Stars Shine In Tallahassee

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 the spotlight on the largest stage in the state. <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-86509" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/Tallahassee2020-XXXX-15-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" />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. <strong>1A</strong> While it took a huge 152 yard effort from<strong> Kayleb Wagner </strong>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 <strong>Joe Brunson </strong>will always remember. Defensive standouts for Baker included<strong> Brody Sharpe, Ethan Edge, Gavin Vacarello, Jared Rayborn, Joe Brunson, Brandon Moss, Jesse Jordan, Zane Steele </strong>and <strong>Ryan Fleming.</strong> Defensively, Hawthorne had <strong>Camren Cohens, Maki Graham, Jayquan Williams, Artavis Mallary, Jallen Ruth </strong>and<strong> Jordin Fluellen.</strong> <strong>2A</strong> Junior <strong>Benson Prosper </strong>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 <strong>Justin Payoute, Larrion Louis-Welch and Darnell Georges</strong> making things happen for the Lions. The Christians also had some top players on defense – with <strong>Coast Moyle, Desirrio Riles </strong>and <strong>Mark Brown</strong> leading the way. <strong>3A</strong> 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 <strong>Jeremiah McGill</strong> (6 tackles), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="32895" first="Allan" last="Haye"] Jr.</strong> (6 tackles), <strong>Jordan Lynch, Kalunj Matthews, [player_tooltip player_id="50288" first="Dylan" last="Reid"] </strong>and <strong>Curtis Janvier.</strong> Trinity Christian defensive standouts were <strong>Lucius Lattimore</strong> (12 tackles), <strong>Deon Briggs</strong> (9 tackles) and <strong>Caden Morrell</strong> (9 tackled).and <strong>Thomas Fryer</strong> (8 tackles). <strong>4A</strong> With senior quarterback<strong> Brody Palhegyi </strong>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 <strong>Zachary Farris, Jah-mal Williams, Trayvon Brown, Isaiah Farris, Sanaan Cuffy, Jertavis Black, Jai Levison</strong> and <strong>Mason Thomas</strong>. For the Bulldogs, <strong>Mack Marrone, [player_tooltip player_id="32838" first="Caden" last="Fordham"], Avery Epstein, [player_tooltip player_id="50287" first="Jack" last="Pyburn"], D.J. Johnson, Jackson Brill, Kavon Miller </strong>and <strong>Michael Bumphus.</strong> <strong>5A</strong> 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<strong> Mark Fletcher Jr.</strong>, 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<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="32615" first="James" last="Williams"], Brian Blades, [player_tooltip player_id="49993" first="Earl" last="Little Jr."], [player_tooltip player_id="49989" first="Marvin" last="Jones Jr"]., Jaeden Kinlock, Josh Hartman, David Vadala, </strong>and<strong> Belizaire Bassette.</strong> Rickards boasts<strong> Lionel Whitaker, Jeremiah Williams, Kameron Bell, Malik Franklin, Terrance McPherson Jr., Orian Ellis, Akari David </strong>and<strong> Trevon Riles.</strong> <strong>6A</strong> 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 <strong>Rhoody Jean Louis, [player_tooltip player_id="32613" first="Terrence" last="Lewis"], Rueben Bain, [player_tooltip player_id="32848" first="Eddrin" last="Lollar"], Elijah Vaughn, Stefon Young-Rolle, [player_tooltip player_id="49987" first="Wesley" last="Bissainthe"] </strong>and <strong>Chester Fearo</strong> For Lake Minneola, <strong>Ethon Cole, Drake Harwell, Ralph Ortiz, Kyeaure Magliore, Miguel Watts, Tyler Fields, Dylan Tomaselli </strong>and <strong>Brendan Flakes.</strong> <strong>7A</strong> Saving the best game for last,<strong> Roger Harriott’s </strong>St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders and<strong> Cameron Duke’s </strong>Orlando Edgewater Eagles once again battled it out for all four quarters, and in the end, St. Thomas Aquinas had won its 12^th 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 <strong>Kylan</strong> <strong>Stephens, King Mack, [player_tooltip player_id="32622" first="Dallas" last="Turner"], Derrieon Craig, [player_tooltip player_id="32655" first="Jaydon" last="Hood"], Isaiah Taylor </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="32856" first="Tyson" last="Russell"].</strong> The Eagles boasted <strong>Christopher Fulse, [player_tooltip player_id="50188" first="Jeremiah" last="Connelly"], Kevin Butler, D’Antre Robinson </strong>and <strong>Chrishaun Anderson.</strong> <strong>8A</strong> 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<strong> Alvin Lee, [player_tooltip player_id="50113" first="Spencer" last="Richards"], Anthony Famularo, Kaylan Walters, Jeremiah Wilson, Lamont Lee. John Walker </strong>and<strong> Nolin Eaddy.</strong> Seminole also had impressive standouts as well. Players such as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50283" first="Kameron" last="Moore"], Zion Alce, [player_tooltip player_id="50303" first="Jacari" last="Henderson"], Delvin Ingram, Josh Lyles, Jamez Drummer,</strong> <strong>Marseille Taylor, Lucas Fonseca </strong>and <strong>Devell Moore Jr.</strong> <strong>Y<em>ou Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on </em></strong><strong><em>Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>