There’s a saying in Bushnell that proclaims: <strong>TRADITION NEVER GRADUATES</strong>. At South Sumter High School, the 20 district titles and seven regional crowns only illustrates and backs up that saying.
What head coach <strong>Ty Lawrence </strong>and the Raiders have been able to do through the years is maintain the tradition that generations of football fans, students and alumni have been a part of – and still very much around.
Even through last year’s up and down 6-5 pandemic season, the year had something for everyone – especially after wins against Mount Dora, Starke Bradford County and Gainesville PK Yonge in the regular season, and Palatka and Bradford County in the playoffs.
The losses were to some impressive teams, although the Raiders were in it all the way with 1A power Madison County until then end of an 18-13 setback.
South Sumter’s other losses were to a solid Ocala Trinity Catholic, Orlando Bishop Moore and 4A state runner up Jacksonville Bolles.
What the Raiders have going into 2021 are players who have been there – and done that, which is a great place to start.
Seniors <strong>Isaiah Allen</strong> (DE, 6-3, 198 – 3.5 GPA), <strong>Austin Cowart </strong>(OT, 6-5, 328 – 2.6 GPA), <strong>Justin Lightcap</strong> (FB, 5-8, 160 – 4.0 GPA), <strong>Jaylon Mitchell</strong> (DB, 6-0, 175 – 2.5 GPA) and receiver <strong>Dalton Sellers </strong>(6-0, 155 – 3.7 GPA).
<strong>UNDERCLASSMEN WILL BE COUNTED ON – HEAVILY</strong>
While the leadership and experience is with the seniors, the underclassmen are stacked with play-making ability. The Class of 2023 has a number of student/athletes capable of giving this program a huge talent infusion of talent. Prospects such as <strong>Elijah Adams</strong> (WR, 6-2, 160 – 3.2 GPA), <strong>Eian Finkley</strong> (QB, 6-1, 187 – 2.7 GPA), <strong>Broc Kinley </strong>(OL/DL, 5-10, 250 – 3.4 GPA) and linebacker <strong>Fil Pedraza</strong> (5-10, 191 – 3.2 GPA).
The Class of 2023 also includes <strong>Logan Perry</strong> (RB/DB, 5-8, 145 – 2.7 GPA), <strong>Jackson Sovercool</strong> (LB, 5-10, 185 – 3.4 GPA) and defensive back <strong>Jayden Young</strong> (5-7, 140 – 2.5 GPA).
If you want to make coach Lawrence and this coaching staff smile, talk about the Class of 2024. This group of impressive sophomores includes <strong>Will Ammons</strong> (QB, 5-10, 175 – 2.9 GPA), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164731" first="DeShawn" last="Bellamy"]</strong> (DB, 5-9, 160 – 3.6 GPA), <strong>Charlie Carneglia</strong> (DL, 6-0, 170 – 3.8 GPA), <strong>Jamare Dorsey</strong> (RB, 5-8, 170 – 2.9 GPA), <strong>Bobby Hill</strong> (DB, 5-8, 150 – 3.6 GPA), and offensive linemen <strong>Jordan Jones </strong>(6-0, 210 – 4.0 GPA) and <strong>Landon Fudge</strong> (6-0, 180 – 3.5 GPA).
The Raiders also have all-around student/athlete linebacker <strong>Ty Kadur</strong> (6-0, 170 – 4.0 GPA), <strong>Brady Mallory</strong> (OL, 5-10, 230 – 3.5 GPA), <strong>Colby Ringberger</strong> (FB/LB, 5-9, 160 – 3.7 GPA) and rising defensive back standout <strong>Pierce Story</strong> (5-8, 150 – 3.8 GPA).
<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>
