Bishop Verot Ready To Contend – Again

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the 2023 football season came to an end with an upset playoff loss to Sarasota Booker, it was something that Fort Myers Bishop Verot head coach <strong>Richie Rode</strong> and his team never expected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was to be the year that this team made a legitimate run at a state title, but things never worked out as planned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Instead of traveling to Tallahassee to play for a title, the Vikings, who were loaded with quality talent, watched those lofty goals evaporate, 38-32, in one of the biggest upsets of the post season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 11-2 year saw a mid-season loss to power Tampa Jesuit that ended a six-game losing streak. The playoff setback brought a five-game winning streak to an end. They had outscored those five opponents, 250-26.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a gifted senior class moved on, it was time to focus on 2024, and there was plenty to be excited about.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 (rising senior) class was loaded with quality prospects like versatile <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826544' first='Carter' last='Smith']</strong> (QB, 6-3, 185 – 3.39 GPA), who is one of the nation's top athletes, and heavily recruited <strong>James Little</strong> (DB, 5-11, 165 – 3.26 GPA).<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition, there were <strong>Jack Benaitis</strong> (OL/DL, 6-2, 290 -3.09), <strong>Bobby Leckler</strong> (LB/RB, 5-10, 180 – 4.21 GPA), <strong>Ryan Peterson</strong> (OL/DL, 6-1, 280 -4.24 GPA), and two-way lineman <strong>Sonny Tokotaha </strong>(OL/DL, 5-10, 240 – 3.11 GPA).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LOOK OUT FOR THE 2026 CLASS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As impressive as this rising senior group is, Rode and the Vikings are equally as optimistic with the rising junior in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That group is led by four sports athlete <strong>DeShon Jenkins </strong>(RB, 5-10, 225 -2.89 GPA), <strong>Justin Rode</strong> (S, 5-9, 155 – 3.94 GPA), <strong>MacRae Thompson</strong> (RB/SS, 5-10, 190), and defensive back/receiver <strong>Marquan Young</strong> (5-7, 145 – 3.19 GPA).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This spring and summer will also showcase difference makers like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1184998' first='Micah' last='Anderson']</strong> (RB/LB, 5-10, 198 – 3.0 GPA), <strong>J.J. Bolz</strong> (LB/RB, 6-1, 220 – 3.7 GPA), <strong>Dwyer Cameron</strong> (H-Back/DL, 5-10, 195 – 3.79 GPA), <strong>Jadrien Carmo </strong>(WR/DB, 6-0, 165 – 2.82 GPA), <strong>Dennis Forte</strong> <strong>Jr.</strong> (OL/DL, OL/DL, 6-2, 290 – 3.04 GPA), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283762' first='Marquis' last='Young'] </strong>(WR/DB, 5-7, 145 – 3.14 GPA).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily.</strong> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: <strong>Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->