How did the high school football season go overall?
“My high school football season went great. We had a final record of 9-3, finishing the regular season off with an 8-2 record, with our only losses being against Lake Minneola and Cocoa. We went undefeated in our district and became back-to-back district champs for the first time in a long time in our school's history. In the Playoffs we battled Centennial and won our first-round playoff game, and then took the trip to Vero Beach and played the Vero Beach Indians, unfortunately falling to them ending our season. I am very proud of how our team handled and dominated this season. We were a band of brothers who battled through extreme adversity and came out on top of some very close games. I'm a very competitive player and always want to play my sports for as long as possible each season, so of course my goal was to be in the state championship, and not achieving that was tough. Vero Beach was a very talented team. This year of playing football, with men I call my family, was amazing and I am unbelievably thankful for them, with a special shout out to the seniors who led us through the season, making it such a fun and enjoyable year.”
What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I am currently in my off-season program with our football team, and participating in track and field events. I arrive at school at 6:30am daily for morning work-outs until 8am. After school on Wednesdays, our lineman and tight ends have ground and speed training at a specialized agility and speed performance center, named Ubrzati. Ubrzati is quite a BIG reason why Brevard can produce such exceptional athletes. State champions Cocoa High School put their athletes through this training and it really translates to the field in measurable ways. I am a thrower for my school's track team. My goal is to make a big increase in my personal records for distances this year and I'm consistently hitting 12 meters in practice. My discus form has improved as well; I'm really excited to see how this season goes starting with my first track meet coming up soon.”
How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I believe the Bulldogs will be a great team next year. We will be a younger team, but contrary to what most of Brevard County believes, we are building good athletes and putting together a good team with great chemistry. We've had kids transfer out, but this is creating an opportunity for new talent. I'm really excited for this year and am ready to play football.”
What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I feel the toughest competition we will face before playoffs is Cocoa, they are a great team with a 2022 state title and returning offensive line, it will be great competition for us. I'm really excited for that game and can't wait to see how our hard work and chemistry affects the result of that game.”
Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Personally, I have lots of respect for Cocoas D-line but the single toughest player has to be Samadre Hawkins. His brother Cedrick just went to Ohio State, so talent definitely runs in the family. He's 5 '11' ' and 225lbs, a very solid and strong linebacker who moves with great athleticism. He hits like a semi going downhill with no brakes and was always a pleasure to block last year. He definitely helped me improve my technique and helped me become a better player so I'm thankful and excited to face him and the rest of the Cocoa tigers this Season.”
Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, it is my goal to play football at the college level. My uncle and great uncle both played college football and I am working towards this goal every day.”
What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Colleges that have been in contact with me for questions, unofficial visits, and showing interest include the following: West Point, Mercer, University of South Florida, University of Arkansas, University of Florida, The Air Force Academy, University of West Florida, Minot State, Pennsylvania University, and Austin Peay.”
What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“The schools that I have had the most contact with have been close in contact between West Point and West Florida. I went on an unofficial visit to West Point last November and had a great time watching the Black Knights win, and I have had contact with them ever since the visit. I was recently invited to Junior Days at University of South Florida and University of West Florida.”
Have you made any college trips yet?
“I've been on two unofficial visits to West Point and Mercer University.”
Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I plan on going to West Florida's Junior Day on March 4th. University of South Florida and Austin Peay are visits I would like to pursue in March or April. I also enjoyed visiting University of Miami last April to tour the facility and watch a practice with Coach Kintigh and a few of my teammates. I am keeping an open mind as I work on my goals.”
Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“l grew up in Michigan so I was, and still am, a big Michigan fan when it comes to college sports.”
“My high school football season went great. We had a final record of 9-3, finishing the regular season off with an 8-2 record, with our only losses being against Lake Minneola and Cocoa. We went undefeated in our district and became back-to-back district champs for the first time in a long time in our school's history. In the Playoffs we battled Centennial and won our first-round playoff game, and then took the trip to Vero Beach and played the Vero Beach Indians, unfortunately falling to them ending our season. I am very proud of how our team handled and dominated this season. We were a band of brothers who battled through extreme adversity and came out on top of some very close games. I'm a very competitive player and always want to play my sports for as long as possible each season, so of course my goal was to be in the state championship, and not achieving that was tough. Vero Beach was a very talented team. This year of playing football, with men I call my family, was amazing and I am unbelievably thankful for them, with a special shout out to the seniors who led us through the season, making it such a fun and enjoyable year.”
What are your plans now with sports and workouts?
“I am currently in my off-season program with our football team, and participating in track and field events. I arrive at school at 6:30am daily for morning work-outs until 8am. After school on Wednesdays, our lineman and tight ends have ground and speed training at a specialized agility and speed performance center, named Ubrzati. Ubrzati is quite a BIG reason why Brevard can produce such exceptional athletes. State champions Cocoa High School put their athletes through this training and it really translates to the field in measurable ways. I am a thrower for my school's track team. My goal is to make a big increase in my personal records for distances this year and I'm consistently hitting 12 meters in practice. My discus form has improved as well; I'm really excited to see how this season goes starting with my first track meet coming up soon.”
How do you feel your team will do next football season?
“I believe the Bulldogs will be a great team next year. We will be a younger team, but contrary to what most of Brevard County believes, we are building good athletes and putting together a good team with great chemistry. We've had kids transfer out, but this is creating an opportunity for new talent. I'm really excited for this year and am ready to play football.”
What team do you feel will be the toughest competition on your schedule?
“I feel the toughest competition we will face before playoffs is Cocoa, they are a great team with a 2022 state title and returning offensive line, it will be great competition for us. I'm really excited for that game and can't wait to see how our hard work and chemistry affects the result of that game.”
Who is the toughest individual player your team will face off against?
“Personally, I have lots of respect for Cocoas D-line but the single toughest player has to be Samadre Hawkins. His brother Cedrick just went to Ohio State, so talent definitely runs in the family. He's 5 '11' ' and 225lbs, a very solid and strong linebacker who moves with great athleticism. He hits like a semi going downhill with no brakes and was always a pleasure to block last year. He definitely helped me improve my technique and helped me become a better player so I'm thankful and excited to face him and the rest of the Cocoa tigers this Season.”
Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, it is my goal to play football at the college level. My uncle and great uncle both played college football and I am working towards this goal every day.”
What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Colleges that have been in contact with me for questions, unofficial visits, and showing interest include the following: West Point, Mercer, University of South Florida, University of Arkansas, University of Florida, The Air Force Academy, University of West Florida, Minot State, Pennsylvania University, and Austin Peay.”
What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“The schools that I have had the most contact with have been close in contact between West Point and West Florida. I went on an unofficial visit to West Point last November and had a great time watching the Black Knights win, and I have had contact with them ever since the visit. I was recently invited to Junior Days at University of South Florida and University of West Florida.”
Have you made any college trips yet?
“I've been on two unofficial visits to West Point and Mercer University.”
Do you have plans for any trips soon?
“I plan on going to West Florida's Junior Day on March 4th. University of South Florida and Austin Peay are visits I would like to pursue in March or April. I also enjoyed visiting University of Miami last April to tour the facility and watch a practice with Coach Kintigh and a few of my teammates. I am keeping an open mind as I work on my goals.”
Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“l grew up in Michigan so I was, and still am, a big Michigan fan when it comes to college sports.”
