Friday Night Recruitin Report: St. Pete Catholic @ Lakewood Ranch
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The game of football has taken me a lot of places. From the grass and dirt of Minneapolis’ old gridirons of my childhood, the turf and/or stadium seating of the nationally ranked competition in the MIAC, and now to high school football fields in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Florida as I represent PrepRedzone scouting for talent, the world’s greatest sport has allowed me to see places and meet people that I would never come across without being an athlete, and for that I am forever grateful. One of the relationships this sport has produced for me that I am most proud of maintaining is with my former high school head coach John Biezuns. The man, the myth, the legend, Biezuns was the catalyst to the turnaround of the Minneapolis Southwest football program, and he worked his tail off to bring a group of Minneapolis kids together to accomplish what we never thought we could: an eight-win season, the team’s first playoff victory since 1990, and a share of the conference championship. He’s one of the most genuine, kind-hearted, and gregarious people I’ve had the pleasure to meet, and he’s helped hundreds of athletes over the years better their lives. It was for all of these reasons, and more, that I happily drove the two and a half hours southwest from Gainesville to Bradenton to watch his now squad Lakewood Ranch take on the St. Petersburg Catholic Barons as they went head-to-head in a West Florida showdown. Prior to watching this game, I have seen nothing by blowouts since the COVID season last fall/spring when I was in Chicago, so I was STOKED when this matchup turned into the best game I had seen in a long time. A hard-hitting, back-and-forth, nonstop game of excitement that came down to the final drive of the game, I was also fortunate to find some really promising freshman prospects from SPC, some underrecruited Lakewood Ranch thumpers, and playmakers from both sides of the competition. Below, I’ve included a short recap of the game, listed out the offensive, defensive, and special team MVPs from either squad, and also added some bonus superlatives. Thanks for reading, and please enjoy.
Game Recap
I’m not exaggerating when I say this game began with the hardest hitting opening series I think I’ve ever seen. Mustang upback Cooper Buttari set the tone for the drive as he laid a big block on kickoff return to send someone flying, and with my attention still on that hit I was late to record the massive pop on the ensuing offensive play by Lakewood Ranch. The Mustang’s WR Isaac Ashley lit up a defender on a devastating crackback block, but St. Pete Catholic punched back as sophomore safety Timothy Marshall Jr halted the next play in its tracks as he made a perfect form tackle on the Mustangs ball-carrier, then finished the tackle in style by lifting up the kid over his head, high into the hair, and hard into the turf for a WWE-esque slam. Things settled down after that physically, but the points were just getting started, as the Mustangs wideout Clay Brown took an out route up the sidelines, through an attempted tackle, and into the endzone for the first points of the game on the opening drive of the game. With 8:52 left in the first the score stood at Lakewood Ranch 7, SPC 0
Things looked like they were trending in favor of the home team, as captain and FS Corey Vondran picked off a St. Pete Catholic pass on the ensuing possession, and the Mustangs were quickly downfield and knocking on the door of another touchdown. However, Baron 2023 DB Grant Weigel stepped in front of a slant at the 1-yard line and took the pick down to the opposing 30-yard line for a huge swing of momentum. A few plays later the impressive SPC RB Ke’Von Marion punched the ball in, and we had ourselves a tied ball game with 3:44 left in the first. Lakewood Ranch didn’t falter however, and scored quickly as the rain began to pour down in Bradenton. I had to scamper under a bleacher as it was coming down to hard, but did see WR Ashley take a reception across the goal line for what became a 14-7 Mustangs lead.
Lakewood Ranch took over after a big INT by their FS, but right as they were about to capitalize @weigel_grant of @SPCBaronsFB steps in front of a slant and take it to the opposing 20. Crazy turn of events and SPC is knocking at the Mustangs door. @PrepRedzoneFL pic.twitter.com/aUpNh9MV7h
— PrepRedzone Oliver (@OJW_Scouting) October 29, 2021
St. Pete’s Catholic once again answered quickly after a sweet strip by 2025 two-way stud Sean Cuono that was recovered by the Barons, and the freshman followed it up with a big run down the opposing sideline to set up an easy TD for his offense. The PAT was missed though, so with 2:35 in the half we sat at 14-13 in favor of Lakewood Ranch. The Mustangs put up another TD before half as QB Cameron Madison Cameron Madison QB Bradenton Lakewood Ranch | 2022 FL  found WR Kellen Gooch for six, and then added a FG from stud kicker Drew Clark after the Mustangs defense forced another turnover right before half. After two quarters of play: Lakewood Ranch 24, St. Petersburg Catholic 13
I’ve been impressed by @SPCBaronsFB two-way athlete @seancuono tonight and he made a heckuva play here with a big strip to halt a Mustangs drive deep in his own territory. Sean is smooth, physical, and instinctual. Barons on the move w under 5 left in the half. @PrepRedzoneFL pic.twitter.com/bEmKZDuGm2
— PrepRedzone Oliver (@OJW_Scouting) October 29, 2021
It was a tail of two halves, as the once hot Lakewood Ranch offense was flatter than a week old coke in the third and most of the fourth quarter, leaving the door wide open for the dangerous Ke’Vion Marion and the Barons offense. Marion added another rushing TD with 8:16 left in the third, but SPC missed the 2pt and were still behind 24-19. Later in the quarter, the Barons successfully took the lead on a beautiful hook & ladder on 4th and goal that got St. Pete Catholic up 25-24, but they missed the 2pt conversion and were clinging to a one-point lead for almost the rest of the game.
4th and goal and @SPCBaronsFB comes up HUGE with the beautifully executed hook & ladder by Kemoni Inmon to Timothy Marshall Jr. After the failed 2pt it’s: @SPCBaronsFB 25@MustangFootball 24
4:10 left in the third. @PrepRedzoneFL pic.twitter.com/UhqdkVGBQ1
— PrepRedzone Oliver (@OJW_Scouting) October 30, 2021
It took the Mustangs a while, but with 1:46 left in the game they finally found the endzone thanks to the talented workhorse 2023 RB Kevin Everhart, who made an incredible run from midfield, cut the ankles off a defender in the open field, and raced into the endzone for the go-ahead TD. The score ended 30-25 after SPC couldn’t put a magical last-minute drive together, and I walked away very pleased with the exciting, hard-fought Friday night battle. Lakewood Ranch 30, St. Petersburg Catholic 25
Kevin Everhart!!! The Junior RB adds to his massive output tonight and finishes this clutch 🥶 TD dash to put @MustangFootball up 30-25 with 1:46 left in the game. 2pt is no good. Barons with a chance to tie as we speak. What a game!! @PrepRedzoneFL pic.twitter.com/8uwfWcdhps
— PrepRedzone Oliver (@OJW_Scouting) October 30, 2021
Game MVPs
Lakewood Ranch
Offense: Kevin Everhart – RB. 2023. 5’10, 185 lbs. @KevTooRaw3
One of the hardest runners I’ve seen in a while, the junior Mustangs RB finished all of his runs impressively through contact and was a little bowling ball of momentum who could bounce off weaker tacklers and showed balance and physicality in droves. He also possesses an impressive one-cut ability that would freeze opponents in the open field, and had solid burst when hitting the hole. I loved watching him run the rock and he was an old school, throwback type of RB who can wear down a defense over four quarters of play.
Defense: Dior Keys – S/LB. 2023. 5’10, 170 lbs. @rockout_kell6
My word can this kid hit! A heat-seeking missile who hit like a player 50+ pounds heavier, Keys had sideline-to-sideline speed and would carry that momentum through opponents with everything he had, resulting in massive hits and loud cracks of pads that echoed through the stadium. He was a consistent last line of defense who played angles well and was a strong tackler at all levels of the field.
Special Teams: Drew Clark – K/P. 2022. 6’3, 185 lbs. @Clark_Drew24
Holy cow does this kid have a boot. Clark sent every kickoff through the back of the endzone, hit a clutch FG before the half ended from around 30-35 out, didn’t miss a PAT, and boomed his punts over the returners heads. At halftime, I watched him nail consecutive kicks of 41, 41, 46, 49, and 51 yards, all of which had 10+ additional yards of leg. They were all also right down the middle, and I couldn’t believe Clark was offerless when I checked out his Twitter. He’s a D1 kicker with an excellent frame and some great potential as a specialist. Someone needs to check this kid out!
St. Petersburg Catholic
Offense: Ke’von Marion – RB. 2022. 5’9, 170 lbs. @MarionKevon
A silky smooth runner who glided along the field all night with impressive runs showcasing a ton of burst as well as lower body strength and vision. He could break tackles in a variety of fashions and was fun to watch with the ball in his hands. I saw him eat some big hits for a smaller back, and his overall athleticism kept defenders on their toes all night long.
Defense: Timothy Marshall Jr. – S. 2024. 6’1, 170 lbs.
A very intriguing defensive prospect, Marshall Jr. had very long arms that seemed to hang to his knees and possesses a great frame capable of adding weight and muscle as he gets older and gets more offseasons in the weight room in him. He could everything you want from the safety position, as he had great range that could go sideline to sideline and was athletic enough to cover wideouts 1-on-1 as well. He was also a physical presence in the defensive backfield who could come up and lay a big hit to stop ball carriers in their tracks. He does not play like his age would suggest and he’s got D1 potential written all over him.
Special Teams: Timothy Marshall Jr. – S/PR. 2024. 6’1, 170 lbs.
I was a fan of the kicker/punter for the Barons, but I messed up and didn’t catch his number before the game ended. However, Marshall Jr. had an instinctive and athletic play when he capitalized on a punt that was sitting on the ground without any Mustangs surrounding it. Marshall Jr. picked that sucker up and took off, recognizing that this was an opportunity to make a play. It was nice to see from the sophomore.
SuperlativesÂ
Rising Star: Sean Cuono (St. Pete Catholic) 2025. 5’11, 180 lbs. @seancuono
Beast in the Trenches: Brian Johnson (St. Pete Catholic) 2023. OT. 6’5, 275 lbs.
Overlooked and Underrecruited: Kevin Everhart (Lakewood Ranch) 2023. RB. 5’10, 185 lbs.
Hardest Hitter: Dior Keys (Lakewood Ranch) ATH. 2023. 5’10, 165 lbs. @rockout_kell6
Run Stuffer: Nathan Smith (Lakewood Ranch) DL. 2024. 6’1, 240 lbs.
Freshman Standout: Lionel Wilson (St. Pete Catholic) DL. 2025.
Undisputed Leader: Corey Vondran (Lakewood Ranch) FS. 2022. @CoreyVondran
Clutch Tackler: Sam McCracken (Lakewood Ranch) LB. 2022.