First Baptist Will Surprise You

Getting to the state football championships has not come overnight for Naples First Baptist.

Larry Blustein December 8, 2022 @ 08:06 AM

When Hialeah Champagnat Catholic announced that the school was closing this past spring, perhaps nobody greeted the news more than Naples First Baptist head football coach Billy Sparacio.   In his 13 years at the school, the past three ended painfully to the Lions that advanced to the state finals six straight years.   Now, with Champagnat Catholic out of the way, the Lions had their chance to do something that had never done – play for a state title.   That will happen this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee when they square off with Ocala Trinity Catholic in the 1S final.   Here is a team that brings in a six-game winning streak and plenty of talent that many across the state do not know much about, and the Lions like it that way.   Coming off a state semifinal home win against Quincy Munroe, this is a team that heads north as an unknown, which is fine with the team, coaches and fans.   This season, the senior class helped to add experience and talent to the team. Prospects such as Hosea Booker (FS, 6-0, 195), standout running back [player_tooltip player_id='128063' first='Jaden' last='Booker'] (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), [player_tooltip player_id='128782' first='Jordan' last='Jean']-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), [player_tooltip player_id='1132395' first='Logan' last='Bartley'] (CB, 6-0, 175), Nathan Cox (DT, 5-8, 205), Ethan Crossan (QB, 6-0, 175), [player_tooltip player_id='1130655' first='Dominick' last='Davis'] (WR, 6-1, 165), Deacon Jansen (DT, 6-0, 208), [player_tooltip player_id='1128660' first='Trent' last='Maloney'] (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   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>.

When Hialeah Champagnat Catholic announced that the school was closing this past spring, perhaps nobody greeted the news more than Naples First Baptist head football coach Billy Sparacio.