H8ME 6ROWN TAL3NT - Nyjee Washington, 2016 Class

Nyjee Washington
#H8ME6ROWNTAL3NT

Kathleen senior cornerback Nyjee Washington said that he enjoyed winning the Red Devils’ first game of the season against Lake Gibson. Why? It let the world know his team was for real.

“It felt so good, it was intense,” he said. “We’re very slept on, we’re very underrated. If you looked at the rankings we weren’t even ranked. We came out and shut a lot of people up so it felt very good. Defensively we could have done better, but played very well. We were put to the test and we did very well.”

That victory was the first step to the Red Devils’ 9-0 start and the team’s surprise ascension to the top of Class 7A, District 7. Kathleen’s defense has passed every test so far this season; they’ve allowed only 13.6 points per game and they’ve survived two road trips against top 7A competition. Washington has been a serious contributor to the team and said that he began to take football serious when he was encouraged by head coach Irving Strickland coming out of middle school.

“In eighth grade I was focused on basketball. But I sat down with Coach Strickland and we talked. I came out and played football and I still had it. My sophomore year, I didn’t play my freshman year. That’s when I started taking it seriously.”

He said that Strickland, who is in his eighth year as Red Devils’ head coach, is an intense teacher that works to get the best out of his players.

“Coach Stric is a good man, he pushes you. All that yelling and stuff that’s just him trying to get you mentally tough. I respect that. When I first got out here, that was hard on me because I wasn’t used to being yelled at. But he and other coaches have been molding me, and they see the potential in me.”

Washington has not received any offers from any collegiate programs, but neither have many other Red Devil defenders. He said that his desire to get to the next level is fuel to his team’s competitive fire.

“It motivates me a lot,” he said. “It pushes me to work super hard, because I want to play at the next level. You have to have that mentality that somebody is always working harder than you. So if you love what you do, you gotta stay on it.”

Washington and the Red Devils hope to clinch the Class 7A, District 7 championship and earn the team’s first undefeated season since 2003 Friday night when they take on the Lakeland Dreadnaughts.

Writer - James Bennett, Jr.
Photographer - Cameraman Hasani

Baveon Johnson to play in 2016 Under Armour All-American Game

 

Link: USA TODAY High School Sports

Link: Polk Preps

Link: ESPN

Lake Gibson senior offensive lineman Baveon Johnson is officially an Under Armour All-American Game participant. The game will be held on Jan. 2 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Johnson, a Florida State commit, was surrounded by family, friends, faculty, coaches and teammates during his jersey ceremony on Tuesday at the Lake Gibson High School cafeteria.

Johnson, rated the No. 1 center and 38th-ranked player overall in the ESPN 300, was also chosen to play in the U.S. Army All-American game, but ultimately decided to commit to the Under Armour game.

Johnson joins a growing list of Polk County players to participate in the national all-star game sponsored by Under Armour. The rest of the list includes the following players:

2008 - Carlton Thomas (Frostproof) - RB

2008 - Ricky Barnum (Lake Gibson) - OL

2008 - T.J. Lawrence (Kathleen) - WR

2011 - Brandon Fulse (Fort Meade) - TE

2011 - Karlos Williams (Ridge Community) - DB

2015 - Derwin James Jr. (Haines City) - DB

Jethro Francois earns STATS FCS Freshman Player of the Week honors

 

Link: STATS FCS Football

Georgetown University freshman defensive back Jethro Francois (Victory Christian alumni) was named the STATS FCS Freshman Player of the Week on Monday. Francois became the first Hoya to earn national freshman of the week honors.

Francois set a Georgetown freshman record with 11 solo tackles, finishing with 15 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, 1 pass breakup and a half-sack in his first career start for the Hoyas in a 17-9 win at Bucknell.

Jethro Francois earns Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors

 

Link: Patriot League Official Athletic Site

Georgetown University freshman defensive back Jethro Francois (Victory Christian alumni) was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week on Monday.

Francois set a Georgetown freshman record with 11 solo tackles, finishing with 15 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, 1 pass breakup and a half-sack in his first career start for the Hoyas in a 17-9 win at Bucknell.

Deonate Gary earns SIAC Player of the Week honors

 

Link: Central State University Marauder Athletics

Central State University junior linebacker Deonate Gary (Lakeland alumni) was named the SIAC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

Gary led the Marauders defense against Stillman with 5 solo tackles, a forced fumble and two interceptions in a 24-7 road victory.

Great American Rivalry Series comes to Lakeland

Link: Great American Rivalry Series

The Great American Rivalry Series will be headed back to Lakeland again to feature the annual end-of-the-season rivalry game between the Lakeland Dreadnaughts (6-2) and the Kathleen Red Devils (9-0).

More than bragging rights will be on the line in this year's game as a district championship and playoff spot are on the line for both teams. Kathleen will look to secure not only an undefeated season, but also claim a district championship against their long-time rivals, Lakeland, at Bryant Stadium for the second time in 3 years. Lakeland will look to secure a playoff spot and possibly the district championship in the process with a victory over Kathleen (Winter Haven must secure a victory over Bartow the same night).

FACA District 13 Small School Player, Coach of the Year

 

The Florida Athletic Coaches Association District 13 football meeting for player and coach of the year for small schools was held last week, and here are the results that were voted on by the coaches in attendance. The following list includes All-District First and Second Team for small schools, overall player and coach of the year and classification players and coaches of the year.

District MVP (Small Schools): Tyler King, 2016 (Fort Meade)
District Coach of the Year (Small Schools): Jemalle Cornelius (Fort Meade)

Player of the Year
Class 1A: Tyler King, 2016 (Fort Meade)
Class 2A: Deondre Pride (Victory Christian)
Class 3A: RB Marlow (Lakeland Christian)
Class 4A: Keyon Walters (Tenoroc)

Coach of the Year
Class 1A: Jemalle Cornelius (Fort Meade)
Class 2A: William Dickerson (Santa Fe Catholic)
Class 3A: Wayne Peace (Lakeland Christian)
Class 4A: Chris Davidson (Tenoroc)

2015 All-District Team (Small School)

First Team Offense
QB: Walker Richards, 2016 (Santa Fe Catholic)
RB: Tyler King, 2016 (Fort Meade)
RB: Benjamin Sirmons (Lakeland Christian)
WR: RB Marlow, 2016 (Lakeland Christian)
WR: Jordan Holder, 2016 (Tenoroc)
TE: Kahari Love, 2016 (Mulberry)
OL: John Kromer, 2016 (Santa Fe Catholic)
OL: Bryce Nelson, 2017 (Fort Meade)
OL: Mike Smith, 2016 (Frostproof)
OL: Reed McKown, 2016 (Lakeland Christian)
OL: Kris Bozeman, 2016 (Tenoroc)
K: Josue Blanco, 2016 (Lakeland Christian)
ATH: Larenz Deshazor, 2017 (Lakeland Christian)

First Team Defense
DL: Darrion Gardner, 2016 (Fort Meade)
DL: Gerald Poleon, 2016 (Victory Christian)
DL: Reed McKown, 2016 (Lakeland Christian)
DL: Kahari Love, 2016 (Mulberry)
LB: Bryce Smith, 2016 (Frostproof)
LB: Deondre Pride, 2016 (Victory Christian)
LB: Brendan Terkay, 2016 (Tenoroc)
DB: Walker Richards, 2016 (Santa Fe Catholic)
DB: Jy'Quez Wright, 2018 (Fort Meade)
DB: Cory Larkin, 2016 (Frostproof)
DB: Nick Montina, 2017 (Tenoroc)
P: Peyton Whitehead, 2016 (Tenoroc)

Second Team Offense
QB: Jessie Henson, 2016 (Fort Meade)
RB: DeMario Vanover, 2017 (Santa Fe Catholic)
RB: Josh Herrington, 2016 (Victory Christian)
WR: Henry Perry IV, 2016 (Santa Fe Catholic)
WR:Keyon Walters, 2016 (Tenoroc)
TE: Garrett Steele, 2018 (Tenoroc)
OL: Jon McIntire, 2016 (Santa Fe Catholic)
OL: Sam Billante, 2016 (Frostproof)
OL: Tavonte Rhodes, 2016 (Victory Christian)
OL: Darrell Burnside, 2016 (Tenoroc)
OL: Gerald Poleon, 2016 (Victory Christian)
K: Edgar Gonzalez, 2018 (Fort Meade)
ATH: Keyon Walters, 2016 (Tenoroc)

Second Team Defense
DL: Tyler Hancock, 2016 (Santa Fe Catholic)
DL: Mike Smith, 2016 (Frostproof)
DL: Sam Billante, 2016 (Frostproof)
DL: Keiyaunte Lowery, 2016 (Tenoroc)
LB: Austin Castillo, 2017 (Fort Meade)
LB: Ricky McFarlane, 2018 (Frostproof)
LB: Logan Mason, 2018 (Lakeland Christian)
DB: Henry Perry IV, 2016 (Santa Fe Catholic)
DB: Anfernee Clark, 2018 (Fort Meade)
DB: Josh Hayes, 2017 (Victory Christian)
DB: Jordan Devine, 2016 (Mulberry)
P: Jessie Henson, 2016 (Fort Meade)

FACA District 13 Large School Player, Coach of the Year

The Florida Athletic Coaches Association District 13 football meeting for player and coach of the year for large schools was held last week, and here are the results that were voted on by the coaches in attendance. The following list includes All-District First and Second Team for large schools, overall player and coach of the year and classification players and coaches of the year.

District MVP (Large Schools): Baveon Johnson, 2016 (Lake Gibson)
District Coach of the Year (Large Schools): Irving Strickland (Kathleen)

Player of the Year
Class 6A: Baveon Johnson, 2016 (Lake Gibson)
Class 7A: Anthony Davis, 2017 (Lakeland)
Class 8A: Ke'Andre Griner, 2016 (Ridge Community)

Coach of the Year
Class 6A: Keith Demyer (Lake Gibson)
Class 7A: Irving Strickland (Kathleen)
Class 8A: Russ Rogers (Ridge Community)

2015 All-District Team (Large School)

First Team Offense
QB: William Tate, 2017 (Winter Haven)
RB: Anthony Davis, 2017 (Lakeland)
RB: Keandre Griner, 2016 (Ridge Community)
WR: Marquis Zimmerman, 2016 (Kathleen)
WR: James Robinson, 2017 (Lakeland)
TE: Chayce Armbruster, 2016 (Winter Haven)
OL: Baveon Johnson, 2016 (Lake Gibson)
OL: Michael Wiggs, 2016 (Lake Gibson)
OL: Logan MacDonald, 2016 (Ridge Community)
OL: Jadavien Williams, 2016 (Ridge Community)
OL: Joe Issacs, 2016 (Winter Haven)
K: Ben Rice, 2016 (George Jenkins)
ATH: Xavier Gaines, 2016 (Lake Wales)

First Team Defense
DL: Justin Andrews, 2016 (Kathleen)
DL: Jordan Domineck, 2018 (George Jenkins)
DL: Keyshon Camp, 2016 (Lakeland)
DL: Keyshon Camp, 2016 (Lake Gibson)
LB: Ventrell Miller, 2017 (Kathleen)
LB: AJ Deshazor, 2017 (Lake Gibson)
LB: Josh Dunn, 2016 (Lake Wales)
DB: Taurence Wilson, 2016 (Kathleen)
DB: Mustafa Majeed, 2016 (Lake Wales)
DB: Ohaji Hawkins, 2016 (Winter Haven)
DB: Javonte Arius, 2016 (Winter Haven)
P: LJ Cummings, 2017 (Bartow)

Second Team Offense
QB: Jules St. Ge (Kathleen)
RB: Xavier Smith, 2016 (Haines City)
RB: Travell Jones, 2018 (Lake Gibson)
WR: Tariq Young, 2016 (Lakeland)
WR:Terrance Anglin, 2018 (Winter Haven)
TE: Horace Boswell, 2016 (Ridge Community)
OL: Austin Plaisted, 2016 (George Jenkins)
OL: Jake Flath, 2016 (Lakeland)
OL: Seth Roy, 2016 (Lakeland)
OL: Noah Zintel, 2016 (Lakeland)
OL: Ean Biancardi, 2016 (Lake Wales)
K: Christian Ramirez, 2017 (Bartow)
ATH: Hunter Orem, 2016 (Lake Gibson)

Second Team Defense
DL: Francisco Nelson, 2016 (Kathleen)
DL: Hunter More, 2016 (Bartow)
DL: Chonsey Christian, 2016 (Lake Wales)
DL: Demetrius Perry, 2016 (Winter Haven)
LB: Tobias Larry, 2017 (Kathleen)
LB: Chris Jones, 2017 (Bartow)
LB: Danquarius Longs, 2017 (Lakeland)
LB: Kelvin Broome, 2016 (Lakeland)
DB: Ron Robinson, 2016 (Bartow)
DB: Anthony Tyler, 2016 (Lake Region)
DB: Torrian Hampton, 2016 (Lakeland)
DB: Derrien Bomar, 2016 (Lake Gibson)
P: Kasey Maldonado, 2016 (Lake Wales)

2015 Season, Week 10 Team Power Rankings

2015 Season, Week Ten Team Power Rankings
Large Classification (Class 5A-8A)
  1 Kathleen (9-0) (won 31-26 at South Fork)
  2 Lakeland (6-2) (won 36-7 vs. Blanche Ely)
  3 Winter Haven (5-3) (BYE WEEK)
  4 Lake Gibson (6-3) (won 31-10 vs. George Jenkins)
  5 Bartow (4-4) (lost 6-44 vs. Bishop Moore)
  6 Lake Wales (3-4) (lost 13-28 at Sebring)
  7 Ridge Community (2-6) (lost 23-34 at Kissimmee Gateway)
  8 Auburndale (2-6) (won 36-15 vs. Lake Region)
  9 George Jenkins (2-6) (lost 10-31 vs. Lake Gibson)
10 Lake Region (2-7) (lost 15-36 at Auburndale)
11 Haines City (0-7) (lost 0-51 vs. Kissimmee Osceola)

Small Classification (Class 1A-4A)
  1 Lakeland Christian (8-0) (BYE WEEK)
  2 Fort Meade (6-1) (lost 0-27 at Pahokee)
  3 Santa Fe Catholic (8-0) (won 48-0 vs. Merritt Island Christian)
  4 Tenoroc (5-3) (won 20-10 vs. Mulberry) 
  5 Victory Christian (3-5) (won 28-17 at Cardinal Mooney)
  6 Jordan Christian Prep Prep (3-5) (lost 6-34 at Northside Christian)
  7 Frostproof (2-6) (won 12-7 vs. Crescent City)
  8 Mulberry (1-6) (lost 10-20 vs. Tenoroc)
  9 All Saints' Academy (1-7) (lost 0-10 at St. Joseph)
10 Landmark Christian (0-6) (BYE WEEK)

U.Va. linebacker Eric Gallon to start against UNC

Link: PilotOnline.com

Virginia Cavaliers true freshman linebacker Eric Gallon (Lakeland Christian alumni) will get his first start of his college career against UNC today according to Ed Miller of The Virginian-Pilot.

Gallon was thrust into the starting position after previous starter Zach Bradshaw was ejected last week for a targeting penalty against Syracuse. Bradshaw will be required to sit out the first half today at North Carolina.

H8ME 6ROWN TAL3NT - Jacob Waibel, 2016 Class

 

Jacob Waibel
#H8ME6ROWNTAL3NT

Fort Meade linebacker Jacob Waibel said that he had to seriously consider if he really wanted to play football after an injury sidelined him his sophomore year.

“I just moved up to varsity and I broke my leg when we played Hardee. That’s when you have to check yourself if you really want to keep doing this when it’s hurting your body and causing you injuries. You have to see if it’s really worth it.”

The Frostproof native decided to keep playing and since transferring to Fort Meade in 2014, he’s been a fixture on the Miner defense. Waibel said that the key to his recovery and return to the game wasn’t a physical challenge, but a mental one.

“The confidence in it was the hardest part about coming back,” he said. “The hardest part was when someone fell on it again and knowing it was okay but the mental aspect of thinking it may be broken again. That was the hardest thing. Track season the following year was very hard because I ran hurdles and coming down on it…it was more psychological than it was the physical leg itself.”

Waibel is a 175lb inside linebacker, “a little on the smaller side” he says, but don’t let his size deceive you. He’s third among Miner players with 32 tackles this season. Fort Meade’s defense has given up an average of 4.5 points per game and he and fellow linebacker Austin Castillo are a big reason why. Waibel said that being a cerebral, disciplined player help him consistently be one of the first players to the ball.

“You have to be very focused mentally,” he said. “You have to be very technical. I didn’t play so good last week [referencing Crescent City game], that’s why you saw me running earlier today. Personally getting myself better, coach didn’t tell me to do that or anything. I just have to keep focused and play good football.”

He said that one of the first things he noticed about his new school was the unity between students.

“The atmosphere,” he said. “Everybody’s a family in the school. My old school had cliques, but here, there’s only 75 people in my graduating class. So everybody knows everybody and we go do whatever all the time.”

Waibel is in contact with Greenville College in Illinois and Stevenson College in Maryland, both Division III schools, in track and football. Waibel runs the 300m and 110m hurdles.

“That’s the whole goal. Going to college has never been a question to me, I’m going to go regardless. If football can pay for it, that’s great.”

Writer - James Bennett, Jr.
Photographer - Titus Moye Photography

Kathleen at Lakeland gets BHSN Game of the Week Coverage

 

Bright House Sports Network updated their 2015 Game of the Week Football schedule on Monday and on Oct. 30 will be bringing coverage back to the Polk County area to broadcast the pivotal district match up between the Kathleen Red Devils and Lakeland Dreadnaughts at Bryant Stadium.

Kathleen (8-0) and ranked No. 4 in Class 7A has a road contest against South Fork (7-1) this Friday night before their annual end of the season rivalry game against No. 13 Lakeland (5-2) next week. 

Kathleen can clinch the district title outright with a win over Lakeland. Lakeland will clinch the title with a win over Kathleen and a Winter Haven win over Bartow. However, if Lakeland wins and Bartow wins, a three-way tiebreaker contest will take place since all three teams would finish with a 2-1 district record.

Artavis Pierce featured in Oregon State 'Star Wars' poster

 

Taking pictures of recruits and editing them in Photoshop to showcase on social media as a recruiting pitch is nothing new today in social media, but the football recruiting department at Oregon State decided to kick it up a notch with this 'Star Wars' themed edit.

The photo features Auburndale's own Artavis Pierce, an Oregon State commit, and several other 2016 Beavers commits from around the country. The Oregon State football staff published this edit on Monday, the same day as the new "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" trailer that was shown during the recent Monday Night Football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants.

While the movie is set to hit theaters Dec. 18, Beavers fans will have to wait until Feb 3, 2016 to see if the recruiting force of the Oregon State football staff really is strong enough to pull in all of those verbal commits on National Signing Day.

H8ME 6ROWN TAL3NT - Austin Plaisted, 2016 Class

 

Austin Plaisted

#H8ME6ROWNTAL3NT

George Jenkins offensive lineman Austin Plaisted said that he knew he could be a great football player when he played his first varsity game as a sophomore.

“It was a whole different caliber of football that I really enjoyed,” he said. “And then it clicked, it was like, I could be proficient at this. I can become really good. That summer after my sophomore year I worked hard in the weight room and didn't give myself any days off. I was making football a job; trying to get better at everything I was able to.”

Now, the senior offensive tackle is a leader on the Eagles offensive line; protecting young upstart freshman quarterback Ski McWilliams. Plaisted has received a verbal offer from Division III program Birmingham Southern and attention from Minnesota-Deluth, the University of West Florida and Southeastern University. He also runs track and is on the weightlifting team. 

During most of his varsity career, Plaisted has been under the guidance of Eagles head coach Richard Tate. Tate has coached in Polk County for more than 12 years and has led Polk County schools Kathleen and Ridge Community to district championships. As the Eagles seek to earn their first playoff berth since 2003, Plaisted said that he enjoys the energy Tate brings to the Eagles.

“Coach Tate is one of the best coaches I've probably ever had,” he said. “He can get in your face and give you constructive criticism, or he can be your best friend; one of those guys you love to be around and you love to be coached by. He's a leader of men and he wants you to get better. He might be yelling at you and stuff, but all he wants is your success. That's all he wants from the team and all he wants from individuals.” 

In his freshman year, Plaisted didn't play football but instead attended Summerlin Academy in Bartow. He said that his time in the military school served him well.

“I really enjoyed it there. It was a good year of military school. It helped me grades in line, because they were really strict on grades. It also made me become a better person. When it makes you feel like you're not higher than anyone else it keeps you down to earth and makes you strive to become that guy.”

Plaisted has received good lessons from his coaches and schooling, but he credits his father, a former middle linebacker that played his college ball in Minnesota, with giving him one of the most important lessons of all.

“He never let me quit,” he said. “There were some seasons I wanted to quit and he just never let me. I'm so glad because I'm in my senior year and I'm really loving this sport.”

Writer - James Bennett, Jr.
Photographer - Cameraman Hasani

H8ME 6ROWN TAL3NT - Darrion Gardner, 2016 Class

 

Darrion Gardner
#H8ME6ROWNTAL3NT

Fort Meade defensive lineman Darrion Gardner said there's a reason the Fort Meade Miner defense has only given up 28 points in their six games this season.

“We got a lot of guys with a lot of skills so we just talk up to each other,” he said. “We look to each other to improve each other. We all work together like we're leaders. We don't have any followers in the group, we're all leaders.”

The senior defensive end and defensive tackle is in his first year at Fort Meade. He's a Frostproof native that has made the left side of the Miner defensive line his new home. Gardner said he's always liked playing on the defensive side of the ball; dishing out hits instead of taking them.

“First time I played football was my pee wee year in little league. I was a little skinnier then, so I was playing running back and quarterback. I really didn't like getting hit, so they moved me back to linebacker. I started playing defense there. For me it felt better because I wasn't receiving the pain, I was giving it. Plus I had a bit of anger in me so when I got hit I just reacted.”

Gardner said that he came up admiring the play of former Frostproof stars Carlton Thomas, Greg Bell and Ellis Brummell.

“Those were the guys I looked up to,” he said. “I lived in a very small part of Frostproof that a lot of people don't know about. They often came around, saw how I was doing, and hung out.”

In the Miner's six games, Gardner has earned 29 tackles this season and has received attention from Maine's Hudson University, a Division III program.

“It just shows me that I have a chance of making it to the next level,” he said. “And if I keep pushing I can make it and help my family.”

Writer - James Bennett, Jr.
Photographer - Titus Moye Photography

H8ME 6ROWN TAL3NT - Nathan Music, 2016 Class

Nathan Music
#H8ME6ROWNTAL3NT

Fort Meade center Nathan Music said that when he saw the Miners were ranked No. 1 in Class 1A, he had only one response.

“Dern right we’re number one,” he said. “We’re gonna earn it, we’re gonna work hard for it, and by the end of the season we’re going to still be on top.”

Halfway through the 2015 season Fort Meade is undefeated and the Miner offensive line has made running back Tyler King one of the leading rushers in Polk County. The 6’1” 270lb senior center is in his fourth year as a starter for the Miners. He played as a tight end and right tackle in earlier years.

When recalling his first memory of football, Music remembers a sight most of Polk County is only beginning to become familiar with.

“It would have to be when I was about six years’ old playing flag,” he said. “My buddy Tyler King scored and all I remember is running around in a circle holding up the number one.”

That was 12 years ago, but Music’s memory of the past could very well be a vision of the future. The Miners are 6-0 and need only one game to clinch the district title. Music also said that King isn’t the only Miner that he’s known since his childhood.

“I came up with pretty much everybody on the team,” he said. “I played with them since our first couple years in flag all the way up to here. They’re like my brothers. Some of them are closer than family.”

Though he’s known most of his teammates since little league, Music said he became serious when he started playing JV football.

“No one looks at you in little league,” he said. “JV was like the game-changer, made me step it up a notch.”

Music said that he received help from 2012 Fort Meade graduate Chad Self during his time on junior varsity.

“It was the year before I started on varsity,” he said. “I was on JV and every day in practice he would help me out and show me different ways to get to the guy faster or better.”

Music has been a staple of the Miners offense since the 2012 season, and he said that his relationship has developed with his teammates as well as Fort Meade head coach Jemalle Cornelius.

“Coach Cornelius, JV and when I first started on varsity we bumped heads a lot because I had to learn my stuff,” he said. “But I went to a time in my family where things weren’t so great and he was there for me. I asked him to pray about something with me he prayed with me. Overall he’s just a great mentor.”

Writer - James Bennett, Jr.
Photographer - Titus Moye Photography

2015 Season, Week 09 Team Power Rankings

2015 Season, Week Nine Power Rankings
Large Classification (Class 5A-8A)
  1 Kathleen (8-0) (won 24-0 at Bartow)
  2 Lakeland (5-2) (won 14-13 vs. Winter Haven)
  3 Winter Haven (5-3) (lost 13-14 at Lakeland)
  4 Bartow (4-3) (lost 0-24 vs. Kathleen)
  5 Lake Gibson (5-3) (won 20-14 at Auburndale)
  6 Lake Wales (3-3) (won 25-10 at Lake Region)
  7 Ridge Community (2-5) (lost 25-50 at Tampa Catholic)
  8 George Jenkins (2-5) (won 45-26 vs. Haines City)
  9 Auburndale (1-6) (lost 14-20 vs. Lake Gibson)
10 Lake Region (2-6) (lost 10-25 vs. Lake Wales)
11 Haines City (0-6) (lost 26-45 at George Jenkins)

Small Classification (Class 1A-4A)
  1 Fort Meade (6-0) (at Halifax Academy CANCELLED)
  2 Lakeland Christian (8-0) (won 27-26 vs. Berkeley Prep)
  3 Santa Fe Catholic (7-0) (won 41-6 at All Saints')
  4 Tenoroc (4-3) (won 46-9 vs. Gateway Charter)
  5 Victory Christian (2-5) (lost 28-34 at Foundation Academy)
  6 Jordan Christian (3-4) Prep (lost 8-47 at Windermere Prep)
  7 Mulberry (1-5) (lost 21-34 at Bishop Verot)
  8 Frostproof (1-6) (lost 14-30 vs. Pahokee)
  9 All Saints' Academy (1-6) (lost 6-41 vs. Santa Fe Catholic)
10 Landmark Christian (0-6) (lost 0-63 vs. First Baptist Academy)

Derwin James has big day in first college start for FSU

Florida State freshman defensive back Derwin James (Haines City alumni) had a productive day on defense for the Seminoles against Louisville today. One of those plays, a forced fumble against Cardinals' QB Lamar Jackson, had Twitter talking about the 5-star freshman.

Blitz. Strip sack. Recover. FSU taking over in the 2nd half vs Louisville. https://t.co/1pxcVQ4BOc

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 17, 2015

Louisville was driving until Derwin James almost broke their QB in half: http://t.co/6TS1zhJWUV pic.twitter.com/YgUl0mxvFF

— SB Nation (@SBNation) October 17, 2015

Derwin James. Yikes.

— Ira Schoffel (@IraSchoffel) October 17, 2015

DERWIN JAMES. Lightning.

— Bud Elliott (@TomahawkNation) October 17, 2015

Derwin James destroys Jackson to cause the fumble. FSU’s been looking for that big play for a while.

— David Visser (@DavidBVisser) October 17, 2015

Derwin James with a vicious collision that forces a fumble. Sweat recovers and #FSU is in business in U of L territory.

— Warchant.com (@Warchant) October 17, 2015

Freshamn S Derwin James with the blitz and causes fumble and Freshman DE Josh Sweat gets the ball. #Recruiting

— Nole Gameday (@NoleGameday) October 17, 2015

James finished with 6 total tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 QB sack, and 1 forced fumble.

Kathleen's Ventrell Miller receives FAU verbal

First offer #FAU

— Ventrell Miller (@ventrell_miller) October 16, 2015

FAU became the first Division I program to verbally offer Kathleen Red Devils junior outside linebacker Ventrell Miller on Thursday.

2015 Season, Week 08 Scoreboard

 

2015 Season, Week 08 Scoreboard

Friday
Lakeland 14, Winter Haven 13 #GOWPolk Friday
Tenoroc 46, Gateway Charter 9
Foundation Academy 34, Victory Christian 28
Sante Fe Catholic 41, All Saints' 6
Lake Gibson 20, Auburndale 14
Pahokee 30, Frostproof 14
Tampa Catholic 50, Ridge Community 25
First Baptist 63, Landmark Christian 0
Lake Wales 25, Lake Region 10
George Jenkins 45, Haines City 26
Kathleen 24, Bartow 0
Bishop Verot 34, Mulberry 21

Thursday
Lakeland Christian 27, Berkeley Prep 26 #GOWPolk Thursday
Windermere Prep 47, Jordan Christian 8

2015 Season, Week 08 Team Power Rankings

2015 Season, Week 08 Team Power Rankings

Large Classification (Class 5A-8A)

  1 Kathleen (7-0) (won 21-20 at Tallahassee Leon)

  2 Bartow (4-2) (BYE WEEK)

  3 Winter Haven (5-2) (won 48-0 at Lake Wales)

  4 Lakeland (4-2) (won 42-7 at George Jenkins)

  5 Lake Gibson (4-3) (won 25-13 at Leesburg)

  6 Ridge Community (2-4) (won 24-7 vs. Lake Region)

  7 Lake Wales (2-3) (lost 0-48 vs. Winter Haven)

  8 Auburndale (1-5) (won 39-3 vs. Haines City)

  9 George Jenkins (1-5) (lost 7-42 vs. Lakeland)

10 Lake Region (2-3) (lost 7-24 at Ridge Community)

11 Haines City (0-5) (lost 3-39 at Auburndale)

Small Classification (Class 1A-4A)

  1 Fort Meade (6-0)  (BYE WEEK)

  2 Lakeland Christian (7-0) (won 28-13 at Melbourne Central Catholic)

  3 Santa Fe Catholic (6-0) (won 35-21 vs. St. Stephen's Episcopal)

  4 Victory Christian (2-4) (BYE WEEK)

  5 Tenoroc (3-3) (won 10-9 at LaBelle) 

  6 Jordan Christian (3-3) Prep (lost 6-35 at Foundation Academy)

  7 Mulberry (1-5) (won 34-32 at Lake Placid)

  8 Frostproof (1-5) (BYE WEEK)

  9 All Saints' Academy (1-5) (won 18-13 vs. Canterbury)

10 Landmark Christian (0-5) (lost 0-64 vs. Admiral Farragut)

Gionni Paul INT spotlighted by College GameDay

DID HE JUST CATCH THAT?!? #SidelineVine #SCtop10 https://t.co/d8dl7HK4rJ

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 11, 2015

Utah Utes senior linebacker and team captain Gionni Paul's (Kathleen alumni) interception off a tipped pass in the game against Cal on Oct 10 received a nomination for Sportscenter Top 10 by the College GameDay crew.

H8ME 6ROWN TAL3NT - Victor Austin, 2016 Class

Victor Austin

#H8ME6ROWNTAL3NT

Kathleen senior running back Victor Austin says that there's one thing great players have to let go in order to be their best.

“Listening to the audience,” he said. “Listen to the coaches.”

Kathleen is undefeated going into October, and Austin has contributed 256 yards on 47 carries so far this season. Entering the season Austin wasn't the Red Devils' starting running back, Izayah Riette was. But when Riette rolled into the end zone and dislocated his shoulder against Lake Gibson Aug 29, Austin took the role. Austin says that this year's group of Red Devils are made of players that are dedicated and ready to lead when necessary.

“We have a lot of team leaders this year,” he said. “All the seniors this year, we want to be leaders. Nyjee Washington, Frank Nelson, Justin Andrews, Taurence Wilson. Our defense is pretty much made of leaders.”

Kathleen now plays in Class 7A, District 7 with Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Bartow. Each game will be huge for Polk County football and will draw massive crowds, but Austin says that he has been taught to not get caught up in the limelight.

“Coach told us not to pay attention to any of that,” he said. “He just told us to play hard, have fun, and do what we do. He told us to stay in the system. If everybody wants to play for a district title, everybody has to put in. 110 percent in practice, 110 percent in the weight room, it means taking care of your body, everything.”

Austin says that he became dedicated to the game of football in his ninth grade year. He says that in that time he received grooming from former Red Devils that now play college level.

“My 9th grade year. Played with Rovonta Johnson, he plays with Stillman now. He kind of inspired me. He was like a brother when I was here. He kind of taught me all the different things that I really know.”

Austin hasn't yet received any real attention from college football programs, but he holds a mantra that has gotten many to the next level.

“Hard work. It's really gonna pay off.”

Writer - James Bennett, Jr.
Photographer - Cameraman Hasani