First Baptist & Trinity Catholic Ready

When the 2022 season began and many of the high school football purists talked about who they felt would be in the state finals this year, Naples First Baptist and Ocala Trinity Catholic were two programs that several had talked about.

At 1:00 this afternoon at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee, head coach Billy Sparacio and John Brantley will bring those two teams to start the final day of the first weekend of the Florida High School State Championships.

With both teams playing challenging schedules throughout the year, this is certainly a contest that can go either way, and each fan base is equally as optimistic as they take the long ride to the state capitol.

Trinity Catholic making the 182-mile trip – while First Baptist and their many fans will be making the second longest (Chaminade-Madonna 466 miles) trek (434 miles) to Gene Cox Stadium.

PLENTY OF TALENT

First Baptist (9-2) is led by a senior class that helped to add experience and talent to the team. Prospects such as Hosea Booker (FS, 6-0, 195), standout running back Jaden Booker Jaden Booker 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Naples | 2023 FL (5-11, 210), Jose Cintron (OLB, 5-10, 165), Stanley Elusma (DE, 5-11, 185), Zacharie Garcon (CB, 6-4, 194), Clemson bound Olsen Patt-Henry (6-3, 220), Koda Hillis (OLB, 5-11, 205), Brody Jameyson (DE, 6-2, 205), Ty Keller (QB, 6-1, 200), Jordan Jean Jordan Jean 5'9" | 160 lbs | DB Miami Carol City | 2023 FL -Luc (S, 5-9, 175 and outside linebacker Dominic Martucci (6-0, 197).

In addition, the senior class also has Richemard Mellien (FS, 6-1, 200), Nathan Mihet (DT, 6-4, 200), Cade Mitchell (OC, 6-0, 210), Kevin Nelson (CB, 5-11, 190), Gavin Patton (S, 6-1, 170), Roy Reyes (LB, 5-10, 175), Preston Shemansky (Slot, 6-1, 170) and linebacker Michael Votta (6-1, 200).

PROMISING UNDERCLASSMEN TOO

While the senior class is stacked with quality prospects, so is the underclass – where Class of 2024 prospects Tommy Cusick (S, 6-1, 180) and Braedy Sommerville (DE, 5-11, 175) have been instrumental. So have the Class of 2025 sophomores such as Wyatt Bare (OT, 5-9, 230), Logan Bartley Logan Bartley 6'1" | 195 lbs | DB Naples First Baptist | 2025 FL (CB, 6-0, 175), Nathan Cox (DT, 5-8, 205), Ethan Crossan (QB, 6-0, 175), Dominick Davis Dominick Davis 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH Naples First Baptist | 2025 FL (WR, 6-1, 165), Deacon Jansen (DT, 6-0, 208), Trent Maloney Trent Maloney 6'1" | 195 lbs | ATH Naples First Baptist | 2025 FL (OLB, 6-1, 160) and outside linebacker Kevin Silva (5-11, 165).

Freshmen Ben Corhei (OT, 6-5, 255), Caleb Rodriguez (OL, 6-2, 265) and running back Sam Sparacio (5-8, 140) gives this team depth along with eighth grader Grant Mitchell (DE, 5-10, 150).

LIONS (9-2)

NAPLES ST. JOHN NEUMANN, W 43-0

Chardon, Ohio, L 31-24 (OT)

SARASOTA CARDINAL MOONEY, W 28-27 (OT)

FORT MYERS BISHOP VEROT, W 56-42

Pahokee, L 21-12

ENGLEWOOD LEMON BAY, W 35-7

Community School of Naples, W 42-0

FROSTPROOF, W 41-0

COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF NAPLES, W 42-6

MOORE HAVEN, W 49-24

QUINCY MUNROE, W 28-7

RIDING A FIVE-GAME WINNING STREAK

Among the Class of 2023 seniors that the Celtics (9-2) will roll out includes David Abate (DT, 5-11, 295), Justin Arroyo (PK, 6-1, 155), Beau Beard (RB, 5-10, 190), Alex Brooks (OG, 5-10, 215), Jake Engelhardt (QB), Dalton Henry (OG, 6-1 280), Harrison Holland (OLB, 6-0, 205), standout Tommy Kinsler Tommy Kinsler 6'6" | 300 lbs | OL Trinity Catholic | 2023 State FL (OL, 6-6, 300). Impressive Donathan Lecorn Donathan Lecorn 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Trinity Catholic | 2023 FL (OLB, 6-2, 218), Omaryon Leslie (LB, 5-9, 210), Kayden McCarson (SS, 6-3, 205), and offensive linemen Brayden Ramey (6-6, 285) and Jordan Rozier (6-2, 305) to name a few.

In addition, seniors DeShawn Shelton (CB, 5-9, 170), Tyler Simms (NG, 5-10, 195), Jacob Smith (OT, 6-6, 310), Kenyen Smith (OG, 6-0, 285) and free safety Brice Summerall Brice Summerall 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB St. John Paul II Catholic | 2023 FL (6-1, 185).

HOW BRIGHT IS THE FUTURE? THE NUMBERS ARE THERE

As the senior class has set the table for this Saturday's title game, the underclassmen have also made a lasting impression. Class of 2024 juniors such as Jacob Arnold (DT, 6-0, 235), Gavin Davis (LB, 5-7, 160), Antonio Ellis (WR, 6-0, 190), Dwayne Goodrum Jr. (DE, 6-0, 180), Mekai Griffin (TE, 6-2, 195), Mikeen Harrison (LB, 6-2, 205), John Hayes (WR), Dominic Johnson (OT, 6-3, 235) and receiver Jewellius Lluberes (5-9, 155) have been important.

So have prospects Cedric McFadden (WR, 5-11, 170), Alan Means (QB, 6-2, 170), Miguel Quintana (MBL, 5-9, 200), Jeremiah Rhem (S, 6-2, 185), Jamarkus Starkes (RB, 5-10, 170) and nose guard Adrian Taylor Jr. (6-6, 375)

The beat goes in with the 2025 sophomore class that has players such as Aaron Doughman (OG, 6-0, 245), Gerrick Gordon Gerrick Gordon 6'4" | 270 lbs | OL Tampa Carrollwood Day | 2025 State FL (OG, 6-4, 300), Devontae Grant (WR, 6-0, 155), Austin Holder (WR, 5-7, 165), Hampton Johnson (OG, 6-1, 245), Zach Johnson (DE, 6-0, 185), promising Gerald "Juice" Lawton III (WR, 5-8, 155), Ace Means (WR, 5-9, 160), Trenton Nix (QB/DE, 6-3, 200), Courtney Patterson (CB, 5-11, 155) and defensive back Gavin Petenbrink (5-10, 175).

The underclassmen also feature Luke Rudnianyn (RB, 5-7, 155), Sean Thornton (WR, 6-0, 177) and Preston Wright (QB, 6-2, 185) in addition to Class of 2026 freshmen Jiudah Daniels Jiudah Daniels 6'2" | 290 lbs | OL Lehigh | 2026 FL (OG, 6-4, 285), Carlisle Cox (DE, 6-0, 180), Hudson Holland (DE/LS, 5-11, 180) and defensive end Jermaine Kinsler (6-6, 240).