Tampa Carrollwood Day Can Make A Statement In The Opener

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stage was set last December 5^th when unbeaten Tampa Carrollwood Day traveled to West Palm Beach to take on Cardinal Newman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the start of the game, the Patriots showed why they were one of the top 1A programs in the state, returning the opening kickoff for a 7-0 lead, but then their world collapsed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While they did put on a good showing in the second half, scoring 26 points, for the first time that season, head coach <strong>Marshall McDuffie's</strong> team could not match the opponent as the Crusaders went on to a state semifinal victory over the eventual state champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the team headed back home, the coaches and players knew that while this team lost for the only time in the season, 2026 would be a year that things could pay off – with several 1A powers moving up to 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THEY CAN MAKE A STATEMENT ON FRIDAY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When they open the season on Friday against state-rated Eau Gallie, this program can send a signal to the rest of the programs in Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the better games in the opening week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With some quality pieces coming back, this is certainly a program that has a chance to bring home that elusive state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots bring back some playmakers from last year's banner season - including Class of 2027 prospects <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2255825' first='Zion' last='Garrett']</strong> (OLB/HB), <strong>Devoun Kendrick</strong> (OL/DL), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2138802' first='Brooklyn' last='Maxey']</strong> (WR/RB/S) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='690863' first='Myles' last='McDonald']</strong> (QB). There are also 2028 players <strong>Luke Anderson</strong> (WR/DB), [player_tooltip player_id='1073722' first='Kameron' last='Battle'] (RB/DB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578303' first='Joey' last='Cassidy']</strong> (QB/WR/S), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963368' first='Zylen' last='Little']</strong> (DL) and <strong>Antonio Thomas</strong> (DE/RB). Also Class of 2029 standouts <strong>James Allen</strong> (WR/DB) and <strong>Max Richardson</strong> (LB/RB).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While this program is loaded – top to bottom, the success this season during a challenging year will be with a strong senior class who will not only add experience and talent, but valuable leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xavier Burney, DB/Athlete, 6'0, 180 – 3.7 GPA. Track &amp; Field.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19345455/Xavier-Burney">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19345455/Xavier-Burney</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jason Dungy, Athlete/WR/CB, 5'10, 170 – 3.4 GPA. Basketball.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15153380/Jason-Dungy">https://www.hudl.com/profile/15153380/Jason-Dungy</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaden Earle, OLB/FB, 5'10, 200.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13261002/Jaden-Earle">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13261002/Jaden-Earle</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2255825' first='Zion' last='Garrett'], OLB/Athlete, 6'1, 220 – 3.9 GPA. Basketball. Florida Atlantic University Commitment.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18209992/Zion-Garrett">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18209992/Zion-Garrett</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Timmy Gilbert, OL, 6'0, 260 – 4.62 GPA. Georgia Tech Commit.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19656196/Timmy-Gilbert">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19656196/Timmy-Gilbert</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shawn Harvey, Jr., LB/RB, 6'0, 210 – 4.3 GPA. Baseball.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: h<a href="//www.hudl.com/video/3/19673713/6938d7465f0564b29d33ac55">ttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/19673713/6938d7465f0564b29d33ac55</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Devoun Kendrick, OL/DL, 6'4, 310 – 3.4 GPA. Wrestling.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19903994/Devoun-Kendrick">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19903994/Devoun-Kendrick</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2138802' first='Brooklyn' last='Maxey'], WR/RB/S/Athlete, 6'2, 205 – 3.6 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: h<a href="//www.hudl.com/video/3/19454809/68c43852d05742189f89583d">ttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/19454809/68c43852d05742189f89583d</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='690863' first='Myles' last='McDonald'], QB, 6'0, 205 – 3.8 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21746222/69801bcfba716c097da1ad7e">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21746222/69801bcfba716c097da1ad7e</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THIS A VERY STRONG UNDERCLASS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As gifted as the seniors will be in 2026, this program will also rely on one of the most talented young players in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elite talent that has already been recognized nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Luke Anderson, WR/DB, 6'0, 175.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22594066/Luke-Anderson">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22594066/Luke-Anderson</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1073722' first='Kameron' last='Battle'], RB/DB, 5'10, 185.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19652373/Kameron-Battle">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19652373/Kameron-Battle</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578303' first='Joey' last='Cassidy'], QB/WR/S, 6'0, 180 – 4.13 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22629048/Joey-Cassidy">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22629048/Joey-Cassidy</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1939972' first='Rashaun' last='“R2” Fitts Jr']., LB, 5'11, 205.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22608884/Rashaun-Fitts-Jr">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22608884/Rashaun-Fitts-Jr</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dylan Gandhi, OL/DL, 6'0, 250.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22323253/Dylan-Gandhi">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22323253/Dylan-Gandhi</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2158583' first='Derrell' last='Hines Jr.'], WR, 6'2, 180.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/27339876/Derrell-Hines-Jr">https://www.hudl.com/profile/27339876/Derrell-Hines-Jr</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2132994' first='Mark' last='Jones Jr']., WR/DB, 5'9, 175 – 4.16 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22323184/Mark-Jones-Jr">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22323184/Mark-Jones-Jr</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963368' first='Zylen' last='Little'], DL, 6'2, 290.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22832811/Zylen-Little">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22832811/Zylen-Little</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eaon McQuade, OL, 6'2, 295 – 4.20 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20396397/Eaon-McQuade">https://www.hudl.com/profile/20396397/Eaon-McQuade</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1889304' first='Jaden' last='Rock'], OL/DL, 6'0, 275 – 3.2 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22951660/Jaden-Rock">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22951660/Jaden-Rock</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2171572' first='Merino' last='Samnik'], OT/TE, 6'5, 280.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/21979339/Merino-Samnik">https://www.hudl.com/profile/21979339/Merino-Samnik</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kadyn Simon, OL, 6'0, 260 – 3.99 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: h<a href="//www.hudl.com/profile/22860162/Kadyn-Simon">ttps://www.hudl.com/profile/22860162/Kadyn-Simon</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amari Smith, Edge/OLB, 6'3, 195 – 3.79 GPA. Dual Sport Athlete.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22341130/Amari-Smith">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22341130/Amari-Smith</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Antonio Thomas, DE/RB, 6'3, 238.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22925020/66fb93b5f928d1338cb1f48e">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22925020/66fb93b5f928d1338cb1f48e</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>James Allen, WR/DB/Athlete, 6'3, 175. Track &amp; Field.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16769661/68ab038861298adcbfd1f5df">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16769661/68ab038861298adcbfd1f5df</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2130673' first='Alfonso' last='Brown Jr.,'] DB, 5'11, 170.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26606293/Alfonso-Brown-jr">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26606293/Alfonso-Brown-jr</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyson Dixon, OL/DL, 6'0, 325 – 3.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26863382/Tyson-Dixon">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26863382/Tyson-Dixon</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maximus “Max” Richardson, Athlete, LB/RB, 5'10, 180. Track &amp; Field.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22894479/Maximus-Richardson">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22894479/Maximus-Richardson</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cooper Williams, QB, 5'9, 175.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26863368/Cooper-Williams">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26863368/Cooper-Williams</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 TAMPA CARROLLWOOD DAY PATRIOTS SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/21 – Eau Gallie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28 – New Port Richey River Ridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/4 – St. Petersburg Northside Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/10 - @Lutz Steinbrenner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/18 – Tampa Chamberlain</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/25 - @Zephyrhills Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/2 – Jacksonville Trinity Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/16 – Community School of Naples</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/23 – St. Petersburg Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/30 - @West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF TAMPA CARROLLWOOD DAY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></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> <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->