Ocala Vanguard Wins UCF 7-on-7
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From the moment teams and prospects started to arrive in Orlando on Saturday, it was evident that it was so good to be back. As first year head coach Gus Malzahn and his staff at the University of Central Florida…
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Continue ReadingFrom the moment teams and prospects started to arrive in Orlando on Saturday, it was evident that it was so good to be back.
As first year head coach Gus Malzahn and his staff at the University of Central Florida hosted a 7-on-7 tournament and impressive lineman challenge.
As Ocala Vanguard beat Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna in the finals – and Tampa Gaither and defending 8A state champion Sanford Seminole reached the Final 4, the first full team event was in the books, and the Knights are ready for more.
With Malzahn getting a chance to meet coaches and prospects, the Dark Period was a mere memory – as teams with many prospects made it count on Saturday.
Vanguard, which has Class of 2022 standouts Dewhitt Betterson Jr. (RB), Emile Sancho (CB) and Tyrell Randall (RB), and 2024 cornerback Frederick Gaskin III.
Chaminade-Madonna, winners of three of the past 3A state titles, also boasts some quality prospects such as 2022 defensive secondary standouts Brian Dilworth Brian Dilworth 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2022 State FL , Jeremiah McGill Jeremiah McGill DB Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2022 FL , Ryan Turner Ryan Turner 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2022 State FL and recent DE transfer George Sklavenitis. The Lions also boast linebacker Dylan Reid Dylan Reid LB Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2022 FL and 2023 receiver Edwin Joseph Edwin Joseph 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2023 State FL . Class of 2024 nationally-rated prospects Zaquan Patterson (safety), running back Dylan Gause. Defensive back Chris Ewald and quarterback Cedrick Bailey.
Gaither also showed why they will be a team to watch this season – with seniors Tawfiq Thomas (DT), Drelin Pittman Drelin Pittman WR Tampa Gaither | 2022 FL (WR) and Kobe McCloud Kobe McCloud 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Tampa Gaither | 2022 FL (LB) – as well as 2023 standouts Eugene Wilson III (CB) and quarterback Brooks Bentley.
The defending state champion Seminoles will also be worth watching again. Seniors DeMari Henderson DeMari Henderson DB Sanford Seminole | 2022 FL (safety) and Jacari Henderson (CB), linebacker Kam Moore, running back Donta Whack, and 2023 quarterback Luke Rucker Luke Rucker 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Sanford Seminole | 2023 FL and receiver Darren Lawrence Darren Lawrence 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Sanford Seminole | 2023 State FL .
Here is a look at some of the other teams that took part on Saturday:
Armwood (Seffner) – James Smiley Jr. (2022, RB) and Jyalin Cumby (2023, CB).
Booker T. Washington (Miami) – Adam Moore Adam Moore 6'2" | 220 lbs | WR Miami Booker T. Washington | 2023 State FL (2022, WR), Semaj Flagg Semaj Flagg 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Miami Booker T. Washington | 2022 FL (2022) and Fabian Scott Fabian Scott 6'3" | 170 lbs | DB Miami Booker T. Washington | 2023 FL Jr. (CB, 2023).
Clearwater
Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) – Rico Jackson Rico Jackson 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Fort Lauderdale Dillard | 2023 FL (OL, 2023) and Armondo Blount (DE, 2025).
Edgewater (Orlando) – Cedric Baxter Cedric Baxter 6'1" | 215 lbs | RB Orlando Edgewater | 2023 State FL (RB, 2023), Jeremiah Connelly Jeremiah Connelly WR Orlando Edgewater | 2022 FL (RB, 2022), Shaheem Hill (OG, 2022) and Winston Griffin (DE, 2022).
Eustis
Foundation Academy (Winter Garden) – Brian Thomas Brian Thomas 5'8" | 175 lbs | DB Orlando Christian Prep | 2023 FL Jr (LB, 2022), Reggie Jean Reggie Jean DL Foundation Academy | 2022 FL (DT, 2022), Donovan Branch (DE, 2022) and Hunter Moss Hunter Moss 6'5" | 315 lbs | OL Winter Garden Foundation Academy | 2022 FL (OL, 2022).
Gateway (Kissimmee)
Hialeah
Horizon
Jefferson (Tampa) – Eric Felder (CB, 2022), ZyCarl Lewis Jr (Athlete, 2024) and Mike Coley Jr. (WR, 2024).
Lake Mary – Braedcen Marshall (QB, 2023).
Mainland (Daytona Beach) – Isaiah Morrison (DT, 2022), Isaiah Gordon Isaiah Gordon 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Daytona Beach Mainland | 2022 State FL (RB, 2022) and Jonathan Campbell (S, 2022)
Miramar – Claudel Bazile (DE, 2022), Dee Thomas (S, 2022) and Se’maj Banks (RB, 2022).
Nease – Sam Dec (OL, 2022) and Grant Stevens Grant Stevens TE Ponte Vedra Nease | 2022 FL (TE, 2022).
Newsome (Lithia) – Jason Albritton (RB, 2022) and Devan Belcher (WR, 2022).
Orlando Christian Prep – Brian Thomas Brian Thomas 5'8" | 175 lbs | DB Orlando Christian Prep | 2023 FL (RB, 2023), Valentino Garcia (OL, 2024) and Demarion Jenkins (WR, 2024)
Osceola (Kissimmee) – Chad Mascoe Chad Mascoe 6'0" | 220 lbs | QB Kissimmee Osceola | 2022 State FL (QB, 2022), Lamont Lee (LB, 2022), Jeremiah Wilson (CB, 2022), Bo Mascoe Bo Mascoe 5'9" | 170 lbs | DB Kissimmee Osceola | 2023 State FL (DB, 2023) and Ja’Keem Jackson (WR, 2023).
Palm Bay – Daniel Harris (DE, 2023)
Plant (Tampa) – John Owens Jr. (LB, 2022).
Spruce Creek (Port Orange)
University (Orange City) – Noble Thomas Noble Thomas DB Orange City University | 2022 FL (CB, 2022).
West Port (Ocala) – Elijah Hopkins Elijah Hopkins 6'2" | 170 lbs | WR Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer | 2023 FL (RB – 2022) and Jylique Barnes (WR, 2022).
Winter Park – Terrance Gibbs Terrance Gibbs 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Winter Park | 2022 State FL (RB, 2022), Hudson Gibbs (S, 2023) and Amaris Shaw (RB, 2023).
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.