09.02.21
by

Week 2 Games of the Week Preview

Week 1 of the opening season started with a bang.

Week 2 is a little bit different. You see, in Week 1, many teams were blind and limited with their research in the opening game because of new impact players and only spring film. Now in Week 2, teams can strategized based on their opponent’s opening season game.

Each week, we select games based on our 16-area breakdown of the state. Let’s take a look at some of the BIG matchups in Week 2 across the State of Florida:

BIG BEND AREA

Tallahassee Lincoln (0-1)
vs. Tallahassee Godby (0-1)

Friday, September 3, 2021
Gene Cox Stadium — Tallahassee

Game Link

Big Bend Area Scoreboard

BROWARD AREA

Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Lions (1-0)
at Plantation American Heritage Patriots (0-1)

Friday, September 3, 2021
Heritage Field, Plantation, FL

Game Link

Other Notable Games in the Broward Area
Deerfield Beach vs. Fort Lauderdale Dillard

Broward Area Scoreboard

DAYTONA & ST. JOHN’S AREA GAME OF THE WEEK

Daytona Beach Mainland Bucs (0-0)
at Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs (-)

Friday, September 3, 2021
Sal Campanella Memorial Stadium — Palm Coast, FL

As fate would have it, Travis Roland’s first game as new head coach of his alma Daytona Beach Mainland Bucs, would be postponed, with his official game as the HBCIC would be against a team that he previously coached and built into a formidable program, the Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs. With Scott Wilson stepping down, the stars aligned as Travis Roland’s dream job to lead a team … a team that he led to Daytona Beach only state championship in school history, would be in a need of a head coach. Now, the Roland Era starts.

Game Link

Other Notable Games in the Broward Area
Miami Columbus at Bartram Trail
Mandarin at Port Orange Spruce Creek

Daytona and St. John’s Area Scoreboard

FIRST COAST AREA GAME OF THE WEEK

Gainesville Buchholz Bobcats (-)
at Sandalwood Saints (-)

Friday, September 3, 2021 6:00 PM

Game Link

First Coast Area Scoreboard

MIAMI DADE AREA GAME OF THE WEEK

Miami BTW Tornadoes (1-0)
at Miami Northwestern aka “The West” Bulls (1-0)

Friday, September 3, 2021 7:30 PM
Nathaniel “Traz” Powell Stadium aka The Mecca — Miami, FL

Since 1995, these two teams combined have a total of 13 state championships. And now that both teams are now in the mix with strong teams that could have them both head back to state championship glory, look for a great matchup between The Towners and Liberty City Friday night at The Mecca.

Game Link

Other Notable Games
Gulliver Prep vs. Miami Palmetto

Miami Dade Area Scoreboard

MID FLORIDA AREA GAME OF THE WEEK

Fleming Island Eagles (0-1)
at Lake Minneola Hawks (1-0)

Friday, September 3, 2021 7:30 PM

Lake Minneola got oh so close to the promised land, only to arrive at the state championships to lose 41-0 against an overmatch Miami Central Dynasty program. To avenge that pain, the Hawks started out on a tear, thrashing program Tohopelika with a state’s highpoint 71 points in Week 1.

Expect a bigger fight from Fleming Island. Although the Eagles lost their season opener to Clay 21-14, Fleming Island had a formidable season in 2020, with only three losses, and advancing all the way to the 7A Regional Finals.

Game Link

Mid Florida Area Scoreboard

NORTH CENTRAL AREA GAME OF THE WEEK

Jacksonville Bolles Bulldogs (1-0)
at Lake City Columbia Tigers (1-0)

Friday, September 3, 2021 7:30 PM
Tiger Stadium — Lake City, FL

Both teams had scoring affairs in their opening week game. Bolles had a 42-0 shutout win over Callahan West Nassau, while Lake City Columbia impressed in Demetric Jackson’s debut as Tigers Head Coach with a 46-23 thumping of Delray American Heritage.

Now Jax Bolles heads west to Lake City, where they will be tested on the road.
Expect the size of phenom ATH Marcus Peterson to reign big in this matchup.

Game Link

North Central Area Scoreboard

ORLANDO METRO AREA GAME OF THE WEEK

Lake Mary Rams (1-0)
at Winter Park Wildcats (1-0)

Friday, September 3, 2021 7:00 PM
Showalter Field, Winter Park

Game Link

Orlando Metro Area Scoreboard

PALM BEACH AREA GAME OF THE WEEK

Palm Beach Gardens Gators (1-0)
at Belle Glade Glades Central Raiders (1-0)

Friday, September 3, 2021 6:30 PM

Game Link

Palm Beaches Area Scoreboard

SPACE & TREASURE COAST AREA GAME OF THE WEEK

Kissimmee Osceola Kowboys (0-0)
at Cocoa Tigers (1-0)

Friday, September 3, 2021 7:30 PM
Tiger Stadium — Cocoa, FL

Game Link

Space And Treasure Coast Area Scoreboard

SUNCOAST AREA GAME OF THE WEEK

Edgewater Eagles (1-0)
at Venice Indians (0-0)

Friday, September 3, 2021 7:30 PM

Venice’s opening season game vs. Broward powerhouse was postponed in week 1, leaving John Peacock and his Indians to face a huge test at home vs. the Class 7A State Runner-Up Edgewater Eagles. Venice did play and beat Miami Northwester 56-34 in preseason play, but now the games will count.

Edgewater did get a taste of opening week gridiron action, thrashing Orlando Bishop Moore 49-6.

Game Link

Suncoast Area Scoreboard

TAMPA BAY AREA GAME OF THE WEEK

St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (1-0)
at Tampa Jesuit Tigers (1-0)

Friday, September 3, 2021 7:30 PM
Corral Memorial Stadium — Tampa, FL

This game happened on short notice, with Aquinas’ projected opponent Plantation canceling their matchup due to COVID. Jesuit and Aquinas arranged it, and now the state’s best team is headed to Tampa to face a tough Jesuit team at Corral Memorial Stadium.

Game Link

Tampa Bay Area Scoreboard

09.01.21
by

Florida Gridiron Grinders: Week 1 Edition

RICHARD YOUNG RB, Lehigh High Lightning
Junior, Class of 2023
Statline: 21 carries, 282 yards, 3TD

Young continues to cement his stranglehold as the nation’s Top RB prospect for the class of 2023. The Junior back for the Lehigh Lightning got busy in Thursday’s season opener, rushing for almost 300 yards and 3TDs at the start of his 2021 campaign leading his Lehigh team to a 28-22 win over North Fort Myers. 205 yards of his career-high 282 total rushing yards came in the first half. And that hurdle over the North Fort Myers player and then continue in stride is one of many many highlights to come.

RICHARD YOUNG’s player profile
EDEN JAMES
RB, Treasure Coast Titans
Senior, Class of 2022

James, son of recently enshrined Pro Football Hall of Fame and Immokalee legend Edgerrin James, skated to 267 yards in a stunning win over Defending 5A State Champion Plantation American Heritage. James broke free for some big touchdowns as his team put teams on notice after this signature win for Coach Irving Jones.

RELATED: Bruce, Hutchinson, and James Enshrined as Hall of Famers

ZION TURNER QB, St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders
Statline: 22/32 298 yards, 2 Pass TD, 1 rush TD, INT
Senior, Class of 2022

Zion Turner shined on the national stage leading his Aquinas Raiders to a resounding 28-23 home season opening win over Baltimore St. Frances (MD) Academy on ESPN.
Zion used both his accurate passing and his legs to propel his team to victory. Zion threw two nice TDs, with his most notable play right before the play, using his legs and awareness, to scramble and hit a wide-open Jaylan Sanchez to give the raiders big momentum going into the half.

MASON TAYLOR TE, St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders
Senior, Class of 2022

The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer is making a name all for himself… on the opposite side of the ball in which his dad Jason Taylor and his brother Isaiah Taylor starred. Mason Taylor caught some key passes during the game and was the hot hand for the Raiders, amassing 10 catches for 133 yards. Currently, a two-time state champion as a Raider, Taylor and team hope to extend their current state record 12 state championships further out of reach to 13 during this 2021 season.

BRANDON INNISS
ATH, American Heritage Patriots
Junior, Class of 2023

The Oklahoma Commit had 9 receptions for 194 yards as his Patriots fell short in their season opener at The Battle of the Beach Saturday night in Naples.

HARLEM HOWARD
DB, Deerfield Beach Bucks

Harlem came up big in the biggest play on the game, sealing an opening season win for his Deerfield Bucks by blocking a potentially game-winning TD for the Edison Raiders, and scooping and scoring in the waning seconds of a huge home win at Butler Stadium. Harlem also had a beautiful one-handed interception.

08.07.21
by

3 FLORIDIANS ENSHRINED IN CENTENNIAL 2020 NFL HALL OF FAME CLASS

Pro Football Hall of Fame

CANTON, OHIO — Three Floridians will be enshrined into the coveted Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday evening. These Florida Boys will receive their gold jackets in Canton, Ohio and be forever immortalized in football history with their bronze busts.

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Pro Football Hall of Fame

ISAAC BRUCE, Wide Receiver
Ft. Lauderdale Dillard Panthers (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
University of Memphis
Semifinalist 4 times: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Drafted: 2nd Round, 33rd overall by St. Louis Rams (then Los Angeles Rams)
SUPER BOWL CHAMPION XXXIV (“Greatest Show On Turf”)

Hall of Fame Presenter: Sam Bruce (brother) and Jim Wylie (friend)

Isaac Bruce was destined to become a star. And the stars aligned, as they will, when a player has a dream and puts in the necessary hard work to seek that ultimate path. Sometimes the path isn’t a straight line, but as the dots connect, they will eventually have you end where you ultimately should be. For Bruce, it was the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Bruce starred at Ft. Lauderdale’s Dillard High School, under legendary head coach Otis Gray, Jr. Otis Gray won his 1st state championship and Dillard’s 1st state championship in 1986, putting the South Florida high school on the map. Bruce helped lead Gray back to the promise land just 3 years later, when the Panthers won their second state championship in 1989, in the process becoming an all-county selection averaging over 25 yards a catch on a run heavy offense. The Dillard Panthers would be crowned 1989 Class 4A State Champs with a blistering 40-14 win over the Merritt Island Mustangs in Daytona Beach, in which Bruce would catch a TD in the 2nd Qtr. By the way, that Dillard 1989 State Championship team was a powerhouse with Otis Mounds averaging over 140 yards on the ground, future Auburn WR great Frank Sanders who at TE caught a TD in the state championship game, Broward County Defensive Player of the Year LB Richard Strayhorn, future Auburn great Brian Robinson spearheading the DBs at S, and defensive end Steve Perkins. (FUN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FACT: Who remembers the fumblerooski Merritt Island used to get half of those 14 points?)

Bruce ultimately decided to sign with Purdue, but didn’t academically qualify. He then decided to go the junior college route attending West Los Angeles College in Los Angeles. His second year, Bruce transferred to Santa Monica College (SMC). Bruce balled at SMC, and colleges were on notice. Bruce chose to transfer to Memphis State in Tennessee as his Division I career would begin.

During his time at Memphis State, Bruce set the single season receiving yards record with 1,054 yards, becoming the Tigers’ first receiver to eclipse 1000 yards. Bruce is the first and only player from the University of Memphis to be inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame.

To play in the NFL aka “Not For Long” for 16 years is a testament in itself. During his time, Bruce shined. In his second season, Bruce took flight, amassing a whopping 1,781 yards and 13 TDs on a career high 119 receptions. In his third year, with a target on his back after his second yard campaign, Bruce led the NFL with 1,338 yards. In his 1999 campaign, Bruce as part of the “The Greatest Show on Turf” got the spotlight on the games biggest stage and Bruce basked, as he finished the game with a game-high 6 receptions and a whopping 162 yards. and a most memorable 73 yard touchdown from Kurt Warner with under two minutes, with the St. Louis Rams winning Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta 23-16 over Steve McNair’s Tennessee Titans.

Bruce finished his stellar NFL career with 15,208 yards, 91 Touchdowns, on 1024 receptions. When Bruce announced his retirement, Bruce was only second to Jerry Rice in career receiving yards. Bruce’s 15,208 career receiving yards now ranks 5th all-time in NFL history.

Steve Hutchinson, Offensive Lineman
Coral Springs HS Colts (Coral Springs, FLorida)
Michigan Wolverines
Draft: 1st Round, Pick 17 (Seattle Seahawks)

Hall of Fame Presenter: Teammate Robbie Tobek


Steve Wilkinson will go down as one of the best left offensive guards in NFL History.

Coming out of Coral Springs, Hutchinson chose Michigan to go play in Ann Arbor. One of the nation’s top 3 prep linemen, Hutchinson proved his worth from start to finish, starting as a freshman, and ultimately receiving All-Big 10 recognition each year playing for the Wolverines. Huthchinson was named team co-captain (alongside NFL GOAT Tom Brady) and All-American during his 1999 and 2000 seasons. Huthchinson was also the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the year and a finalist for the coveted Outland Trophy during his season campaign. The FHSAA has name Hutchinson to the list of the 33 greatest high school players in the state of Florida’s long rich storied history. (That itself is some honor!)

A first round draft pick (17th overall) out of Michigan, Hutchinson got started on his Pro Football Hall of Fame journey with the Seattle Seahawks. Hutchinson spent 5 years with Seattle, going to 3 Pro Bowls.

As a Seattle Seahawk, alongside his fellow Hall of Famer and neighbor LT Walter Jones, Steve Hutchinson paved holes for Shaun Alexander to amass multiple 1,100+ yard rushing campaigns. His last year with the Seahawks would yield the most success with star running Shaun Alexander winning the 2005 MVP and his Seahawks reaching Super Bowl XL. Alexander led the league in both rushing yards and touchdowns with 1,880 yards and 27 TDS respectively.

In 2006, Hutchinson signed a 7 year, 49 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, becoming the highest paid guard in the NFL. Hutchinson would be greeted with a new draft pick to his Vikings, RB Adrian Peterson, who would go to become of the best running backs in the NFL running behind the driveways Hutchinson carved as running holes. Peterson would run for over 4 1,200 yard rushing campaigns during the 2007-2010 seasons.

Edgerrin James, Running Back
Immokalee High School Indians (Immokalee, FLorida)
University of Miami Hurricanes

Hall of Fame Presenter: Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay

Who remembers that game versus #3 UCLA in which Edgerrin James eclipsed 300 rushing yards and scored the winning TD? Many in the state of Florida knew what many had just began to realize: that we were all watching a legendary back in the making.

James played 11 seasons in the NFL, rushing for 12,246 yards, 80 TDs. EJ was selected to 4 Pro Bowls. His 12,246 career rushing yards ranks 13rd all-time.

In 7 of the 11 seasons played, Edge rushed for over 1,100 yards.

James played alongside fellow Hall of Famer Peyton Manning during his 7 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, often times protecting Peyton’s back so that he could take care of his business in being recognized as one of the NFL great QBs.

04.29.21
by

NFL DRAFT 2021 — DAY ONE: 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICKS

2021_NFL_Draft

  • DAY 1
  • DAY 2
  • DAY 3

Florida Gridiron Preps will be covering the 2021 NFL Draft. We’ll highlight all players drafted into the NFL to come from the State of Florida. Florida has been known year in and year out to produce future legends for the NFL, and each year the “Football Factory” produces stars starting with optimist years to their prep years to their college campaigns with aspirations of making it to NFL, or “The League”.

Players listed in Green are players from the State of Florida who have been drafted. We list the college they played for, and the Florida high school from which they represent proudly. Please click on the link of the player to see their player profile during their prep careers in Florida.

1ST ROUND

9TH OVERALL PICK: CB PAT SURTAIN II, Alabama, Plantation American Heritage

Patrick Surtain II Profile


15TH OVERALL PICK: QB MAC JONES, Alabama, Jacksonville Bolles

Mac Jones’ Player Profile

17tH OVERALL PICK: OL ALEX LEATHERWOOD, Alabama, Pensacola Booker T. Washington

Alex Leatherwood Player Profile


Full Listing of 2021 Draft Picks from Florida

02.07.21
by

FLORIDA BOYS SET TO SHINE IN SUPER BOWL LV IN TAMPA

Super_Bowl_LV

When Super Bowl LV kickoffs on Sunday February 7, 2021 in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, 16 Players from the State of Florida are listed on rosters to play in the biggest game of their lives…. in the state where they once honed their football prowess.


SUPER BOWL LV

Kansas City Chiefs (16-2)
at
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (14-5)

Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, FL
February 7, 2021
6:30pm EST
Weather: °

Let’s talk about these players and their contributions as they suit up to be crowned and immortally cemented in NFL Super Bowl history.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (10)

The Tampa Bay Bucs have 5 players listed on their depth chart who played on Florida’s gridiron during their high school years.
The Bucs also have 5 Florida Boys on their reserve and practice squad.


#81
WR
ANTONIO BROWN
5’10″, 185 lbs.
Miami Norland High School Vikings — Miami, FL
Central Michigan
10th year in NFL

Star WR Antonio Brown enters Super Bowl LV with 45 catches for 483 yards, and 4TD.

Jamel Dean, Cocoa HS
#35
DB

JAMEL DEAN 6’1″, 206 lbs.
Cocoa High School Tigers — Cocoa, FL
Auburn University
2nd year in NFL
*STARTER

Dean enters Super Bowl LV with 51 Tackles and 1 INT.

Jason Pierre-Paul, Deerfield Beach HS
#90
OLB
JASON PIERRE-PAUL
6’5″, 275 lbs.
Deerfield Beach High School Bucks — Deerfield Beach
University of South Florida Bulls
11th year in the NFL
*STARTER

6’5, 275 lbs. at Linebacker speaks pure athleticism. The Deerfield Beach HS product comes into Super Bowl LV with 34 tackles, 9 1/2 sacks, 4 Forced Fumbles, and 2 INT. His 4 Forced Fumbles this season rank 3rd in the NFL.

Lavonte David, Miami Northwestern
#54
ILB
LAVONTE DAVID
6’1″, 233 lbs.
Miami Northwestern High School Bulls — Miami, FL
Nebraska University
9th Year in NFL

Carlton Davis, Miami Norland HS
#24
CB
CARLTON DAVIS
6’1″, 206 lbs.
Miami Norland High School Vikings — Miami, FL
Auburn University
3rd Year in NFL
*STARTER

Ted Larsen, Palm Harbor University
#62
G
TED LARSEN
6’3″, 323 lbs.
Palm Harbor University — Palm Harbo, FL
North Carolina State
11th Year in NFL

#5
WR
JOHN FRANKLIN III
6’1″, 186 lbs.
South Plantation High School — Plantation, FL
Florida Atlantic Owls
1st Year in NFL
*Reserve/Injured

#1
K
GREG JOSEPH
6’0″, 210 lbs.
Delray Beach American Heritage Stallions — Delray Beach, FL
Florida Atlantic Owls
2nd Year in NFL
*Practice Squad

#36
CB
HERB MILLER
6’2″, 190 lbs.
Miramar HS Patriots — Miramar, FL
Florida Atlantic Owls
1st Year in NFL
*Practice Squad

#36
CB
JAVON HAGAN
6’0″, 215 lbs.
Jacksonville Trinity Christian — Jacksonville, FL
Ohio Bobcats
Rookie in NFL
*Practice Squad

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6)

The Kansas City Chiefs have 6 players who played on Florida’s gridiron during their high school years. Kansas City

Sammy Watkins
#14
WR
SAMMY WATKINS
6’1″, 211 lbs.
South Fort Myers High School Wolfpack — Fort Myers, FL
Clemson
7th Year in NFL

The speedster from Fort Myers comes in Super Bowl LV with 37 receptions, 421 yards and 2TD.

SUPER BOWLS WON: Super Bowl LIV (Kansas City Chiefs)

Byron Pringle, Tampa Robinson
#13
WR
BYRON PRINGLE
6’1″, 203 lbs.
Tampa Robinson High School Knights — Tampa, FL
Kansas State
3rd Year in NFL
*STARTER

The Tampa Robinson product comes into Super Bowl LV with 13 receptions, 160 yards and a TD.

Austin Reiter, Lakewood Ranch
#62
C
AUSTIN REITER
6’3″, 300
Lakewood Ranch High School Mustangs — Bradenton, FL
University of South Florida Bulls
5th year in NFL
*STARTER

Rashad Fenton, Miami Carol City
#27
CB

RASHAD FENTON 5’11″, 188 lbs.
Miami Carol City Senior High School Chiefs — Miami Carol City, FL
University of South Carolina Gamecocks
2nd Year in NFL


#5
P
TOMMY TOWNSEND
6’1″, 191 lbs.
Boone Senior High School Braves — Orlando, FL
University of Florida Gators
Rookie, 1st Year in NFL
*STARTER

Chris Lammons, Plantation HS
#45
DB

CHRIS LAMMONS 5’10, 190 lbs.
Plantation High School Colonels — Plantation, FL
University of South Carolina Gamecocks
2nd Year in NFL

CREDITS: Player Photos are credit to their respective NFL teams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs

12.17.20
by

2020 CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP LIVE BLOG

gibbons_bolles

DOAK CAMPBELL STADIUM
Tallahassee, FL
Attendance:
Weather: