The Buchholz and Hawthorne football teams were back on a big stage this year.
The Bobcats played in their fourth straight state semifinal, falling to Osceola (Kissimmee) 41-35, in the FHSAA Class 6A state semifinals at Citizens Field.
The two-time defending state champion Hornets played in their fifth straight state championship game but were edged by Madison County, 21-14, in the FHSAA Rural state championship game.
Their top offensive players were recognized for their achievements as Justin Williams of Buchholz finished second in the voting for the Florida Dairy Farmers Class 6A Player of the Year, and Hawthorne’s Keenon Johnson was runner-up in the Rural classification.
The 6A POY was Osceola running back Taevion Swint, who helped his team to a 12-3 record and a Class 6A state runner-up finish by rushing for 1,915 yards on 198 carries (9.7 avg.) with 26 TDs.
The University of Central Florida signee, who received 135 total voting points, rushed for 199 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries (9.5 avg.) in the win against the Bobcats (10-4).
Williams, who finished second with 92 points, had 11 catches for 180 yards and three touchdowns against the Kowboys (12-3).
He finished the season with 1,473 yards receiving on 85 catches with 13 touchdowns.
The junior, who was named the Gainesville Quarterback Club’s Offensive Player of the Year, also finished with 1,023 yards and 16 TDs on the ground.
Although he had played running back some, Williams was moved to running back full-time against Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine) on Monday, Oct. 14, and he had his coming out party in the backfield with 10 carries for 146 yards and five touchdowns.
“We had our starting running back quit, they needed me to fill a role, and I was willing to do it and it was history from there,” said Williams, who played running back in middle school and was moved to wide receiver in eighth grade.
He added a pair of touchdown receptions to set the school record with seven touchdowns in a game.
“Our game plan was to put the ball in his hands a lot and the easiest way to do that was as the running back position,” said Buchholz coach Mark Whittemore. “It was a move that took us from 3-3 to the final four. He is arguably the best running back and the best receiver in our area, simultaneously.”
Hawthorne running back Keenon Johnson finished second in the voting for the Rural classification POY behind senior running back/linebacker Jason McDaniel of state champion Madison County.
The senior, who finished with 139 voting points, helped lead the Cowboys to a 10-3 record and a 21-14 win against the Hornets in this year’s state championship game.
He rushed for 842 yards on 101 carries (8.3 avg.) with 13 TDs. On defense, he had 43 tackles (23 solo) with five tackles for loss.
Johnson, who finished second with 127 voting points, rushed for 1,764 yards on 222 carries (7.9 avg.) with 22 touchdowns.
“Keenon Johnson has been a cornerstone of our offense this season,” Hawthorne offensive coordinator Greg Bowie said prior to their game against Madison County. “As a running back, his vision, explosiveness, and ability to break tackles have been game-changers for us. He’s not just putting up incredible numbers, he’s a leader who sets the tone for the entire offense.”
Johnson, who also had six receptions for 47 yards, averaged 147 yards per game on the ground and finished with 10 100+ yard games.
“When the game is on the line, we know we can count on Keenon to make plays and keep the chains moving,” Bowie said. “His work ethic and determination are infectious, and he’s been a key reason why we’ve been able to maintain such a high level of success. In my opinion, he’s one of the top backs in the state regardless of classification.”
Newberry defensive tackle Jarquez Carter, who was named the GQC’s Defensive Player of the Year, finished fifth in the voting for the 2A POY. The Ohio State University signee finished with 84 tackles, including 17 sacks and 48 tackles for a loss.
Union County (Lake Butler) running back Drew Simmons, who had 1,444 yards rushing and 17 TDs on 161 carries for the state semifinalist Tigers (10-2), finished third in the voting for the Rural classification POY.
Mister Williams of Dixie County (Cross City), who led the Bears to the FHSAA Rural Florida Invitational Tournament, finished fourth. He had 1,392 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns on 195 carries (7.1 avg.). The senior also led the team with 83 tackles
Bell running back Landin Williams, who carried the ball 280 times for 1,981 yards (7.1 avg.) and 20 touchdowns, finished fourth in the voting for the Independent POY.
Cornelius Ingram, who reached a milestone with his10th season at Hawthorne, finished second in the voting for the Rural Coach of the Year, while Union County head coach Andrew Thomas finished third and Robby Pruitt of Williston was fourth in the voting.
Whittemore finished third in the voting for the 6A COY, while Bell’s Joey Whittington finished fourth for the Independent COY after leading the Bulldogs to a 9-4 record and a spot in the SSAA Atlantic 1A championship game.
Every finalist was the leading vote-getter in his classification, making each one the Player of the Year or Coach of the Year in his class. The two overall winners will be announced on Friday, January 3, following a final round of balloting by coaches and media next week.
2024 Mr. Football Finalists:
Jamarice Wilder, Senior, Running Back, Venice, Class 7A Player of the Year
Helped his team to a 14-1 record and the Class 7A state title by rushing for 1,919 yards on 192 carries (10.0 avg.) with 28 TDs and added a kickoff return for a touchdown. Signed with the University of Louisville.
Taevion Swint, Senior, Running Back, Kissimmee Osceola, Class 6A Player of the Year
Helped his team to a 12-3 record and a Class 6A state runner-up finish, rushing for 1,915 yards on 198 carries (9.7 avg.) with 26 TDs. Also caught a pair of touchdown passes. Signed with the University of Central Florida.
Andrew Indorf, Senior, Quarterback, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, Class 5A Player of the Year
Helped his team to a 12-3 record and the Class 5A state title by completing 226-of-328 passes for 2,868 yards with 31 TDs and 9 interceptions. Also rushed for 317 yards on 32 carries (9.9 avg.) and 8 TDs.
Vernell Brown III, Senior, Wide Receiver, Orlando Jones, Class 4A Player of the Year
Helped his team to a 14-1 record and a Class 4A state runner-up finish with 94 receptions for 1,508 yards (16.0 avg.) and 11 touchdowns. Signed with the University of Florida.
Leon Strawder, Junior, Quarterback, Miami Northwestern, Class 3A Player of the Year
Helped his team to a 12-2 record and the Class 3A state championship by completing 168-of-256 passes for 2,677 yards with 41 TDs and 8 interceptions. Rushed for 205 yards on 27 carries (7.6 avg.) with 3 TDs.
Brady Hart, Senior, Quarterback, Cocoa, Class 2A Player of the Year
Helped his team to an 11-3 record and the Class 2A state championship by completing 265-of-390 passes for 4,360 yards and 40 TDs with 8 interceptions. Also rushed for 166 yards and 2 TDs. The junior reclassified to a 2025 graduation date and signed with Texas A&M University.
Jershaun Newton, Senior, Quarterback, Clearwater Central Catholic, Class 1A Player of the Year
Helped his team to a 12-3 record and a Class 1A state runner-up finish by completing 128-of-190 passes for 1,799 yards with 15 TDs and 4 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,073 yards on 118 carries (9.1 avg.) and 13 TDs. Signed with the University of Illinois.
Jason McDaniel, Senior, Running Back/Linebacker, Rural Class Player of the Year
Helped his team to a 10-3 record and the Rural Class state title, rushing for 842 yards on 101 carries (8.3 avg.) with 13 TDs. On defense, he had 43 tackles (23 solo) with 5 tackles for loss.
Jackson Stecher, Freshman, Quarterback, Oviedo The Master’s Academy, Independent Player of the Year
Helped his team to an 11-1 record and the Sunshine State Athletic Association (SSAA) state championship by completing 138-of-179 passes for 2,666 yards with 38 TDs and 2 interceptions. Rushed for 318 yards and 2 TDs.
2024 Football Coach of the Year Finalists:
John Peacock, Venice, Class 7A Coach of the Year
Led his squad to a 14-1 record and the Class 7A state title. It was Peacock’s third state title in the past seven years (2017 and 2021) in addition to state runner-up finishes in both 2022 and 2023.
Dylan Potts, West Boca Raton, Class 6A Coach of the Year
In his third year as head coach, Potts led his squad to a 15-0 record and the Class 6A state title. He has posted a 30-7 record in his three years at West Boca Raton.
Roger Harriott, St. Thomas Aquinas, Class 5A Coach of the Year
Led his team to a 12-3 record and the Class 5A state title, his sixth consecutive championship. In 10 years at Aquinas, Harriott has posted a 124-14 record with eight state titles and two state runner-up finishes.
Mike Smith, American Heritage-Plantation, Class 4A Coach of the Year
Led his team to a 12-2 record and the Class 4A state title. In three years as head coach, Smith has compiled a 35-7 record, including a state runner-up finish in 2022.
Teddy Bridgewater, Miami Northwestern, Class 3A Coach of the Year
In his first year as a head coach, the former NFL quarterback and Northwestern alum, led his team to a 12-2 record and the Class 3A state championship. It was Northwestern’s eighth state title overall, but its first since winning three straight championships from 2017-19.
Russell Ellington, Gadsden County, Class 2A Coach of the Year
In his second year at Havana Gadsden County, Ellington led his team to a 13-2 record and a Class 2A state runnerup finish. In two years he has posted a 19-7 record. In 2022, he coached Munroe to a 6-7 record and its first state Final Four appearance.
Dameon Jones, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, Class 1A Coach of the Year
Led his team to a 13-2 record and a third straight state title. In nine years at Chaminade he has posted a 106-15 record with seven state titles and two state runner-up finishes. In 19 years (10 at Hallandale) he has a 180-32 record.
Price Harris, Madison County, Rural Class Coach of the Year
Led his team to a 10-3 record and the Rural Class state title. It was the school’s fifth state title since 2017, but the first for Harris, who has posted a 24-12 record the past three years, including a state runner-up finish in 2023.
Garrett Kruczek, The Master’s Academy, Independent Coach of the Year
In his second year as head coach, he led his team to an 11-1 record and a second straight Sunshine State Athletic Association title. His two-year record is 20-3.
Final voting numbers by class (top five):
Area players in bold
Class 7A Player
Player/School/Points
Jamarice Wilder, Venice,166
Noah Grubbs, Lake Mary, 84
Chris Denson, Plant City, 53
Hayden Hayes, Palm Coast,46
Michael McClenton, Ocoee,32
Coach/School/Points
John Peacock, Venice, 207
Scott Perry, Lake Mary,126
Rodney Wells, Monarch, 73
Pat Herrington, Haines City,17
Justin Roberts, University (OC), 17
Class 6A Player
Player/School/Points
Taevion Swint, Osceola,135
Justin Williams, Buchholz, 92
Mason Mallory, West Boca Raton,67
Girard Pringle, Armwood, 42
Tylon Lee, Pace, 37
Coach/School/Points
Dylan Potts, West Boca Raton,192
Eric Pinellas, Osceola, 97
Mark Whittemore, Buchholz, 59
Kent Smith, Pace, 25
Pierre Senatus, Southridge, 20
Class 5A Player
Player/School/Points
Andrew Indorf, St. Thomas Aquinas,113
Lincoln Graf, Atlantic,102
Andrew Heidel, Manatee, 52
Connor Matthews, Niceville, 38
Shanard Cloward, Lakeland, 34
Coach/School/Points
Roger Harriott, St. Thomas Aquinas, 134
Marvin Frazier, Lakeland,100
Jacquez Green, Manatee, 84
Grant Thompson, Niceville, 79
Cameron Duke, Edgewater, 32
Class 4A Player
Player/School/Points
Vernell Brown III, Jones, 129
Byron Louis, American Heritage, 82
Ennio Yapoor, Norland, 61
Shawn Simeon, Naples, 51
Locklan Hewlett, St. Augustine, 30
Coach/School/Points
Mike Smith, American Heritage, 167
Elijah Williams, Jones, 144
Brian Braddock, St. Augustine,73
Lawrence Johnson, Ed White, 39
Edwin Farmer, Vanguard, 20
Class 3A Player
Player/School/Points
Leon Strawder, Northwestern,138
T.J. Cole, Raines,127
Bjorn Jorgenson, Bishop Moore, 56
Solomon Thomas, Northwestern, 28
Jack Cunningham, Jefferson, 27
Coach/School/Points
Teddy Bridgewater, Northwestern, 201
Donovan Masline, Raines,120
Chris Sands, Eau Gallie, 72
Scottie Littles, Booke, 24
Joe Midulla, Jefferson,14
Class 2A Player
Player/School/Points
Brady Hart, Cocoa, 125
Jayvan Boggs, Cocoa,116
Kemarrion Battles, Gadsden County, 60
Carter Smith, Bishop Verot, 38
Jarquez Carter, Newberry, 31
Coach/School/Points
Russell Ellington, Gadsden Count,162
Ryan Schneider, Cocoa, 153
Tim Harris, Washington, 42
Jared Clark, Cardinal Mooney, 36
Jesse Braswell, Taylor County, 32
Class 1A Player
Player/School/Points
Jershaun Newton, Clearwater Cent. Catholic, 122
Jasen Lopez, Chaminade Madonna,102
Mason Williams, Providence,47
George Grant, Maclay, 32
Sterling Joseph, Edison, 27
Coach/School/Points
Dameon Jones, Chaminade, 56
Chris Harvey, Clearwater Cent. Catholic, 150
Jack Daniels, Cardinal Newman, 74
Verlon Dorminey, Trinity Christian, 44
Trevor Harris, Edison,15
Class Rural
Player/School/Points
Jason McDaniel, Madison County,139
Keenon Johnson, Hawthorne,127
Drew Simmons, Union County, 63
Mister Williams, Dixie County, 37
Hayden Morris, Jay, 30
Coach/School/Points
Price Harris, Madison County, 205
Cornelius Ingram, Hawthorne,105
Andrew Thomas, Union County, 66
Robby Pruitt, Williston, 29
Maurice Russell, Fort Meade, 24
Independent
Player/School/Points
Jackson Stecher, The Master’s Academy, 84
Kenyon Gardner, Paxon, 59
Dallas Cottle, Umatilla, 54
Landin Williams, Bell, 44
Jayden Miller, NSU University, 43
Coach/School/Points
Garrett Kruczek, The Master’s Academy, 44
Michael Norman, NSU University, 102
Riki Smith , Windermere, 54
Joey Whittington, Bell, 30
Richard Marsh, Frostproof, 24