New Beginning For The Melbourne Bulldogs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As he led this Melbourne High football team up to the podium on media day at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, first year head coach <strong>Jeff Pannucci</strong> had no grand promises other than his team would work, grow together and make a year-round commitment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off a season where this program finished 5-6, losing to Kissimmee Osceola and Viera in district play, the objective as the season is less than three weeks away is to improve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a team that returns some quality players, but at the same time, there are several young prospects who will be called upon to step up and take a lead role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite the 19-6 mark that <strong>David Kintigh</strong> guided this program through in '21 and '22, things have not been consistent and that's where Pannucci believes that the Bulldogs are headed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His first media day was impressive, bringing several prospects, but five 2026 players were on stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Melbourne Bulldogs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HEAD COACH: </strong>Jeff Pannucci</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DISTRICT: </strong>5-6A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 RECORD: </strong>5-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/22 – Cocoa Beach</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/29 - @Merritt Island</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/5 – Orange City University</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/12 – Daytona Beach Halifax Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/19 - @Palm Bay</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/26 – Kissimmee Osceola</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/3 - @Winter Springs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/10 – Orlando East River</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/24 - @Viera</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/30 – Palm Beach Gardens</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of the prospects who joined Coach Punnucci on stage at Camping World Stadium for Central Florida Media Days:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PROSPECTS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1638471' first='Jaylen' last='Daley'], RB/DB, 5'9, 170. </strong>Track &amp; Field. Here is a versatile two-way football talent that also sparks this program as a special teams players – returning kicks. He has the speed and skill to make things happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/18510487/Jaylen-Daley</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Tyler Gagen, LB, 5'11, 200 – 4.4 GPA. </strong>Team Captain who led the way with 122 tackles. A sure tackler who will not only rush the passer on blitzes, but also will drop back into coverage, helping the pass defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/17996183/Tyler-Gagen</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – James Knolmayer, WR/DB, 6'2, 185 – 3.65 GPA. </strong>Yet another prospect who can make a contribution on both sides of the ball. Someone who can catch and run on offense – from several different positions. But also use his size and skill level on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/18107008/James-Knolmayer</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Daniel “Danny” Negron, LB/DL, 5'8, 185. </strong>If you concentrate on his lack of side, you will totally miss what he brings to this team. As a pass rusher, run stopper or just a gifted football player that ends up filling the stat sheet with big play after play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/18034391/Daniel-Negron</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Michael “Mikey” Rogers, Athlete/WR/DB/RB, 5'9, 165. </strong>Talk about being versatile and a key player on this team, just look back to his spring game when he caught and ran on offense – and made plays from the defensive secondary. Will be huge for this program this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/17888590/Michael-Rogers</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily.</strong> <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></strong></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></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->