Prospects Rise At The State Championships

As the dust has settled on the 2025 Florida High School Football State Championships at Pitbull Stadium in Miami, we take a look back and reflect on some of the amazing talent that was on display for the four days.   From Wednesday through Saturday, there were 14 teams and more talent than perhaps any other location in the country – as seven schools earned the title of state champions.   From West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (1A) to Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (2A), Jacksonville Raines (3A), Plantation American Heritage (4A), Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5A), West Boca Raton (6A) and Lake Mary (7A), the talent that was on the field was simply mind-boggling.   Annually, this is a state that produces talent at an amazing rate, sending these student/athletes on to the next level and beyond. Turn on a TV during the fall on Saturday or Sunday and you will see football players who developed their skills right here in the Sunshine State.   Today, we look back at the four days and some of the elite talent that made an impact. Keep in mind, we are only mentioning a handful of the talent who performed.   1A   CARDINAL NEWMAN (Coach Jack Daniels). The Crusaders – in beating powerhouse Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna – had plenty of talent that made an impact.   Prospects such as Cooper Clark (LB), Phoenix Donghia (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='896777' first='Kyrus' last='Haston'] (DL), Ethan Holland (WR/DB), West Virginia signee Jyron Hughley (QB/S), Leslie Mosley (WR/DB) and Janarro Sumpter (RB/LB).   CHAMINADE-MADONNA (Coach Dameon Jones). In their 10th straight state championship game, the Lions had a number of players step up in the 17-14 setback.   Prospects such as Eastern Michigan signee [player_tooltip player_id='1219053' first='R.J.' last='Alphonse'] (DE), Temorris Campbell (LB), University of Texas signee [player_tooltip player_id='1247419' first='Derrek' last='Cooper'] (RB/LB), Trevoris Finley (DE), [player_tooltip player_id='1841850' first='Tromon' last='Isaac'] Jr. (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1671677' first='Arwin' last='Jackson'] (RB), Appalachian State signee [player_tooltip player_id='283721' first='Bryant' last='Junius'] (LB), Malik Leonard (QB), FSU signee [player_tooltip player_id='1247487' first='Jasen' last='Lopez'] (WR), Lee Prince Jr. (RB) and FIU signee kicker [player_tooltip player_id='1133500' first='Noah' last='Sidan'].   2A   SARASOTA CARDINAL MOONEY (Coach Jared Clark). Was there a more impressive team than the Cougars? Ask any analyst of journalist who watched this team say and hey will all tell you that this was one of the best of the 14 teams at the state championships.   Loaded with talent such as K.J. Brown (LB),   Liberty University signee [player_tooltip player_id='1583347' first='Macaiden' last='Brown'] (DB), [player_tooltip player_id='1909446' first='Davin' last='Davidson'] (QB), Notre Dame signee [player_tooltip player_id='1247568' first='Elijah' last='Golden'] (DE), Connail Jackson (RB), Mason Jordan (WR), Tra'vion Lester (DE), Stanford signee Devin Mignery (QB), Bo Odaniel (WR) and North Carolina signee [player_tooltip player_id='1759688' first='Kymistrii' last='Young'] (WR).   JACKSONVILE BOLLES (Coach Matt Toblin). Despite losing 52-28, the Bulldogs certainly had an amazing season.   This program is loaded with quality talent – such as Clemson signee [player_tooltip player_id='1206198' first='Naeem' last='Burroughs'] (WR), Ohio State signee [player_tooltip player_id='212265' first='Simeon' last='Caldwell'] (S), sophomore standouts [player_tooltip player_id='1153040' first='Xander' last='Edwards'] (RB) and [player_tooltip player_id='547812' first='Asher' last='Ghioto'] (DE), Keyaan Nasir (LB),   Santana Starks (DB) and athlete [player_tooltip player_id='212269' first='Jaden' last='Weatherly'].   3A   JACKSONVILLE RAINES (Coach Donovan Masline). Ending the season as the only unbeaten team as they stunned national powerhouse Miami Northwestern, the Vikings never stopped playing – giving all 48 minutes in the title game, winning 23-22.   Among the players stepping up included Boston College signee [player_tooltip player_id='1793522' first='Kelvin' last='Brown'] Jr. (WR), Florida A&M signee [player_tooltip player_id='928381' first='Timothy' last='Cole II'] (QB), Charles Dawston (DB), Dan Duaong (K/P),   Tisean Haynes (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='899818' first='Kiran' last='Jackson'] (WR),   [player_tooltip player_id='900786' first='Johdeem' last='Jones'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1581890' first='Ta'darius' last='Washington'] (RB), Travis Williams (LB) and Mihkel Smith-York (LB).   MIAMI NORTHWESTERN (Coach Jaquatin Victrum). What more can you say about the Bulls when it comes to talent and having a dominating season – before being shocked by the Vikings? The biggest upset of the 2025 state championships, you know that while this team has some veterans, they are also stacked with players who will be back.   Among those who stepped up on Friday night included University of Pittsburgh signee [player_tooltip player_id='1575228' first='Desmond' last='Johnson'] (LB),  FAU signee [player_tooltip player_id='1800169' first='Nicsaint' last='Joseph'] Jr. (WR), Tennessee State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1347446' first='Demarcus' last='King Jr.'] (DL), sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='425515' first='Neimann' last='Lawrence'] (QB), nationally rated junior receiver Nicholas Lennear, Alex Lima (K/P), Travail Mathis (RB), and Syracuse signee [player_tooltip player_id='1206215' first='Calvin' last='Russell'] Jr. (WR).   4A   PLANTATION AMERICAN HERITAGE (Coach Mike Smith). Finishing with a 9-5 record may be shocking at first glance, but when see the schedule that this program played and how many injuries they overcame, you will see what repeating as state champion was indeed no surprise for those who know this team and the coaching staff.   They were loaded with quality talent – on both sides of the ball with prospects such as FSU signee [player_tooltip player_id='1247527' first='Brandon' last='Bennett'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1143080' first='Dylan' last='Bennett'] (LB), Troy University signee and MVP [player_tooltip player_id='929663' first='Jamar' last='Denson'] (WR), rising star Tremaine Mullen (WR), James Madison signee [player_tooltip player_id='1369100' first='Cory' last='Simon'] (DL), Western Kentucky University signee [player_tooltip player_id='212264' first='Isaac' last='Tanis'] (Edge), Toledo signee [player_tooltip player_id='1799773' first='Rodarion' last='Tellez'] (Edge) and early season transfer [player_tooltip player_id='212281' first='Leon' last='Strawder'] (QB), who became the first player to win a third championship with three (Miami Northwestern, Miami Central and American Heritage).   ORLANDO JONES (Coach Elijah Williams). Ever since taking over this program, this coaching staff has changed the culture of a program that had very little success on the football field.   In just the past five years, the Tigers have developed talent and have made a serious run at a state title every season – with some quality talent.   Among those who guided this 12-3 team included junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='1670964' first='Frederick' last='Ards'] (DE), University of Miami signee [player_tooltip player_id='405300' first='Dereon' last='Coleman'] (QB), Bertran Derose (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1626935' first='Ryan' last='Duval'] (LB), Quinton Evans (LB), Daionte Hicks (WR), University of Nebraska signee [player_tooltip player_id='1368296' first='Larry' last='Miles'] (WR) and defensive back Marcellus Reese.   5A   ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (Coach Roger Harriott). Seven straight state championships. That's all that needs to be said about this program, which has been a dynasty for several decades.   Shutting out Lakeland or the second straight year, the Raiders make it look too easy, and with talent like Donovan Adras (OLB), Morris Choice III (RB), Duke Daley (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1638477' first='Jaden' last='Desir'] (RB/LB), elite kicker Johnny DiSalvatore, Army commitment [player_tooltip player_id='1154131' first='Phillip' last='Goodrich Jr']. (LB), nationally rated junior receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1410835' first='Julius' last='Jones Jr.'], University of Oklahoma signee [player_tooltip player_id='1628933' first='Daniel' last='Norman'] (DE), sophomore receiver Leroy Thomas, state-rated punter Conrad Tolerico and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='212270' first='Mason' last='Mallory'], who won his second state title with two different (West Boca Raton in 2024) teams.   LAKELAND (Coach Marvin Frazier). For the second consecutive year, the Dreadnaught's season ended at Pitbull Stadium without scoring a point. This program ran through their schedule and put it together on both sides of the ball, but not against the Raiders.   There was plenty of talent – like Ja'Darius Dobie (RB), University of South Florida signee Christopher “C.J.” Cresser (DB), junior Deonte Fielder (DB), Junior athlete Kelin Hendrix, [player_tooltip player_id='1581926' first='Ziggy' last='Riley'] (S/LB), Zephaniah Rogers (OLB) and junior standout Andrew Sapp (DE).   6A   WEST BOCA RATON (Coach Dylan Potts). There was a time after losses to Bergen Catholic, New Jersey and West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman that many fans who follow football felt that a repeat may not have been in the cards this season for the Bulls.   But those losses ended up fueling this program and they went on a stretch run that ended them back in a position to defend their title – and this program did just that. With a 31-0 win against West Broward, this team heads to the off-season as a two-time defending state champion.   Among the players who lifted them in the title game included Wagner University signee Grant Edmond (DE/OLB), junior Amari Ford (DL), University of South Florida signee [player_tooltip player_id='1158088' first='Demetrius' last='Geathers'] Jr. (DE), junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='900504' first='Damari' last='Jerry'] (SS), junior Tristan Lamb (PK), Christopher Medina (DL/OL), Tray Mitchell (S), junior standouts [player_tooltip player_id='1681579' first='Maxwell' last='Reid'] (LB) and [player_tooltip player_id='1671124' first='Jamar' last='Thompson'] (DL), and University of Miami running back signee [player_tooltip player_id='283745' first='Javian' last='Mallory'].   WEST BROWARD (Coach Brian McCartney). When they state playoffs began, all this program heard was how they had a great year, but no way would they be able to stand up against the gauntlet of teams that would stand in the way of a first ever state championship appearance.   South Plantation, Coconut Creek Monarch, Miami Southridge and Gainesville Buchholz were supposed to be obstacles that were too much for the Bobcats, but they defied the odds and made it to the title game.   While they came up short, players such as Daquan Adderly (RB), junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='1671133' first='Amos' last='Bradford'] (RB), Jason Farfan (DL), sophomores Saban McCloud (DL) and Ratavian McReed (WR), Brandin Mincey (QB), freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2075135' first='Kedarius' last='Rhaney'] (WR) and nationally rated sophomore athlete Amir Sears made an impact.   7A   LAKE MARY (Coach Scott Perry). When they lost to Orlando Evans, 40-14, which was the third setback of the season, very few people who follow high school football were giving the Rams a chance to get back to the state title game.   That loss to Evans, which followed a 51-3 drubbing at the hands of 3A state championship Jacksonville Raines and 5A state runner up Lakeland put this team in a tough situation, but it may have woke them up. During the next six weeks, this program came alive and despite falling behind in the championship game, 21-3, they pulled off a miraculous comeback.   Among those who were responsible for that improbable victory against previously unbeaten Vero Beach included sophomore T.J. Brundidge Jr. (RB), Cornell University signee O'shea Faison (RB), Gavin Isaacs (RB), junior Sam Nelson (S), junior Lucas Parker (K), junior Ronald Parkinson Jr. (CB), Patrick Ryan (LB), FIU signee [player_tooltip player_id='1581751' first='Barrett' last='Schulz'] (WR), and Notre Dame quarterback signee [player_tooltip player_id='1206696' first='Noah' last='Grubbs'].   VERO BEACH (Coach Lenny Jankowski). It was a perfect season for the Indians as they headed south to compete in a state football final for the first time in 44 years. The script was written and all this program had to do was take care of business.   From the start, the plan was going smoothly and then the fourth quarter arrived and things began to change. When Lake Mary threw a desperation pass with no time left, the dreams that this program had were dashed!   Even though they lost that heart-breaker, this team certainly made a major statement by finishing 14-1 and getting some impressive performances in the title game from [player_tooltip player_id='283769' first='Quinton' last='Dames Jr.'] (OL/DL), Jonathan Hillsman Jr. (RB), junior [player_tooltip player_id='1695065' first='Marcus' last='Melbourne Jr.'] (WR), sophomore sensation Champ Monds (QB), Maqarie Phillips (Athlete), [player_tooltip player_id='1759246' first='Xavier' last='Stinson'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1263684' first='Lance' last='Stone'] (LB) and FSU signee [player_tooltip player_id='1206211' first='Efrem' last='White'] (Athlete).     2026 PREP REDZONE FLORIDA STOCK UP EVENT. <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2137/register/stock-up-showcase-florida ">https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2137/register/stock-up-showcase-florida </a>   Statewide Coverage Daily.<a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/"> https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a>   You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.   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As the dust has settled on the 2025 Florida High School Football State Championships at Pitbull Stadium in Miami, we take a look back and reflect on some of the amazing talent that was on display for the four days.