It’s not prep football season yet, but we are just under two months away from the start of summer training camps opening up. That means summer conditioning, 7-on-7’s and workouts are in full swing throughout the state of Florida, including Hernando County.
There’s many top-flight prep football players in the Tampa Bay area and there’s plenty throughout Hernando. We take a closer look at each team’s top player heading into summer/fall football.
Ethan Fahey, QB, Nature Coast: Fahey might arguably be one of the county’s top returning players. The senior threw for 1,140 yards and 15 touchdowns last season.
Brady Nowlan, TE/LB, Nature Coast: The linebacking unit for Nature Coast might be one of the best around. Nowlan notched 89 tackles, five for a loss and an interception.
Allan Ho, DB, Nature Coast: The county’s leader in interceptions from last season is back. Ho had a county-leading eight interceptions in 2020. Watch out for this player this upcoming fall.
Caleb Murray, LB, Nature Coast: The returning linebacker joins Nowlan and a very experienced group. Murray made 36 tackles from a year ago.
Donovan Heatly, OT/DE, Nature Coast: The Sharks’ defense showed many people they will have a dangerous unit when they played Clearwater Countryside in the spring. Heatly had 44 tackles last season and anchors a strong defensive line unit.
Jordan Williams, DB/WR, Hernando: Williams is the team’s top returning yard getter, with 142 yards on nine catches from last fall.
Sam Sternberger, LB, Hernando: The team’s top returning tackler will be back, as Sternberger notched 87 tackles in 2020.
Anthony Talpa, LB, Hernando: Talpa was the top tackling defensive lineman from one season ago. The quick-footed lineman notched 71 tackles and four tackles for loss.
Devin Williams, OL/DL, Hernando: Williams was another standout sophomore that impressed many for Hernando. The rising junior made 43 tackles and four went for a loss.
Ayden Ferguson, QB, Springstead: The 5-foot-10, 185-pound quarterback completed 32-of-54 passes for 229 yards last season.
Jordan Novomestky, LB, Springstead: The speedy linebacker racked up 47 tackles and eight of those went for a loss.
Cross Licht, RB/CB, Springstead: Though Licht only rushed for 45 yards last season, the senior should see an increased role.
Joseph Chavis, LB, Weeki Wachee: The defensive player of the year for the Gulf Coast 8 Conference is back for the Hornets.
Justin Boyle, OL/DL, Weeki Wachee: Whether it was on the offensive or defensive lines, Boyle was a force for Weeki Wachee.
Kenyan Hill, OL/DL, Weeki Wachee: Hornets rely heavily on their offensive line and Hill was one of the top lineman last fall.
Peyton Chancey, RB, Central: Chancey was the team’s leading rusher last season with 211 yards. He will be instrumental to whoever is the new head coach at Central.
Keyshawn Simmons, DB, Central: The Fivay transfer brings experience at the cornerback position for Central.
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.
