Palatka Learned From 2023 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For eight games last season, Palatka and head coach <strong>Patrick Turner</strong> felt that they had indeed turned the corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Except for a five-point loss to St. Augustine Tacoi Creek, the Panthers were 7-1 heading down the homestretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While losses to Starke Bradford County and St. Augustine stung, both were state finalists and had programs that had championship pedigree.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of all the losses, it was the state playoff setback to Gainesville Eastside that ended the year on a sour note. That 28-27 loss sent this team into the off-season with a feeling that if a few things would have gone differently, the year could have a much better ending.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With this spring and summer to work with – it's the rising senior (2025) class that will need to take that leadership role. Prospects such as <strong>Kason Bradford</strong> (DE, 5-10, 190 – 2.6 GPA), <strong>Elysha Campbell</strong> (OLB, 6-4, 200 – 4.1 GPA), <strong>Keymari Hall</strong> (WR, 6-3, 170 – 2.6 GPA), <strong>Amaryan Maxwell</strong> (CB, 5-10, 150 – 2.75 GPA), <strong>Javen Palmer</strong> (OL, 6-3, 270 – 3.8 GPA), and versatile <strong>Tony Turner</strong> (DB/WR, 5-9, 150 – 2.8 GPA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2026 HAS LEADERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the Panthers are to take things further this coming season, it could be up to this rising junior (2026) class that is led by <strong>Tommy Offord</strong> (QB, 5-10, 160 – 3.0 GPA) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1694504' first='Justin' last='Fells']</strong> (RB, 6-3, 215 – 3.1 GPA), but also includes <strong>Evan Cordell </strong>(OL, 6-4, 290 – 3.2 GPA), <strong>Jacob Gaskin</strong> (OLB, 6-1, 165 – 3.3 GPA), and receiver <strong>George Taylor</strong> (6-0, 175 – 2.4 GPA).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising sophomore (2027) class will also need to step up – with <strong>Dalvin Dallas</strong> (LB, 5-9, 190 – 3.7 GPA), <strong>Lawrence Evans</strong> (RB, 5-8, 140 – 3.5 GPA), <strong>Noah McKinley</strong> (QB, 5-10, 140 – 4.0 GPA), and receiver <strong>K.J. Wright</strong> (5-9, 130 – 3.7 GPA).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GAINESVILLE SUN</strong></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 -->