TOP FOOTBALL PERFORMERS – WEEK 8

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Well, Week 8 is now in the books – and with some teams now eliminated from post season play, there are others who have secured a spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Games over the next three weeks will showcase teams and players, and especially for the seniors who are still searching for that elusive scholarship help.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since the start of the season, we have promoted and exposed over 1,000 high school football prospects – in every class – and once again today, we are bringing you a number of performers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tampa Plant continues to impress this season – as <strong>J.C. Mirasola</strong> (2025 - 6/10 for 186 yds &amp; 2 TDs, 2 rushes for 32 yards), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='468699' first='Chase' last='Jarrett']</strong> (2024 – 2 receptions,106 yards and 2 TD's, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1320761' first='Ben' last='MacKinnon']</strong> (2025 - 3 receptions, 75 yards 2 TD's), <strong>Alex Tate </strong>(2025 – 8 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 2 sacks) and <strong>Titus Patterson</strong> (4 tackles, 2 interceptions, 67 yards).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boca Raton St. Andrew's QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119805' first='Dylan' last='Mayers'] </strong>13-19 for 271 yards, 4 TDs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson Benton</strong>, QB, Lakeland Victory Christian was 14/19 184 passing yards 2TD and 46 yards rushing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Plantation American Heritage PK <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1130736' first='Gavin' last='Harvey']</strong> went 5/5 on PAT &amp; 5/5 on touch backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami True North Classical Academy 2027 athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='896290' first='George' last='Harris'] Jr.,</strong> 12 tackles and 1 tackle for loss in a setback against Bradford County. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1577833' first='Camaul' last='King']</strong>, 2026, had 15 total tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami Norland 2026 PK <strong>Noah Siden </strong>booted a game-winning field goal in overtime as the Vikings upset Miami Central to win the district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bushnell South Sumter 2026 QB <strong>Landen Sherman</strong>, starting his first ever game, was 7 of 11 for 165 &amp; 4TDs added 1 more rushing for 5 Total TDs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 <strong>Jon-Jon Harding</strong>, The Villages, had 8 catches for 60 yards, 1 rush for 11 yards, 6 tackles including 1 TFL, and 2 QB hurries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cocoa Beach trailed Out-of-Door Academy 20-12 in the fourth quarter but tied the game when <strong>Zane Sherrer</strong> returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and the Minutemen converted the two-point attempt to tie the game. Sherrer then played the hero in overtime with his touchdown run to give Cocoa Beach a 26-20 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman LB <strong>Phillip Jones Jr.,</strong> Miami Immaculata LaSalle had 3 more sacks last week – giving him 10 on the season. One of the top young players in Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kissimmee Tohopekaliga 2026 QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212286' first='Sabby' last='Meassick']</strong> went over 400 yards passing, 3 touchdowns, led a 98-yard drive in final minute of the game to give Toho the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Viera 2027 LB <strong>Noah Renes</strong> had 16 total tackles, 4 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 blocked punt recovery for TD. <strong>Owen George</strong> 2024 DE 9 total tackles, 6 for loss, 4 sacks and 3 blocked punts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tampa Jesuit used a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1206219' first='Will' last='Griffin']</strong> touchdown run. The Tigers then sealed the victory with Griffin's two-point conversion toss to <strong>Peter Pesansky</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Victory Christian running back <strong>Zyrell Thomas'</strong> touchdown run as time expired game the Storm a 19-16 win over Lakeland Christian.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='606660' first='Darryon' last='Jones'],</strong> Tampa Hillsborough was 15-20, 287 Yards, 5 passing TDS. District win moves Hillsborough high to 2-0 in District.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clearwater Academy International stunned Sarasota Riverview 35-33 with a 36-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass from <strong>Joaquin Kavuklis </strong>to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1123115' first='Dallas' last='Sims']</strong> as time expired capping off a bizarre sequence to end the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hayden Hays</strong> threw a touchdown pass and rushed for another in the fourth quarter and brought Daytona Beach Seabreeze back. <strong>Drew McNerney</strong> kicked the game-winning field goal with four seconds left on the clock to give the Sandcrabs a dramatic 44-41 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee jumped out to a 17-0 lead against Pensacola Escambia, only to see the Gators score 20 consecutive points and take the lead with four minutes left. Choctawhatchee kept fighting though and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='130977' first='Jesse' last='Winslette']'s</strong> 58-yard touchdown pass <strong>Isaiah Johnson</strong> with 1:13 left gave the Indians a 24-20 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tampa Bay Tech rallied from a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun Wharton 23-20. Freshman kicker <strong>Jakob Tramel's </strong>40-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining proved to be the game-winner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Myers quarterback <strong>Chris McFoley</strong> had four of his five completed passes go for touchdowns – one to <strong>Grant Coppens</strong> and three to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1212137' first='Madrid' last='Tucker']</strong>. Running back <strong>Frank Starks</strong> also had a 40-yard score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xavier Jackson</strong> intercepted a pass in the end zone with less than a minute left to clinch Cape Coral Island Coast's thrilling win Cape Coral. Sophomore <strong>Vinny Miranda</strong> and <strong>Gervaris Leaphart</strong> each scored.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Naples running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830584' first='Shawn' last='Simeon']</strong> ran for over 250 rushing yards and four scores as Naples won the 50th Coconut Bowl over Lely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standout running back <strong>Malik Allen</strong> scored on the ground, and <strong>Matthew Wilson's</strong> pass to <strong>Fletcher Kean</strong> led Estero to a win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Naples <strong>Aubrey Rogers</strong> earned their first win in program history as <strong>Carter Beebe</strong> kicked a field goal and freshman quarterback <strong>Caden Diloreto</strong> connected with <strong>Jack Trittler</strong> for a score. <strong>Nicky Constantini</strong> dominated the field, running for almost 70 yards and picking up a 22-yard touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1205492' first='Emrhe' last='Pray']</strong> scored three touchdowns, all of which came on defense. Pray reeled in two pick-sixes, and blocked a punt which he recovered and took back for a touchdown. <strong>Colin Murphy</strong> also found the end zone on a blocked punt with a scoop-and-score and <strong>Max Varga</strong> added an interception as Community School of Naples won.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Crossan</strong> was 19-for-29, connecting with Colorado commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826461' first='Winston' last='Watkins']</strong> for a 40-yard touchdown as Naples First Baptist broke through. Watkins finished the night with eight catches for 156 yards and three receiving touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Omarion Carter</strong> snagged a pair of long touchdown passes from <strong>Trannon Villarreal</strong>, and <strong>Jayden Mixon </strong>scored on a pair of short runs and <strong>Marshon Jackson</strong> returned a fumble 65 yards for a touchdown paved the way for Immokalee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeremiah Dean</strong> returned a fumble for a touchdown, and standout QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826544' first='Carter' last='Smith']</strong> connected with <strong>Tookie Watts</strong> after recent Ohio State commit <strong>Leroy Roker</strong> picked off a pass as Fort Myers Bishop Verot got back on track.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryson Bender</strong> returned an interception 50 yards to break a tie with 42 seconds remaining in regulation, as Parrish Community came from behind to defeat Bradenton Braden River.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarterback <strong>Jordan Johnson</strong>, making his first start, threw two touchdowns as host Sarasota Booker won at Tornado Alley. <strong>Ahmad Hunter</strong> and <strong>Hunter Zirkle</strong> each scored.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zycarl Lewis Jr.</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992858' first='Jamarice' last='Wilder']</strong>, <strong>Griffin Gisotti</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='949271' first='Deylen' last='Platt']</strong> all had a hand in Venice's district win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lorenzo Mauceri</strong> scored a touchdown and linebacker <strong>Caleb Whitmore</strong> returned a&nbsp;punt for a score as Englewood Lemon Bay remained unbeaten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Port Charlotte scored on five straight possessions, using <strong>Ike Perry</strong>, <strong>Edd Guerrier </strong>and quarterback <strong>Eli Manley</strong> on offense, and <strong>Juju Roach</strong> on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='392566' first='Carson' last='Beach']</strong> scored three rushing touchdowns and <strong>Devin Mingery</strong> hit <strong>Zy'Marion Lang</strong> for a pair of touchdown passes and had three on the night as Sarasota Cardinal Mooney rolled to the District 6-1S championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sir Jacob Thompson</strong>, St. Petersburg Northeast finished with 7 tackles, an interception and 1 sack. RB <strong>Jeff Jones </strong>had 22 carries for 188 yards and 2 scores. QB <strong>Trey Whirley</strong> finished with 163 yards and 5 scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Allan Reynolds</strong>, St. Petersburg Catholic, finished this week with 6 tackles and 2 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clearwater Calvary Christian <strong>Gavin Thomas</strong> had 8 tackles and a quarterback sack. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275811' first='Jacob' last='Drackett']</strong>, threw for 195 yards and 3 TDs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athletic 2026 QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1397333' first='Eli' last='Millian']</strong>, Tarpon Springs East Lake was a perfect 10 of 10 for 172 yards 2 Touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kennvontae Sharrow's</strong> early touchdown rush helped Jacksonville Riverside. <strong>Tae'shaun Gelsey</strong>, <strong>Zavier Hilliard</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1132456' first='Myles' last='Kendrick']</strong> and <strong>Rajon White</strong> caught scoring receptions. <strong>Jamal Harvey-Jackson</strong> added a Generals pick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three first-half <strong>Tiant Wyche</strong> touchdown runs helped Jacksonville Mandarin win for the sixth time. <strong>Carlos Witherup</strong> caught two <strong>Tramell Jones</strong> touchdown passes, while <strong>Jackson Copeland</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826452' first='Hylton' last='Stubbs']</strong> also scored fumble returns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Griffin Owen</strong> caught two touchdown passes as Ponte Vedra stretched their winning run to six games. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1106287' first='Brian' last='Case']</strong> also scored twice and ran for a team-high 75 yards. Sharks QB <strong>Ben Burk</strong> passed for 217 yards and three touchdowns, including one to <strong>Cole Madson</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ty Neal</strong> ran for two scores and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1206198' first='Naeem' last='Burroughs']</strong> caught a <strong>D.J. Moore </strong>touchdown pass as Jacksonville Bolles won. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831350' first='Ethan' last='Drumm']</strong> threw three TDs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='743075' first='Marcelis' last='Tate']</strong> threw for two touchdowns before halftime and rushed for another, leading Neptune Beach Fletcher. <strong>D.J. Parrish</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1771754' first='Diondre' last='Smith']</strong> runs helped the Senators pull away for their sixth straight victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First-half rushing scores by <strong>Auston Harris</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537666' first='Rodney' last='Tisdale Jr'].</strong> propelled First Coast (3-4, 2-0) to victory. <strong>LeShan Evans</strong> and Jordan Anderson caught late touchdown passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NeShawn Jacobs</strong> broke loose for five touchdowns and 250 yards rushing, and Baldwin stayed on course for an at-large postseason berth. <strong>Christian Velvet</strong> also ran for a score. <strong>Leon Kirkland</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582532' first='Taylor' last='Davenport']</strong> intercepted passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jerimy Upson</strong> scored on special teams and Jacksonville Atlantic won. <strong>Rico Walker</strong> also caught a touchdown pass from Zach Phillips.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cade Gines</strong> rushed for three touchdowns to lead St. John's Beachside. <strong>Will Dudley</strong> and <strong>Eddie Craig</strong> intercepted passes while Craig and <strong>Riley Hofrichter</strong> both recovered fumbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marlin Haywood's</strong> touchdown pass from <strong>Xavier Collins</strong> put Lake City Columbia in the win column.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gainesville Bucholz QB <strong>Trace Johnson</strong> and receiver <strong>Justin Williams</strong> connected on three touchdowns as the Bobcats (7-0, 2-0) stayed unbeaten. <strong>R.J. Livingston</strong> also scored a kickoff return for Buchholz.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Augustine Menendez scored early on <strong>Jason Watson's</strong> touchdown. Freshman <strong>Mason Lynch</strong> also found the end zone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conner Bearden</strong> and <strong>Vontayus Walker</strong> caught first-half touchdown passes to help Baker County. <strong>Rhett Rhoden</strong> interceptions and one each from <strong>Chase Phillips</strong> and <strong>Jamaurie Elliott.</strong> <strong>Brock Boatright</strong> booted two first-half field goals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Josh Bruton's</strong> first-half rushing touchdown was enough for West Nassau. <strong>Landon Scaff</strong> intercepted two passes for the Warriors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tommy Offord</strong> rushed for a first-half score and connected with <strong>Trenton Williams</strong> on another to lead Palatka. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1694504' first='Justin' last='Fells']</strong> ran for two touchdowns and <strong>Cartaveon Valentine</strong> added a 98-yard TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134135' first='Keenon' last='Johnson']</strong> broke free in the fourth quarter from 80 yards out for the defending state champion Hawthorne Hornets. A late touchdown from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828956' first='C.J.' last='Ingram'] </strong>to USF commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1123175' first='Alvon' last='Isaac']</strong> wrapped up the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Julian Dewees</strong> ran for three touchdowns, sparking Jacksonville Bishop Kenny. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='740698' first='James' last='Resar'] </strong>also rushed for two touchdowns and fired a scoring pass to <strong>J.P. Donovan.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mason Williams</strong> ran for two touchdowns and passed to <strong>Josh Stallings</strong> for another as Jacksonville Providence continued to roll. <strong>Jett Hood</strong> returned an interception for a touchdown and scored on a rush.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dylan Carter</strong> rushed for 217 yards and three touchdowns as Jacksonville Bishop Snyder won. <strong>Joseph Morales</strong> added 123 rushing yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283770' first='Robert' last='Ortega Jr.'],</strong> 2026 RB, Davie Western, ran for 119 yards and 3 scores in the district title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Fort Lauderdale NSU University School 2027 OL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='895396' first='Shane' last='Martinez']</strong> continued his tremendous season, leading his unbeaten Sharks to another win with 8 pancake blocks 2 drive blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PROSPECT SHEET: Statewide Coverage Daily. </strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/03/statewide-daily-team-coverage/">https.://prepredzone.com/2023/03/statewide-daily-team-coverage/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->