Week 4: Notable Games and Players to Watch
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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 a preview of some top…
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Continue ReadingThe 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 a preview of some top matchups around Polk and the Central Florida area. *Below are matchups with notable players to watch for our readers! Most of these games will be played on Friday – 9/15.
Heritage (3-0) vs. Oviedo (1-2) on Thursday
Panthers: Joseph Tenta Joseph Tenta 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Heritage | 2024 FL QB, Axzavian Alexander WR, Judah Knight RB, Tayshawn Benson Tayshawn Benson 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Palm Bay Heritage | 2026 FL ATH, Rahmir Davis, Deaven McDonald LB, Timothy Monroe Jr ATH,
Lions: Jackson LaTour QB, Kevin Watson RB, Marquet Williams WR, Brady Manning Brady Manning 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Oviedo | 2025 FL LB, Bryson Blanford DB, Joey Gioia ATH, Logan Proth DT, Alejandro Bello ATH
Huge game for Oviedo and head coach Greg Odierno as they look to avenge consecutive tough losses. Heritage has a solid program and will look to remain undefeated to start the season. Heritage has not given up a point to opposing teams this season so it’ll be important for the Lions to get going early.
Fort Meade (2-0) vs. Mulberry (1-0)
Miners: Carson Montsdeoca QB – Joshua Porter WR – Ryan Screen WR – Darian Kirkland Darian Kirkland 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH Avon Park | 2025 FL WR – Keveun Mason RB – Omari Russell DB – Cyhdrin Simmons DB – Tedrick Simon DB – Davion Borders DB – Ashton White LB – Josiah Lozano WR – Markell Baker ATH
Panthers: Devin Burgess ATH, Jeffrey Duvalt ATH, Lloyd Knight RB, Timothy Jones LB, Jaquan Turner LB, Jermaine Mills OL/DL, Timothy Jones LB, Paul Sledge Paul Sledge 5'10" | 155 lbs | DB Mulberry | 2025 FL ATH
This is my top matchup in Polk this week as the Miners travel to Mulberry for a showdown with the Panthers and its speedy list of athletes. The Miners are loaded this season and look to remain unbeaten.
FSUHS (2-1) vs. Gadsden County (2-1)
Seminoles: Jeremy Johnston Jeremy Johnston 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Florida State University FSUS | 2024 FL QB, Micha Danzy ATH, Ashton Hampton Ashton Hampton 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB Tallahassee FSU High | 2024 State FL WR, Josiah Broxton LB, Noah Deem LB, Keisean Inman ATH, Darrick McGhee LB
Jaguars: Landon Dougherty QB, Ostin Perkins RB, Nas Williams ATH, Micheal Thomas, Josaiah Knight Josaiah Knight 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Havana Gadsden County | 2024 State FL DE, Raqayvious Lewis RB, Zykei Washington LB
A North Florida battle between two solid programs with D1 talent on both sides. Both are coming off solid wins last week as the Jaguars will look to avenge a brutal loss to the Seminoles a year ago.
Leesburg (3-0) vs. (Ocala) Vanguard (3-0)
Yellow Jackets: Salmon Georges QB, Demetrice McCray Demetrice McCray 6'0" | 190 lbs | WR Orlando The First Academy | 2026 FL WR, Lavoctris Patterson RB, Evan James WR, Aiden Hall LB, Dajleon Ward DB, Izayia Williams Izayia Williams 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Leesburg | 2026 FL LB, Jaedon Mickens LB
Knights: Fred Gaskin III Fred Gaskin III 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Ocala Vanguard | 2024 State FL ATH, Mitchell Brown RB, Tay’juan Farmer ATH, Dallen Ponder ATH, Markell Davis LB, Josiah Farmer ATH, Zamaryion McCray DB
No doubt about it, Leesburg has made plenty of noise to start the season undefeated while properly promoting their notable student-athletes. They are up for a big test against a Vanguard team that has already been battle-tested. Get your popcorn ready folks this should be a good one.
Lakeland (1-2) vs. Osceola (Kissimmee) (0-3)
Dreadnaughts: Zander Smith Zander Smith 6'4" | 215 lbs | QB Lakeland | 2025 State FL QB, Rick Penick WR, Dee Rucker RB, Jamar Taylor WR, Malik Morris LB, Jameson Young Jameson Young 6'2" | 155 lbs | DB Lakeland | 2024 FL DB, Keon Young DB
Kowboys: Elijah Melendez Elijah Melendez 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Kissimmee Osceola | 2025 State FL LB, Anthony Powers QB, Robert Lee LB, Larenz Walker Larenz Walker 5'10" | 135 lbs | DB Osceola | 2026 FL DB, Jalen Bell ATH, Alijah Jenkins Alijah Jenkins 5'8" | 165 lbs | WR Kissimmee Osceola | 2026 FL WR, Jeffery Banks DB
It’s uncommon to see such talented programs start the season ugly but injuries and tough opponents are what these two have dealt with. Still, this will be a battle between teams that are familiar with each other. The Dreadnaughts look to bounce back as they are still favored for another run at the state title.
Lake Gibson (3-0) vs. Lee County (GA) (3-1)
Braves: Joel Morris QB– Fentrell Graham RB – Quinton Moore Jr Quinton Moore Jr 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Lake Gibson | 2024 FL LB – Kordell Lewis WR – Tristan Black OL – Cason Dash Cason Dash 6'1" | 165 lbs | DB Lakeland Lake Gibson | 2026 FL DB – Jeremy Thomas WR, Derrick McBride WR, Jerry Brown OL
Trojans: Weston Bryan QB, Ousmane Kromah RB, Tion Garmon DB, Jace Molden OL, Devin Collier DB, Corey McDowell DB, Temirez Williams DB, Justyn Tanksley LB
Lake Gibson and head coach Rich Pringle will take the Braves to Georgia for a matchup with a good program in Lee County. Important game for the program and student-athletes.
Seminole (2-1) vs. Evans (2-1)
Seminole: Karson Lasky QB, Preston Watson Preston Watson 6'2" | 270 lbs | DL Sanford Seminole | 2024 State FL DT, Trey Clarke RB, Tavari Hampton LB, David Parks ATH, Justin Rosado WR, Cori Smith DB, Juan Berchal Juan Berchal 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB Sanford Seminole | 2025 FL DB
Trojans: Christ Peterson QB, Roytavious Ricketts WR, Jermaine Hardy RB, Gaboreius Baldwin LB, Tommy Dixson DL, Li’darious Pryor LB
Foundation Academy (2-1) vs. OCP (3-0)
Lions: Micheal Dove QB, C.J. Bronuagh ATH, James Bronaugh RB, Cole West LB, Jay Rodriguez DE, Stephon Ford ATH
OCP: Cameron Kurzon QB, Avery Anderson RB, Akeevin Anderson ATH, Bradyn Schuster LB, Stanley Ihekwoaba Stanley Ihekwoaba 6'3" | 200 lbs | TE Orlando Christian Prep | 2024 FL DE, Darius Richardson ATH
Ocoee (2-1) vs. Olympia (2-1)
Knights: Jackson Keillor QB, Michael Mcclenton DE, Kim’s Pierre ATH, Nathaniel Worrel RB, Joshua Guerrier Joshua Guerrier 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Ocoee | 2025 State FL DB, Raymond Green Raymond Green 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Orlando Olympia | 2025 FL RB
Titans: Juan Gainous Juan Gainous 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB Olympia | 2024 FL QB, Melo Ware RB, RoMelo Walker ATH, Brandon Dumzeil DT, Jalon Thompson Jalon Thompson 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Orlando Olympia | 2024 FL DB, Xavier Tucker Xavier Tucker 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Orlando Olympia | 2025 FL ATH
A matchup between two teams that look to turn the corner as we head into week 4. Both of these schools have talent on both sides of the ball but it’ll be key for Ocoee to stop the run and explosiveness Olympia brings.