PLAYOFF WEEK 2 FLORIDA STANDOUTS
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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…
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Continue ReadingOnce 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 Terrell Crosby recorded his 14th interception of the season in a win over Belle Glade Glades Central. Junior QB Anthony Colandrea threw 2 touchdown passes to senior Diezel Spann.
Miramar High senior RB Desmond Reid, 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 Jaylon Glover Jaylon Glover 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB Lakeland Lake Gibson | 2022 State FL , 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 Mike Jackson Mike Jackson 5'9" | 155 lbs | WR Miami Palmetto | 2022 State FL caught three touchdown passes from senior Kevin Smith Kevin Smith 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Miami Palmetto | 2022 FL and came up with two interceptions – one for a score in the No. 2 seed Panthers 27-14 win over No. 3 Deerfield Beach.
Darren McQueen Jr Darren McQueen Jr DB Coral Gables | 2022 FL . and Brysson Stouffer 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 Luis Palenzuela Luis Palenzuela K Miami Christopher Columbus | 2022 FL 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 Xavione Washington Xavione Washington 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB Tampa Catholic | 2023 FL threw for three touchdowns in a win over Palmetto. Senior WR Greg Gaines III caught one of those passes.
Miami Central used the passing of junior Keyone Jenkins Keyone Jenkins 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB Miami Central | 2023 FL and the receiving of sophomore JoJo Trader, 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 Brady Denaburg Brady Denaburg K Merritt Island | 2022 FL threw a 21-yard pass to C.J. Bragg 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 Bryson Martin Bryson Martin 6'2" | 170 lbs | WR Crestview | 2023 FL , then took off for a 77-yard touchdown and added a 3-yard touchdown run from freshman athlete Jershaun Newton as Clearwater Central Catholic rolled Tampa Catholic, 31-7. Newton is the 5th brother to play for the Marauders.
Blountstown continued roll along as Josh Pope (6 of 9, 175, 3 TDs), 2024 TE Artavius Jones (2 receptions, 68 yards 2 TDs), Amarion Hover (7 carries, 84 yards, 2 TDs) and Tristan Jones Tristan Jones 5'11" | 175 lbs | LB Blountstown | 2023 FL (3 carries, 51 yards – 11 tackles and 1 TFL).
Colorado State commit Joseph Sipp Jr. got loose and outraced the Stingrays defense on a 69-yard touchdown run and sophomore Jacquez Gibson ran 54 yards for a score as Tampa Hillsborough beat Riverview Sumner, 28-7.
Tampa Wharton QB Carson Mohler Carson Mohler 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB Wharton | 2022 FL threw for two first half touchdowns and sophomore athlete Arkese Parks ran 68 yards for a touchdown in a win over Lehigh.
Hialeah Champagnat Catholic 2022 OL Benjamin Maldonado 8 Pancakes, 2 drive blocks as the two-time defending 2A state champs rolled against Belle Glade Glades Day.
Senior QB Julian Calvez Julian Calvez QB Orlando Jones | 2022 FL 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 DL Aiden Bell recorded two sacks, WR CJ Lee had 213 all-purpose yards and scored on a reception and a punt return, QB Aidan MacLean threw for than 250 yards and two touchdowns and RB Efrem Only ran 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 Carson Haggard Carson Haggard QB Miami Gulliver Prep | 2022 FL was 18-30, 302 yards and 3 TD’s. Travious Latham had a TD reception and a Pick 6. Antwan Mayes 2023 WR 6 Receptions for 124 yards and FSU junior commit Lamont Green Jr. came up with five sacks.
Hialeah Champagnat Catholic 2025 QB Ennio Yapoor 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.
Demarion Jenkins 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 Taron Dickens Taron Dickens 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Miami Northwestern | 2023 FL (14 of 18 for 333 yards and 4 TDs, 6 Rushes 36 Yards, 2 TDs), Daverrick Jenkins (3 Rec, 70 Yards) and Adrian Harris Adrian Harris WR Miami Northwestern | 2022 FL (3 Rec, 102 Yards, 1 TD).
Freshman QB Davi Belfort 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 Tony Colebrook 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.
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