WEEK 2 PLAYOFF STANDOUTS

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All season long, we have been fortunate to shine the spotlight on so many football players throughout Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the regular season, we brought you over 1,000 prospects who continued to step up each week and make a major impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While many wind down during the state playoffs, we never stop promoting and exposing players year-round – and as we move toward week 3 of the playoffs – we reflect on the regional semifinals with a look at some of the players who made the headlines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out this gifted football talent:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830584' first='Shawn' last='Simeon']</strong> of Naples has been impressive all year, but this past week, he did something extra special by carrying 27 times for a staggering 405 yards, 7 touchdowns – a school (TD's and yards) and playoff state record for TD's.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='736787' first='Joseph' last='Allen']</strong> of Melbourne Central Catholic was 8 of 12, 126 yards and threw 4 touchdowns in a win over Daytona Beach Halifax Academy.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orlando Bishop Moore 2025 QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='205703' first='Bjorn' last='Jurgensen']</strong> was 15 or 24 for 190 yards and 1 TD. He also rushed for 3 scores and 104 yards in the Hornet's win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>American Heritage Plantation continued to roll along with a region semifinal win. Sophomore QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212265' first='Dia' last='Bell']</strong> has been special this year and on Saturday he was 12-13 for 303 yds with 3 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacksonville Mandarin used <strong>Tiant Wyche Jr. </strong>touchdowns, one a 90-yard reception from <strong>Tramell Jones</strong>. <strong>A.J. Belgrave-Shorter</strong> put the icing on the cake with a fourth-quarter pick-six.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Venice Indians continued to roll in the post season as senior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275843' first='Jadyn' last='Glasser'] </strong>threw for 221 yards and 3 scores in the first half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gainesville Buchholz stayed unbeaten as wide receiver <strong>Justin Williams</strong> had a career day, racking up 139 yards and two touchdowns on just four catches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404482' first='Riley' last='Trujillo'] </strong>ran 42 yards to the house for his fourth score and the eventual game-winner for St. John's Bartram Trail. <strong>Caden Baldwin</strong> recovered a last-minute Niceville fumble to seal the game.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1130817' first='Seth' last='Chestnut']</strong> tallied a pick-six for the second consecutive week and two <strong>Benny Lewis</strong> touchdowns sealed the win for Baker County. Sophomore quarterback <strong>Hudson Register</strong> pushed the Wildcats into a second-quarter lead <strong>Jamaurie Elliott </strong>and <strong>Chase Phillips</strong> intercepted passes late.&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='741334' first='Chalil' last='Cummings']</strong> caught two touchdown passes and grabbed an interception for unbeaten Starke Bradford County. Two-way running back/linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828990' first='Jeremiah' last='McKenzie'] </strong>also ran for a score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134180' first='Trenton' last='Klein']</strong> found <strong>Ibn Williams</strong> with the go-ahead score at the end of the third quarter and Union County won. [player_tooltip player_id='1127062' first='Gavin' last='Jenkins'] also threw to <strong>Bryan Tyson</strong>. <strong>Blake McCoy</strong> intercepted a pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami True North Classical Academy continues to roll in 1M. Last Thursday, the Titans used 2027 QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377390' first='Zac' last='Katz']</strong> (17/20 357 yds 4 TDs 0 Interceptions) to pick up a win. Sophomore receiver/defensive back <strong>Jasen “J-Roc” Lopez, </strong>one of the best athletes in the state, had 7 receptions for 4 scores, a kickoff return for a touchdown and tremendous defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Miami Norland Vikings continued to turn heads in the state playoffs. The Vikings used junior QB <strong>Ejay Yapoor</strong> (Passing - 18/23, 428 yards, 4TD's. Rushing - 7 attempts 69 yards and 1 TD to lead the way. In addition, RB <strong>Juan Rodriguez</strong> (19 attempts, 136 yards, 1 catch and 32 yards), (8 Receptions, 166 yards and 2 TD's) and receiver <strong>Ivory Aikens</strong> (4 Receptions, 109 yards and 1 TD) made major contributions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another huge win for Tampa Plant as the Panthers received contributions from <strong>Brayden Sullivan</strong> (4 solo tackles, 2 assist tackles, 3 quarterback pressures, 2 quarterback hits), <strong>Alex Tate </strong>(9 solo tackles, 8 assist tackles, 1 TFL, 3 quarterback pressures, 3 quarterback hits, 1 sack), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='468699' first='Chase' last='Jarrett']</strong> (7 solo tackles, 3 assists and 2 PBUs and <strong>Jamel Walls</strong> (9 solos , 2 assists and 2 PBUs. On offense, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826467' first='Waltez' last='Clark']</strong> (17 rushes 132 yds &amp; 3 TDS) was impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clearwater Calvary Christian's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275811' first='Jacob' last='Drackett']</strong>, an Air Force commit, hit an impressive milestone while leading his team to the region finals for the second straight season.&nbsp; Drackett threw for 265 yards, giving him 7,364 for his high school career to become Pinellas County's all-time leading passer.&nbsp;Drackett broke the record of 7,312 set last year by Lakewood's Anthony Calandrea, now at Virginia.&nbsp;Versatile <strong>Zander Altieri</strong> had 2 interceptions, 2 touchdowns, 100 yards rushing and 10 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>George Roberts</strong> and <strong>Demari Scott</strong> sparked Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast over rival Vero Beach for the second time this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ocala Trinity Catholic 2025 QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='606162' first='Preston' last='Wright']</strong> continued to have a banner year. In the region semifinals, he was 12 of 16 for 171 yards and 4 touchdowns. He has 10 TDs the past three weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacksonville Trinity Christian athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404490' first='Cam' last='Anderson']</strong> carried 12 times for 131 yards and a score on offense. On defense, he had 13 tackles, two tackles for loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1132417' first='Troy' last='Holloway']</strong>, Jacksonville Bolles, finished with 11 tackles: 5 Solos 6 Assist, 1 TFL 1 Blocked Field Goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Statewide Coverage Daily. <a>https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->