Stars Come Out Once Again
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On August 25th when Miami Norland opened the season at Lakeland, the entire state was put on notice. The Vikings punished the defending state champion, 48-34, piling up over 500 yards. Coach Darryle Heidelburg’s team would go on to win…
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Continue ReadingOn August 25th when Miami Norland opened the season at Lakeland, the entire state was put on notice.
The Vikings punished the defending state champion, 48-34, piling up over 500 yards.
Coach Darryle Heidelburg’s team would go on to win all 14 games including last Friday night’s 28-7 state semifinal win over Jacksonville Bolles.
The win sends Norland to the 2M state final on Saturday morning against Tampa Berkeley Prep.
This program not only beat Lakeland, but four-time defending state champion Miami Central twice and Miami Booker T. Washington.
All year long it was a high-powered offense with junior quarterback Ennio Yapoor Ennio Yapoor 6'0" | 225 lbs | QB Miami Norland | 2025 State FL , a running attack led by senior Juan Rodriguez, a receiving corps that included Isaiah Scott Isaiah Scott 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Miami Norland | 2024 FL , Joaquin Reid Joaquin Reid 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Miami Norland | 2024 FL , Ivory Aikens and junior Jade Card Jade Card 6'2" | 195 lbs | ATH Miami Northwestern | 2025 State FL to name a few.
Defensively, senior Germaine Carter Germaine Carter 6'0" | 240 lbs | DL Miami Norland | 2024 FL , Tycoolhill Luman Tycoolhill Luman 6'4" | 245 lbs | DL Miami Jackson | 2024 State FL , Larry Tarver Larry Tarver 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Miami Norland | 2024 State FL and Jamari Howard Jamari Howard 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Miami Norland | 2024 State FL .
And finally – sophomore kicker Noah Sidan Noah Sidan 5'11" | 165 lbs | K Chaminade-Madonna | 2026 FL , who saved the season twice.
In addition to the Vikings, there were some other top performances in this round:
St. Augustine football is back in the title game after a 16-year wait as senior running back Devonte Lyons Devonte Lyons 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB St. Augustine | 2024 FL — went boom, rumbling for 168 yards and three more touchdowns to keep the Jackets chugging forward, one game away now from bringing home a second state championship trophy to go with the original from 2005. Receivers Trenton Jones and Carl Jenkins Jr. Carl Jenkins Jr. 6'3" | 165 lbs | WR St. Augustine | 2025 State FL and standout quarterback Locklan Hewlett Locklan Hewlett 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB St. Augustine | 2025 State FL also made a major contribution.
After trailing by double-digits in the fourth quarter against Pensacola Catholic, Bradford head coach Jaime Rodgers elected to try for a two-point conversion in overtime rather than kick an extra point to tie the game. Dae’jon Shanks, who followed blockers into the endzone for the game-ending score.
Trailng 14-0 with less than 6 minutes remaining in the second quarter, Clearwater Central Catholic quarterback Jershaun Newton Jershaun Newton 6'0" | 205 lbs | ATH Clearwater Central Catholic | 2025 State FL led yet another charge, finishing a 62-yard drive with a 28-yard pass over defenders to a leaping Shamar Rigby Shamar Rigby 6'4" | 170 lbs | WR St. Petersburg Lakewood | 2024 State FL in the corner of the end zone.
For the first time in five years, Jacksonville Mandarin is headed back to the state title game as running back Tiant Wyche scored three touchdowns, all in the second half. QB Tramell Jones Jr. Tramell Jones Jr. 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Jacksonville Mandarin | 2025 State FL threw a pair of touchdown passes — one to Ethan Sherman Ethan Sherman 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Mandarin Highschool | 2026 FL and another to Jaime Ffrench Jr. Jon Mitchell Jon Mitchell 6'0" | 160 lbs | DB Jacksonville Mandarin | 2024 State FL intercepted a pass.
Sarasota Cardinal Mooney is off to the state title game as running back Carson Beach Carson Beach 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Cardinal Mooney | 2024 FL scored 4 touchdowns. He has 10 in 3 playoff games. Beach had 30 carries for 161 yards. Zeshon Casimir blocked a punt that led to a touchdown and came up with an interception.
In a loss to Cardinal Mooney, one of Florida’s top quarterbacks, J.P. Pickles J.P. Pickles 6'2" | 195 lbs | ATH Tallahassee North Florida Christian | 2024 FL from Tallahassee North Florida Christian was 29 of 49 for 271 yards and a score. Joshua Schuchts had 16 catches for 167 yards.
Venice is headed back to the 4S state title game as running backs Jamarice Wilder Jamarice Wilder 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Sarasota Booker | 2025 State FL and Alvin Johnson both had 2 touchdowns and quarterback Jaydn Glasser 2 rushing scores. The Indians also had a 75-yard kickoff return by Zycarl Lewis Jr.
Defending 2S state champion Cocoa is headed back to defend their title as
Malachi Coney and Latrison Lane each ran for a score. Sophomore QB Brady Hart Brady Hart 6'4" | 185 lbs | QB Cocoa | 2026 FL threw two touchdown passes to standout junior Jayvan Boggs Jayvan Boggs 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Cocoa | 2025 State FL .
Daytona Beach Mainland will have another chance for a 3S state title after rushing for 308 yards, including a pair of second-half touchdowns for senior quarterback Dennis Murray Jr. Khamani Robinson surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season, and led the team with 125 on 17 carries. Corey Hill ran 14 times for 92 yards, and Murray contributed 82 with his pair of touchdowns.
University of Miami commit Daylen Russell once again was a catalyst for defending 4M state champion Miami Christopher Columbus. Junior Bryce Fitzgerald Bryce Fitzgerald 6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH Miami Christopher Columbus | 2025 State FL came up with his 10th interception of the year. He has 17 in two seasons.
Statewide Coverage Daily. https://prepredzone.com/florida/
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.