PLAYOFF WEEK 2 FLORIDA STANDOUTS

Once again this past week, we saw some of the top programs in the country competing across the Sunshine State in the second round of the state playoffs. If you have been around football in Florida long enough, you already understand that things are different here. It's not just five or six schools that get the attention and represent and entire state's power and success on the field. Here, there are hundreds and hundreds of student athletes that continue to find their way to the next level and beyond. Week 2 of the state playoffs once again produced some quality performers – and we have them for you today. St. Petersburg Lakewood standout defensive back/receiver <strong>Terrell Crosby</strong> recorded his 14th interception of the season in a win over Belle Glade Glades Central. Junior QB <strong>Anthony Colandrea</strong> threw 2 touchdown passes to senior <strong>Diezel Spann</strong>. Miramar High senior RB <strong>Desmond Reid</strong>, easily one of the most underrated backs in Florida, ran for 241 yards, caught one ball and scored twice in a loss to two-time defending 7A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas. Lakeland Lake Gibson standout RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50051" first="Jaylon" last="Glover"]</strong>, on his way to the University of Utah, ran for 227 yards and 2 scores as the Braves eliminated two-time defending 7A state runner up Orlando Edgewater from the playoffs. Miami Palmetto senior athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108642" first="Mike" last="Jackson"]</strong> caught three touchdown passes from senior [player_tooltip player_id="50053" first="Kevin" last="Smith"] and came up with two interceptions – one for a score in the No. 2 seed Panthers 27-14 win over No. 3 Deerfield Beach. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50309" first="Darren" last="McQueen Jr"].</strong>  and <strong>Brysson Stouffer</strong> came up huge on defense as No. 5 Miami Christopher Columbus beat No. 1 seed Davie Western, 27-8, in the second round of the state playoffs. Kicker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50111" first="Luis" last="Palenzuela"]</strong> was 3-for-3 on extra points, 2-for-2 on field goals, 4-5 on touchbacks and a total of 9 points. The Explorers are 8-3. Tampa Bay Tech standout junior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128826" first="Xavione" last="Washington"] </strong>threw for three touchdowns in a win over Palmetto. Senior WR <strong>Greg Gaines III</strong> caught one of those passes. Miami Central used the passing of junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128321" first="Keyone" last="Jenkins"] </strong>and the receiving of sophomore <strong>JoJo Trader,</strong> who hauled in a pair of touchdowns as the No. 3 Rockets, who have won 6A the past two years, knocked off defending 5A state champs – No. 2 seed Plantation American Heritage, 41-28. The Rockets are 9-2. Versatile <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108659" first="Brady" last="Denaburg"]</strong> threw a 21-yard pass to <strong>C.J. Bragg</strong> and Merritt Island cruised the rest of the way in a 21-6 win against Rockledge the points it needed to hold on. That put the Mustangs ahead, 14-0, early in the third. Receiver Johnson caught a short pass from quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="127501" first="Bryson" last="Martin"]</strong>, then took off for a 77-yard touchdown and added a 3-yard touchdown run from freshman athlete <strong>Jershaun Newton</strong> as Clearwater Central Catholic rolled Tampa Catholic, 31-7. Newton is the 5^th brother to play for the Marauders. Blountstown continued roll along as <strong>Josh Pope</strong> (6 of 9, 175, 3 TDs), 2024 TE <strong>Artavius Jones</strong> (2 receptions, 68 yards 2 TDs), <strong>Amarion Hover</strong> (7 carries, 84 yards, 2 TDs) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128715" first="Tristan" last="Jones"]</strong> (3 carries, 51 yards - 11 tackles and 1 TFL). Colorado State commit <strong>Joseph Sipp Jr.</strong> got loose and outraced the Stingrays defense on a 69-yard touchdown run and sophomore <strong>Jacquez Gibson</strong> ran 54 yards for a score as Tampa Hillsborough beat Riverview Sumner, 28-7. Tampa Wharton QB<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="111419" first="Carson" last="Mohler"] t</strong>hrew for two first half touchdowns and sophomore athlete <strong>Arkese Parks r</strong>an 68 yards for a touchdown in a win over Lehigh. Hialeah Champagnat Catholic 2022 OL <strong>Benjamin Maldonado</strong> 8 Pancakes,  2 drive blocks as the two-time defending 2A state champs rolled against Belle Glade Glades Day. Senior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50142" first="Julian" last="Calvez"]</strong> completed 16 of 21 for 219 yards and a score, and also kicked a 37-yard field goal in Orlando Jones beat previously unbeaten Auburndale. Another huge week for Clearwater – as <strong>DL Aiden Bell r</strong>ecorded two sacks, <strong>WR CJ Lee h</strong>ad 213 all-purpose yards and scored on a reception and a punt return, <strong>QB Aidan MacLean t</strong>hrew for than 250 yards and two touchdowns and <strong>RB Efrem Only r</strong>an for more than 160 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Nature Coast. Miami Gulliver Prep remained red hot in dominating Miami Booker T. Washington as senior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50150" first="Carson" last="Haggard"]</strong> was 18-30, 302 yards and 3 TD's. <strong>Travious Latham</strong> had a TD reception and a Pick 6. <strong>Antwan Mayes</strong> 2023 WR 6 Receptions for 124 yards and FSU junior commit <strong>Lamont Green Jr.</strong> came up with five sacks. Hialeah Champagnat Catholic 2025 QB <strong>Ennio Yapoor</strong> completed 20 passes for 261 yards and 4 touchdowns – and added 51 rushing yards as the two-time defending 2A state champs beat Belle Glade Glades Day. <strong>Demarion Jenkins</strong> ran for 122 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 receiving touchdowns for Orlando Christian Prep. Miami Northwestern continues to roll along – beating previously unbeaten Napes – as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128308" first="Taron" last="Dickens"]</strong> (14 of 18 for  333 yards and 4 TDs, 6 Rushes 36 Yards, 2 TDs), <strong>Daverrick Jenkins</strong> (3 Rec, 70 Yards) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="111475" first="Adrian" last="Harris"]</strong> (3 Rec, 102 Yards, 1 TD). Freshman QB <strong>Davi Belfort</strong> from West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman threw for 300 yards in three TDs as the Crusaders moved to the next round of the 3A state playoffs. Fort Pierce John Carroll 2024 RB <strong>Tony Colebrook</strong> ran for 229 yards and two scores in a win over previously unbeaten Hollywood Avant Garde Academy. The week before, in a 2A playoff game, he had 177 yards and two scores. Certainly someone to keep an eye on. Catch More Florida High School Football. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/"><strong>https://prepredzone.com/florida/</strong></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>