Find out what some of the top players in the state are saying about football and sports now!


......................................................................................................


Q&A with Palmetto offensive guard Elisson Mirutil
How did the high school football season go overall?
“The football season went great but [we] didn’t reach my team goal which is winning states.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“Just grinding and getting better for my senior season.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel like we can win it all next year.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Columbus.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Daylen Russell.”

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Q&A with Gaither defensive back Andrew Brinson
How did the high school football season go overall?
“I feel the season went well, always could have been better though.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“Work on fundamentals and the basics.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel the team I’m at now definitely will be a force to be reckoned with.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I feel anybody we play we definitely can beat. I don't see any competitors in my eyes.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“I feel anybody can be stopped.”

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Q&A with Wekiva quarterback Ty’ray Davis
How did the high school football season go overall?
“Last season [we] went 5-6, we fell short on a lot of goals we set up but overall I feel like it’ll only help us learn from our mistakes.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“As far as sports I’m not doing any other one, and I work out 1 time a day, sometimes 2 or 3 on weekends if I don’t have a 7v7 tournament.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“We obviously lost a lot of key pieces but we also gained a lot of key pieces and implemented what was needed to have a successful season. As the QB my goal is to always put my team in the best [position] to win even though sometimes you can’t plan for what you don’t see, but as the leader of my team I take my responsibility very seriously and that includes getting my team to states.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“If we still have the same schedule as the previous season I definitely feel like West Orange will be the toughest team. They lost close to nothing so they have a lot of team chemistry and they went deep in the playoffs last year.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“I really don’t think there’s anybody that will give us some chaos but if I had to choose I think DL Joshua Alexander from Edgewater would be the toughest, he gets to the ball fast and he has a lot of moves to get off O-linemen.”

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Q&A with Norland quarterback Ennio Yapoor
How did the high school football season go overall?
“I think we did well, but we definitely fell short of our goal. As a team we grew together and accomplished some good things regardless.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“To continue to grind and get better. I’m focused on bettering myself in different areas of my game to be able to lead my team where we need to go. I am currently not playing other sports and have put all my focus on football and Miami Norland.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“We know what needs to be done to reach our goals. We are hungrier than ever and we know we can compete with any team in our city, state, and even the country.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“We have established a great rivalry with Central and Booker T. We will also have a tough out of town game to start the season.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“That’s a tough question. My focus is really on me and not others. We have a lot of great players in our classification. So if I had to pick 1 it might have to be Blount or Vince.”

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Q&A with Sunlake athlete Ryan Pryce
How did the high school football season go overall?
“The latest season was very tumultuous and didn’t go the way we wanted it to, with everything that happened from coaching changes mid-season to culture problems, it was a bad experience. Although that took place, it’s an experience that has made me step up as a leader and developed me as a person to hold, most importantly the team and especially myself, to a standard every day. At first, it’s disappointing to come off of a 9-1 season at Land O’ Lakes, building my name and reputation in the county and not being able to have that success at Sunlake, but I’ve come to realize that it’s an obstacle that’s been put in front on me and has driven me to be more passionate about everything I do with every hour of every day.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“As of now I’m getting ready to compete in track, last year as a sophomore I was second in the conference for the 400m and fifth in the district running a 53 second 400m. This paired along with the offseason football lifting, conditioning and 7v7.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“At Sunlake we’re manifesting that fact that we will be a successful program next season, we have everything in the right place to win games [such as] the coaches, talent, players. It’s a matter of taking control and upholding the standard we hold ourselves to every day.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Every game is going to be competitive, no one can be singled out. Taking it week by week and not looking too far ahead is the right mentality to have.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Once again, I’m confident in my craft, my skill set and athleticism where I know that any obstacle that’s placed in front of me, I’m going to overcome. Whoever I’m lined up against I’d bet the world on myself every time.”

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Apparently Boz Scaggs had a much bigger music background, than I gave him credit for. Did some time with Steve Miller, and much to my surprize did some session work with Duane Allman.....stumbled across this one by pure chance from 1969...recorded in Muscle Shoals, AL

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This was the Lady Tarps 3rd straight Regional appearance and they finally got over the hump - now they get the beast of the east (STA beat them in the Region their first appearance).

Maybe I can draw out Oracle and Linebacker 52 - the posters responsible for my very first FL VA post in 2002 after their, "STA is headed over to the West Coast for their annual playoff tuneup," remark.

Ballot counting took a few extra days because that's what American politics and social media have taught us, but we're just in time to get it announced during halftime of the National Title Game tonight!

No need for ballot harvesting in this election; Jambun82 won it in a runaway with one of the biggest margins of victory in POY polling history since Wavebb.

POY PROFILE

Our 2022 POY is considered the resident expert on FHSAA Football rules and officiating.

LIKES: High School Football Fans who can describe what they actually saw; people who answer a direct interrogation question in a timely manner; Fans who were actually at the game of the alleged bad call; Pickled Pigs' Feet; and Operation Urgent Fury.

DISLIKES: People who wear a hat color different from their team colors; Fidel Castro; Bruce Springsteen; Mark E. Cannon; Ernesto "Che" Guevara; Someone referred to as "Tin Queen;." Manny Ortega; gatorman001; Someone referred to as "Dunedin Freddie;" Dan in Daytona; and on occasion, the board moderator.

So give JAMBUN82 a big hand for pulling down this prestigious POY Award and the impact it will have on officials everywhere! He's been soley responsible for the frist 1K+ post since July 2022.

In Today's Mullet Wrapper:

"Holland steps down from DeSoto County
The call for family is too strong By STEVE KNAPP SUN CORRESPONDENT

ARCADIA — When Sam Holland took over as head football coach and athletic director just two short years ago, he said DeSoto County would be his last stop in his 38 year coaching career. It turned out to be true as Holland announced his retirement effective Feb. 24.
He talked about a fouryear plan just hours after he moved into his new office. The only photos in his office were of his wife Carrie and their three children and grandchildren. That was where his heart was and still is.
That is why he will end his short but extremely productive career at the helm of DeSoto County athletics.
“With a very heavy heart I’m going to step into the retirement mode. I’m stepping down as athletic director and head football coach,” he said.
He’s returning home to South Georgia where his three children and six grandchildren all live within about 20 miles of one-another, he said. He will be an assistant coach at Cairo High School.
“No more head coach or athletic director. It’s time. It really is. It’s time for Miss Carrie (wife) and I to step back a little and to slow down,” he said. “I want to be at the Little League games and my oldest granddaughter is in math competitions and another granddaughter is in gymnastics. I want to put one foot in retirement and be a football coach for part of the year and grandpa the rest of the year.”
Holland appreciates how the DeSoto County community accepted he and his wife. The bonds and friendships he has made were as good as any place he’s been in his five coaching positions, he said.
Holland’s four core values of attitude, work ethic, compete and sacrifice proved to be extremely effective both in the classroom and in the athletic programs. Holland praised the “Big Dog Club” for helping him in achieving so many of his goals.
With everyone’s help Holland has changed the culture of DeSoto sports and turned the programs around.
A weight room was top on his list and they turned an old small weight room into a beautiful new locker room and built a well equipped weight room inside the school. There are many other achievements and programs instituted under Holland’s leadership. There were new uniforms and there are new LED lights being installed on the softball, baseball and football field soon.
His tenure as the Bulldog leader saw the football team’s GPA rise from a 2.1 to 2.9 for the 56 players. The entire athletic program now has an accumulative 3.1 GPA. The players compete on the field and also in the class room and weight room. He took 4 players on a recruiting trip to North Carolina and one player who wasn’t even sure that he wanted to play football is now playing in college.
He had some proud moments at DeSoto County, he said.
“Those back-to-back wins over Hardee. Winning the rivalry game like that is what football is all about.”
Holland took over a program that was floundering and whoever gets the keys to the athletic program will have a program that is flourishing. The football team didn’t know what “December football” was because they never experienced playing deep into the playoffs.
DeSoto County will always have a special spot in his heart and he will be remembered for years to come, he said.
And DeSoto County has an unprecedented three district championships this school year already including two in a week’s time.
Holland walked into the parking lot after the final home soccer game. It was perhaps the final time he would step on the field he called home for two years. As he walked into the darkness, he stopped and said, “DeSoto County-the home of champions.”

Sam Holland and his wife, Carrie, hold the Buck Carlton trophy after DeSoto County beat Hardee last fall in the state’s oldest rivalry. PHOTO PROVIDED"

Find out what colleges are recruiting Andrew Heidel, Joseph Tenta, Ryan Matulevich, Terrence Griffin, and Trace Scott now!


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Q&A with Manatee quarterback Andrew Heidel​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, I do want to play football in college. I have been working really hard in the classroom and in all other aspects of my game to keep chasing my dream of playing college football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“At the moment I have had interest from Utah and the United States Naval Academy.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“I am still in my sophomore year and just getting started with the recruiting process.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I was able to attend the USF game against rival UCF this fall.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I am planning to make college trips this summer and attend a bunch of camps.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college team has always been Penn State. I was born in Pennsylvania and most of my family still lives there.”


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Q&A with Heritage quarterback Joseph Tenta​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I hope to play either football or baseball in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“No colleges have offered me, however I have received mail from Penn, Mercer, as well as Princeton.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Mercer has recruited me the hardest thus far.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I have made a trip to UCF as well as Mercer for game day visits.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I plan to return to UCF soon.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“N/A.”


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Q&A with Venice wide receiver Ryan Matulevich​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I want to play college football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“I currently hold offers with Tennessee, UCF, USF, Arkansas State and UT Martin.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“I wouldn’t say one team is recruiting harder than others; they have all shown interest in their own way.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I have made multiple trips to UF and last summer I went to Tennessee, Duke, UNC, SC, USF, Arkansas State, Clemson to name a few.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“We will be visiting numerous schools during 7v7. I will be going to visit UCF soon.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“N/A.”


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Q&A with St. Cloud athlete Terrence Griffin​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I would like to continue to play football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“None.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“None.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Webber, FAU.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Not yet.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Florida Gators.”


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Q&A with Timber Creek defensive end Trace Scott​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I have my heart set on playing football in college. However, if the opportunity arose I’d definitely look into playing baseball as well.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“I have been recruited by a number of schools that I am very interested in including Georgia Southern, Georgia State, BYU, UCF, ECU, UMass, Troy, Harvard, Penn and UWF.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“The school that has been recruiting me the heaviest has to be Georgia Southern. Although recently I have been in contact with UMass and I’m very interested in what they have to offer.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes, I have been to Georgia Southern, UCF, Mercer, Troy and FAU.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I have a handful of trips coming up including ECU, UWF, Tusculum, Georgia State and The Citadel.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“I never really had a specific favorite team, but I grew up watching UCF because my dad played football there.”


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Find out what some of the top players in the state are saying about football and sports now!


......................................................................................................


Q&A with Manatee quarterback Andrew Heidel
How did the high school football season go overall?
“Overall the football season went well. We went 6-4 and lost in the first round of the playoffs. Not what we wanted, but we learned a lot as a team and are working to get better for next season.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“At the moment I am not playing another sport. I am doing 7v7 football with Blitz 7v7 and am in the weight room every day.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“We are already working hard in the weight room and we are excited to have a strong spring season. We expect nothing less than a state championship.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“At the moment I do not know our schedule. But whoever we play we will give our all and the other team will have to play their best to beat us.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“My experience with Florida football is that most teams have talented players and our coaches work hard to put together good game plans to help us be successful.”

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Q&A with Heritage quarterback Joseph Tenta
How did the high school football season go overall?
“Season went well for the most part, following my comeback from injury, we won the last 5/6.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I plan to workout in school as well as the gym following. I also play baseball.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel our team has the chance to play at a very high level, we just need to put in the work.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“We don't have our full schedule yet.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“I am currently unsure of the players we will be facing.”

......................................................................................................
Q&A with Venice wide receiver Ryan Matulevich
How did the high school football season go overall?
“Last season was amazing, coming into a program like Venice where the expectations are high every year and being a major contributor on the offense forced me to another level.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“Now that the season is over it’s time to get back to work. I’m working hard in the weight room and on my speed. 7v7 season is starting. I'm just continuing to push my skills to be ready for the spring game.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel we are going to be very good next year. We have almost everyone back on offense and we have a few new guys that should be major difference makers. It will be an exciting spring.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Our schedule is not complete yet but you can expect Coach P to have some teams on there that will challenge us on both sides of the ball.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“We will be facing some of the best players in the state next year. Just take Tampa Tech who we are playing in the spring. You have Gainey, Wilson, Isaac, those are just a few.”

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Q&A with St. Cloud athlete Terrence Griffin
How did the high school football season go overall?
“It went well, [we] ended the season 7-3 and 10 total TDs / 496 rushing yards / 51 receiving yards for TD.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I do wrestling so that keeps me in pretty good shape until track and weightlifting starts.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel like we can still end up with a positive record even though seniors are leaving. We have some guys starting to make improvements and actually care for the sport.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Osceola Kowboys.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Taevion Swint.”

......................................................................................................
Q&A with Timber Creek defensive end Trace Scott
How did the high school football season go overall?
“Our football season this year didn't live up to expectations due to a couple losses in some tight games but overall we played hard and finished the season strong.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“With the baseball season starting up again I have workouts and practice with them every day but I am continuing to work on lateral movement and overall speed as well as lifting 6 days a week in an attempt to get bigger, stronger and faster.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I think next year we have a very good shot to be a very successful team. I think we have a handful of studs on this team and we could make it very far with the correct mindset.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I think that the toughest team on our schedule will be either Winter Park or Oviedo. Every year we have dogfights with them and it’s always a game that we look forward to playing.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“The toughest individual player that I will play up against will definitely be Tye Hilton. He’s a 3 star out of Oviedo high school. Me and Tye have been playing together since youth football and we both look forward to our matchup every year.”

......................................................................................................

How did the high school football season go overall?
“Our football season this year didn't live up to expectations due to a couple losses in some tight games but overall we played hard and finished the season strong.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“With the baseball season starting up again I have workouts and practice with them every day but I am continuing to work on lateral movement and overall speed as well as lifting 6 days a week in an attempt to get bigger, stronger and faster.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I think next year we have a very good shot to be a very successful team. I think we have a handful of studs on this team and we could make it very far with the correct mindset.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I think that the toughest team on our schedule will be either Winter Park or Oviedo. Every year we have dogfights with them and it’s always a game that we look forward to playing.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“The toughest individual player that I will play up against will definitely be Tye Hilton. He’s a 3 star out of Oviedo high school. Me and Tye have been playing together since youth football and we both look forward to our matchup every year.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I have my heart set on playing football in college. However, if the opportunity arose I’d definitely look into playing baseball as well.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“I have been recruited by a number of schools that I am very interested in including Georgia Southern, Georgia State, BYU, UCF, ECU, UMass, Troy, Harvard, Penn and UWF.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“The school that has been recruiting me the heaviest has to be Georgia Southern. Although recently I have been in contact with UMass and I’m very interested in what they have to offer.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes, I have been to Georgia Southern, UCF, Mercer, Troy and FAU.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I have a handful of trips coming up including ECU, UWF, Tusculum, Georgia State and The Citadel.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“I never really had a specific favorite team, but I grew up watching UCF because my dad played football there.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“It went well, [we] ended the season 7-3 and 10 total TDs / 496 rushing yards / 51 receiving yards for TD.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I do wrestling so that keeps me in pretty good shape until track and weightlifting starts.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel like we can still end up with a positive record even though seniors are leaving. We have some guys starting to make improvements and actually care for the sport.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Osceola Kowboys.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Taevion Swint.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I would like to continue to play football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“None.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“None.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Webber, FAU.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Not yet.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Florida Gators.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“Last season was amazing, coming into a program like Venice where the expectations are high every year and being a major contributor on the offense forced me to another level.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“Now that the season is over it’s time to get back to work. I’m working hard in the weight room and on my speed. 7v7 season is starting. I'm just continuing to push my skills to be ready for the spring game.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel we are going to be very good next year. We have almost everyone back on offense and we have a few new guys that should be major difference makers. It will be an exciting spring.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Our schedule is not complete yet but you can expect Coach P to have some teams on there that will challenge us on both sides of the ball.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“We will be facing some of the best players in the state next year. Just take Tampa Tech who we are playing in the spring. You have Gainey, Wilson, Isaac, those are just a few.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I want to play college football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“I currently hold offers with Tennessee, UCF, USF, Arkansas State and UT Martin.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“I wouldn’t say one team is recruiting harder than others; they have all shown interest in their own way.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I have made multiple trips to UF and last summer I went to Tennessee, Duke, UNC, SC, USF, Arkansas State, Clemson to name a few.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“We will be visiting numerous schools during 7v7. I will be going to visit UCF soon.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“N/A.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“Season went well for the most part, following my comeback from injury, we won the last 5/6.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I plan to workout in school as well as the gym following. I also play baseball.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel our team has the chance to play at a very high level, we just need to put in the work.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“We don't have our full schedule yet.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“I am currently unsure of the players we will be facing.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I hope to play either football or baseball in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“No colleges have offered me, however I have received mail from Penn, Mercer, as well as Princeton.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Mercer has recruited me the hardest thus far.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I have made a trip to UCF as well as Mercer for game day visits.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I plan to return to UCF soon.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“N/A.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“Overall the football season went well. We went 6-4 and lost in the first round of the playoffs. Not what we wanted, but we learned a lot as a team and are working to get better for next season.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“At the moment I am not playing another sport. I am doing 7v7 football with Blitz 7v7 and am in the weight room every day.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“We are already working hard in the weight room and we are excited to have a strong spring season. We expect nothing less than a state championship.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“At the moment I do not know our schedule. But whoever we play we will give our all and the other team will have to play their best to beat us.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“My experience with Florida football is that most teams have talented players and our coaches work hard to put together good game plans to help us be successful.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, I do want to play football in college. I have been working really hard in the classroom and in all other aspects of my game to keep chasing my dream of playing college football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“At the moment I have had interest from Utah and the United States Naval Academy.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“I am still in my sophomore year and just getting started with the recruiting process.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I was able to attend the USF game against rival UCF this fall.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I am planning to make college trips this summer and attend a bunch of camps.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college team has always been Penn State. I was born in Pennsylvania and most of my family still lives there.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“Finished with 2nd most passing yards for a freshman in 2026 and first with most total touchdowns.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“2-3 a day every day with 7on7 for nationally ranked epic elite.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“We changed our schedule a bit to play harder teams but I believe we still went 8-2.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Cardinal Gibbons.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“2026 DT Xavier Reid over at Cardinal Gibbons or LB/RB Jayden “Monsta” Parrish at Atlantic High school.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, I WILL play D1 college football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Right now, Alabama, Illinois, Toledo, App state.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“All equal right now, no one more than the other.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“No [I’m] only a freshman.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Yes, Epic Elite and I visit colleges [during] out of state tournaments so [I’m] looking forward to Georgia Tech the week of February 11.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Ohio State.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“I learned a lot. I was exposed to new concepts that allowed me to grow in the game. I was able to develop new skills in my passing game. More passing off the platform than I was used to. I also got the chance to expand my run game as well.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I plan on training with my new QB trainer, Coach Morris from QB Country. I am also hitting the weight room hard because the coaches said they would like to see me put on more size.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I transferred to a [new] school over the winter break. From what I have seen so far, I am really excited for next year and the weapons I will have.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Not sure. I do not know many of the teams yet.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Not sure yet. I will have to watch film.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, my dream is to play college football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“So far, I am getting [interest from] Georgia Southern, Wake Forest, Dartmouth, Austin Peay, Harvard, Middle Tennessee State, Butler, and Ball State.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Austin Peay just invited me to their Junior Day, so I would say them at this point. Coach Ruggerio from Wake was coming to see me at my old school, but I already transferred.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I've visited North Carolina State, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Southern.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Right now it is just Austin Peay and combines and camps.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college growing up was UCF. UCF is my dream school.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“It went great overall, we were a young team and gained a lot of chemistry.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I’m working out ever.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“We’re going to do great and we’re looking to win the state final 4.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Jesuit.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Booker Pickett Jr. from Wharton.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I want to play football in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“The colleges so far have been USF, University of Massachusetts, Rhode Island.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“USF has recruited me the hardest out of all of them.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I have been to the USF games but nothing else really.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I’m going to USF’s junior day.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Ohio State was the first ever college team I watched so I’m a fan.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“We had our challenges, but we were able to stay focused and finish as a team.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“Now that the season is over, I’m spending my time training with my QB Coach, my Track Coach, and in the weight room.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“With a whole new coaching staff, I have high hopes for our team to come back next season more focused, determined, and better. During this offseason we will continue to develop and come back stronger for next season.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I would say that Boone High School will be the toughest competition on our schedule next season.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Brandon Jacobs, a Safety at Evans High School.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, my goal is to play football as a Quarterback in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“My recruiting process has been fun so far. There are several schools expressing interest and have me on their radar. I have made several college trips and have had great conversations with many on the coaching staff that have expressed interest. Also, I’ve received camp invites from schools like Wake Forest University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of St. Thomas-Minnesota, University of Miami etc.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“I’ll like to say that I’m building some good relationships during this recruiting process, which is my goal. No one school is recruiting me the hardest. For me it’s about building solid relationships during this recruiting process.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes, some gamedays, junior days, and unofficials:
University of South Carolina Unofficial, April 1st
Florida Atlantic University Junior Day – March 19th
Florida State University Unofficial – March 9th
Marshall University Unofficial – June 7th
University of Pittsburgh – June
Virginia Tech University – June
University of Kentucky – June
University of West Kentucky GameDay – Oct 1st
University of Miami GameDay – Oct 23rd”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Yes, I will be spending a lot of time out West the next few months. My plan is to visit Arizona State, University of Wisconsin, Utah State, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and Oregon State.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Clemson was my favorite college team.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“My high school season overall went good, I got a lot of experience and playing time and learned a lot.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“My plans now with sports and workouts are to start track once I get back from break and to continue my speed and strength training.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel that we will do very well this next season especially being such a young team.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I feel like the toughest team we will face next season is Wharton.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“So many to name. Tampa has a ton of talent, I guess it would depend on what our schedule looks like once it’s up.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I do, I would like to continue playing football in college at the University of Florida.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“No strong recruitment yet, but it’s definitely something I’m focused on this year. And plan on attending many more camps this year in 2023.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“None as of yet. But plan on changing that.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“No college trips yet.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“As of right now, my father and I are planning out different schools to visit and camps to attend this off-season. But also just focused on getting better and working on things.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Yes, growing the University of Florida was my favorite college.”

Find out what colleges are recruiting Emmanuel Arango, Taylor Crane, Tyreek Major, Baylor Hayes, and Chance Routson now!


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Q&A with Gaither athlete Emmanuel Arango​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I do, I would like to continue playing football in college at the University of Florida.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“No strong recruitment yet, but it’s definitely something I’m focused on this year. And plan on attending many more camps this year in 2023.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“None as of yet. But plan on changing that.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“No college trips yet.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“As of right now, my father and I are planning out different schools to visit and camps to attend this off-season. But also just focused on getting better and working on things.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Yes, growing the University of Florida was my favorite college.”


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Q&A with Oak Ridge quarterback Taylor Crane​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, my goal is to play football as a Quarterback in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“My recruiting process has been fun so far. There are several schools expressing interest and have me on their radar. I have made several college trips and have had great conversations with many on the coaching staff that have expressed interest. Also, I’ve received camp invites from schools like Wake Forest University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of St. Thomas-Minnesota, University of Miami etc.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“I’ll like to say that I’m building some good relationships during this recruiting process, which is my goal. No one school is recruiting me the hardest. For me it’s about building solid relationships during this recruiting process.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes, some gamedays, junior days, and unofficials:
University of South Carolina Unofficial, April 1st
Florida Atlantic University Junior Day – March 19th
Florida State University Unofficial – March 9th
Marshall University Unofficial – June 7th
University of Pittsburgh – June
Virginia Tech University – June
University of Kentucky – June
University of West Kentucky GameDay – Oct 1st
University of Miami GameDay – Oct 23rd”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Yes, I will be spending a lot of time out West the next few months. My plan is to visit Arizona State, University of Wisconsin, Utah State, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and Oregon State.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Clemson was my favorite college team.”


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Q&A with Gaither offensive lineman Tyreek Major​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I want to play football in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“The colleges so far have been USF, University of Massachusetts, Rhode Island.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“USF has recruited me the hardest out of all of them.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I have been to the USF games but nothing else really.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I’m going to USF’s junior day.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Ohio State was the first ever college team I watched so I’m a fan.”


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Q&A with Sandalwood quarterback Baylor Hayes​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, my dream is to play college football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“So far, I am getting [interest from] Georgia Southern, Wake Forest, Dartmouth, Austin Peay, Harvard, Middle Tennessee State, Butler, and Ball State.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Austin Peay just invited me to their Junior Day, so I would say them at this point. Coach Ruggerio from Wake was coming to see me at my old school, but I already transferred.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I've visited North Carolina State, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Southern.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Right now it is just Austin Peay and combines and camps.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college growing up was UCF. UCF is my dream school.”


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Q&A with Boca Raton quarterback Chance Routson​

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, I WILL play D1 college football.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Right now, Alabama, Illinois, Toledo, App state.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“All equal right now, no one more than the other.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“No [I’m] only a freshman.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Yes, Epic Elite and I visit colleges [during] out of state tournaments so [I’m] looking forward to Georgia Tech the week of February 11.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Ohio State.”


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Find out what some of the top players in the state are saying about football and sports now!


......................................................................................................


Q&A with Gaither athlete Emmanuel Arango
How did the high school football season go overall?
“My high school season overall went good, I got a lot of experience and playing time and learned a lot.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“My plans now with sports and workouts are to start track once I get back from break and to continue my speed and strength training.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel that we will do very well this next season especially being such a young team.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I feel like the toughest team we will face next season is Wharton.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“So many to name. Tampa has a ton of talent, I guess it would depend on what our schedule looks like once it’s up.”

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Q&A with Oak Ridge quarterback Taylor Crane
How did the high school football season go overall?
“We had our challenges, but we were able to stay focused and finish as a team.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“Now that the season is over, I’m spending my time training with my QB Coach, my Track Coach, and in the weight room.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“With a whole new coaching staff, I have high hopes for our team to come back next season more focused, determined, and better. During this offseason we will continue to develop and come back stronger for next season.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I would say that Boone High School will be the toughest competition on our schedule next season.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Brandon Jacobs, a Safety at Evans High School.”

......................................................................................................
Q&A with Gaither offensive lineman Tyreek Major
How did the high school football season go overall?
“It went great overall, we were a young team and gained a lot of chemistry.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I’m working out ever.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“We’re going to do great and we’re looking to win the state final 4.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Jesuit.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Booker Pickett Jr. from Wharton.”

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Q&A with Sandalwood quarterback Baylor Hayes
How did the high school football season go overall?
“I learned a lot. I was exposed to new concepts that allowed me to grow in the game. I was able to develop new skills in my passing game. More passing off the platform than I was used to. I also got the chance to expand my run game as well.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I plan on training with my new QB trainer, Coach Morris from QB Country. I am also hitting the weight room hard because the coaches said they would like to see me put on more size.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I transferred to a [new] school over the winter break. From what I have seen so far, I am really excited for next year and the weapons I will have.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Not sure. I do not know many of the teams yet.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Not sure yet. I will have to watch film.”

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Q&A with Boca Raton quarterback Chance Routson
How did the high school football season go overall?
“Finished with 2nd most passing yards for a freshman in 2026 and first with most total touchdowns.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“2-3 a day every day with 7on7 for nationally ranked epic elite.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“We changed our schedule a bit to play harder teams but I believe we still went 8-2.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Cardinal Gibbons.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“2026 DT Xavier Reid over at Cardinal Gibbons or LB/RB Jayden “Monsta” Parrish at Atlantic High school.”

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Lots of talent acquisition in and outside of Sarasota County.....

Manatee lost its DC to Sarasota HS, to become the HBC there.....

How did the high school football season go overall?
“Overall we had a good season. We started off slow but finished strong. We were back-to-back district champions, we had one of the top defenses in the county, and made it to the second round playoffs ending the season 9-3.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I never took a break after the season. I immediately started sessions with Top Notch training to increase my strength and conditioning and sessions with 5P’s fitness and speed training to increase speed and flexibility. The next sport I will participate in is track and field.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“Honestly, I am not sure. We lost a lot of seniors that were key players so I’m excited to see how the younger guys perform during our spring game.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Cocoa High.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Luke Knight, the quarterback from Merritt Island, we haven’t played against him but I heard a lot of good things about him and I’m looking forward to lining up against him.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, I would like to play football at the next level.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“No colleges have officially reached out to me but a few that are interested have reached out to my coaches.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“No school is currently recruiting me but I’m patiently waiting because I know they’re coming.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I was unable to make it to Western Carolina University due to our playoff schedule but I plan on making a few visits this spring and summer.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Nothing scheduled as of right now.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Yes, the University of Florida.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“The high school season went pretty well. Although we didn’t make it to the playoffs we still had a great 6-4 season which is a big turnaround from the last few years.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“My off-season workout plan is going to consist of lifting weights, running track, and working with my QB coach and receivers to build our chemistry.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel like next year we will have an even better season and make a huge run in the playoffs.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I think the toughest teams we will have to play are our district teams: Coconut Creek, Blanche Ely, and Deerfield Beach.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“We have a lot of great talent but I think one of the toughest players we’ll have to face is the defensive end number 44 from Coconut Creek.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I definitely want to play sports in college. I’d have to pick between football and basketball and I feel I can do both at the Division 1 level.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Some big-time schools have been recruiting me. Many coaches have followed me on twitter ranging from FSU, Miami, FAU, Iowa, Rhode Island and UAB.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Out of all the schools, FAU and Iowa have been showing the most interest in me so far.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Before last season, my teammates and I went to FAU and Miami with our high school for 7on7 tournaments and we had the [opportunity to] speak with several position coaches.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“There are definitely plans for trips this upcoming spring and summer to do college visits with my coaches and parents.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Growing up my dream school was Florida State since I grew up in an FSU household. I would say now it’s still the same.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“My junior season went good, had great coaches, great players, and we were a high-level team this year and I performed well.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I’m working out six days a week and I want to really focus on timing routes and ball placement.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“Good, I am transferring schools next year for my senior year.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“Mainland.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“N/A.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, I want to play in college and I want to play where the team wants me the most doesn’t matter where.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“At this time no colleges are talking to me.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“There are no schools recruiting me at this time.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I’ve been to a few Florida colleges.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“No invites at the moment.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“I’ve always loved the UCF.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“The season went very well, we battled the whole year and made a good run in the playoffs.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I plan on getting myself and my body ready for baseball season.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I feel that we are going to have a great year next year, we have a great group of guys that want to compete.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I feel that Port Charlotte is going to be one of our tougher games, they have a tough defense that flies to the ball.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Port Charlotte’s nose [tackle] Myron Charles, he's a tough player and makes a huge impact when he is on the field.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I want to try and play both sports in college. I don’t think I could part ways with either sport.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“I have offers from FSU, FAU, FAMU, and I am talking to a few other schools.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Florida State is recruiting me the hardest right now.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I have not made any college trips yet.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I do not have any trips planned yet, but I do plan on getting some set up soon.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Growing up my favorite college was LSU, my grandpa is from Louisiana and is a big Tigers fan, so, that kind of grew onto the rest of the family.”

How did the high school football season go overall?
“The high school season went not so good because the whole team together didn’t have any chemistry or connection so it was hard to come together.”

What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“My plans now with sports and workouts are to do my best to get my team closer and push everybody to work harder.”

How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I think the team will do better this season and we can win more games.”

What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I think the toughest team will be Lincoln.”

Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Mekhi Maddox.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I want to play sports in college, I want to play for Clemson or Michigan.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Georgia State, Auburn, Georgia, Cincinnati, FAMU.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“FAMU.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes, I went to Vanderbilt and Georgia State.”

Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“Yes.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Yes, it was FSU.”