Region Semifinal Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout the course of a year, we get more correspondence from college coaches throughout the country trying to get information on prospects from Key West to Pensacola and everywhere in between.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While we attend numerous camps and combines – 7-on-7 events, practices and games – those college coaches use the information that we post – year round as part of the recruiting process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Because many people simply do not understand that talking about a prospect or sharing film is a small part of the recruiting process, we are fortunate to attend so many events, talk to the athletes, their teammates, coaches and parents – we find out much more from what you can see from a film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the course of a season, we highlight players with a weekly Prospect Spotlight, which is an enhancement to what coaches already know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We hear from assistant and head coaches from some of the largest schools in the nation as well as smaller programs who thank us for bringing them the weekly information that is a big help to them as they follow certain players they happen to have interest in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at some of the player performances from the State Region Semifinals:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Petersburg Lakewood stayed alive in the playoffs as <strong>Anthony Colandrea</strong> (17-of-25, 250 yards) connected with wide receiver <strong>Aviyon Mack-Smith</strong> on a 20-yard touchdown and outscored Tampa Catholic. The Crusaders got a 187-yard performance from standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128036' first='Lewis' last='Carter']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zephyrhills relied on running back <strong>Rodney Smith</strong>, who rushed for 107 yards in a win against Lecanto.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128410' first='Kendrick' last='Raphael']</strong>, who rushed for 100 yards or more in nine of Naples' 11 games this season, finished with 125 yards on 14 carries in the Golden Eagles' win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275829' first='Quinn' last='Niemann']</strong> threw for 224 yards, four TDs; <strong>John Celestin</strong> ran for 229 yards and 2 TDs to lead Lake Minneola.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore quarterback <strong>Ethan Cross</strong> threw two touchdowns in the second quarter, senior running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128063' first='Jaden' last='Booker']</strong> ran for two touchdowns and Clemson commit <strong>Olsen Henry </strong>had more than 100 receiving as Naples First Baptist rolled.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orlando Edgewater remained unbeaten by getting by defending state runner up Tampa Bay Tech as defensive back <strong>Cai Baites </strong>turned in one of the most spectacular defensive performances of the season with three interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami Norland sophomore quarterback <strong>Ennio Yapoor</strong> continued his amazing season as he rushed for a touchdown and threw for another in a win over Miami Booker T. Washington. Senior linebacker <strong>Jermaine Beard</strong>, who has been one of the best prospects in the state, also made an impact for the Vikings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404049' first='Adarius' last='Hayes']</strong> and <strong>Zayvion McCluster</strong>, and quarterback <strong>Jeremy Thomas</strong> scored twice to lead Largo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>University of Georgia-bound LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128019' first='Troy' last='Bowles']</strong> recorded three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns in a win against Tampa Gaither. Bowles is the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach <strong>Todd Bowles</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tarpon Springs East Lake continued to make a huge statement as <strong>Luke Yoder</strong> finished with more than 200 yards rushing and three touchdowns and defensive back <strong>Nick Marabella</strong> picked off two passes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clearwater Calvary Christian relied on running back <strong>Sean Cuono</strong>, who ran for a touchdown, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275811' first='Jacob' last='Drackett'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='204114' first='Joshua' last='Robinson']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miramar RB <strong>Nathaniel Henry</strong> continued his impressive season with 158 yards and 3 touchdowns in a win against Miami Southridge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best defensive backs in the state <strong>Harlem Howard</strong> came up with a game-ending interception to lead Pompano Beach Blanche Ely to a win over longtime rival Fort Lauderdale Dillard. The Tigers are 11-0 and won just once in 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The No. 1 senior player in Florida, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='127990' first='Brandon' last='Inniss']</strong>, did it all for Plantation American Heritage in a win over Boynton Beach. Senior kicker <strong>Wylie Shaw</strong>, a first year kicker, broke the school's extra point record (69) and had 3 kickoffs of 70 plus yards for the Patriots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pahokee sophomore QB <strong>Austin Simmons</strong> threw for 412 yards and 4 touchdowns on 17 completions in a win against Chiefland. Jashon Benjamin also had a huge game for the Blue Devils.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami True Prep Classic Academy came up with a huge first round win as 8th grade QB <strong>Zach Katz </strong>(17 of 23 for 271 yards and 5 touchdowns), <strong>Jasen "Jroc" Lopez </strong>(4 receptions, 2 TDs, 99 yards, Kick Return 35 yards), <strong>Josh Reyes</strong> (4 Receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD), <strong>Jonjon Delgado</strong> (6 carries 38 yards,1 reception 18 TD, 4 tackles, 1 fumble recovery), <strong>Jayson Lopez </strong>(9 tackles, 1 interception, 1 Fumble recovery) and Stephen McCloud (7 tackles, 1 for loss) all made a major contributions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the defense stole the show with nationally rated defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128038' first='Damon' last='Wilson'] II</strong> leading the way, Venice looked to offensive weapons <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992858' first='Jamarice' last='Wilder'], Brooks Bentley, Ryan Matulevich, Keyon Sears</strong> and <strong>Alvin Johnson III.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cocoa's <strong>Jameer Smith </strong>had two huge interceptions in a win against Palm Bay. Senior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128298' first='Blake' last='Boda']</strong> threw 3 TD passes and rushed for another. Blake's season totals are now&nbsp;3,076 passing yards,&nbsp;40 passing TDs, 65% completion percentage, 122.8 QB, 152 yards rushing&nbsp;and 3 rushing TDs. Blake is now Cocoa's&nbsp;all-time leader in passing TDs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starke-Bradford County's amazing season continued as <strong>Dae'Jon Shanks</strong>, <strong>Willie Pollard</strong>, <strong>Jeremiah McKenzie</strong> and <strong>Jametrius Pringle</strong> stepped up for the Tornadoes.,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Wales remained unbeaten as <strong>Corey Harris </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404531' first='Carlos' last='Mitchell']</strong> combined for multiple quarterback sacks as well as some outstanding offense. Senior QB <strong>Trent Grotjan</strong> was also a huge catalyst for the Highlanders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Lions, one of the best teams in the nation, used junior quarterback <strong>Cedric Bailey</strong> (11 of 13 passes for 243 yards and four scores) to win a State Regional Semifinal game. It was the 21st straight win for a team that could stand up against anyone in the nation.'</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Doral Academy RB <strong>Mark Wilder Jr.</strong> continued his impressive season with over 200 yards in a huge win against Davie Western.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bushnell South Sumter's <strong>Eian Finkley</strong> kept the Raiders unbeaten as he was seven for 8 for 65 yards and two scores and added two more touchdowns on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryan Oakley</strong>, Jacksonville University Christian 2024 DB had 4 pass break ups, a block kick and three tackles in a win against Orlando The First Academy. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christopher Tooley</strong>, 2023 QB/Athlete from Orlando Jones<strong> </strong>threw for 250 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Oviedo. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami Central senior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128321' first='Keyone' last='Jenkins']</strong>, a five-year varsity performer, used his legs in a come-from-behind win against rival Miami Northwestern as he rushed for three touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Mary 2024 athlete <strong>Caden Harshbarger,</strong> a standout lacrosse performer, gave the Rams a huge lift on a<strong> </strong>23-yard touchdown reception for the go-ahead score in a 12-8 upset win over Sanford Seminole. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 QB<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='130977' first='Jesse' last='Winslette']</strong> from Fort Walton Beach Choctawatchee<strong> </strong>threw for 202 yards, one touchdown and rushed for 53 yards in a huge win over last year's state runner up Pensacola Pine Forest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS.</strong> https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2023-rankings/</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS.</strong> https://prepredzone.com/2022/08/updated-2024-florida-rankings/</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 --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->