Georges Headlines 2026 Prospects in Central FLA/Cleveland Game
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In a quarterfinal game that saw a relative unknown in team Cleveland take on a team on the rise, in Central Florida. Cleveland featured a lot of athletes from the nationally recognized Ginn Elite team, a program sponsored by former…
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Continue ReadingIn a quarterfinal game that saw a relative unknown in team Cleveland take on a team on the rise, in Central Florida. Cleveland featured a lot of athletes from the nationally recognized Ginn Elite team, a program sponsored by former NFL standout, Ted Ginn Jr. The home-state kids of Central Florida were all from the greater Orlando area.
The clear standout of the afternoon was #5 Makai Georges, a shifty running back that made several big runs on the afternoon. Georges got his party started with 3:03 left in the second quarter, scoring his first touchdown of the day. Georges continued to pack the score sheet with a 49-yard touchdown run halfway through the third quarter. He capped off his afternoon with a 45-yard touchdown run just :8 seconds into the fourth quarter. That touchdown extended the Central Florida lead to 27-8 and essentially sealed the game.
Aside from Georges, Central Florida also had a nice offensive performance from #83 Grayson Gibson. Gibson, a rangy 6-foot-2 receiver, showed off his big play ability early in the first quarter and registered Central Florida’s first touchdown. He caught a simple screen pass from quarterback Dereon Coleman Dereon Coleman 5'10" | 145 lbs | QB FL and accelerated up field 90-yards, avoiding Cleveland tackles and reaching paydirt.
Coleman, the quarterback, had a straightforward afternoon. While he has all the ability needed to take a game over by himself, the field general made all the smart plays necessary to win the game. He made the easy throws at the short and intermediate levels throughout the game. He also executed the game plan excellently and made sure Central Florida was firing on all cylinders.
Rounding out the offensive standouts for Central Florida was big G’nivre Carr. Carr, an eye-popping prospect at 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds, was moved from tackle to guard and it made a noticeable difference. His footwork is ever improving but at guard his mass proved to be too much for Cleveland to deal with. His move to guard was the catalyst for the success that Georges and the running game achieved. Speaking of the running game, big Carr took a handoff and got all of his size across the goal line for a successful two-point conversation run. It was an intimidating sight seeing an 8th grader that large running downhill.
For Cleveland it was tough sledding offensively, thanks largely to Central Florida’s attacking defense, but nonetheless they did have athletes that made plays. Running back JJ Hudson showed glimpses of what he could do. The all-purpose back was tough to bring down at times. He hit the whole hard and very quick. While not scoring himself, his big run set up Cleveland’s lone touchdown of the first half.
The touchdown referenced above was a short yardage plunge by #3 CJ Newell. Newell didn’t have to do much besides follow his blockers and advance the ball just a couple yards into the endzone.
On the corresponding two-point conversion play, #5 Ricardo Ruffin caught a beautiful ball in the back right end zone. The grab not only brought the crowd to its feet, but also gave Cleveland the only lead it would have in the game at 8-6.
They had their hands beyond full with a relentless pass rush and swarming defense, but the Cleveland offensive line did have a few moments of impressive play. I was impressed by the left side of their offensive line, namely #58 Will Conroy & #73 Braylin Parker. The duo opened up some holes for the running backs at the line of scrimmage and gave their quarterback a little bit of time in the pocket before it collapsed.
Parker looks every bit the part of a future P5 tackle. Long limbs, good body composition and the feet of a basketball player make him look special,
Behind the play of Georges at running back, the second biggest take away from this game was the way the Central Florida defense flew around the field.
Central Florida’s team leader was undoubtedly middle linebacker #1 Noah Maddox Noah Maddox 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Boone | 2026 FL . Central Florida Team Director did not mince words when he said this team goes as Maddox goes. Maddox was all over the field, and by my unofficial count, was in the double digits on tackles. Due to state rules 8th graders are allowed to play varsity football and Maddox affirmed what people in the greater Orlando area already know—he is a tackling machine.
Flanking Maddox as an outside linebacker was Elijah Dias #8. Not nearly the vocal leader Maddox is, Dias let his pads and his play do the talking. He had a very active day as a linebacker and was in on nearly as many tackles as Maddox. Dias did a great job of playing behind his pads and finishing his hits. He also provided a spark on special teams with tackles on both a punt return and kick return.
On the defensive front, 6-foot-3 defensive end Jake Kruel used his length to overwhelm the Cleveland offensive line. He also did a nice job of stringing plays out. Also impressive across the defensive line was #42 JP Furtado. Furtado, who has the ability to play end or tackle depending on scheme was a quick, interior defensive lineman who made his way into the backfield throughout the game. His most impressive play on the day came in the second quarter where he got his hands on the Cleveland guard and tossed him to the side, before securing a big tackle for loss.
On the back end for Central Florida, I came away impressed with Elija Mason Elija Mason 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Gaither | 2026 FL at corner back. He played an aggressive style of attacking corner who trusted his ability. He played tight to the line of scrimmage, jamming the receivers as they came off the line and was not afraid to get beat. Also liked his willingness to fly up and make tackles at the line of scrimmage in run support.
Central Florida hammered the final nail in the coffin with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter when #12 Curtis Dewberry III intercepted a Cleveland pass. Debwerry had a relatively quiet afternoon compared to what he usually does, but he made a big play for his team to put the game on ice.
Cleveland had no answer for the running of Georges but did get a strong performance from linebacker Leland Short. Short showed some violent tendencies and made a lot of tackles for his team on the afternoon. The Central Florida offensive line had a distinct size advantage, but Short found a way to consistently stick his nose in the chest of the oppositions ball carriers.