Talented Bartow Football Ready To Turn Things Around

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the 2025 high school football season came to an end and head coach <strong>Grady Morrell</strong> and his Bartow assistants looked back on the year, they all knew that work needed to be done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most successful programs through the years in a very talented Polk County, the Yellow Jackets realized that the talent and coaching was in place to be a competitive program, and that was something that everyone agreed with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps the only thing that was missing from last season was being consistent, and players, coaches and fans understood that a 3-7 record would not be accepted in a community that has watched more than its share of winning football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The climb to becoming a playoff team started in the off-season, and that has been something that has driven this program – as they headed toward spring, which will get started in the next few weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If this team is to put themselves in the playoff mix this coming season, the rising senior (2027) class will need to step up and make an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of those gifted student/athletes:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>La'DerrianAdams, DB, 6'0, 175 - 3.1 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/23871226/68f55061787a0734ba7fd2a5">http://www.hudl.com/video/3/23871226/68f55061787a0734ba7fd2a5</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shamarie Callins, DB, 5'11, 165 – 3.2 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2SqVap">http://www.hudl.com/v/2SqVap</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Davian Fabars, LB/SS, 5'6, 160 - 2.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23871208/69bba851db14812fc4aea13d">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23871208/69bba851db14812fc4aea13d</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alex Garcia, DB, 5'10, 170 - 3.2.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/18490148/69176a29930670c0e478e8eb">http://www.hudl.com/video/3/18490148/69176a29930670c0e478e8eb</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amire Hall, QB/Athlete, 5'8, 165 - 3.1.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2TCyHV">http://www.hudl.com/v/2TCyHV</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brayden Scott, RB, 5'10, 170 - 3.1 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2TZPpy">http://www.hudl.com/v/2TZPpy</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jakobie Terry, RB/Slot, 5'8, 165 - 3.3.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2T0LUW">http://www.hudl.com/v/2T0LUW</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lavontae Tubbs, DB, 5'10, 155 – 3.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2TDyxU">http://www.hudl.com/v/2TDyxU</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wyatt Douberly, OL, 6'0, 300 - 3.8 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaden Hazelton, RB, 5'10, 180 - 2.9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leshawn Wilson, OL, 6'2, 245 - 2.8 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>YOUNGER PLAYERS WILL NEED TO STEP UP – TOO.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the rising seniors will be used for their experience, talent and leadership, this program will also need some of the underclassmen to make an impact as well. There are some 2028 and 2029 prospects ready to mature this spring and into the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alijah Galva, DB, 5'8, 160 - 2.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23194174/Alijah-G" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/23194174/Alijah-G</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2137279' first='Carmello' last='Harden'], DL, 6'1, 280 - 3.1 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22770679/Carmello-Harden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22770679/Carmello-Harden</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jonas Metelus III, RB, 5'9, 165 - 2.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26331054/Jonas-Metelus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26331054/Jonas-Metelus</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacob Richardson, LB, 5'10, 185 - 2.9 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/25921373/Jacob-Richardson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/25921373/Jacob-Richardson</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Moscow Shaw, WR, 5'8, 160 - 3.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23221525/Moscow-Shaw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/23221525/Moscow-Shaw</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keith Odom, DB, 5'8, 150 - 2.6 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brent Smith, WR, 6'0, 150 - 2.9 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D'Juan Tollie, DE, 6'2, 190 - 2.9 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Bartow Yellow Jackets</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clearwater, L 23-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Naples Gulf Coast, W 25-22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orlando Bishop Moore, L 34-25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Haines City, W 55-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Auburndale, L 28-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valrico Bloomingdale, W 35-29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeland Lake Gibson, L 7-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverview, L 20-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plant City Durant, L 46-40 (OT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Wales, L 41-14</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 --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->