Dr. Phillips Looks To Rebound In 2021

Nobody has to tell Orlando Dr. Phillips head football coach <strong>Rodney Wells</strong> about frustration. He and his Panthers experienced enough of it in 2020. Besides Covid and the pandemic hanging over the season, this program, which usually gets deep into the 8A playoffs, found the first round wasn’t so friendly. With plenty of talent and leadership, this team dropped that opening-round game at Miami Palmetto, 10-0, ending what could have been a banner year. Instead of moving on in the playoffs – like the Panthers do nearly every season, this program had far too long to think about that setback to Palmetto. The season was truly promising – with only a 14-7 setback to Apopka as the lone regular season loss. In between the losses to Apopka and Palmetto, this program showed plenty of talent and promise – with five wins over Orlando Boone (48-41), Windermere (50-0), Apopka Wekiva (28-19), Orlando Olympia (41-9) and Orlando Oak Ridge (37-0). With a tremendous off-season and solid spring, the 2021 season does indeed look promising. With the addition of standout outside linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="111593" first="DeMario" last="Tolan"] </strong>(6-3, 212), the defense will once again be stingy – while the offense has the talent to compete for another serious playoff run. The rising senior (2022) class also has some other difference makers who are ready to step up and keep the Panthers in the spotlight. Prospects such as <strong>Tyquan Cooper</strong> (DL, 6-1, 240 – 3.8 GPA, 800 SAT), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50033" first="Joanes" last="Fortilien"]</strong> (WR, 6-4, 185 – 2.5 GPA, 770 SAT), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50239" first="Devin" last="Hill"]</strong> (OL, 6-4, 290 – 4.0 GPA, 1030 SAT), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50213" first="Amir" last="Johnson"]</strong> (RB, 5-8, 190 – 3.2 GPA, 1020 SAT, 19 ACT), <strong>Michael Maisonet</strong> (TE, 6-4, 230 – 3.0 GPA, 1000 SAT) and outside linebacker <strong>Malakai Merced</strong> (5-11, 190 – 3.5 GPA, 860 SAT) are expected to have huge seasons. Top-flight talent such as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50310" first="Kameryn" last="Metcalf"]</strong> (DB, 5-10, 175 – 4.0 GPA, 1130 SAT, 23 ACT), <strong>Brandon Moreno</strong> (QB, 6-0, 185 – 3.7 GPA), <strong>Jo Jo Patti</strong> (QB, 5-9, 175 – 2.5 GPA, 770 SAT), <strong>Ruben Pierre</strong> (OL, 6-5, 255 – 2.6 GPA, 1000 SAT), <strong>Jordan Taylor</strong> (Athlete, 6-0, 225 – 3.2 GPA),  <strong>Zion Trimboli</strong> (CB, 6-0, 170 – 3.2 GPA, 800 SAT) and impressive running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50219" first="Rodney" last="Wells Jr"].</strong> (5-9, 200 – 2.5 GPA, 820 SAT) will also give this senior class some additional firepower. <strong>PLENTY OF UNDERCLASSMEN WAITING THEIR TURN</strong> If you follow the Panthers, you already understand that underclassmen always make their way into the lineup and make a major impact. Class of 2023 offensive line standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128041" first="Payton" last="Kirkland"]</strong> (6-5, 290 – 2.5 GPA) is a national recruit, who turned heads a year ago, and all he’s done is get bigger and stronger. As good as Kirkland is, he is not alone. The Panthers also boast <strong>Shadrack Estephene</strong> (WR, 5-10, 175 – 3.5 GPA), <strong>Adam Guzman</strong> (RB/FB, 5-9, 185 – 2.8 GPA), <strong>Seven Moorhead</strong> (RB, 5-10, 180 – 3.5 GPA), <strong>Tyrone Sapp (</strong>OL/DL, 6-4, 290 – 2.7 GPA) and two-way standout <strong>Justin Stith</strong> (CB/WR, 5-10, 175 – 3.5 GPA). Even the rising sophomores (Class of 2024) have something special to add – with <strong>Latorie Hollinger</strong> (CB/WR, 5-10, 170 – 2.8 GPA), <strong>Jashad Presley</strong> (S, 6-0, 185 – 2.5 GPA) and linebacker <strong>Alfred Thomas</strong> (6-0, 215 – 2.9 GPA). <strong><em>You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id="111610" first="Larry" last="Blustein"] with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>