Orlando Edgewater Will Be In The Mix Again

What has become crystal clear in the race for the 7A state championship that nationally-rated Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas will be challenged. The past two years, head coach <strong>Cameron Duke</strong> and his Orlando Edgewater Eagles have given the Raiders everything they can handle, losing by five in 2019 and 31-21 at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee in December. <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-101281" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/OntheSideline-Logo-7-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" />What Duke has been able to do in a very competitive Orlando area is assemble a solid coaching staff and enough players who make a difference in big games. This is an area of the state where programs are getting better and standing toe-to-toe with the best in the state. The thing that will keep the Eagles in the mix is to continue to raise the talent bar. While several key seniors are departing, it’s the underclassmen that Coach Duke and this team will rely on heavily. Many of the rising seniors have benefited from playing in huge games the past two seasons – and are ready for that next step. <strong>THE EAGLES ARE READY TO FLY – AGAIN</strong> With several prospects moving on to the next level, this is a program that will look to keep it going by using a talented Class of 2022 group. Among that class includes <strong>Chrishaun Anderson</strong> (S), <strong>Tahjion Battle </strong>(DL), <strong>Ty Battle</strong> (DB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50188" first="Jeremiah" last="Connelly"]</strong> (Slot), <strong>Dante Finley </strong>(OL), <strong>Winston Griffin</strong> (DE), <strong>Shaheem Hill</strong> (OL), <strong>Mike Hyppolite </strong>(CB), <strong>Darren Joseph</strong> (OL), <strong>Zach Layton</strong> (DE), <strong>Demarcus Mathis</strong> (LB), <strong>Tyrese Prentice</strong> (FB), <strong>Jerimiah Rosario</strong> (DB), <strong>Leo Simmons</strong> (LB), <strong>Donovan Smith</strong> (LB), <strong>Deville Thomas </strong>(DB), <strong>Khalil Washington</strong> (RB) and <strong>B.J. Williams </strong>(CB). The quality Class of 2023 begins with heavily-recruited running back <strong>Cedric Baxter</strong>, but also includes <strong>Vincent Burse</strong> (DL), <strong>Chase Carter</strong> (QB), <strong>Cannon Foster</strong> (LB), <strong>D’Juan Gilbert</strong> (OL), <strong>Donald Justice</strong> (WR), <strong>Jamichael Montgomery</strong> (WR), <strong>Michael Pedro</strong> (OL) and linebacker <strong>Keelan Smith</strong>. The current freshman class is also a place where this team will build for the future. Prospects such as <strong>D’Antre Robinson </strong>(DE), <strong>Damon Troutman</strong> (LB), <strong>Jamel Wiley</strong> (LB) and defensive back <strong>Darren Williams</strong><strong>.</strong> While this is just a starting point – just after the season ended – there will be changes – before this program heads back to the field for real in late August. <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>