TOP 18 PERFORMERS – Week 1
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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…
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Continue ReadingAs 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 St. Thomas Aquinas used 298 yards and 2 TDs from senior quarterback Zion Turner Zion Turner 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL and LSU commitment Mason Taylor Mason Taylor 6'4" | 230 lbs | TE Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 FL caught nine balls for 132 yards in a huge win a huge 38-23 win over national powerhouse St. Frances Academy.
Senior RB Eden James Eden James RB Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast | 2022 FL had 267 yards rushing as Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast and head coach Irvin Jones stunned national power Plantation American Heritage, 29-21 in Naples.
If Orlando Jones is to get to the state finals this season, senior quarterback Julian Calvez Julian Calvez QB Orlando Jones | 2022 FL 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, Kade Frew Kade Frew RB Jacksonville Bolles | 2022 FL picked up where he left off in the opener – rushing for 176 yards and 4 TDs in the first half of Jacksonville Bolles’ win over West Nassau.
Mayo Lafayette Athlete Nic’kel Freeman Nic’kel Freeman WR Lafayette Mayo | 2022 FL 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 Maccai Brave Maccai Brave 5'9" | 175 lbs | ATH West Oaks Academy | 2022 FL caught 6 balls for 169 yards and 1 touchdown for West Oaks Academy against The First Academy.
Orlando Olympia senior QB C.J. Brooks was 22 of 37 for 288 and 3 TD – including 6 receptions each by Nebraska commit Victor Jones Victor Jones WR Orlando Olympia | 2022 FL Jr. and Jalen Coutain in a game against Wekiva.
Neptune Beach Fletcher senior standout Merritt Reynolds had 14 tackles, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal.
3A power Chaminade-Madonna had 10 sacks, four by senior Kenyatta Jackson Kenyatta Jackson 6'4" | 215 lbs | DL Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2022 State FL in a convincing 30-13 win over 8A Western.
Spruce Creek senior Kevin Minckler accounted for three touchdowns in a 32-20 win over Daytona Beach Seabreeze. Creek’s defense helped the team hold on for the win.
Tampa Berkeley Prep’s Xavier Townsend Xavier Townsend 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Tampa Berkeley Prep | 2022 State FL and Travis Bates had all five Buccaneer touchdowns and more than 300 yards of offense in a 35-21 win against Clearwater Central Catholic.
Orel Gray rushed for three touchdowns as the Class 2A runners-up Jacksonville University Christian emerged victorious over Pensacola Washington. UC quarterback Desirrio Riles Desirrio Riles 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Jacksonville University Christian | 2023 FL rushed for one score and threw a touchdown pass to Ja’Won Grey Ja’Won Grey WR Jacksonville University Christian | 2022 FL .
Mike Mitchell rushed for four touchdowns and 201 rushing yards and Middleburg snapped a regular-season losing skid dating to 2019. The Broncos gave first year HC Ryan Wolfe his first win, 58-0 over Stanton.
Lake City Columbia started off the Demetric Jackson era with a 46-23 win over Delray American Heritage. Tray Toliver scored three touchdowns, two on punt returns and Cincinnati commit Marcus Peterson Marcus Peterson 6'4" | 205 lbs | ATH Lake City Columbia | 2022 State FL ‘s one-handed catch and accounted for more than 125 yards receiving.
Lynn Haven Mosley QB Cole Horton Cole Horton 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Mosley | 2022 FL threw two touchdown passes and added two more on the ground, while Casey Boyd rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown, and Josiah McCall Josiah McCall QB Lynn Haven Mosley | 2022 FL added a thrilling 78-yard TD reception in a 42-0 win over Rutherford.
Despite Utah commit Jaylon Glover Jaylon Glover 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB Lakeland Lake Gibson | 2022 State FL running for 139 yards, it was Lake Mary that came up with the biggest play of the game came when C.J. Sheets returned a blocked punt five yards for a go-ahead score in a 15-14 win over Lake Gibson.
Blountstown’s Amarion Hover ran for 3 scores and Josh Hope passed for three touchdowns on just five attempts, finding Andrae Williams, Jordan Pride, and Aidan Richards in a win at Seminole County, Ga.
Miami Gulliver Prep continues to impress – with a road win at Bradenton Manatee – as senior safety/linebacker Jayvon Only Jayvon Only LB Miami Gulliver Prep | 2022 FL had 9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and an interception.
TRACKING FLORIDA: Teams Look At 2021 Season. https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@