FLORIDA SEMIFINAL STANDOUTS
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As the final 16 teams were narrowed down last Friday night, we are now at a place where every team, player, coach and fan had dreamed about since last spring and summer. The state championships begin this week in Tallahassee…
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Continue ReadingAs the final 16 teams were narrowed down last Friday night, we are now at a place where every team, player, coach and fan had dreamed about since last spring and summer.
The state championships begin this week in Tallahassee – with the 1A, 2A and 3A teams headed to Gene Cox Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Next week, the scene shifts to Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium for the 4A-8A games.
This season has certainly been one to remember – across the state with Covid still playing a part – several teams had to scrape and fight just to make achieve a higher seeding.
The great thing about Monday here at Prep Redzone Florida is we bring you back to this past week’s with some top performers. Check these game-changers out:
1A
Tyler Jefferson Tyler Jefferson 6'2" | 220 lbs | QB Fort White | 2023 FL ran for two touchdowns, and Anthony Morgan had three turnovers, including an interception returned for a score, as Hawthorne High defeated Chipley 24-6 to return to the Class 1A football state championship for a second consecutive year.
Senior RB Tommie House ran for 236 yards and a score, Jamie Hampton, Latoris Young, Keoni Nelson to lead Madison County back to the state title game with a win over Chiefland.
2A
Super freshman QB Ennio Yapoor completed 20 passes for 277 yards, 1 TD pass, 50 rushing yards (2 TDs) and 327 total yards as two-time defending state champion Hialeah Champagnat Catholic got by Naples First Baptist and will head to the state title game for the 6th straight season.
Treyaun Webb Treyaun Webb 6'1" | 205 lbs | RB Jacksonville Trinity Christian | 2023 State FL scored twice, freshman QB Colin Hurley and Seth Bialek added three field goals as last year’s 3A state champion Jacksonville Trinity Christian advanced to the 2A state title game.
3A
Running backs Travis Bates and Xavier Townsend Xavier Townsend 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Tampa Berkeley Prep | 2022 State FL led an offensive attack that piled up over 400 yards as unbeaten Tampa Berkeley Prep rolled to a 42-14 win over Lakeland Christian. Bates, who had 1,500 yards entering the game, rushed for more than 300 and scored three touchdowns. Townsend added more than 100 and finished with two rushing touchdowns.
Sophomore quarterback C.J. Bailey completed 14 passes for 256 yards and 2 scores as Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna beat Tallahassee Florida High, 38-3. Sophomore RB Davion Gause once again helped to add balance.
4A
Quarterback Davin Wydner (20/29 324yds 3 touchdowns and a two-point conversion), Donte Cook (8 catches, 108yds and 3 scores), Jmariyae Robinson (7 catches, 156 yards) and O.J. Ross O.J. Ross 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Cocoa | 2022 State FL (87 rushing yards 2 scores and 2 receptions, 23 yards) as Cocoa rolled over Jacksonville Bolles.
For the second week in a row, the defending state champions had to come from behind and will head to the state championship game. Receiver Elisha Edwards, running back Kamari Moulton Kamari Moulton 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons | 2023 State FL and QB Dylan Rizk Dylan Rizk 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons | 2023 State FL paved the way on offense – and standouts Mason Thomas Mason Thomas DL Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons | 2022 FL , Tray Brown Tray Brown 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons | 2022 State FL and Ahmad Moten Ahmad Moten DL Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons | 2022 FL paved the way on defense.
5A
Kicker/QB Brady Denaburg Brady Denaburg K Merritt Island | 2022 FL , one of the best in the nation, booted a game-winning field goal in a 12-10 win over Sebring. The Mustangs also had a solid defensive performance from Aaron Session, who had a pair of sacks and 13 tackles. Also, Dominic Shields, Able Wellborn, Jason Burchfield, Bridger Koby, Maddox Moss and Julius Bennett all did well.
Junior QB Keyone Jenkins Keyone Jenkins 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB Miami Central | 2023 FL completed 19 passes for 288 yards and 4 scores as Miami Central beat Baker County to advance to a third straight state championship appearance.
6A
There were a number of top performers in Tampa Jesuit’s 37-12 win over Miami Northwestern in 6A. Senior Wayne Quinn II had three quarterback sacks. Running back Joquez Smith Joquez Smith 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Tampa Jesuit | 2023 FL ran for 227 yards and 3 scores.
Pensacola Pine Forest standout Lamartaz Odoms intercepted an Orlando Jones pass in overtime to seal the Eagles’ 20-13 victory. Tierra Wilson and Donielle Hayes also came up with some big plays as well. Deonmtrez McLamb, Tylan Nettles and Rasheed Loveland also made an impact.
7A
Quarterback Xavione Washington Xavione Washington 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB Tampa Catholic | 2023 FL threw touchdown passes to Greg Gaines III and Javion McKay and Ronald Sims ran for a score to punch undefeated Tampa Bay Tech’s ticket to the state championship game for the first time in school history. The Titans rolled over Lakeland Lake Gibson, 42-14.
Senior QB Zion Turner Zion Turner 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL punched his third consecutive trip to the state finals as he completed 12 of 13 passes and accounted for 4 scores as St. Thomas Aquinas rolled over Gainesville Buchholz. Senior RB Anthony Hankerson Anthony Hankerson 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Fort Lauderdae St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL , WR Jaylan Sanchez also contributed as the Raiders remain red hot.
8A
In the convincing win by Venice over Miami Christopher Columbus, junior defensive end Damon Wilson Damon Wilson 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Venice | 2023 State FL had three sacks and two huge tackles for a loss. Defensive lineman Makalynn Clayton had two sacks. Jack Huber had the final on a cornerback blitz.
QB Andrew McClain, running back Quincy Frazier Quincy Frazier 6'2" | 220 lbs | RB Apopka | 2022 FL and Keondray Jones all made a major contribution on offense, and Apopka’s stingy defense held one of the top offensive teams in the state to just three first downs and was held under 50 yards in a 21-0 win.
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