Vanguard Looks To Make Another Run

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The mention of Ocala Vanguard's football program across the state of Florida is met with instant respect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What veteran head coach <strong>Edwin Farmer </strong>and his staff have accomplished over the years has not gone unnoticed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top-flight prospects, superb coaching and always playing a challenging schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With all the success the Knights have achieved, that state championship run has fallen short.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a program that does not sit at home in the off-season. They travel and give all their prospects an opportunity to line up against some of the elite players and teams in the Sunshine State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the team headed into the off-season and throughout the spring, the 11-3 record that they posted in 2023 was simply not enough. When they beat defending 3S state champion Lake Wales easily, 52-15, there was a strong feeling that the state semifinal contest against eventual 3S state champion Daytona Beach Mainland was well within reach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 34-12 loss to the Bucs on the road brought the season to a frustrating end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the 2024 season is just around the corner, this is a team that will rely on a strong rising senior (2025) class. That group of prospects is indeed talented and has the experience needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at some of those 2025 players:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1224056' first='Nasir' last='Allen'], Athlete, 5-11, 175 – 2.7 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16380877/Nasir-Allen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/16380877/Nasir-Allen</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brenden Barber, Athlete, 6-3, 199 – 3.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14715776/Brenden-Barber?_gl=1*1lwe5al*_ga*MjE0MTk3NjUxMC4xNjIwNjc0NjY0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTcxNjEyNjcwMy44OTkuMS4xNzE2MTI3MDk0LjAuMC4w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14715776/Brenden-Barber?</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831345' first='Daniel' last='Johnson'], DT, 6-2, 265 – 3.9 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16369597/Daniel-Lee-Johnson-Jr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/16369597/Daniel-Lee-Johnson-Jr</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kendrick Johnson, DL, 6-2, 270 – 3.3 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17653546/Kendrick-Johnson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17653546/Kendrick-Johnson</a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gerald “Juice” Lawton III, Athlete, 5-8, 165 – 2.7 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16648592/655577a45ef69a0d2c9a47aa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16648592/655577a45ef69a0d2c9a47aa</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bernard Little, DL/OL, 6-0, 268 – 2.7 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17653552/bernard-little" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17653552/bernard-little</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DeaAnthony Sancho, WR, 6-1, 165.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16092311/6359af1104284d0cc0faa0d0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16092311/6359af1104284d0cc0faa0d0</a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Travis Virgil, DE/OLB, 6-3, 195 – 3.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16162140/Travis-ZimmerleVigil" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/16162140/Travis-ZimmerleVigil</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Josiah Farmer, Athlete, 5-10, 185 – 4.2 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kamaurius Gasper, OT, 6-5, 310 – 2.8 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee Jackson, PK, 5-10, 160 – 4.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>King James, Athlete, 5-11, 157 – 3.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zion Robinson, RB, 5-6, 185 – 2.5 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cartier Swinton, LB, 5-11, 200 – 2.45 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zaclin Upshaw, Athlete, 6-0, 175 – 3.76 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HOW ARE THE UNDERCLASSMEN GOING TO HELP?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While there are several prospects in the classes of 2026 and 2027, it all comes down to experience and not talent. There are some quality football players on their way up, but lack of playing time – for several of them – could be a difference early on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of those underclassmen that will be able to keep an eye on this summer:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Matthew Dial, QB, 6-1, 175 – 3.2 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17728564/Matthew-Dial" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17728564/Matthew-Dial</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dylan Harris, Athlete, 6-4, 237 – 3.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18917869/Dylan-Harris?_gl=1*nyvg6t*_ga*MjE0MTk3NjUxMC4xNjIwNjc0NjY0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTcxNjEyNjcwMy44OTkuMS4xNzE2MTI5MTIwLjAuMC4w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18917869/Dylan-Harris?</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reche Shields, OT, 6-6, 260 – 2.6 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18482430/Reche-Shields" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18482430/Reche-Shields</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263666' first='Gemarkus' last='Starks'], Athlete, 6-0, 230 – 2.7 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20312306/Gemarkus-Starks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/20312306/Gemarkus-Starks</a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lemmarius Woolbright, DB, 5-11, 160.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18392939/631b72162aa6a60650780cf3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18392939/631b72162aa6a60650780cf3</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Ellis, SS, 5-10, 160 – 2.8 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Layken Everett, SS, 6-2, 165 – 2.5 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jherod Styles, LB, 5-10, 180 – 3.5 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>William Summers, OT, 6-4, 275 – 3.2 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2027<br>James “Bubb” Bethea, WR, 6-0, 181.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20163414/James-Bethea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/20163414/James-Bethea</a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Knox Boutwell, DE, 6-5, 175 – 4.3 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18450605/Knox-Boutwell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18450605/Knox-Boutwell</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dominic Burgess, WR, 5-10, 139 – 3.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://x.com/Djburgess123/status/1708466322986647681" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://x.com/Djburgess123/status/1708466322986647681</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sergarion Gunsby, SS, 6-1, 185 – 3.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20476631/Sergarion-Gunsby" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/20476631/Sergarion-Gunsby</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Terrance Lewis, QB, 6-1, 160 – 2.8 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18599425/Terrance-Lewis?_gl=1*1o7j32d*_ga*MjE0MTk3NjUxMC4xNjIwNjc0NjY0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTcxNjEyNjcwMy44OTkuMS4xNzE2MTMxMTU0LjAuMC4w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18599425/Terrance-Lewis?</a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kemohn Pinkney, Athlete, 6-1, 192 – 3.8 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://x.com/i/status/1792022186863046903" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://x.com/i/status/1792022186863046903</a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barrington Bracey, OG, 5-10, 241 – 3.1 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>John Gray, DT, 5-8, 213 – 2.6 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Legend Scriven, OT, 6-1, 245 – 2.5 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Travis Smith, DB, 5-11, 165 – 2.7 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily.</strong> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at:</strong> <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</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! </strong><a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->