It’s All About The Positive For Bartow

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By now all football fans in Polk County and throughout the state know what happened to this program in the offseason. If you don't look it up. It's not worth the space on this blog.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the coaches and players on this team – instead of dwelling on the negatives that accompany a spotlight like this football program received – they have done the opposite and used the months away from the season to prepare and get stronger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As several members of this team went to camps, combines and were part of several 7-on-7 team events, the talent bar was raised and these impressive student/athletes worked hard, getting bigger, stronger and wiser.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach <strong>Grady Morrell</strong> rallied this tradition-rich program and this team is ready for the 2025 season – with a challenging schedule as they look to improve on their 6-5 record and second place district finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bartow Yellow Jackets</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HEAD COACH: </strong>Grady Morrell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DISTRICT: </strong>7-6A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 RECORD: </strong>6-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/22 - Clearwater</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/29 - @Naples Gulf Coast</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/5 – Orlando Bishop Moore</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/12 - @Haines City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/19 - @Auburndale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/26 - @Valrico Bloomingdale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/3 – Lakeland Lake Gibson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/10 – Riverview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/24 - @Plant City Durant</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/31 – Lake Wales</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of the prospects who joined Coach Morrell on stage at Camping World Stadium last weekfor Central Florida Media Days:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PROSPECTS TO WATCH<br>2027 – Jaziah Battle, Athlete, 5'10, 155. </strong>While he played defense a year ago – coming up with 30 tackles and two interceptions, expect him to see plenty of time on the offensive side of the ball in 2025. Has a chance to be one of the top juniors in Polk County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/19660461/Jaiziah-Battle</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1258693' first='Ethan' last='Brous'], QB, 5'11, 184 – 4.14 GPA. </strong>Has been a backup for the past two years and waited his turn to get the opportunity to lead the offense. Has attended numerous events, including the Prep Redzone Florida showcase in Orlando, to improve and gain valuable experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/18738125/Ethan-Brous</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 – Carmello Harden, DL, 6‘0, 270 – 3.0 GPA. </strong>Had a tremendous freshman season with 12 tackles for loss and even had an interception return for a touchdown. Will be counted on heavily this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/22770679/Carmello-Harden</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1788559' first='Kendric' last='Stacey'], DL, 6'1, 250. </strong>This big-time prospect finished 2024 with 8.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and even registered an interception. Coaches believe that he has the talent to continue making an impression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/20449762/Kendric-Stacey</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Josiah White, S, 6'3, 190. </strong>75 tackles. Yet another senior that will be a huge factor for this program – not only on the field, but also as a leader – which this program can use plenty of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/20382104/Josiah-White</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/"><strong>https://prepredzone.com/florida/</strong></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> Floridakids1@aol.com.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>@LawrenceBl83397 @RealNews102 @in_huddle @DanLaForestFB @Jz1battle0 @BartowFootball @GradyMorrell @QBTUCKER @7_strapz @Mello_da1_ @StaceyKendric23 @JWhite_2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->