TOP 18 PERFORMERS – Week 1

As the first week of the 2021 high school football season came to an end on Saturday evening, we watched some impressive performers. From Key West to Pensacola and everywhere in between, the spotlight was indeed shining for all to see. With the state in the national spotlight in Fort Lauderdale, this was a weekend where many programs surprised – while others did what many expected. Because we are still in a pandemic, over two dozen schools were forced to either cancel or postpone their opening games – with several being made up during the course of a season. On this Monday – as we will do throughout the course of a season – we will spotlight some of the newsmakers of the past week. Here are 18 memories from the first week. First of all – out of the gate – two-time defending 7A state champion <strong>St. Thomas</strong> Aquinas used 298 yards and 2 TDs from senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50029" first="Zion" last="Turner"]</strong> and LSU commitment <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="111491" first="Mason" last="Taylor"]</strong> caught nine balls for 132 yards in a huge win a huge 38-23 win over national powerhouse St. Frances Academy. Senior RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="111447" first="Eden" last="James"]</strong> had 267 yards rushing as <strong>Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast</strong> and head coach <strong>Irvin Jones</strong> stunned national power Plantation American Heritage, 29-21 in Naples. If <strong>Orlando Jones</strong> is to get to the state finals this season, senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50142" first="Julian" last="Calvez"]</strong> will be one of the main reasons. Against Orlando Dr. Phillips, he was 21 of 30 for 368 and 5 touchdowns. On his way to the US Air Force Academy next year, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50210" first="Kade" last="Frew"]</strong> picked up where he left off in the opener – rushing for 176 yards and 4 TDs in the first half of <strong>Jacksonville Bolles'</strong> win over West Nassau. <strong>Mayo Lafayette</strong> Athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50189" first="Nic'kel" last="Freeman"]</strong> had an outstanding opener with 9 tackles – 3 tackles for loss, 1 receiver TD, 1 interception for a TD and a punt return. Senior RB/WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="192504" first="Maccai" last="Brave"]</strong> caught 6 balls for 169 yards and 1 touchdown for <strong>West Oaks Academy</strong> against The First Academy. <strong>Orlando Olympia</strong> senior QB <strong>C.J. Brooks</strong> was 22 of 37 for 288 and 3 TD – including 6 receptions each by Nebraska commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108648" first="Victor" last="Jones"] Jr.</strong> and <strong>Jalen Coutain</strong> in a game against Wekiva. <strong>Neptune Beach Fletcher</strong> senior standout <strong>Merritt Reynolds</strong> had 14 tackles, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal. 3A power <strong>Chaminade-Madonna</strong> had 10 sacks, four by senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="49988" first="Kenyatta" last="Jackson"]</strong> in a convincing 30-13 win over 8A Western. <strong>Spruce Creek</strong> senior <strong>Kevin Minckler</strong> accounted for three touchdowns in a 32-20 win over Daytona Beach Seabreeze. Creek's defense helped the team hold on for the win. <strong>Tampa Berkeley Prep's [player_tooltip player_id="50059" first="Xavier" last="Townsend"]</strong> and Travis Bates had all five Buccaneer touchdowns and more than 300 yards of offense in a 35-21 win against Clearwater Central Catholic. <strong>Orel Gray</strong> rushed for three touchdowns as the Class 2A runners-up <strong>Jacksonville University Christian</strong> emerged victorious over Pensacola Washington. UC quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128342" first="Desirrio" last="Riles"]</strong> rushed for one score and threw a touchdown pass to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="111476" first="Ja'Won" last="Grey"]</strong>. <strong>Mike Mitchell</strong> rushed for four touchdowns and 201 rushing yards and <strong>Middleburg </strong>snapped a regular-season losing skid dating to 2019. The Broncos gave first year HC <strong>Ryan Wolfe</strong> his first win, 58-0 over Stanton. Lake City Columbia started off the <strong>Demetric Jackson</strong> era with a 46-23 win over Delray American Heritage. <strong>Tray Toliver</strong> scored three touchdowns, two on punt returns and Cincinnati commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108634" first="Marcus" last="Peterson"]'s</strong> one-handed catch and accounted for more than 125 yards receiving. <strong>Lynn Haven Mosley</strong> QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50154" first="Cole" last="Horton"]</strong> threw two touchdown passes and added two more on the ground, while <strong>Casey Boyd</strong> rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50164" first="Josiah" last="McCall"] </strong>added a thrilling 78-yard TD reception in a 42-0 win over Rutherford. Despite Utah commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50051" first="Jaylon" last="Glover"]</strong> running for 139 yards, it was <strong>Lake Mary</strong> that came up with the biggest play of the game came when <strong>C.J. Sheets</strong> returned a blocked punt five yards for a go-ahead score in a 15-14 win over Lake Gibson. <strong>Blountstown's Amarion Hover</strong> ran for 3 scores and <strong>Josh Hope </strong>passed for three touchdowns on just five attempts, finding <strong>Andrae Williams, Jordan Pride</strong>, and <strong>Aidan Richards</strong> in a win at Seminole County, Ga. <strong>Miami Gulliver Prep</strong> continues to impress – with a road win at Bradenton Manatee – as senior safety/linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50285" first="Jayvon" last="Only"]</strong> had 9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and an interception. <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@</em></strong>