Palatka Learned From 2023 Season
For eight games last season, Palatka and head coach Patrick Turner felt that they had indeed turned the corner. Except for a five-point loss to St. Augustine Tacoi Creek, the Panthers were 7-1 heading down the homestretch. While losses to…
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Continue ReadingFor eight games last season, Palatka and head coach Patrick Turner felt that they had indeed turned the corner.
Except for a five-point loss to St. Augustine Tacoi Creek, the Panthers were 7-1 heading down the homestretch.
While losses to Starke Bradford County and St. Augustine stung, both were state finalists and had programs that had championship pedigree.
Of all the losses, it was the state playoff setback to Gainesville Eastside that ended the year on a sour note. That 28-27 loss sent this team into the off-season with a feeling that if a few things would have gone differently, the year could have a much better ending.
With this spring and summer to work with – it’s the rising senior (2025) class that will need to take that leadership role. Prospects such as Kason Bradford (DE, 5-10, 190 – 2.6 GPA), Elysha Campbell (OLB, 6-4, 200 – 4.1 GPA), Keymari Hall (WR, 6-3, 170 – 2.6 GPA), Amaryan Maxwell (CB, 5-10, 150 – 2.75 GPA), Javen Palmer (OL, 6-3, 270 – 3.8 GPA), and versatile Tony Turner (DB/WR, 5-9, 150 – 2.8 GPA)
CLASS OF 2026 HAS LEADERS
If the Panthers are to take things further this coming season, it could be up to this rising junior (2026) class that is led by Tommy Offord (QB, 5-10, 160 – 3.0 GPA) and Justin Fells (RB, 6-3, 215 – 3.1 GPA), but also includes Evan Cordell (OL, 6-4, 290 – 3.2 GPA), Jacob Gaskin (OLB, 6-1, 165 – 3.3 GPA), and receiver George Taylor (6-0, 175 – 2.4 GPA).
The rising sophomore (2027) class will also need to step up – with Dalvin Dallas (LB, 5-9, 190 – 3.7 GPA), Lawrence Evans (RB, 5-8, 140 – 3.5 GPA), Noah McKinley (QB, 5-10, 140 – 4.0 GPA), and receiver K.J. Wright (5-9, 130 – 3.7 GPA).
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GAINESVILLE SUN
Statewide Coverage Daily. https://prepredzone.com/florida/
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.