Rural Championships Head To The Villages

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to high school football in the state of Florida, it comes down to exposure and showcasing as much talent as possible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With various state championships at every level being held throughout the Sunshine State, college coaches across the country have a better opportunity when it comes to recruiting to see these student/athletes performing at the highest level against elite competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With several independent championships already played in the past few weeks, the spotlight now falls on Friday – with a Rural doubleheader at the beautiful facility (The Range at H.G. Morse Stadium) at The Villages Charter High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at the two title games:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RURAL (FIT BRACKET)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>No. 6 Fort Meade (5-7) vs. No. 5 Dixie County (7-5) Fri. Dec 6, 1 PM. </strong>This title game is one of those that was created to give many rural programs an opportunity to compete in the post season against other teams who had played hard all year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While wins and losses meant nothing, the objective was to give these teams an additional three weeks of exposure, and the two programs have both been among the top programs throughout the years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FORT MEADE MINERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HEAD COACH: Maurice Russell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ROAD TO STATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wauchula Hardee County, L 28-20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeland George Jenkins, W 28-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeland Christian, L 42-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mulberry, L 20-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeland Victory Christian, L 23-20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bradenton IMG Academy White, L 35-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frostproof, W 35-19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacksonville University Christian, L 34-17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore Haven, L 13-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perry Taylor County, W 42-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eastpoint Franklin County, W 33-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wildwood, W 20-19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PROSPECTS TO WATCH:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1581765' first='Mekhi' last='Berrien'], LB, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nasir Berrien, WR/DB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1581772' first='Cayden' last='Clark'], WR/DB, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1581775' first='Kamar' last='Gilmartin'], WR/DB, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeran Jones, RB/DB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1230854' first='Darian' last='Kirkland'], OLB/SS, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jayden McCutchen, QB, So.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1695051' first='Ty' last='Montsdeoca'], OL/DL, So.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1628903' first='Omari' last='Russell'], WR/DB, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='826544' first='Carter' last='Smith'], Jr. LB, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CROSS CITY DIXIE COUNTY BEARS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HEAD COACH: Ric Whittington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ROAD TO STATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mayo Lafayette, L 38-12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trenton, W 40-16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perry Taylor County, L 37-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belleview, W 20-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keystone Heights, L 14-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chiefland, L 48-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blountstown, L 22-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jasper Hamilton County, W 39-20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Callahan West Nassau, L 47-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alachua Santa Fe, W 26-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wewahitchka, W 29-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monticello Jefferson County, W 41-32</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trenton, W 52-22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PROSPECTS TO WATCH:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewart Bray, LB/OL, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xavier Campbell, OL/DL, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1581779' first='Mason' last='Jones'], WR/DB, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Drew Pleasant, QB/CB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaheim Taylor, RB/LB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keydran Teague, WR/DB, So.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wyatt Tidd, OL/LB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mister Williams, RB/DE, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Javan Wilson, RB/DB/K/P, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1581781' first='Tucker' last='Wood'], OL/DL, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hawthorne, Madison County have their rematch.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>No. 2 Madison County (9-3) vs. No. 1 Hawthorne (10-1) Fri. Dec 6, 7: </strong>When you look at Friday evening's contest, these are two programs who can stand up against anyone in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing for the second straight year, the two-time defending state champion Hornets and Cowboys have become two of the most recognizable teams in Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year, Hawthorne (13-0) won its second straight title with a 22-13 contest against the Cowboys, who beat them back in 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets have won 35 of the past 36 games, watching their 27-game winning streak come to an end against Tallahassee Florida High, who also beat Madison County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MADISON COUNTY COWBOYS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HEAD COACH: Price Harris</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ROAD TO STATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeLand, W 42-28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tallahassee Lincoln, L 29-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Live Oak Suwannee, W 43-26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake City Columbia, W 18-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Panama City Bay, W 42-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pace, L 35-31</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tallahassee Florida High, L 23-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apopka, W 13-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Minneola, W 47-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore Haven, W 51-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blountstown, W 43-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Butler Union County, W 34-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PROSPECTS TO WATCH:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>De'Andre Arnold, OLB/S, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Na'Quez Christian, RB, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1581798' first='L.J.' last='Crumity'], Athlete/S, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O.J. Hodge, LB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>K.J. Johnson, C/NG, So.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jason McDaniel, RB/LB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryshard Miller, WR/DB, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1581803' first='Zakari' last='Neal'], OL/DL, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1581811' first='Johnny' last='Norwood'], OL/DL, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshall Pike, G, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kemari Scurry, LB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1707674' first='Sean' last='Williams'], WR/DB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HAWTHORNE HORNETS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HEAD COACH: Cornelius Ingram</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ROAD TO STATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holiday Anclote, W 51-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newberry, W 28-27 (OT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tallahassee Florida High, L 41-28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orange Park Oakleaf, W 27-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bushnell South Sumter, W 26-20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zephyrhills Christian, W 39-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bradenton IMG Academy White, W 35-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orlando Christian Prep, W 38-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Branford, W 56-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mayo Lafayette, W 44-15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williston, W 28-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PROSPECTS TO WATCH:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Demetrius Brown, WR/KR, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1155702' first='Adrian' last='Curtis'], QB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaheim Darby, DT, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dacarion Debos, WR/KR/PR, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler Duncan, C, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1403740' first='Kyler' last='Ingram'], DT, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Naziy Gent, LB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1134135' first='Keenon' last='Johnson'], RB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leland Johnson, LB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zion Johnson, SS, Sr.</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> Floridakids1@aol.com.</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 -->