First Baptist Proved To Be For Real

Earlier this past week, someone suggested that taking Naples First Baptist lightly may indeed be a huge mistake. Someone didn't listen.

With a tremendous defense and a solid offense, the Lions showed a crowd at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee and many watching across the state that they were indeed for real as they captured the 1S state title 21-3 over Ocala Trinity Catholic.

Behind the passing and leadership of Ethan Crossan and a stingy defense that yielded only 160 yards, the school won its first ever football state crown under veteran head coach Billy Sparacio.

Finishing 10-2, this team showcased several prospects that many across the state knew nothing about, and without Hialeah Champagnat Catholic in the way this season, they made the most of the opportunity – finishing on a seven-game winning streak, overcoming a 21-12 loss to 1R power Pahokee.

Trinity Catholic opened the scoring with 10:00 left in the first quarter when Justin Arroyo connected from 42 yards and a 3-0 lead.

With the first half being a defensive effort, the Lions managed to take the lead with 4:34 left on a long pass play from Crossan to Clemson University commit Olsen Patt-Henry from 71 yards out.

First Baptist extended the lead to 14-3 when Crossan found Quincy Walker Quincy Walker 6'0" | 200 lbs | ATH West Broward | 2026 FL from 14 yards out with 2:55 left in the first quarter.

The first half was truly a defensive effort until the Lions woke up in the second quarter.

Offensively, Crossan was 6 of 11 for 164 yards and 2 scores in the first half, leading the way for 258 total yards and 10 first downs.

Patt-Henry caught three balls for 84 yards and a score. Preston Shemansky had 3 receptions for 43 yards. Richemard Mellien caught one pass for 36 yards and Petit had the one catch for a score.

Jaden Booker Jaden Booker 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Naples | 2023 FL (37 yards) and Mellien (25 yards) led the way on the ground.

On the defensive side of the ball for First Baptist in the first half, Michael Votta had nine tackles, and Jose Cintron (1.5 sacks), Dominic Martucci (1 sack) and Mellien (0.5 sacks).

For Trinity Catholic on offense, Beau Beard had 50 yards of rushing for a unit that only had three first downs and 36 total yards.

On defense, the Celtics featured Deshawn Shelton and Devontae Grant (5 tackles), and Tyler Simms and Omaryon Leslie with 4 tackles. Jeremiah Rhem came up with a sack.

THE SECOND HALF SHOWCASED MORE TALENT

The Lions came out and kept the defensive pressure and continued to make plays on offense, going up 21-3 with 7:39 left in the third quarter on another Crossan scoring pass from 21 yards out to Sam Sparacio. It would be the only score of a defensive second half.

FINAL STATS

The Lions ended up with 412 total yards and the Celtics had 160.

First Baptist had 20 first downs and Ocala Trinity Catholic finished with just 9.

NAPLES FIRST BAPTIST:

Crossan ended with 185 yards on just seven completions.

Patt-Henry caught three ball for 84 yards to lead the way.

Booker carried 23 times for 99 tough yards. Mellien finished with 83 yards on 11 carries.

On defense, the Lions were led by Votta with 12 tackles – and Cintron and Brody Jameyson ended with 6.

Melien and Cintron each finished with 1.5 sacks and Martucci had 1.

OCALA TRINITY CATHOLIC:

Preston Wright had 41 yards passing, but was sacked 4 times. Alan Means threw for 84 yards.

Gerald Lawton finished with 4 catches for 54 yards.

Beard ended with 73 yards on the ground.

Defensively, Shelton had 9 tackles, Grant finished with 7, and Rehm, Simms and Donathan Lecorn Donathan Lecorn 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Trinity Catholic | 2023 FL each had 7.

Rehm and Zach Johnson each had 1 sack.

Shelton came up with an interception.

LIONS (10-2)

NAPLES ST. JOHN NEUMANN, W 43-0

Chardon, Ohio, L 31-24 (OT)

SARASOTA CARDINAL MOONEY, W 28-27 (OT)

FORT MYERS BISHOP VEROT, W 56-42

Pahokee, L 21-12

ENGLEWOOD LEMON BAY, W 35-7

Community School of Naples, W 42-0

FROSTPROOF, W 41-0

COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF NAPLES, W 42-6

MOORE HAVEN, W 49-24

QUINCY MUNROE, W 28-7

Ocala Trinity Catholic, W 21-3

THE CELTICS (9-3)

Tallahassee Florida State University, L 22-19

CLEARWATER CENTRAL CATHOLIC, W 35-29

Gainesville, W 48-3

JACKSONVILLE RAINES, L 20-17

ST. AUGUSTINE JOSEPH ACADEMY, W 56-0

CLEARWATER CALVARY CHRISTIAN, W 49-46

PONTE VEDRA, W 26-21

DAYTONA BEACH FATHER LOPEZ, W 56-6

Gainesville P.K. Yonge, W 48-7

FORT PIERCE JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC, W 22-10

Naples First Baptist, L 21-3

PHOTO COURTESY OF Joshua Wilson Joshua Wilson 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH Navarre | 2025 FL , FloridaHSFootball.com

CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS. https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2023-rankings/

CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS. https://prepredzone.com/2022/08/updated-2024-florida-rankings/

You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com