PHOTOS: North Florida Christian Defeats Champagnat In 2A Final

Follow Duluth, GA- The 2025 Football Hotbed Freshman All-American game was an amazing display of elite talent by the graduating class of 2028. The stars of a battle between two evenly divided teams were clearly Trinity, Florida’s wide receiver Luke Wilson and St. Albans, West Virginia quarterback Peyton Grigsby.  The two connected for three total touchdowns to give their “Team White” squad the victory over “Team Red” by a score of 18- 8. Wilson got the scoring started with a reception thrown by Grigsby that was an absolutely ‘dart’ of a throw in between triple coverage to outpace defenders. Overall, Grigsby passed for 269 yards and three touchdowns.  Most of that yardage came via Wilson.  Both players earned MVP honors at June’s National Middle School Invitational Showcase at the University of Miami and had some familiarity because of their participation and it showed. Team White totaled 334 yards in offense with two turnovers that were forced by Team Red. Team Red was led by athlete Michael McDuffie of Fort Lauderdale’s Calvary Christian Academy and quarterback Ryan Brochu of York, South Carolina. Red’s lone score came on a TD pass and great run after the catch by Naples, Florida wide out Jack Crifasi IV.  McDuffie was the game’s defensive MVP with several pass break ups, and he also ran the ball very effectively on the ground. game day mvps overall mvp - luke wilson, 2028 wr, trinity, fl Luke Wilson of Clearwater Central Catholic high school was an easy MVP selection.  He paced Team white’s offensive explosion with three touchdowns and tons of “yards after the catch” that made the opposing defense see “red” all day.  A performance like that, in 24 degree weather, for a kid from Southwest Florida is about as memorable as one can get.  Shades of Xaiver Restrepo, a University of Mimai Hurricane heading toward the NFL Draft this April. Wilson took the game seriously and approached it as a real launching pad for this career and that’s exactly why he did so well. He validated his National Middle School Invitational Showcase MVP award in June by grabbing a second consecutive MVP award on the Football Hotbed Platform. Defensive MVP- Michael Mcduffie- 2028 ATh, Ft. Lauderdale, FL McDuffie got it done on defense as the MVP but also on the ground. The stat line for Michael McDuffie says it all, 4 tackles with 4 pass break ups (PBU’s) and offensive production that kept his team in the game. With his size and speed combination, McDuffie has Division I talent.  He could settle in on either side of the ball but he’d be better suited at safety in our opinion because of how rare big safeties with speed and range are. It could make him a national recruit. Already listed at 5’10, 185 pounds as a freshman with room to grow is a great foundation upon which to build over the next three seasons.  Lineman mvp- Landon suttle , 2028 OL, Mt holly, nc The metro Charlotte native Landon Suttle played the entire game at both offensive and defensive line.  He had a strong base on offense, using his length and 6’3 frame to push defenders wide giving Grigsby the needed time to throw for over 300 yards. As a left tackle prospect, he shows the ability based on the athleticism we saw to move inside if he has too.  He’s already a recruitable size with room to grow. Standouts that didn't earn mvp honors Justin Harris of Shiloh, may end up being the best player in the game down the line. Peyton Grigsby gave me Manziel vibes Jack Crifasi IV was fast and made a big play. Played well at DB also. #51 Kayden Johnson 2028 played well on both OL & DL turn on the tape: #TurnONTheTape #TurnONTheTape look at this absolutely 🎯 by 2028 QB Peyton Grigsby from West Virginia in our @FootballHotbed Freshman All-American game breaking through triple coverage. Grigsby was also a @Future4QB finalist last June. #PutHimONTheBoard @grigsby_peyton7 pic.twitter.com/WTtLCR0Urd— Brandon Odoi (@Brandon_Odoi) February 6, 2025 #TurnONTheTape for Jarmell Sine of Boynton Beach, FL. He's a 6'2 WR in the 2028 class. Made an absolutely fabulous catch during our @FootballHotbed freshman game. See it below. @Offdata_mel #hotbedworld pic.twitter.com/9AxXqiYnQp— Brandon Odoi (@Brandon_Odoi) February 7, 2025 #TurnONTheTape watch 2028 @FootballHotbed Freshman All-American @RyanBrochu5 throw accurately under duress and hit his WR in stride for the TD. Just good ball all around. #hotbedworld pic.twitter.com/L3Otwdf9YG— Brandon Odoi (@Brandon_Odoi) February 6, 2025 watch: Full game on youtube

Follow Miami- Defending state champion Cocoa made it three-straight with a 38-27 win Gadsen County (near Tallahassee) Thursday afternoon in FIU’s Pitbull Stadium.  The 2A FHSAA final match up featured Cocoa’s air attack against Gadsen County’s power run attack.  Texas A&M commit and Cocoa Tiger quarterback Brady Hart led the way through the air to the tune of 259 yards passing and 1 TD on 22 of 31 passing.  His leading wideout was Florida State commit, Jayvan Boggs. He caught 6 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown.  The ground game was really the back breaker for Gadsen County, ironically, as the Cocoa Tigers racked up 100 yards on the ground as both Hart and Latrison Lane both rushed for 64 yards a piece.  Hart took sacks that took away 28 team rushing yards but was clutch picking up first downs on scrambles downfield to keep key drives alive.Cocoa began the scoring with a dart from Hart to Boggs, scoring off a Gadsen County turnover. But the Jaguars from Gadsen County would march right back down the field and tie the game on a Kemarrion Battles rushing touchdown.  Battles scored twice, racking up 96 yards on the ground for the Jaguars from the Tallahassee metro area.  The game would go back and forth for the duration until Cocoa broke it wide open on a play in the fourth quarter.  On fouth down, leading by only four, with under two minutes to play, the Coca Tigers tried to draw the Jags off-sides.  It didn’t work. After a time out, they went for it and got not only the two yards needed for a first down, but they also completely iced the game as Lane scored from 42 yards out. It’s the school’s seventh championship, third consecutive and for head coach Ryan Schneider, it cements a legacy.  PLAY CALL OF THE YEAR!!!Cocoa goes for it on 4th and 2 and Latrison Lane scores. That gives the Tigers a 38-27 lead with 1:04 remaining @CocoaFootball @Cocoa_Schneider @LaTrisonLane20 @321preps pic.twitter.com/tdqwPQkgMm— Jon Santucci (@JonSantucci) December 12, 2024

Follow Miami Gardens, FL- The Homestead Broncos Junior Varsity Team earned a birth in the inaugural Football Hotbed JV Championship Series Final this week outlasting the North Miami Pioneers 26-22.  It was a thrilling match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. The Broncos showcased their resilience and teamwork, coming from behind to secure the victory. The game was marked by impressive plays, with standout performances from both teams.  The game’s overall MVP was 2027 quarterback Jahmir McCall of Homestead High.  The Broncos’ quarterback delivered a stellar performance, throwing two touchdown passes and maintaining composure under pressure. Freshman running back Jermaine Green caught the first touchdown reception out of the backfield and the go-ahead touchdown was secured by 2028 wide receiver Gemani Smith. Meanwhile, the defense held strong during critical moments, thwarting the Pioneers’ advances with key tackles and interceptions.  The game sealing pass deflection was made by 2028 defensive back Leone Leonidas. The Pioneers played an excellent game, especially offensively led by their sophomore quarterback, Chammbrayy Campbell.  He hooked up with North Miami 2027 wide out Michael Cabre to open the game’s scoring.  The post-corner pass was perfect and Cabre made a great adjustment to the ball for the touchdown reception. Overall, the Pioneers couldn’t overcome playing sloppy toward the end of the game as turnovers and penalties killed drives.  They turned the ball over with a fumble into the endzone and had an interception on the 1-yard line on drives that would have probably ended up as scores. On the final drive of the game, the Pioneers were thwarted by the Homestead defense that had bended but not broken all game.  As the Broncos celebrated their hard-fought win, they set their sights on the upcoming final, determined to bring home the championship trophy. The team’s coaches praised the players’ dedication and spirit, acknowledging their hard work and commitment throughout the season. Fans and community members eagerly anticipate the final match, ready to support their team with unwavering enthusiasm.The historic Football Hotbed event for Junior Varsity teams is full-sanctioned by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) who is enthusiastic about the events promise in years to come.  Homestead will play Miami Central in the championship held this coming week.   Jahmir McCall with the Portal 305 and Olin Cushion, III JV Championship Series Highlights: Check out this amazing pass and catch from @NMPioneer_FB junior varsity standouts 2027 QB CHAMMBRAYY CAMPBELL to WR MICHAEL CABRE #hotbedworld vid by @ChrisFodde @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/aFXfa8zLf6— Football Hotbed (@FootballHotbed) October 26, 2024 Photos: JV Championship Series @HSHBroncos and @NMPioneer_FB made history. #hotbedworld https://t.co/VWfp1x7Npw— Football Hotbed (@FootballHotbed) October 26, 2024 Arties Knight, head JV Football Coach, Homestead High