The 2021 All-State Championship Team

Posted on December 23, 2021 by Marcus Benjamin

After eight games we have eight champions.  We had some big-time players making big plays in some big-time games.  This compilation of players may not have some of the best athletes or the highest sought-after recruits, but it is definitely a collection of players that put up big numbers in the biggest game of the year.  

There were outstanding performances from every position, but the quarterbacks and running backs stole the show at the 2021 Florida High School Athletic Association State Championships.

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) led the field with 8 selections.  Followed by Venice with seven, and Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) and Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) with 6.  Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) and Pine Forest (Pensacola) had five apiece. 

St. Thomas and Venice led the way with selections and Head Coach John Peacock eluded to not playing St. Thomas en route to a state championship.  

“A little bitter sweet not being able to play those other guys,” said Peacock.  “It is what it is.”

In the last five years, Venice has won two state titles (2017 and 2021) and St. Thomas added three state championships in a row (2019 to 2021).  This offseason Venice moved to class 8A while St. Thomas remained in 7A.

The Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) offensive line is also worth mentioning as they did not allow a sack and helped the Conquerors gain 335 yards rushing in a 41-23 2A state championship win.

There were no made field goals in all eight state championship games.

Quarterbacks

Keyone “Lyghtz Out” Jenkins, Quarterback, Miami Central – The junior completed 6 of his 7 passes for 176 yards and threw for two touchdowns.  He also had five rushes gaining 18 yards and a rushing score. 

Ryan Browne, Quarterback, Venice – The (6-5, 207) senior went 18-of-21 for 250 yards and threw four touchdown passes. Also added 15 net yards rushing.  

Ryan Browne, Quarterback, Venice

Tierra “TJ” Wilson, Quarterback, Pine Forest – An absolute powerhouse in the 6A championship game against Tampa Jesuit. The (6-3, 215) junior rushed 33 times for 167 yards scoring two rushing touchdowns.  The 2023 signal-caller completed six of his 19 passes for 81 yards with one touchdown and one interception.   

Honorable Mention

Ennio “EJ” Yapoor, Quarterback, Champagnat – The freshman completed 21-of-34 for 332 yards and 2 touchdowns, and one interception. Also gained 53 yards rushing, scored a rushing touchdown, and caught a two-point conversion.

Zion Turner, Quarterback, St. Thomas Aquinas – The senior completed 10 of his 13 passes for 102 yards throwing for two touchdowns.  The dual-threat also had 7 rushes for 65 yards and a rushing score, plus a run scoring a two-point conversion.  

Zion Turner, Quarterback, St. Thomas Aquinas

Running Backs

Anthony Hankerson, Running Back, St. Thomas Aquinas – The 2022 prospect had 11 carries for 117 yards (10.6 per carry) and three touchdowns.  Hank was efficient on the ground.  The quick back started the game with a 31-yard touchdown and bookended his night with a 16-yarder. 

Davion “Bullet” Gause, Running Back, Chaminade-Madonna – The sophomore had 199 yards on 26 carries (7.7 per carry) scoring twice.  The workhorse back carried his team again to a victory.  Bullet finished the season with 1,659 yards rushing. 

Davion Gause, Running Back, Chaminade

Darnell Rogers, Running Back, Trinity Christian – The slashing sophomore had 17 carries for 173 yards (10.2 per carry) scoring three touchdowns, including a long of 46 yards.  Also had a catch for two yards. Finished with 186 all-purpose yards. 

Honorable Mention

Kamari Moulton, Running Back, Cardinal Gibbons – The 2023 talent had 173 yards rushing on 28 carries (6.2 per carry) scoring two touchdowns.   

OJ Ross, Running Back, Cocoa – The senior had 22 rushes for 124 yards scoring a touchdown. Ross also had three receptions for 21 yards.  Ross totaled 219 all-purpose yards. 

Treyaun Webb, Running Back, Trinity Christian – The junior and former Oklahoma commit had over 100 yards rushing in the first half, finishing with 173 yards on 22 carries (7.9 per carry) scoring two touchdowns.

Treyaun Webb, Running Back, Trinity Christian

 

Wide Receivers 

Greg Gaines III, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Tech – The senior, and Iowa State signee had seven catches for 131 yards and a touchdown.  A premier threat in this game against St. Thomas.  The Cyclones have playmaker that was many times uncoverable against one the best teams in the nation.  

Greg Gaines III, Quarterback, Tampa Bay Tech

Jaydn Girard, Wide Receiver, Jesuit – The senior and Wake Forest signee, had six receptions for 115 yards and the eventual championship-clinching touchdown. Totaled 130 all-purpose yards.

Jayshon Platt, Wide Receiver, Venice – The senior had seven catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. Totaled 120 all-purpose yards.

Jayshon Platt, Wide Receiver, Venice

Jeremiah Smith, Wide Receiver, Chaminade-Madonna – The 2024 wideout had five catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. 

Joshiah Trader, Wide Receiver, Miami Central – The sophomore had four receptions for 116 yards and scored two touchdowns (Also had an interception return for a touchdown on defense). 

 

Junior Vandeross, Wide Receiver, Jesuit – The 2022 Toledo signee had six catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns. He racked up 274 all-purpose yards.  

Junior Vandeross, Wide Receiver, Jesuit

Honorable Mention

Donielle Hayes, Wide Receiver, Pine Forest – The junior had 190 all-purpose yards with 4 receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Kevin Blount, Wide Receiver, Champagnat – The 2023 wideout had three catches for 83 yards and a touchdown.

Keyon Sears, Wide Receiver, Venice – The 2023 playmaker had two catches for 69 yard scoring two touchdowns.

Omari Hayes, Wide Receiver, Venice – The senior had 8 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. He also had nine carries for 26 yards. Totaled 104 all-purpose yards. 

Tight Ends

Mason Taylor, Tight End, St. Thomas Aquinas – The LSU signee and son of St. Thomas defensive coordinator Jason Taylor, had four catches for 54 yards and a touchdown taken off the board with an erroneous out-of-bounds call.  

Mason Taylor, Tight End, St. Thomas Aquinas

 

Offensive Line

Julian Armella, 2022 OL, St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida State signee)

Julian Armella, Tackle, St. Thomas Aquinas

Jonathan Daniels, 2024 OL, Pine Forest

William Larkins, 2023 OL, Chaminade-Madonna

Michael Trimble 2022, OL, Trinity Christian

Shaun Davis, 2022 OL, Trinity Christian

Kicker

Michael Kern, St. Thomas Aquinas –  The sophomore averaged 59.7 yards on kickoffs (Five touchbacks).

Linebackers 

Antwone Robinson, Linebacker, Apopka – The sophomore had 12 tackles and a tackle for loss.

Derrieon Craig, Linebacker, St. Thomas Aquinas – The senior had 8 tackles and one tackle for loss.

Samadre Hawkins, Linebacker, Cocoa – The sophomore registered 12 tackles.

Samadrae Hawkins, Linebacker, Cocoa

Tray Brown, Linebacker, Cardinal Gibbons – The senior, and Coastal Carolina signee, had seven total tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, two pass break-ups and three QB hurries.

 

Honorable Mention

Caden Morrell, Linebacker, Trinity Christian – The senior had five solo tackles, three tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.

Cameron Anderson, Linebacker, Trinity Christian – The 2024 talent had 2.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.

Khalil Hunter, Linebacker, St. Thomas Aquinas – The senior had six tackles, a half-sack, and a half tackle for loss plus a QB hurry. 

Logan Ballard, Linebacker, Venice – The 2022 player had five tackles, a sack, and two tackles for loss. 

 

Defensive Line

Jaelin Ruth, Defensive End, Hawthorne – The big (6-5, 190) junior was a monster in the 1A final.  He recorded 11 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Broc Weaver, Defensive Tackle, Cardinal Gibbons – The junior had seven tackles including six solo to go along with his four sacks.

Damon Wilson, Defensive End, Venice – The (6-5, 250) junior had eight tackles, a half-sack, and two tackles for loss including an interception and touchdown.

Justin Fevier, Defensive Tackle, St. Thomas Aquinas  – The senior had seven tackles, a sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss. 

Honorable Mention

Ahmad Moten, Defensive Tackle, Cardinal Gibbons – The senior had four tackles, a tackle for loss and three QB hurries.

George Phillip, Defensive End, Venice – The 2022 defender had seven tackles a half sack and a tackle for loss

Jamaal Johnson, Defensive End, Chaminade – The senior and UCF signee had seven total tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss.

Kenyatta Jackson, Defensive End, Chaminade – The 2022 edge rusher and Ohio State signee finished with six tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and a pass break up. 

Mason Thomas, Defensive End, Cardinal Gibbons – The senior recorded three total tackles, a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, one pass break-up and three QB hurries. 

 

Defensive Backs

Cedrick Hawkins, Defensive Back, Cocoa – The junior had 12 tackles, a tackle for loss, and an interception. 

Jeremiah Johnson, Safety, Tampa Bay Tech – The senior had seven tackles and a forced fumble. 

Wade Woodaz, Safety, Jesuit – The 2022 talent and Clemson signee had nine tackles and a tackle for loss.

Tyrese Thomas, Defensive Back, Pine Forest – The junior had three interceptions and three tackles.

Honorable Mention

Deontrez McLamb, Defensive Back, Pine Forest – The senior had three tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and an interception. 

Jeremiah McGill, Cornerback, Chaminade – The senior cornerback had two tackles and an interception late in the fourth quarter.

Jonathan Akins, Defensive Back, Madison County – The junior had two interceptions with one he returned for a touchdown, but it was called back because of a block in the back.

 

Logan Cody, Defensive Back, Merritt Island – The senior had 8 tackles plus a blocked punt.

Punter

Drew Canody, Berkeley Prep – Averaged 40 yards per punt, long of 48.

 

About Marcus Benjamin

Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.
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