Lake Wales Flashes Championship Potential against Ridge

Lake Wales looked every bit like a state contender in their 34-6 win over Ridge. The Highlanders showed balance on both sides of the ball, while Ridge, under Coach Tate, proved they're well-coached and tough enough to make noise later in the year.   Kamari Smith | RB | 2026 | @D1kamari2   Lake Wales has its feature back in Smith. He runs with balance, vision, and a toughness that shows his defensive background. Every carry had purpose, and he set the tone for the offense. Rushed for 170+ yards with 2 touchdowns in just the first half. If he keeps stacking performances like this, he's firmly in the county's top RB conversation.   D'Cari Smith | LB | 2026 | @1era__   Smith is the type of linebacker piece who gives an offense problems. He diagnoses plays quickly, plays downhill, and doesn't shy from contact. His leadership and physicality stood out, and he looks like a player whose recruitment could heat up fast.   Kingston Loydd | QB | 2029 | @KingstonL50761   It's rare to see a freshman command an offense the way Loydd did. He throws with confidence and shows natural touch on the ball. Still young and developing, but he looks ahead of schedule and could be the program's future centerpiece.   [player_tooltip player_id='1800116' first='Gabriel' last='Legrand'] | WR | 2026 | @GabeLegrand26   Legrand is a mismatch nightmare. At his size with strong hands, he's hard to press and even harder to contain once the ball is in the air. Already committed to USF, but he looks like a player whose stock hasn't peaked yet.   BJ Alston | ATH | 2026 | @alston_bj   At 6-0, 240, Alston is a physical mover in the trenches who can also flex into tight end duties. He adds toughness and versatility to this offense, making him a valuable piece in different looks.   Brayden Scott | RB | 2027 | @BraydenScott0   Scott brings track speed into the backfield, showing why his athletic background translates so well. He hit the edge with burst and scored a touchdown, flashing plenty of upside for the future.   [player_tooltip player_id='1670990' first='Kaneilius' last='Purdy'] | ATH | 2027 | @KaneiliusPurdy   Polished and competitive, Purdy is the best underclassman in the county. His ability to separate, finish catches, and line up on both sides makes him special. Already highly regarded, he continues to show why he's one of the county's top young talents.   [player_tooltip player_id='212276' first='Claudarius' last='Bell'] | ATH | 2026 | @darius1_2   Bell is still refining his game, but you can't ignore the size and athleticism. He flashed toughness in coverage and made a few plays that hint at long-term potential. A player who could bloom later in his career.   Walter Davis III | EDGE | 2026 | @WalterJDavis11   Quick off the line with good use of hands, Davis caused consistent problems for Ridge's blocking schemes. His length and motor make him a reliable edge threat, and he looks poised for a strong season.   Raeshaun Pugh | ATH | 2027 | @daarealduce   Pugh's versatility jumped out. He lined up at DB and WR, making plays in both spots. Physical and locked in, he's already pulling interest, and this year could be his true breakout.   A'Quayvion Herring | DB | 2027 | @Quay_Herring   Herring was matched up with Purdy often, and he held his own. Competitive, disciplined, and improving each week—he looks like a long-term piece in the secondary.   Ridge Standouts   Do not sleep on this program and coaching staff. Coach Tate is a OG in the county and will have this team prepared for a long season. The trenches were actually well sized and the team showed signs they can win out their schedule with this one loss.   [player_tooltip player_id='1583258' first='Lavonski' last='Tubbs'] | RB | 2026 | @LavonskiT2   Tubbs remains Ridge's workhorse, showing his vision and ability to grind out tough yards. He's reliable between the tackles and should once again be one of Polk's top producers on the ground.   Javaree James | ATH | 2026 | @JaVareeJames1   James did the dirty work as a lead blocker, clearing lanes for Tubbs. With his size and physicality, he also projects well to linebacker at the next level. A blue-collar player who adds real value.   Amire Hall | QB | 2027 | @Neweramire   Hall showed flashes with his arm and mobility. He led Ridge on an early drive and has the tools to develop into a true dual-threat. With a little more size, his name would already be buzzing.   Best of the Rest:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Daniel James | ATH | 2027 | @3DanielJames </li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1666522' first='Schneider' last='Celestin'] | ATH | 2026 | @SchneiderCele08 </li>   <li>Ben-kensley Joram | ATH | 2026 </li>   <li>Jehiel Similien | DB | 2026 | @4_way_Jay </li>   <li>Moscow Shaw | DB | 2028 | @IamD1_Moscow </li> </ul>

Lake Wales looked every bit like a state contender in their 34-6 win over Ridge. The Highlanders showed balance on both sides of the ball, while Ridge, under Coach Tate, proved they're well-coached and tough enough to make noise later in the year.