ROUND 1 PLAYOFFS: The Best Step Up
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The playoffs are now under way – and like we have done since back in early September – we continue to keep an eye on the top football prospects in the state of Florida. With the teams narrowing down the…
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Continue ReadingThe playoffs are now under way – and like we have done since back in early September – we continue to keep an eye on the top football prospects in the state of Florida.
With the teams narrowing down the field – you will start to see some amazing performances as all eyes will start to focus in on what’s going on here in Florida.
Today, we give you a look at more game-changing performances from the opening round of the playoffs.
Port Orange Atlantic quarterback John Killingsworth tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mason Tandy in the first overtime to give the Sharks a 6-3 win over Lake Weir.
Four turnovers and a 33-yard field goal by K.J. McCabe made just enough of a difference to push Daytona Beach Mainland past Gainesville High, 24-21.
Amir Brown ran for 155 yards and a TD gave Daytona Beach Seabreeze a 21-20 win over Gulf Breeze.
Aaron Manning Aaron Manning 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Port Orange Atlantic | 2021 FL had 258 total yards and two touchdowns, Javon Ross finished with 121 receiving yards and a score, and the DeLand defense stifled University from the start as the Bulldogs shutout the Titans, 35-0.
Noah Cundiff’s 65-yard touchdown reception with 2.4 seconds left in the first half stood as Matanzas, who waited 15 years to host a high school football playoff game, edge New Smyrna Beach, 7-6.
D.J. Curtis intercepted a pass and quarterback Creed Whittemore hit Quan Smith on a screen pass in the middle of the field for a touchdown as Gainesville Buchholz dominated St. Johns Creekside and advanced to the regional quarterfinals with an easy 46-13 victory.
Tailbacks Dre Lawrence (45 yards) and Brian James (41 yards) each scored two touchdowns, while athlete Johnquavis Jones ran for another and quarterback Chaz Mackey Chaz Mackey QB Citra North Marion | 2022 FL was 7 of 12 for 144 yards to lead Hawthorne to a 40-0 win over Chiefland.
Dominic Larry accounted for three scores as Tallahassee Lincoln won the first playoff victory for rookie head coach B.J. Daniels, 42-8 over Jacksonville First Coast.
Henry Williams and Dayon Rawls each rushed for two touchdowns to break open a close game as Jacksonville Lee rolled to a 41-6 win against Fort Walton Beach. Five-star cornerback Jaheim Singletary Jaheim Singletary 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Jacksonville Lee | 2022 State FL set up a touchdown with an interception.
Tray Tolliver scored on the opening kickoff and caught a touchdown pass from Marcus Peterson as Lake City Columbia beat Ponte Vedra, 14-0.
Defending state 6A runner up Pensacola Escambia used a three-touchdown pass from Rennie Prim in a 44-0 win over Middleburg.
Ty Baxter finished with 155 yards on 23 carries and St. Augustine opened its state playoff run with a 38-24 win over Lynn Haven Mosley. Dequan Stanley Dequan Stanley 5'10" | 160 lbs | WR St. Augustine | 2021 FL finished with six catches for 85 yards and interception.
Martranius Mack dashed for 186 yards and two touchdowns to lead Jacksonville Ribault to a 38-33 win over Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee. Santana Jackson passed for 207 yards and three scores.
Duane Graham ran for 165 yards and 2 TDs as Menendez beat Mount Dora.
Al’Querious Ray rushed for three touchdowns, and Tre Griner and Gavin Rossow also ran for scores as Green Cove Springs Clay beat Leesburg 43-0.
Sophomore JoJo Restall rushed for two scores, Maliek Carter caught a 65-yard touchdown pass – and CJ Jackson and Britton Roberts got two sacks each as Orange Park rolled over Citrus, 20-7.
Max Monroe threw touchdowns to Spencer Calise and Josh Dorsainvil – and Miika Tuisano picked off a pass and rushed for the go-ahead as Orange Park Ridgeview beat Tavares 38-20.
Kade Frew Kade Frew RB Jacksonville Bolles | 2022 FL rushed for 196 yards and three touchdowns, quarterback Gunner Boree rushed for a score, and Keaton Thomas Keaton Thomas WR Jacksonville Bolles | 2022 FL caught a touchdown pass as Jacksonville Bolles beat The Villages, 44-14.
Erric Smith pounded out 210 yards on 26 carries and freshman QB Dae’Jon Shanks rushed for 183 yards and a touchdown, and passed for 124 yards and two more scores as Starke Bradford County beat Keystone Heights, 40-14.
Khamari Barksdale ran for three scores, including the game-winner with 41 seconds left as Fernandina Beach beat West Nassau for the first playoff win in school history.
Ershod Jasey and Kirk Reed rushed for two touchdowns apiece, and Tucker Tomberlin completed TD passes to Jack Bogan and Corey Scott as Jacksonville Episcopal beat Interlachen, 41-19.
Ja’Won Grey opened the game with an interception return for a touchdown and a 60-yard scoring reception from Desirrio Riles as Jacksonville University Christian beat Aucilla Christian, 41-16.
Tyler Jefferson threw a scoring pass to Darren Clark as Fort White upset Branford, 21-20.
Jason Sheffield caught the game-winning two-point conversion from Lyle Bennett and the defense used strong performances from DJ Blake, Cam Chavarria, Carson Newkirk, Lane Beasley and Huntley Moore, who had sacks as Hilliard remained unbeaten, 22-21, over Mayo Lafayette.
St. Petersburg Lakewood senior quarterback Jack Smitherman hit sophomore Aviyon Mack in stride on a perfect skinny post that became a 68-yard dash to the house running backs Zyon Jerger (12 carries for 94 yards), Jeremiah Wise (nine carries, 51 yards) and Joe Jackson (seven carries, 35 yards) all chipped in during a win over Titusville Astronaut.
Junior quarterback Tyler Huff connected with Jayden Gibson Jayden Gibson 6'6" | 185 lbs | WR Winter Garden West Orange | 2022 State FL on a 27-yard touchdown and fired two more scores as Winter Garden West Orange rolled over Ocoee. Huff finished 8-for-16 for 143 yards.
Quarterback Canaan Mobley accounted for five touchdowns to propel Edgewater to a 47-14 win against Ocala Forest. Two long touchdown passes by Mobley — a 56-yarder to Christian Leary Christian Leary 5'11" | 185 lbs | WR Orlando Edgewater | 2021 State FL and a 40-yarder to Tommi Hill Tommi Hill 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Orlando Edgewater | 2021 State FL — made it a 40-7 ballgame in the fourth quarter. Mobley completed 12 of his 16 pass attempts, including three TDs. He also ran for two scores.
Ayron Rodriguez ran for 86 yards and two touchdowns, and Jaden Machules passed for 151 yards and another score as Winter Park got past East Ridge.
St. Petersburg Lakewood senior QB Jack Smitherman completed seven passes for 218 yards and 3 TDs in a win.
Tampa Bay Tech QB David Wright threw for 335 yards and five TDs in win over Bartow. Wright has now thrown for a combined 17 TDs in his last four games.
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.