The Nease Panthers Learned Plenty From The 2025 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moments after their second-round state playoff loss to Gainesville Buchholz, Ponte Vedra Nease head football coach <strong>Collin Drafts</strong> and his staff quickly went to work on the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That 29-17 setback to the Bobcats, which was the second loss of the season to their district rival, set the wheels in motion for an off season that has been productive with several key pieces coming back and looking good in the spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off a 9-3 season, the Panthers do have returning prospects – such as Class of 2027 seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1866454' first='Sloan' last='Davis']</strong> (DL/LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1690409' first='Tyshawn' last='Ford']</strong> (WR/Athlete), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1257560' first='Jayden' last='Haynes']</strong> (DB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2252325' first='Kash' last='Kolbow']</strong> (DB/WR), <strong>Enrique Ordonez</strong> (RB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2044574' first='Chase' last='Phifer'] (</strong>TE), and state rated quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2171565' first='Aiden' last='Phifer']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If this coming season is to take this program one step further, the senior class will be needed for experience and leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of those Class of 2027 players to keep an eye on:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aric Davis-Baer, K/P, 6'2, 195.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19897197/Aric-DavisBaer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19897197/Aric-DavisBaer</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben Bass, DE, 6'3, 235 – 3.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19679033/Ben-Bass" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19679033/Ben-Bass</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194454' first='Jacob' last='Beckham'], OL, 6'0, 270 – 4.2 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19844365/Jacob-Beckham" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19844365/Jacob-Beckham</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1866454' first='Sloan' last='Davis'], DL/LB, 6'0, 220 – 3.8 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19576076/Sloan-Davis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19576076/Sloan-Davis</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1690409' first='Tyshawn' last='Ford'], Slot/Athlete, 5'10, 175 – 3.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19549986/Tyshawn-Ford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19549986/Tyshawn-Ford</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Malakhi Dunn, WR/DB, 5'11, 165 – 3.8 GPA. Baseball.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19440293/Malakhi-Dunn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19440293/Malakhi-Dunn</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1257560' first='Jayden' last='Haynes'], DB, 6'1, 165 – 3.2 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22762538/Jayden-Haynes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22762538/Jayden-Haynes</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dylan Jacobsen, DE/OLB, 6'4, 245 – 4.1 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22880344/Dylan-Jacobsen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22880344/Dylan-Jacobsen</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2252325' first='Kash' last='Kolbow'], DB/WR, 6'0, 185 – 3.3 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19844401/68be1a752172dda1ab420c1c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19844401/68be1a752172dda1ab420c1c</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Enrique Ordonez, RB, 5'9, 185 – 3.7 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14795338/Enrique-Ordo%c3%b1ez" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14795338/Enrique-Ordo%c3%b1ez</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2044574' first='Chase' last='Phifer'], TE, 6'5, 220 – 3.7 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17431412/Chase-Phifer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17431412/Chase-Phifer</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Willie Thompson, CB, 5'10, 170.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19872134/Willie-Thompson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19872134/Willie-Thompson</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1682139' first='Devon' last='Wentley'], LB/Edge, 6'0, 210 – 3.8 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19844442/68bc45c22172dda1ab40ba87" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19844442/68bc45c22172dda1ab40ba87</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THIS UNDERCLASS IS GOING TO BE SPECIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the seniors will truly lead the way, there are some special younger prospects you will want to watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Fennelly, RB, 5'11, 195.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22910405/Ethan-Fennelly" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22910405/Ethan-Fennelly</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carlos Gasca, DB, 5'11, 155.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22889367/Carlos-Gasca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22889367/Carlos-Gasca</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liam Lucas, OL, 5'9, 185.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22711208/Liam-Lucas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22711208/Liam-Lucas</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Troy McCloud, OLB, 6'1, 200.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22906665/Troy-McLeod" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22906665/Troy-McLeod</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Connor Meadows, S, 6'1, 185 – 4.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22757021/Connor-Meadows" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22757021/Connor-Meadows</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2160774' first='John' last='O'Dwyer'], OL. 6'4, 280. 2 Sport Athlete.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22916388/John-ODwyer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22916388/John-ODwyer</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2171565' first='Aiden' last='Phifer'], QB, 6'0, 190.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22703590/Aiden-Phifer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22703590/Aiden-Phifer</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gavin Powell, OL/DL, 6'2, 280 – 3.9 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22754211/699f0b62f07df582cc9c47d6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22754211/699f0b62f07df582cc9c47d6</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gunnar Reston, LB, 6'1, 202.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/24927385/Gunnar-Reston" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/24927385/Gunnar-Reston</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christopher Rocafort, RB/WR, 5'9, 175 – 3.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22702380/Christopher-Rocafort" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22702380/Christopher-Rocafort</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gage Wynne, LB/LS, 5'7, 185, Baseball.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22702128/Gage-Wynne" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22702128/Gage-Wynne</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caleb Buckley, WR, 6'0, 165.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26595697/Caleb-Buckley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26595697/Caleb-Buckley</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson Haynes, LB, 6'1, 175 – 3.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26595231/Jackson-Haynes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26595231/Jackson-Haynes</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2206498' first='Gavin' last='Kawaley'], WR, 6'2, 185 – 4.5 GPA. Basketball.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26595423/Gavin-Kawaley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26595423/Gavin-Kawaley</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Briggs Ronay, DL/OL, 6'0, 285 – 4.15 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26599260/Briggs-Ronay" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26599260/Briggs-Ronay</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cade Scaffidi, TE/H-Back, 6'3, 190. Honor Roll.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26595265/Cade-Scaffidi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26595265/Cade-Scaffidi</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 PONTE VEDRA NEASE PANTHERS SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/14 – Jacksonville Ed White (Kickoff Classic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/21 – St. John Creekside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28 - @St. Augustine</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/4 – Daytona Beach Mainland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/11 – Jacksonville Mandarin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/24 – St. Johns Beachside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/2 – Jacksonville Riverside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/9 - @Neptune Beach Fletcher</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/16 - @St. Johns Bartram Trail</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/23 Ponte Vedra</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/30 - @Jacksonville Sandalwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF PONTE VEDRA NEASE FOOTBALL</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>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at:<strong> Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COACHES, PLAYERS: </strong>Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about!<strong> Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->