New Smyrna Beach Making Major Strides

When his New Smyrna Beach football team broke out of the gate with three wins in the first four games, head coach <strong>John Wilkinson</strong> felt that his team turned the corner – ahead of schedule. With wins over Daytona Beach Father Lopez (28-13), Deltona Pine Ridge (49-0) and Eustis (47-9), things were moving along much the way the Barracudas hoped – even in a season that was dictated by the pandemic. <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-112219" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/OntheSideline-Logo-8-300x188.jpg" alt="New Smyrna Beach Football 2021" width="300" height="188" />While a 30-8 loss to Port Orange Spruce Creek was a slap of reality, it was a learning experience, and one that this program would bounce back from. Sitting 3-1 after the first games, this was a program that was looking good, but then losses to Daytona Beach Seabreeze, Daytona Beach Mainland, Harmony and Palm Coast Matanzas, had this team taking a step back. While that 7-6 setback to Matanzas could have gone either way, the Barracudas finished off strong with a 21-0 win over Winter Springs. What this team is looking to do in the off-season is to become more consistent, and that could end up being the difference between a winning and losing season. <strong>THIS TEAM WILL WORK HARD</strong> With six rising seniors (2022) who are ready to give this program a boost, the Barracudas will be in good shape. Offensive standouts such as linemen <strong>Aidan Dailey </strong>(6-3, 245) and <strong>Chance Tressler</strong> (6-2, 240), tight end/H-Back<strong> Cooper Wilkinson </strong>(6-3. 225) and fullback Cole Billings are al solid. Wilkinson (3.93 GPA) and Billings (3.64) have also paved the way in the classroom. Defensively, the Class of 2022 boasts linebacker <strong>Cole Stratton </strong>(5-11, 190) and defensive lineman <strong>Austin Mitchum</strong>, a 6-0, 215-pounder. <strong>IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FUTURE</strong> As the program continues to build toward a yearly playoff participant, the underclassmen will be vital – and with six Class of 2023 rising juniors and one Class of 2024 rising sophomore, there is reason to feel confident. The Class of 2023 has offensive standouts such as <strong>Malakai Hudson</strong> (RB, 5-10, 170) and athlete <strong>Jvonte Hayward</strong> (5-10, 160). Defensively, linebackers <strong>Cayden Baker</strong> (6-0, 175) and <strong>Braden Sullivan</strong> (6-0, 195), and linemen <strong>Dylon York</strong> (5-10, 240) and <strong>Derek Pell</strong> (6-3, 245). Class of 2024 offensive lineman <strong>Brayden King </strong>(6-4, 235) has a chance to be very special. <strong>Y<em>ou Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id="111610" first="Larry" last="Blustein"] with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>