects from at least “6 feet away”, you can see and learn so much more.
This past Friday night, it was Charlotte High in beautiful Punta Gorda, playing host to Lehigh – and this was a very good game. Got to give it to first year head coach Wade Taylor for picking up where the legend Binky Waldrop left off.
The Tarpons beat Lehigh 21-16 in a thriller that went back and forth.
As both teams gave the fans in Punta Gorda something to cheer about with impressive prospects on both sides of the ball.
As Charlotte rolls out some impressive talent – and Lehigh boasting major college talent, under Coach Chaney, perhaps the most intriguing story is Charlotte quarterback John Busha.
Pronounced Boo-shay, this gifted standout has been the talk of the state in the first three plus weeks.
Averaging over 300 total yards in the four wins, this is a 6-foot-3, 200-pounder who can run and pass, and he had certainly done that.
This is a prospect, along with Lehigh 2023 phenom Richard Young, who were the showcase players. Athletes who have something to do with the outcome.
Busha did not disappoint. First, lets give credit to Lehigh, who had some players and will win much more than they would lose this season.
What Busha is for these Tarpons is someone who moves the chains and is a pure athlete, who would be as great a receiver as he would a safety. But for this team he is the lifeline on offense to a program that is young and still searching for that leadership and identity. They have been competitive in the past few years, but can really leave their calling card for the present – and future.
Busha is just a great talent to have – and one who needed this season to hep open some eyes – and we believe those eyes are wide open now!
In addition to this quality football player, here are some more head-turners last weekend:
Eric Weatherly Eric Weatherly WR St. Johns Bartram Trail | 2022 FL caught eight passes for 80 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown reception that gave Bartram Trail (3-0) a 35-21 win over St. Augustine.
Cobie Bates tallied three touchdowns, including a return of the opening kickoff, as Oakeaf beat Class 2A state semifinalist University Christian, 45-28.
Baldwin (3-0) quarterback Bryce Tompkins fired long touchdowns to Jamal Lee and Armale Dubose in a 23-13 win against Jacksonville Episcopal.
Jacksonville Parker’s Daniel Shaw gained 187 yards on six receptions in a 21-20 loss to Atlantic Coast.
Ponte Vedra Jacobi Myers Jacobi Myers 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Ponte Vedra | 2021 FL scored three times, ran for 58 yards and nearly 200 yards through the air to lead the Sharks past Menendez, 37-10.
Jaquez Moore scored two first-half touchdown rushes and also passed for two scores to lead the Live Oak Suwannee to a 38-20 win over Bradford County.
A.J. Cortese produced five touchdowns, four passing and one rushing, and Cortez Slocum caught three TD passes to lead Union County over Interlachen, 49-14.
The front five of of Leontre Robinson, D’andre Rush, Malachi Jackson, Carson Price and Brandon Hamilton helped Newberry to a 35-14 win Taylor.
Led by Jamarian Samuel Jamarian Samuel 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Ocala Trinity Catholic | 2021 FL ’s 4 TDs, Ocala Trinity Catholic rolled to a 38-7 win over Gainesville.
Freshman RB Davion Gause, stepping in for University of Miami commitment Thaddius Franklin Thaddius Franklin 6'2" | 220 lbs | RB Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2021 State FL , ran for for 136 yards on 16 carries as Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna beat Fort Myers Bishop Verot.
Senior TB E.J. Lockett ran for 230 yards and 2 TDs for Sebring against Clearwater Central Catholic.
South Walton 2022 QB Kemper Hodges has been lighting it up this year with 1,000 yards and 12 TDs.
Bloomingdale senior WR Agiye Hall Agiye Hall 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Valrico Bloomingdale | 2021 State FL , an Alabama commit, snared senior quarterback Tre Simmons’ third touchdown pass — a 28-yarder — on the final play of the game for a stunning 25-22 victory against Tampa Bay Tech.
Wiregrass Ranch QB Rocco Becht Rocco Becht QB Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Ranch | 2022 FL completed 15-of-21 passes for 290 yards and six touchdowns in guiding his team to a 41-21 win. Becht ended up tying a Pasco County record for touchdowns in a game, now sharing the mark with Stevie Weatherford (Land O’ Lakes), Gilbert Einstein (Bishop McLaughlin), Charles Harrison (Zephyrhills) and River Ridge’s own Trenton Hawks.
Nasir Bowers picked off Logan Hackett Logan Hackett QB Lakeland Lake Gibson | 2022 FL with 1:58 to play to lock up Lakeland’s 23-22 victory over Lake Gibson and extended its regular season winning streak to 29 games.
Winter Haven’s ground game was the star of the night in a 40-30 win over Ridge Community School. The Blue Devils racked up 347 yards behind the efforts of Jakobe Lane (106 yards) and two touchdowns. Jacobe Fowler also reached 100 yards, and Xavier Marlow had 99.
Victory Christian running back Cornelius Shaw only ran the ball 12 times, but he piled up a personal-best 354 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Storm to a 42-20 win over Sarasota Cardinal Mooney.
Senior Daithan Davis hauled in two timely touchdown catches to lead Bartow to a 20-6 win over Auburndale.
Senior running back Zay Mathis ran for 100 yards as All Saints rolled up a total of 400 yards in a 60-0 win over Riverview Bell Creek. Mathis needed only three carries, as seven players got in the scoring act.
Senior QB D.J. Arroyo threw four first half touchdowns in Cocoa’s 49-0 win over Heritage.
Abe Torres scored three touchdowns as Titusville Astronaut rolled to a 48-7 win against Space Coast. Antonio Caito Antonio Caito QB Titusville Astronaut | 2022 FL went over 100 yards.
Chase Gillespie racked up 17 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown in Tallahassee Godby’s 32-7 win over his previous school, Chiles
Acullia Christian remained unbeaten with a 42-0 win over Fullington 0 as QB Brady Brown was 5 of 5 for 128 yards with two touchdowns. He also ran for a pair of TDs. Nikki Patel caught both of his scoring strikes. Tripp Joyner has a game-high 110 yards.
Tallahassee Maclay had big plays from Caleb Heuchan, Broedy Poppell and a punt return by Shane Croston in a 38-7 win against Bristol Liberty County.
Ahmari Harvey Ahmari Harvey 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Tallahassee Florida High | 2021 State FL accounted for two touchdowns. He returned a kickoff and an interception. Tre Donaldson Tre Donaldson 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Tallahassee Florida | 2022 State FL rushed for a 75-yard score and connected with George Henderson on a 55-yard pass as defending state 3A runner-up Tallahassee Forida High took down 1A powerhouse Madison County, 30-14.
A 10-yard touchdown run by Harrison Adkinson with 6:56 left to play proved to be the game-winner as Chipley knocked off the state’s defending 1A runner-up Blountstown, 28-26. Isaac Berry completed 13 of 18 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns to lead Chipley, with Damion Robinson bringing in six catches for 69 yards and a touchdown.
All-around standout Jonathan Fairbanks had a school record 7 tackles for loss as Mitchell continued to roll against Cypress Creek.
Lennard Junior QB Gavin Henley threw for 171 yards and 3 TDs against Tampa Alonso.
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.