Apopka Searches For That Championship Past

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you are an Apopka High School football fan, coach or player, what happened in 2025 is something that this program is not used to at all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You see, this team has been one of the most successful in the state of Florida over the decades – posting a 211-72 record over a 21-year period and winning district championships at an amazing rate. Since 2001, they have won three state titles and have been runner up four times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's why the 2-7 finish, no post season and a year that saw the opposition outscore the Blue Darters by a staggering, 315-77.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the past two years were tough to go through for veteran coach Jeff Rolson and first-year head coach <strong>Marcus Neeson</strong>, there is light at the end of the long tunnel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While facing the reality that this is 2026, things are nowhere what they used to be and loyalty to any program has gone out the window, but even through the tough times, Neeson and his staff are willing to ride out the storm and rebuild this once impressive program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As they headed to the off-season and several players still headed out, this team remained optimistic, looking to the players who wanted to be part of turning things around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the moment, the players who remain and are willing to put in the time are what concerns this program the most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are rising seniors who want to work hard and restore what has been a centerpiece of central Florida and statewide football for several decades.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of those 2027 players to keep an eye on:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1907254' first='Aiden' last='Bolden'], WR/Slot, 5'11, 144.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26340124/Aiden-bolden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26340124/Aiden-bolden</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blake Childs, WR/QB/DB, 5'10, 170 – 3.0 GPA. Two-Sport Athlete.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19693644/Blake-Childs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19693644/Blake-Childs</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Louis Francois, DL.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22376055/Louis-Francois" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22376055/Louis-Francois</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>T.J. Frazier, QB/WR, 5'10, 155.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20572436/tj-frazier" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/20572436/tj-frazier</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ja'Kendall Kemp, DL, 6'0, 220 – 3.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20623930/Jakendall-kemp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/20623930/Jakendall-kemp</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joshua Taylor, RB, 5'9, 190.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19674243/Joshua-Taylor?_gl=1*s7caas*_ga*MjE0MTk3NjUxMC4xNjIwNjc0NjY0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*czE3NzQxMjYwNTUkbzEyMiRnMSR0MTc3NDEyODgwMyRqNTckbDAkaDA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19674243/Joshua-Taylor?</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2124087' first='Wilgains' last='Vaval'] Jr., OL, 6'5, 265 – 3.7 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22383385/Wilgains-Vaval-Jr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22383385/Wilgains-Vaval-Jr</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jayden Caban, OLB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Javlyn Campbell, DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xavier Cruz, WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robert Hewlett Jr., CB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jason Hunter, WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xavier Perez, WR/SS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1600869' first='Nicholas' last='Robinson'], WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no doubt that while the rising senior class will be a starting point, there are several underclassmen who are also going to be vital in the rebuild process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kentral Baker, DT/TE, 6'0, 230 – 3.2 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26332549/Kentral-Baker" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26332549/Kentral-Baker</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brodie Bolly, QB, 5'7, 165. Track &amp; Field.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26338781/Brodie-Bolly" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26338781/Brodie-Bolly</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nyzier Collington, WR, 5'11, 150 – 3.8 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26340014/Nyzier-Collington" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26340014/Nyzier-Collington</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ceon Cotton, WR/CB, 6'1, 175 – 3.3 GPA. Baseball.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26339738/Ceon-Cotton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26339738/Ceon-Cotton</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ezra Dady, WR/DB, 6'1, 168 – 3.7 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23172108/Ezra-Dady" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/23172108/Ezra-Dady</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2059916' first='Jakyvion' last='Kemp'], RB, 5'7, 150 – 3.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26301718/Jakyvion-Kemp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26301718/Jakyvion-Kemp</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140978' first='Kaden' last='“Shark” Lovett'], S, 6'0, 190.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/26301695/6904cf31ab529b1a0ee5cb23" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/26301695/6904cf31ab529b1a0ee5cb23</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hunter McNenney, QB, 5'10, 200 – 4.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26301693/Hunter-McNenney" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26301693/Hunter-McNenney</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jermoni Morehead, SS/WR, 5'9, 160.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26334223/Jermoni-Morehead" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26334223/Jermoni-Morehead</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Demetri “Meech” Tarpley, DE/DT, 6'4, 280 – 3.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22881556/Demetri-Tarpley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22881556/Demetri-Tarpley</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jamarion Williams, WR/CB, 5'8, 155.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26355153/Jamarion-Williams" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26355153/Jamarion-Williams</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taj Anderson, OLB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rasjulian Athill, DE/TE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryan Bacon, WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaiden Cassimy, OL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Julian Cox, DE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Timothy Edwards, OT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaime Escobedo, OC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson Navilssaint, WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeremiah Silva, OC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1604282' first='Cameron' last='Smith'], CB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaiden Smith, WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nicholas Taylor, FB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudson Tucker, OLB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaylen Laster, WR/CB, 6'0, 160.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26825178/Jaylen-Laster" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26825178/Jaylen-Laster</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elijah Boevers, OL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charlie Leach, TE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lyonel Ora-Rivera, LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Apopka Blue Darters</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ocoee, L 47-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orlando Evans, L 35-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orlando Dr. Phillips, L 45-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ocala West Port, W 22-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orlando Edgewater, L 35-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winter Garden West Orange, L 51-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kissimmee Osceola, L 50-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madison County, L 43-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apopka Wekiva</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FLORIDA EXPOSURE EVENT COMING MAY 23RD. Right after spring and a week before summer. This is a cannot miss exposure camp/combine. Sign Up Early!!! <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2242/register/exposure-series-florida">https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2242/register/exposure-series-florida</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily. <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! Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->