Lake Minneola Ready For Another Run

As he left Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium after being soundly beaten by Miami Central in the 6A state title game, head coach <strong>Walter Banks</strong> knew that this may not be the last title trip his team made. In its inaugural trip to the state finals, this football team would showcase some outstanding seniors, who had been responsible for building this team into a power this past season. In what was a crazy year for everyone, the Hawks used the season to make a statement – and while many want to play on the shutout loss to the Rockets, others fully understand that what they have coming back for 2021, could make this a program and not a team that was just satisfied to get to the title game. Named earlier this week as 6A Coach of the Year, Banks will use the notoriety in the off-season – with some key prospects – along with some new faces that always help a team on the right track. While losing key seniors like <strong>Ennis Barrow </strong>(OL), <strong>Tyler Fields </strong>(LB), <strong>Aiden Lee</strong> (OT), <strong>Matthew Pierre</strong> (OL), Robbie Sanders (Athlete), standout running back <strong>Sidarius Walker,</strong> who was chosen for the <em>Florida-Georgia All-Star Game, </em>in Miami and outside linebacker <strong>Miguel Watts</strong>, is tough, the underclassmen have the chance to be very special. What gives Banks and the Hawks plenty of hope is that the two losses came against state champions – with Central and 8A state champion Sanford Seminole – and the fact that plenty of prospects with experience are back. Class of 2022 junior standouts such as <strong>Tre Bush </strong>(OLB), <strong>Nicholas "Nick" Campbell</strong> (TE), <strong>Ethon Cole</strong> (S/WR), <strong>Braden Davis</strong> (QB), <strong>Brendan Flakes</strong> (DL), <strong>Tyler Fordham</strong> (WR/CB), <strong>Drake Harwell</strong>, DT/OLB, <strong>Jacob Lyons</strong> (OT) and <strong>Kyeaure Magliore</strong> (CB/RB) are going to be extremely valuable this off-season. So will <strong>Jamari Moton</strong> (RB/LB), <strong>Ralph Ortiz</strong> (FS), <strong>Sebastian Pierre </strong>(WR), <strong>Isaiah Shannon</strong> (QB/WR), <strong>Jojo Smiley</strong> (WR), <strong>Justin Tang</strong> (OL), <strong>Antwan Walden</strong> (CB) and <strong>Wyatt Watson</strong> (RB/CB). Class of 2023 sophomores <strong>Jamel Butts Jr</strong>. (SS), <strong>Miles Mitchell</strong> (LB), <strong>Johnny Rhymes</strong> (FS) and <strong>Dylan Thomaselli</strong> (LB) will all be important. So will Class of 2024 freshmen <strong>Owen Conner </strong>(WR), <strong>Jason Wiggins</strong> (WR) and several others. <strong><em>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: <a href="mailto:Foridakids1@aol.com">Foridakids1@aol.com</a>. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>