Gators Chomp Dolphins in Preseason Battle

Escambia High School (FL) had an impressive night Friday’s preseason showdown verses the Gulf Breeze Dolphins (FL). While this game had no bearing on the regular season, the Gators did look like they were in mid-season form.

Escambia is led by senior quarterback and IMG transfer, Nino Freeman. Nino is a dual threat QB that can do it all. He has a great release and accuracy and has the ability to move in the pocket and when needed escape defenders. Friday night, he avoided multiple sack attempts and threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter. He is a freak athlete at 6’5″.

Gulf Breeze has their senior QB as well in Brock Stomps. Brock is more of a pocket QB and has a good arm. Already with multiple DII, NAIA, and DIII offers; Brock looks to have a big season after transferring from Lafayette, Louisiana. The son of head coach Jim Stomps, Brock has been taught how to lead on and off the field.

One of the guys that really impressed me Friday night was senior wide out Jake Hooten from Gulf Breeze high. He was used in multiple ways to get the ball in his hands. “This young man continually impresses me,” said head coach Jim Stomps, “he has a 4.6 GPA, a 34 ACT, and he can play ball!”

Gators senior athlete Ladarian Clardy plays both ways as Safety and Wide Receiver. He is an electrifying four star athlete with multiple Power 5 offers. I do see his stock rising as the season progresses with his incredible speed. He plays faster than his listed 4.5 speed. He had two receiving TDs in the game Friday night. In both scoring plays, he walked away from the defenders as if they were standing still. That is saying something since I know the 40 times of the secondary for the Dolphins, after all, they all participated in the Gridiron Football Elite Camp back in June.

I have not seen a female kicker since I worked for Sam Nader at LSU and Mo Isom tried out for the Tigers, but senior kicker Morgan Stancliff can be nicknamed “Miss Automatic.” She makes extra points look easy. Coach Bennet told me that she has a strong leg and recommends her to play in the All-American game. I officially offered Morgan to play in the 2024 Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game. If she accepts, she will make the first female to ever play in an All-American Bowl Game.

Other standouts from Friday nights game was Escambia’s class of 2025 Tight End, Mason Moore, class of 2025 athlete Lamarcus Legree, class of 2025 DB Taiylor Bradsher and for Gulf Breeze class of 2027 running back Braylon Mayfield, class of 2027 wide receiver DJ spence, class of 2027 running back Ethan Crandall, and class of 2026 DE Kade Rollins.

Overall, the Dolphins are a young team but are capable of playing with anyone this season. The Gators, could become the front runner in the state once they get into district. This team is very talented and could go all the way. But the old ball coach in me says they first need to take each game as they come and don’t look past the team they are playing that week.

Gridiron Football All-American Invites

The following have been invited to play in the 2024 Gridiron Football All-American Game. These individuals has shown their commitment to the sport as well as their studies. This years game will be played in Baton Rouge, Louisiana while practices and Bowl Game events will take place in the Jambalaya Capital of Gonzales, Louisiana just south of Baton Rouge. The players will report to the Lamar Dixon Expo Center on Dec 27th and the game will be played on Dec 30th at Memorial Stadium. Get your tickets today HERE. To see all the commitments, click HERE.