First Baptist Looks For A Repeat

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For years Naples First Baptist Academy has had the talent. Enough to make it to a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While veteran head coach <strong>Billy Sparacio</strong> and his Lions had built a good program, this year was really the first time that many outside of southwest Florida knew who they were.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of Florida has long been home to some amazing players and teams, and while sometimes do not work out as planned, there is always a reason. The reason for this program was Hialeah Champagnat Catholic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What the Lions did over a six-year period has been duplicated by a few, and each and every year it was the Lions of Hialeah who stopped the Lions from Naples from not only getting to the state finals, but also from any state notoriety at all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everything changed with the new classifications, and even though Champagnat Catholic would not be an obstacle this season, the school closed and took with it some impressive teams and talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without them as an obstacle, this team rolled all the way to the state finals where they dominated Ocala Trinity Catholic in Class 1S and brought home the school's first ever state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WHAT'S COMING BACK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As is the case with most programs in the state of Florida, replacing seniors is never easy, but this team has plenty of underclassmen who are more than capable of getting back to the state finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising senior class (2024) brings backs a few prospects in <strong>Zachary Bates</strong> (PK, 6-2, 150), <strong>Tommy Cusick</strong> (S, 6-1, 180), <strong>Josh Paul</strong> (CB, 6-0, 160), <strong>Brett Rosano </strong>(OL, 5-11, 225) and defensive end <strong>Braedy Sommerville</strong> (5-11, 175).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LOADED FOR THE FUTURE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the rising senior class is going to have some experience, the Class of 2025 – rising juniors - &nbsp;are also going to be special with <strong>Wyatt Bare</strong> (OT, 5-9, 230), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1132395' first='Logan' last='Bartley']</strong> (CB, 6-0, 175), <strong>Evan Berlie</strong> (OL, 6-2, 235), <strong>Nathan Cox</strong> (DT, 5-8, 205), solid <strong>Ethan Crossan</strong> (QB, 6-0, 175), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1130655' first='Dominick' last='Davis']</strong> (WR, 6-1, 165)<strong>, Teegan Gonzalez</strong> (WR, 5-8, 145)<strong>, Deacon Jansen </strong>(DT, 6-0, 208)<strong>, Connor Koert </strong>(OL, 5-9, 220), <strong>Kervens Lennon</strong> (CB, 5-7, 150)<strong>, Gabriel Medina</strong> (K/P, 5-8, 140)<strong>, Bryce Nottle</strong> (OL, 5-7, 265)<strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1128660' first='Trent' last='Maloney'] </strong>(OLB, 6-1, 160)<strong>,&nbsp; Mike Mueller</strong> (OLB, 5-11, 170) and athletic <strong>Kevin Silva</strong> (5-11, 165).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2026, rising sophomores, have players such as <strong>Ben Corhei</strong> (OT, 6-5, 255), <strong>Andres Digrigoli</strong> (S, 5-8, 140), <strong>Darlin Donalds </strong>(WR, 6-1, 188), <strong>Gray Ingram</strong> (OL, 5-9, 160), <strong>Alex Lezama</strong> (S, 5-11, 160), <strong>Toby Meister</strong> (DT, 5-7, 170), <strong>Caleb Paul</strong> (DT. 5-11, 150), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='927717' first='Jayden' last='Petit']</strong> (WR, 6-2, 160) and cornerback <strong>Owen Pritchard</strong> (6-2, 155).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class also feature <strong>Caleb Rodriguez</strong> (OL, 6-2, 265), <strong>Josiah Rodriguez</strong> (OL, 5-9, 200), <strong>Sam Sparacio </strong>(RB, 5-8, 140) and offensive lineman <strong>Leo Woodward</strong> (6-1, 220. There is also Class of 2027 rising freshman <strong>Grant Mitchell</strong> (DE, 5-10, 150).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF NAPLES FIRST BAPTIST ACADEMY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You Can Contact <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='111610' first='Larry' last='Blustein']</strong> with prospect or team information at: <strong><em>Floridakids1@aol.com</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->