Dunnellon Thrives On Competition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the 2024 regular season had ended and the District 5-3A was sorted out, head coach <strong>Tommy Sutton</strong> and his Dunnellon Tigers sat on top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While they finish with the same 2-1 record as Gainesville Eastside and Bushnell South Sumter, this program won the tiebreaker, hosting Mount Dora in the opening round of the state playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite dropping a second-round game at Orlando Bishop Moore, this was a team that thrived on a competitive schedule, putting together a five-game winning streak and playing very well during a nine-game stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only losses during those two plus months came in overtime to power Ocala Vanguard (21-20) and by two points in a key district matchup with Eastside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the playoff loss, this team looked toward 2025 with plenty of optimism, playing on that nine-game stretch and some key returners.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While this is going to take a total team effort in 2025, this rising senior (2026) class will have the prospects needed for experience and leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few of those players to keep an eye on:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dylan Curry, QB, 5-10, 172 – 3.79 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16858543/66e33c25d626ac5544f8334d</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elijah Townes, WR/DB, 6-1, 163 – 2.80 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/19823937/elijah-townes</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>L.J. Woods, WR/DB, 5-11, 167 – 3.13 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/17600717/WilliamLj-Woods</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THERE IS TALENT IN THE CLASS OF 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This had always been a program that thrived on using its entire roster, and this coming year will be no exception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the leadership will come from the 2026 class, the rising juniors will also be a factor as they look for a district repeat and take things a step further.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaiden Robinson, TE/DL, 6-3, 191 – 2.58 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/17009828/Kaiden-RobinsonVickers</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tony Tanner, RB/OLB, 5-9, 154 – 2.68 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/18527007/Tony-Tanner</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kameron Wheeler, RB/OLB, 5-9, 157 – 2.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/20065233/Kameron-Wheeler</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gavin Whitehead, ILB, 6-0, 180 – 3.86 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/20345208/Gavin-Whitehead</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF @67Sports1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></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>Floridakids1@aol.com.</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 href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->