Ocoee Motivated After Falling Short in ’24

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At one point in the 2024 high school football season, Ocoee won five of six games and appeared to be headed toward a 5-7A district title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though they lost to Apopka to begin the season, head coach <strong>Buck Gurley</strong> and his team still had two district games ahead – beating Ocala West Port to run their record to 4-2, but with three games left – needing to beat Winter Garden West Orange to make the state playoffs, this team would lose that key contest along with Winter Park and 4A state finalist Orlando Jones to end 5-5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those three losses, especially the season opener to Apopka and the 21-15 setback to West Orange, sent this team into the post season earlier than they had planned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the memory of last season still stings, the program remains optimistic about 2025 – and with a solid rising senior (2026) class coming back, there is no reason not to win the district this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at some of those 2026 players to watch:<strong><br>Kendric Cidel, DB, 5-9, 155 – 3.9 GPA. Track.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18683463/673027bd0f500401a95e2d53</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyron Curnell, OL, 6-3, 279 – 3.6 GPA. Basketball.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru0VQwgq7xU</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyler Duvermont, OL, 6-5, 300 – 3.4 GPA. Wrestling.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19158549/6712766f416ad6b8d76f6085</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1632407' first='Dariyon' last='Gordon'], DB, 6-0, 160 – 3.0 GPA. Track.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19240013/66f0cb1f6e064f47081aa07e</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582550' first='Dylan' last='Hoskins'], DB, 5-10, 160 – 3.2 GPA. Track.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17778210/672fc5f2b8639319350c7a31</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joakimarder Mauvais, LB, 6-2, 186 – 3.2 GPA. Track.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>End Of Season Highlights - Joaki Mauvais highlights - Hudl</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1251718' first='Michael' last='McClenton'], LB, 6-0, 228 – 3.1 GPA. Basketball. Track.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18295377/673115ac3079eb625c727a34</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TALENT ON HAND FOR THE CLASS OF 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the rising seniors will be vital for talent, experience and leadership, there are several rising juniors (2027) who will add to what this team has.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This off-season has been very important for this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marvin Brown, WR, 5-8 143 – 3.5 GPA. Track.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/19908874/Marvin-Brown</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ky'Mani Fils-Aime, Athlete, 5-11, 173 – 3.4 GPA. Track.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17852736/6712694eab6580af593e81b6</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tommy Henderson, DB, 5-9, 152 – 3.4 GPA. Track. Weightlifting.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20210639/66fd3cf54640d64a46390cba</a></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 -->