Crestview Party Crashing Specialists

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a No. 7 seed, going on the road to a place that they lost at in the regular season, very few people gave the Crestview Bulldogs a chance against annual powerhouse Niceville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A first round 4A Region 1 showdown that very few people paid attention to because it was a given that, yet another opponent would fall victim to the Eagles at home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When last Friday night ended, the Bulldogs, a program that had lost four times on the season, were the ones celebrating. Welcome to the post season and the newest members of the 2022 party crashers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That 20-mile trip felt like a minute to those aboard the Crestview buses. They had just taken down the giant – a No. 2 seed at their place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For head coach <strong>Thomas Grant</strong> and this football team, it was just another game that his talented group of coaches and players went in as underdogs but came out as victors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team, while not as publicized as many in the Panhandle, does have its starts – along with several role players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior class (2023) is indeed special – with prospects such as <strong>Kameron Bennett</strong> (OT, 6-2, 255)<strong>, Robert Bonvechio</strong> Jr. (OG, 6-4, 310)<strong>, Jerome Brazan</strong> (QB, 6-1, 170)<strong>, Michael Carson</strong> (OT, 6-7, 255)<strong>, Jaylan Day</strong> (OL/DL, 6-1, 285)<strong>, Ryan Duncan</strong> (CB, 5-10, 170), <strong>Jake Edwards</strong> (LB, 6-3, 200)<strong>, Kaos Hansen</strong> (PK, 5-11, 173), <strong>Ja'Terion Hart</strong> (RB, 5-9, 155) and gifted defensive end <strong>Marion Hawthorne</strong> (6-3, 210) leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That senior class has also produced players such as <strong>Ze'shawn Hutchinson </strong>(CB/WR, 6-3, 170), <strong>Jason Jones</strong> (RB, 6-2, 190), <strong>Peyton Knight</strong> (OT, 6-2, 260)<strong>, Jaylen Knox</strong> (DE, 6-3, 201), <strong>Cecil Perdue</strong> (WR, 6-0, 165), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134226' first='Jabari' last='Smith']</strong> (WR, 6-0, 155), <strong>Tristin Wells</strong> (WR, 6-2, 170)and safety <strong>Simeon White III</strong> (6-0, 160)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TALENTED UNDERCLASSMEN AS WELL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As solid as that senior class has been, the Bulldogs also boast some athletes who will be around the next few years but impacted this team so far this season. Standouts like 2024 juniors<strong> Jaden Appleby</strong> (WR, 6-0, 170)<strong>, Braden Hood</strong> (WR, 5-10, 155), <strong>Darryl Lowe</strong> (RB, 6-0, 209)<strong>, Ethan Myers</strong> (LB, 6-0, 175)<strong>, Lazarius Parks</strong> (RB, 5-11, 195)<strong>, Maddox Reeves (</strong>OC, 6-0, 260), <strong>Keishawn Smith</strong> (OLB, 5-8 160)<strong>, Ahmad Thomas</strong> (SS, 5-10, 155) and receiver <strong>Isaac Thomas </strong>(6-4, 170).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 sophomores also made an impression with gifted players like quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='205848' first='Malakai' last='Saul'] </strong>(6-3, 175), <strong>Lorenzo Blackwell </strong>(WR, 5-10, 180), <strong>Peyton Simmons</strong> (OL/DL, 5-11, 285) and emerging receiver <strong>Jay Tassin </strong>(6-0, 160).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an “upset” win in the quarterfinals, the region semifinals will put this team back on the road with a trip to Gainesville Buchholz (8-2) – another talented program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><br>THE BULLDOGS (7-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridley, Folsom, Pa., W 50-28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gulf Breeze, L 24-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee, L 35-34</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PACE, W 29-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NICEVILLE, L 13-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tallahassee Chiles, W 23-17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lynn Haven Mosley, L 38-26<br>MILTON, W 49-28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TALLAHASSEE LEON, W 42-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Walton Beach, W 41-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Niceville, W 26-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id='111610' first='Larry' last='Blustein'] with prospect or team information at: <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->