Zephyrhills Christian Looks To Rebuild This Coming Year

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you are a fan, student or player at Zephyrhills Christian Academy, nobody needs to remind you about the frustration the past two seasons have brought to this proud football program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After finishing 1-9 two years ago, last year brought a 4-6 finish, and while there was some talent on the field, the future was indeed uncertain.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As this team turns the page toward 2026, things are starting to look up – with head coach <strong>B.J. Hall</strong> and his staff starting to get things back into order and put the pieces in place to get this program back into the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With new faces and the addition of some younger prospects for the future, the talent is slowly coming together, and the past few months have watched a work ethic return as some talented young men have infused the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps the biggest challenge this spring and summer is getting everyone on the same page and using a few veteran prospects to help lead the way – on and off the playing field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some veteran players to keep an eye on in the rising senior (2027) class:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687623' first='Gavin' last='Davis'] – WR/DB/Athlete, 5'8, 165 – 3.7 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19638629/Gavin-Davis">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19638629/Gavin-Davis</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Malachi Hairston, WR/DB/Athlete, 6'0, 160 – 3.8 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22217451/Malachi-Hairston" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22217451/Malachi-Hairston</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1681725' first='Keavin' last='Moss'], DB, 6'0, 170 – 3.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22622618/Keavin-Moss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22622618/Keavin-Moss</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to those prospects, here are some more Class of 2027 rising seniors to keep an eye on:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Josiah Ojeda, WR/LB, 5'10, 175 – 2.7 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19519010/Josiah-Ojeda" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19519010/Josiah-Ojeda</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Robinson, TE/DE, 6'2, 210 – 3.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/25342650/Ethan-Robinson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/25342650/Ethan-Robinson</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jasper Thompson, OL/DL, 6'1, 291 – 3.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22638375/Jasper-Thompson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22638375/Jasper-Thompson</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE ANSWER WILL BE THE FUTURE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As some experienced players will do their thing this off season and into the late summer and fall, the turnaround in this program will be with the younger student/athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are plenty of players ready to make their contribution:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Author “A.J.” Jones, DB, 5'9, 155.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22647309/Aj-Jones" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22647309/Aj-Jones</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2154987' first='Kaedyn' last='Ratcliff'], CB, 5'8, 130.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22623667/Kaedyn-Ratcliff">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22623667/Kaedyn-Ratcliff</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jalen Oladapo, DL, 6'3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nikyle Penn, OL/DL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>K'lan Rodgers, OL/DL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xavier Strong, RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to those quality prospects, here are some more Class of 2028 rising juniors to watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>William Beasley, OL/DL, 6'2, 240 – 3.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ufarro Johnson, OL/DL, 6'3, 270 – 3.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaylon Moss, DB/RB, 5'10, 170 – 2.7 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andrew Smith, DB, 5'9, 140 – 3.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oliver Whitfield, OL/DL, 6'1, 220</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2089742' first='Josiah' last='Carter'], QB, 6'1, 180 – 3.8 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26451092/Josiah-Carter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26451092/Josiah-Carter</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kahleb Smith, LB/RB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those two standouts will be worth watching, but there are others to see in this rising sophomore (2029) class as well:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alex Birner, LB/RB, 5'9, 185 – 3.2 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gunner Bitner, OL/DL, 6'0, 210 – 4.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caleb Chu, OL, 5'11, 220 – 3.4 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arrian Edgecombe, CB, 6'3, 175 – 3.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caden Griffith, WR/S, 5'10, 130 – 3.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zion Johnson, LB, 5'10, 165 – 3.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Josiah Lozardo, OL/DL, 5'10, 200 – 4.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cameron Miranda, WR/S, 5'8, 150 – 3.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan Rodgers, WR/DB, 6'4, 180 – 3.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aiden Thompson, WR/CB, 6'1, 155 – 3.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2030</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Derrick Depetris, OL/DL, 6'2, 250 – 3.6 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/27120001/Derrick-Depetris" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>https://www.hudl.com/profile/27120001/Derrick-Depetris</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Delano Hill, WR/DB, 5'8, 155</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Royce Leal, WR, 5'9, 150</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jermaine Reaves, OL/DL, 5'10, 215</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2031</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ezryn Lane, OC, 5'10, 240</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Zephyrhills Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winter Haven, L 45-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeland Christian, L 49-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vero Beach Master's Academy, W 40-27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marathon, W 42-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Pierce Westwood, L 48-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Community School of Naples, L 58-18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clearwater Central Catholic, L 51-12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacksonville Cornerstone Classical Academy, W 58-18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Largo Indian Rocks Christian, L 28-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Alfred Discovery, W 36-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF ZEPHYRHILLS CHRISTIAN FOOTBALL</strong></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 -->