Top Week 8 Florida Football Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the Villages Charter football program shut out Titusville Astronaut, 35-0, last Friday night, the Buffalo moved to a perfect 8-0 on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the talk has centered around so many programs this season in Florida, this is definitely a team that has not received the attention they truly deserve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outscoring their opponents, 359-60, head coach <strong>Richard Pettus</strong> and his team have flown way under the radar, and with three weeks left in the regular season, 2A schools had better snap themselves away – because this program is for real.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In that win over Astronaut, highly regarded <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893612' first='Tranard' last='Roberts']</strong> had a huge game scoring and had several other key runs. Also, <strong>Brady Hunt</strong> was the player of the game.&nbsp; He had a pick six and a touchdown and multiple big plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Brady Hunt, TE/WR/OLB, 6'3, 205 – 4.2 GPA. Basketball.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/16735160/Brady-Hunt</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 – [player_tooltip player_id='893612' first='Tranard' last='Roberts'], RB, 6'0, 180.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/19093378/Tranard-Roberts?</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 – Jayson Vasquez, Athlete, 6'2, 190, Groveland South Lake – 3.8 GPA. </strong>Basketball. Had 4 tackles and several key plays in a win against Winter Garden Horizon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/19641725/Jayson-Vasquez</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Devonte “D.J.” Howard, Athlete, 6'0, 165, Lakeland Christian. </strong>Basketball. Baseball. The University of South Dakota commit had 3 catches for 130 yards, 2 touchdowns and a pick 6 for a score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/18570721/Devonte-Howard</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 – Nixon Kalish, QB, South Plantation. </strong>In moving the surprising Paladins to 6-1, he threw 4 touchdown passes in a come-from-behind win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <u><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23180605/Nixon-Kalish">https://www.hudl.com/profile/23180605/Nixon-Kalish</a></u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 – Shamoi “Mo” Green, RB, 5'11, 165, Callahan West Nassau. </strong>Finished with 17 carries for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/24351205/Shamoi-Green</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1857961' first='Ben' last='Lejkowski'], QB, Tampa Cambridge – 5.4 GPA. </strong>Had a solid three touchdown game on just 9 completions and 150 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/18240287/Ben-Lejkowski</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 – [player_tooltip player_id='1705518' first='Rafael' last='Salvatierra IV'], Athlete, 5'9, 155, Miami Palmer Trinity – 4.2 GPA. </strong>He had a huge Week 8 - Offense: 3 receptions for 93 yards, 2 touchdowns - 3 carries, 26 rushing yards. On defense, he came up with 4 Tackles, 3 solo, 1 assisted, 2 pass break ups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/19350683/Rafael-Salvatierra/highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 – [player_tooltip player_id='1258721' first='Tre' last='Kelly'], QB, Groveland South Lake. </strong>Ended the night 19 of 25 for 301 yards 4 touchdowns. Also added 20 yards rushing 1 TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19414105/68e9c23f087165fff9b1143f</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 – [player_tooltip player_id='1691132' first='Camarr' last='Eugene'], OLB/Edge, 6'2, 215, Tampa Jefferson – 3.7 GPA. </strong>Had a breakthrough night with four sacks and numerous tackles to set the tone on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE:&nbsp; <a>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/26808841/68ea60fd3c3ab47102827270</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Andrew Austin, OL, 6'2, 270, Starke Bradford County. </strong>Weightlifting. Often when offenses put up big numbers, linemen are taken for granted, but in last Friday night's victory the Tornadoes received some big time play up front with 5 Pancake Blocks that opened huge holes for the running and passing games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/17964228/Andrew-Austin</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 – Jathan DeHaven, WR/Athlete, 5'10, 165, Port Orange Spruce Creek – 3.6 GPA. Baseball.</strong> It has been an exciting year for this program – with several players stepping up. In a convincing win against Orange City University, he ran just seven times for 133 yards and added a reception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19799248/68ea766e3825ef10589e1901</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1778885' first='Peter' last='McLaughlin'], S/LB/Nickel, 6'1, 200, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep. </strong>It was a quality Week 8 for this impressive football player as he finished with 16 tackles, 1 forced fumble and 2 tackles for loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22518934/68e87e88f230c999938db9ea</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 – Connail Jackson, RB, 5'11, 180, Sarasota Cardinal Mooney. </strong>It has been a banner year for the Cougars, and last Friday night in a key 2A contest against previously unbeaten St. Petersburg Lakewood scored four times and went over 225 yards. One of the top underclassmen in Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/20127667/Connail-Jackson</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It has been quite a season for the Lakeland Dreadnaughts football team – with some quality performances throughout the season. In last week's win against Sebring it was indeed all about defense – once again:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 – Drew “Hellcat” Sapp, DE/FB, 6'3, 240 – 3.5 GPA. </strong>Finished with 6 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 quarterback pressures, adding to his season total.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/20335194/Andrew-Sapp</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Ashtan O'Neal, DL, 6'0, 265 – 1200 SAT. </strong>Was also active in the win – with 3 Tackles, 4 QB Pressures, 1 Sack and 2 tackles for loss.<strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/18008870/Ashtan-ONeal</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 - </strong>Orlando Evans High School has a new career rushing leader, and that record of 3,200 yards belongs to 6'0, 200-pound <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368993' first='Li'Darious' last='Pryor'].</strong> The amazing thing about his impressive total is he's only been a fulltime starter for just two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19228922/68dbff10bd1c3f10fdc9ea53</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 – A.J. Chung, QB, 6'0, 180, Winter Garden West Orange – 4.815 GPA. </strong>It has been quite a year for this quality sophomore quarterback, who threw for 5 touchdowns on 17 completions for 261 yards in just one half. He is indeed one of the elite prospects in the state of Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/profile/21951937/Andrew-Chung</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Steven Malone, DL, 6'1, 250, Oviedo – 3.6 GPA. </strong>In a win over Winter Park Lake Howell, he finished with a blocked punt, fumble recovery for a score, 5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 2 quarterback hurries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18353529/68e9f676087165fff9b1c989</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Rico Butriago, QB, 5'10, 170, Melbourne Holy Trinity – 4.03 GPA. </strong>Threw for 219 yards on 15 completions with 2 throwing passes and 1 rushing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19026038/6782bf899a7f3cced9c0b841" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19026038/6782bf899a7f3cced9c0b841</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Fisher Grizzard, WR/Slot, 6'1, 170, St. Petersburg – 3.4 GPA. </strong>Finished with over 100 yards on 6 receptions and 3 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17906297/68c4ea2eb470a5e73ac51de4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17906297/68c4ea2eb470a5e73ac51de4</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 – Rylen Dutka, QB, 6'1, 180, Lutz Steinbrenner. </strong>One of the top young athletes in the region came up with a huge outing, accounting for 383 yards and 3 touchdowns. In addition to being named varsity captain, he is also a standout baseball player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23499521/68ebc76e3c3ab47102846d3d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23499521/68ebc76e3c3ab47102846d3d</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Ty Wise, OL, 6'4, 315, Pace – 4.7 GPA. </strong>This Clemson commit has not only been impressive this season (NO SACKS. NO QB HURRIES), but the four-year standout has been one of the best linemen in the nation, setting records with pancake blocks and opening holes for a solid running game for the two-time district champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16688148/Grant-Wise" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/16688148/Grant-Wise</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OCTOBER CLASS OF 2027 RANKING UPDATES: <a>https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2027-rankings/</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DAILY INFORMATION: <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: Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></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><strong>Floridakids1@aol.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->