Unfinished Business For Dunnellon, Newberry

When the 2020 season finished and the champions were crowned, there were two programs – one from the Ocala area – and the other right up the road in Gainesville – that were not pleased how the season ended. With a Covid season that put many players in jeopardy, Dunnellon and Newberry both had a chance to reach Tallahassee and fell short. <strong>TWO-POINT SETBACK LEAVES (10-1) DUNNELLON SHORT</strong> By the middle of the season, there were those who were so convinced that Dunnellon and head coach <strong>Price Harris</strong> would make to Tallahassee to play for the 5A state title, some may have gotten a bit overconfident. The Tigers, while out-scoring the opposition, 310-94, ran over Lake Weir, Belleview, North Marion, power Ocala Vanguard, Forest and West Port in the regular season – and then in the playoffs – Gainesville Eastside, North Marion again and another thriller (13-10) against Vaguard – before letting the game to go to state get away – dropping a heart-wrenching, 26-24 decision. At the root of some of that success was this rising senior (2022) class that was stacked with playmakers like All-State quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50179" first="Trent" last="Townsend"]</strong> (6-1, 213 – 3.410 GPA), who did his part all season and is an exceptional athlete. In addition, Class of 2022 prospects that have a chance to special again this year are<strong> C.J. Donahue</strong> (WR/DB, 5-8, 160 – 3.590 GPA), <strong>Jaden Dyer </strong>(LB/S, 6-4, 184), <strong>L.J. Fitzpatrick</strong> (Athlete, 5-11, 172 – 820 SAT), <strong>Arrieon High</strong> (LB/RB, 6-2, 196 – 2,7 GPA), <strong>Brodric Luckey</strong> (RB/LB, 5-11, 195 – 4.25 GPA), <strong>Kaden Richardson</strong> (OL, 6-3, 280 – 3.420 GPA – 1060 SAT) and two-way lineman <strong>A.J. Winn</strong> (5-9, 194 – 3.110 GPA – 900 SAT). <strong>NEWBERRY RISING SENIORS ARE READY</strong> What head coach <strong>Ed Johnson</strong> and his staff found about the Newberry High football program this past season will certainly pat dividends into the future. Posting an 8-2 record and a District 5-5A title during the pandemic season, this program certainly made the most of the talent on hand – losing the season-opener to eventual 1A runner up Hawthorne (20-14) and a season-ending playoff setback to Wildwood (49-16). But in between those losses, the Panthers learned a lot about winning – beating Trenton, Union County, Pierson Taylor, Williston, Hamilton County, Dixie County and Fort White. What this team is looking at during the spring are some talented rising seniors (2022). Players such as <strong>Lennie Boykin</strong> (DT/OG, 6-3, 305), <strong>Malachi Jackson </strong>(DL, 6-4, 260 – 3.1 GPA – 21 ACT), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50262" first="Julius" last="Johnson"] (</strong>DL/LB, 5-8, 215 – 3.1 GPA), <strong>Chris Jonas</strong> (CB/RB, 6-2, 170), <strong>Mason Markle </strong>(DE/OG/LS – 4.75 GPA – 24 ACT), <strong>Carson Price</strong> (LB, 6-3, 200 – 4.3 GPA), <strong>Thad Rucker</strong> (SS/OLB, 6-2, 190 – 3.9 GPA) and versatile <strong>Jarrell Thomas</strong> (LB/FB, 6-0, 200). The Panthers will travel to Starke-Bradford County for a May 14^th spring game. <strong>TRACKING FLORIDA: Teams Look At 2021 Season. </strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/">https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/</a> <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>