Kickoff Classic Standouts (Part II)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The time for high school football is back and Prep Redzone will be on the move this fall providing some of the best and up-to-date coverage in the country. Let's kick Game Week off with some of the notable kickoff classic standouts from around the Polk County area. *Below are matchups with notable players to watch for our readers! Most of these games were played on Friday - 8/18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1123156' first='Javon' last='Ross'] | WR | Class of 2024 | Deland | @javonMross</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ross had one of the better opening nights around the state, recording 4 total touchdowns on the way to a big-time win over West Orange.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='827385' first='Zander' last='Smith'] | QB | Class of 2025 | Lakeland | Zander_smith15</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith recorded a few total touchdowns in his first game as a Dreadnaught. Just settling into the offense but will have a chance to help Lakeland repeat for a state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>Karson Siquieros-Lasky | QB | Class of 2024 | Seminole | @KarsonSL</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lasky played solid in his first game as a Seminole and the UPENN commit is set up for a promising senior season in Sanford. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><em><strong>Omari Mixon | ATH | Class of 2024 | Lakeland | @omarimixon</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mixon is one the better versatile athletes that you can move around the field. Made an impact tonight on the EDGE, recording 5 sacks and 7 total tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>Keveun Mason | RB | Class of 2025 | Fort Meade | @Keveunmason7</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Mason ran the ball hard the entire first half for his first matchup with the Miners against the Bartow Yellow Jackets.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='292088' first='Quavion' last='Bird'] | DL | Class of 2024 | Bartow | @bird_quavion</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Bird was a menace and anchor throughout the night for the Yellow Jackets' defense. Made it tough for Fort Meade to get anything going on the ground.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>Joshua Porter | WR | Class of 2024 | Fort Meade | @PorterJoshuaWR2</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Porter made a tremendous catch while readjusting to the ball in the first quarter against Bartow. Caught another pass on a screen route. Both - (19 yards) (6 yards).</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='742866' first='Carlos' last='Mitchell'] Jr | ATH | Class of 2024 | Lakeland | @d1cj11&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>One of the most talented athletes in the Polk area made his Dreadnaught debut against Armwood and recorded a big-time fumble recovery in a solid opening night.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>DJ Galva | DB | Class of 2024 | Bartow | @dgalva9</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>One of the top lockdown defenders in Polk won't be under the radar for long. A real deal DOG.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>Donovan Soloman | RB | Class of 2024 | Frostproof | d1_don3</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top running backs in the Polk County area is primed for a big-time season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>Jaydon Williams | DB | Class of 2024 | Bartow | @863_jayy1</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>Tavares Murray Jr | DB | Class of 2025 | Bartow | @TMurr_7</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are two of the top defensive backs in the area hands down. Both have good frames and techniques to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>Carson Montsdeoca | QB | Class of 2024 | Fort Meade | @CarsonMontsdeo1&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Montsdeoca</em></strong><em> is one of the top QB prospects in the Polk County area, hands down. Tough night in the trenches but he made some things happen.&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='404260' first='Jamar' last='Taylor Jr'] | WR | Class of 2024 | Lakeland | @JamarTaylorJr1</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor caught an impressive ball in the endzone while fighting through a PI call. One of the more underrated athletes in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong>Kaleef Valentine | QB | Class of 2024 | Bartow</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Did not know who would start tonight for the Yellow Jackets but it was Valentine who took under center from start to finish. Had his team up 13-0 as the game was called off at the half.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>Omari Russel | DB | Class of 2026 | Fort Meade | @omari_russel</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Recorded a solid tackle in the open field that I saw but gives off a leadership mentality on the field.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>Omarion Jackson | ATH | Class of 2024 | Frostproof | @Omarion_j5</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson recorded a goal-line rushing touchdown against Ridge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1230854' first='Darian' last='Kirkland'] | WR | Class of 2025 | Fort Meade | @d1_kirk10</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Kirkland made an impact on the defensive side as he provided solid tackling while being disruptive in the run game.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>Caden Marsh | ATH | Class of 2024 | Frostproof | @caden_marsh11</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Played on both sides of the ball, even scoring a goal-line rushing touchdown while providing EDGE pressure throughout the night on opening night against Ridge.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>Semaj Bennett | DB | Class of 2024 | Fort Meade | @Majnueve9</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Bennett recorded a PBU while providing solid outside coverage.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>Ashton White | LB | Class of 2024 | Fort Meade | @ashtontofye23</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the head hunters and versatile athletes on the defensive side played his heart out and provided solid numbers in the tackling department in the first half.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>Mikeyon Bruce | DT | Class of 2024 | Bartow | @MoneyMike_96</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bull in the middle of the trenches that's strong, big, and tough to block.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='404534' first='Jahari' last='Grant'] | DE | Class of 2024 | Treasure Coast |&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The USF commit made his name known tonight against Armwood as he had multiple disruptive plays and sacks on opening night.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->