Orlando Jones Is Loaded And Ready For 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the 2024 season came to an end and the Orlando Jones football team left the field at Pitbull Stadium on the campus of Florida International University, there were plenty of tears and anger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As they made their way back north after dropping an exciting 4A state title game against Plantation American Heritage, head coach <strong>Elijah Williams</strong> and his team quickly focused on the 2025 season – where there would be some impressive talent coming back – along with newcomers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After Saturday night's complete domination over 7A Sanford Seminole, the Fightin' Tigers showed the state that they are ready and mean business.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the schedule is challenging, this is a team that believes that they are the favorite to not only make a return trip to Miami in December, but this time come away with a title that got away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Potent on offense with several playmakers, this is a quick and gifted defense that has a chance to be special as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orlando Jones Fightin' Tigers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HEAD COACH: </strong>Elijah William</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DISTRICT: </strong>7-4A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 RECORD: </strong>14-1 (4A Runner Up)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/22 - @Winter Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/29 - @Orlando Timber Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/6 – Orlando Evans</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/12 - @Orlando Edgewater</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/19 – Kissimmee Osceola</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/26 – Auburndale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/10 - @Lake Wales</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/24 – Eagle Lake – Lake Region</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/31 - Ocoee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEEP AN EYE ON THIS TEAM IN 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We know that this week when the Pre-Season Top 30 is released by Prep Redzone Florida, the Jones football team will be right there – poised to make a state title run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few prospects that you will want to keep an eye on:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='405300' first='Dereon' last='Coleman'], QB, 6'1, 170. </strong>University of Miami commitment who has emerged into one of the best in the country. Difference maker who will impact a game quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE</strong>: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16302901/Dereon-Coleman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>https://www.hudl.com/profile/16302901/Dereon-Coleman</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Quinton Evans, LB/DE, 6'1, 230 – 3.5 GPA.</strong> This student/athlete will be one of the key players that will lead the way on defense. Had 105 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/650cd77430679150098925f4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/650cd77430679150098925f4</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Daionte “D.J.” Hicks, WR, 5'9, 165 – 3.5 GPA.</strong> Track &amp; Field. This talented playmaker makes his way down from Gainesville Buchholz where he was indeed someone that was a difference maker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18066009/66e691ae452b44cad44858a3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18066009/66e691ae452b44cad44858a3</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Jakahari Leonard, OL, 6'4, 310.</strong> A standout guard who has worked hard in the off-season to become a major force up front as a run blocker and on passing downs where he provides protection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19062022/Jakahari-Leonard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>https://www.hudl.com/profile/19062022/Jakahari-Leonard</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1368296' first='Larry' last='Miles'], WR, 6'0, 174 – 3.1 GPA.</strong> This Nebraska commit has shown over the past two years that he is indeed one of the elite receivers in the country. Came up huge in the off-season and will be a catalyst for this high-powered offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1581893' first='Xavier' last='Payne'], OL, 6'7, 320 – 3.5 GPA.</strong> It has been an interesting off-season for this University of Colorado commitment who is now focused and ready to lead this football program back to the 4A state final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18401191/Xavier-Payne" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>https://www.hudl.com/profile/18401191/Xavier-Payne</strong></a></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> Floridakids1@aol.com.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->