The Build Continues In Lake Placid

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When <strong>Jay Del Castillo</strong> took over the head coaching position at Lake Placid, he knew exactly what work had to be put in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While there is no secret to building a winning football program, it all starts with a solid work ethic and commitment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In smaller communities the job is never easy – and that's why getting every player and coach to buy in is not only important, but essential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The job of a high school coach is year-round. Getting film out to college coaches at every level and attending events that provide exposure is the only way to get the word out. With spring being a short period of time, attracting college coaches to campus is never easy, and when they do show up, they rarely watch practice and rely on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reality about recruiting services and media is they can promote and get the same film out as anyone can watch. To receive real success, getting in front of colleges and universities in a camp or combine setting is where business is achieved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Green Dragons won only three times a year ago, the focus in the off-season was building on those victories, and this team has done just that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With an off-season that included a spring win, each student/athlete in the program saw the results that the hard work they put in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having low number has always been something this program has had to fight. The recipe for success includes sharing the prospects with other sports.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When several programs across the state searched for answers how to turn things around, it all came back to community.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Attending events across the state together, getting youth programs involved – not just during the season, but in the summer months when having nightly instruction, weight training, film study, bonding and getting the grade school athletes comfortable with the high school players is the key.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off a tough schedule in 2023, the Green Dragons did manage to come up with wins against Mulberry, Davie Nova and area rival Avon Park, which gave the returning players something positive to build on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's those returning 2025 seniors that this team needs for leadership, experience and talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at some of them:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Douglas Bullard, FS/WR, 6-1, 185 – 2.45 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16270974/65133308478d400664fd3c7d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16270974/65133308478d400664fd3c7d</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ezekiel Daley, OL/DL, 6-1, 245 – 2.45 GPA. Basketball. Baseball.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18077776/651432410dbfbd097464b31b" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18077776/651432410dbfbd097464b31b</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Antron “A.J.” Felton, RB/LB, 6-0, 212 – 2.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16288761/6514307a5b3c89108c785b65" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16288761/6514307a5b3c89108c785b65</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adrian Hawthorne, Athlete/CB, 5-7, 145.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16272655/Adrian-Hawthorne" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/16272655/Adrian-Hawthorne</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tremari Holmes, OL/DL, 6-1, 250 – 3.4 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16257160/65141b275b3c89108c781c31" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16257160/65141b275b3c89108c781c31</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE FUTURE IS VERY IMPORTANT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In any program – not just those in smaller cities and towns, building a strong underclass is huge. With younger prospects ready to step up in 2024, here is a look on talented football players to keep an eye on:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mansseh Haney, WR/DB/QB, 6-0, 170 – 3.2 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19978952/Manasseh-Haney" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19978952/Manasseh-Haney</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>August Stivender, QB/OLB, 5-10, 150 – 3.9 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17796915/6513885cdfe314114ccef8c2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17796915/6513885cdfe314114ccef8c2</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>E.J. Williams, RB/OLB, 6-0, 240.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19959468/651596932ab1a20208a4a72e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19959468/651596932ab1a20208a4a72e</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Monte Williams, WR/CB, 5-10, 140 - 2.8 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18905664/6512aca1664cd40a5001da2a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18905664/6512aca1664cd40a5001da2a</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brett Edwards, LB/FB, 5-9, 155 – 2.45 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rico Filippeli, OL/DL, 6-0, 240 – 3.1 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colt Youngman, OL/DE, 6-0, 210</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mauri Bullard, LB/FB, 6-0, 220</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jesus Figueroa, CB/WR, 5-8, 150 – 3.2 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Busy Off-Season Across The Sunshine State. </strong><a>https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/busy-spring-across-the-state/</a></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><strong>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at:</strong> <a>Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COACHES, PLAYERS: Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about! </strong><a>Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->