Stars Shine In Tallahassee
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No matter if you won or lost this past weekend at the Florida High School State Football Championships at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium, you had a memory that will never be forgotten. The chance to be in…
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Continue ReadingNo matter if you won or lost this past weekend at the Florida High School State Football Championships at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium, you had a memory that will never be forgotten.
The chance to be in the spotlight on the largest stage in the state.
As many of those gifted athletes on the 16 teams did their thing, there was also those who made it happen – away from the spotlight.
Today – as part of Christmas Week – we take a look back at some of those football players who did well.
1A
While it took a huge 152 yard effort from Kayleb Wagner to spark the team, it was the little things that gave this program a much-deserved state championship.
The 27-14 win over Hawthorne was indeed something that head coach Joe Brunson will always remember.
Defensive standouts for Baker included Brody Sharpe, Ethan Edge, Gavin Vacarello, Jared Rayborn, Joe Brunson, Brandon Moss, Jesse Jordan, Zane Steele and Ryan Fleming.
Defensively, Hawthorne had Camren Cohens, Maki Graham, Jayquan Williams, Artavis Mallary, Jallen Ruth and Jordin Fluellen.
2A
Junior Benson Prosper was the Star of the Game for the Hialeah Champagnat Catholic Lions with three TD receptions in a 41-27 win over Jacksonville University Christian.
The defenses were also active in that opening quarter – with Justin Payoute, Larrion Louis-Welch and Darnell Georges making things happen for the Lions.
The Christians also had some top players on defense – with Coast Moyle, Desirrio Riles and Mark Brown leading the way.
3A
Playing against three-time defending state champion Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, Jacksonville Trinity Christian (11-1) came back from a 16-point deficit to win the game, 25-22.
Defensive standouts for the Lions included Jeremiah McGill (6 tackles), Allan Haye Allan Haye 6'1" | 300 lbs | DL Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2021 FL Jr. (6 tackles), Jordan Lynch, Kalunj Matthews, Dylan Reid Dylan Reid LB Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2022 FL and Curtis Janvier.
Trinity Christian defensive standouts were Lucius Lattimore (12 tackles), Deon Briggs (9 tackles) and Caden Morrell (9 tackled).and Thomas Fryer (8 tackles).
4A
With senior quarterback Brody Palhegyi throwing for 358 yards and 4 scores and adding 78 more on the ground, the 8-1 Chiefs captured a state title for the second time in three years, 35-21, against Jacksonville Bolles.
Among the top defenders for the Chiefs include Zachary Farris, Jah-mal Williams, Trayvon Brown, Isaiah Farris, Sanaan Cuffy, Jertavis Black, Jai Levison and Mason Thomas.
For the Bulldogs, Mack Marrone, Caden Fordham Caden Fordham 6'2" | 220 lbs | DB Jacksonville Bolles | 2021 FL , Avery Epstein, Jack Pyburn Jack Pyburn 6'4" | 255 lbs | DL Jacksonville Bolles | 2022 FL , D.J. Johnson, Jackson Brill, Kavon Miller and Michael Bumphus.
5A
American Heritage Plantation’s 24-6 win over Tallahassee Rickards in the 5A championship game at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium, showed that this team has amazing defensive players – and a real threat at running back in sophomore Mark Fletcher Jr., who ran for 127 yards and a score.
There are a number of quality defensive prospects on both sides of the ball.
American Heritage features James Williams James Williams 6'4" | 205 lbs | DB Plantation American Heritage | 2021 State FL , Brian Blades, Earl Little Jr. Earl Little Jr. 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Plantation American Heritage | 2022 State FL , Marvin Jones Jr Marvin Jones Jr 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Plantation American Heritage | 2022 State FL ., Jaeden Kinlock, Josh Hartman, David Vadala, and Belizaire Bassette.
Rickards boasts Lionel Whitaker, Jeremiah Williams, Kameron Bell, Malik Franklin, Terrance McPherson Jr., Orian Ellis, Akari David and Trevon Riles.
6A
The Miami Central Rockets not only repeated as state champs, but they dismantled first time state finalist Lake Minneola, 46-0, and added to a championship total that this program has proudly won. The Rockets scored when they wanted to – forcing a running clock in the third quarter, but they outgained the 11-2 Hawks, 528-87.
Both teams had a number of gifted players out on the field Friday afternoon – on defense.
Among those for the Rockets featured Rhoody Jean Louis, Terrence Lewis Terrence Lewis 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Miami Central | 2021 State FL , Rueben Bain, Eddrin Lollar Eddrin Lollar 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB Miami Central | 2021 FL , Elijah Vaughn, Stefon Young-Rolle, Wesley Bissainthe Wesley Bissainthe 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Miami Central | 2022 State FL and Chester Fearo
For Lake Minneola, Ethon Cole, Drake Harwell, Ralph Ortiz, Kyeaure Magliore, Miguel Watts, Tyler Fields, Dylan Tomaselli and Brendan Flakes.
7A
Saving the best game for last, Roger Harriott’s St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders and Cameron Duke’s Orlando Edgewater Eagles once again battled it out for all four quarters, and in the end, St. Thomas Aquinas had won its 12th state football title, 31-21.
Every game in the state finals has featured some impressive defensive performers – and this game is no different.
St. Thomas featured Kylan Stephens, King Mack, Dallas Turner Dallas Turner 6'4" | 245 lbs | LB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 State FL , Derrieon Craig, Jaydon Hood Jaydon Hood 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 State FL , Isaiah Taylor and Tyson Russell Tyson Russell 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 FL .
The Eagles boasted Christopher Fulse, Jeremiah Connelly Jeremiah Connelly WR Orlando Edgewater | 2022 FL , Kevin Butler, D’Antre Robinson and Chrishaun Anderson.
8A
In forcing numerous turnovers and coming up with huge play after huge play – on both sides of the ball, the Seminoles (12-0) took home a 38-10 win over Kissimmee Osceola in a rare Central Florida match up.
In addition to the outstanding offensive prospects this game had, there were also some game-changers on defense as well.
Osceola boasted Alvin Lee, Spencer Richards Spencer Richards K Kissimmee Osceola | 2022 FL , Anthony Famularo, Kaylan Walters, Jeremiah Wilson, Lamont Lee. John Walker and Nolin Eaddy.
Seminole also had impressive standouts as well. Players such as Kameron Moore Kameron Moore LB Sanford Seminole | 2022 FL , Zion Alce, Ja’cari Henderson Ja’cari Henderson 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB Sanford Seminole | 2022 State FL , Delvin Ingram, Josh Lyles, Jamez Drummer, Marseille Taylor, Lucas Fonseca and Devell Moore Jr.
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.