FOLLOW US facebook.com\FloridaSportingNews - Twitter @FSNSportingNews FloridaSportingNews.com
Volume 2 • Issue 56
Dec 28 - Jan 8 2018
ks
an Th
FR Ou
EE
To
tis
!
er
dv
rA
s
er
Under Armour Game
Jan 4th @
Camping World Stadium
Page 2 Florida Sporting News •12/28/17 - 1/8/18
Local Jones High Football Player in All-American Game Sevyn Banks is never nervous when he’s under the bright lights on the football field.
“It was good. He’s in college rehabbing his Achilles and stuff, so just a lot of love,” Banks said.
However, given a microphone and addressing the Orlando Jones High student body during a homecoming pep rally, the 6-foot-1, 186-pound cornerback found himself a bit out of his element.
It was a family affair at the event and Banks had his mother Andrea Tate and father Raymond Banks on hand to celebrate with him. His mother was also presented an award by Under Armour. The Dream Champion Award is presented to the person most “responsible” for helping Banks achieve his dreams.
Banks, who committed to Ohio State in April, was being honored during the rally for his selection to the Under Armour All-American Game, but he suddenly had few words.
Sevyn Banks was presented with his Under Armour All-American jersey Friday
“I just wanna thank everybody for coming out and supporting J-High,” he said. “I love you all and, uh, there you go, baby.”
And with that, Banks was officially an all-American. Banks will join Clermont East Ridge receiver Justin Watkins as Central Florida representatives in the game, which will be played right across the street from Jones High at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, Jan. 4. It was a special day for Banks, who was able to share the announcement with his older brother Marcell Harris, a senior safety at the University of Florida. Harris, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury prior to the start of his this season, was able to make the trip to Orlando for the cere-
mony. Harris, too, was an Under Armour All-American in 2013 while at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips High. “Back then, it was just cool to me, like, ‘Dang, my brother’s in the Under Armour game with all these raw people and everything.’ I would have never thought I’d be in this position right now,” Banks said. “It was always a dream, but I never knew it would happen.” So it was a special moment to be able to share the honor with his brother.
Sponsored and Partnered with the NFL Alumni
“It was great. It was amazing. My mom always pushes me to my limits … and to never settle for less,” Banks said.
Banks said it’s somewhat surreal when hearing the names of the players who have played in the game, especially players like Julio Jones and A.J. Green, who are still
12/28/17 - 1/8/18 • Florida Sporting News
Page 3
Local Jones High Football Player in All-American Game
Injured Florida senior safety Marcell Harris was on hand Friday to see his brother Sevyn Banks honored for being selected in the Under Armour All-American Game
in their prime in the NFL. “That’s crazy. They’re the greats. They’re the GOATs [Greatest Of All Time] in the NFL right now … it’s kind of hard to be-
Sevyn Banks poses with his mother Andrea Tate and his father Raymond Banks during an Under Armour All-American ceremony.
lieve I’m playing in the Under Armour game that they played in too,” Banks said. First, however, Banks and his Jones High team will be hoping to make an earlier,
December trip down the street to Camping World Stadium, where the state high school championships will be played. “It’s gonna be a big year,” Banks said.
Page 4 Florida Sporting News •12/28/17 - 1/8/18
Local East Ridge Football Player in All-American Under Armour Game on January 4th
Wide receiver Justin Watkins was presented with an Under Armour All America jersey on Tuesday at East Ridge (Clermont, Florida) High. “This is one of my greatest accomplishments yet,” said Watkins. “Growing up, I went to the game three times and watched it on TV when I wasn’t there in person. To get to play in the game now means everything to me.” The 6-foot, 173-pound playmaker has been one of the more turbulent recruitments in the 2018 cycle, but could be circling back to where it all began. “I’m starting to schedule my official visits. I have LSU for their last game of the season, and I also
have one to Alabama I’m setting up,” Watkins said. “I may also visit Florida and Louisville. Maybe Kentucky too. I would like to get back up there. I can tell you that LSU is my leader right now.” Four questions with Justin Watkins: What player are you looking forward to competing with or against in the Under Armour All-America Game? Al Blades for sure. He was one of the guys at Future 50 that pushed me and guarded me well. If you could start a team with any player in your class, who would it be and why?
I would say Xavier Thomas. He’s a monster. He’s so fast and quick off the edge. It takes two people to slow him down. What is your earliest football memory? The first time I got hit. I think I was 9. It woke me up. It kind of hurt. I told myself I can’t be taking hits like that anymore, so it made me learn to avoid big hits. What number do your wear, and why? I wear 1, but 7 is my favorite number. I won two youth league championships wearing lucky 7.
12/28/17 - 1/8/18 • Florida Sporting News
Page 5
Kyle Pitts receives All-American Jersey
Archbishop Wood (Abington, Pa.) tight end Kyle Pitts received his Under Armour All-America Game jersey Monday at his school as part of the American Family Insurance Selection Tour.
Pitts, a Florida commit, is the 2nd-ranked Dream Champion Award. tight end in the country, and the 5th overThe Under Armour All America Game is all recruit in Pennsylvania, according to scheduled for Jan. 4 at Camping World ESPN. Stadium in Orlando, Fla. and will be teleKyle Pitts presented his parents with the vised live on ESPN2 at 6 p.m. EST.
Page 6 Florida Sporting News •12/28/17 - 1/8/18
Nicholas Petit-Frere (OT) Tampa (FL) Berkeley Prep
Justin Watkins (WR) Clermont (FL) East Ridge
Jacob Copeland (WR) Pensacola (FL) Escambia
Richard Gouraige (OT) Tampa (FL) Cambridge Christian
Brian Snead (RB)
Xavier Williams (WR)
Seffner (FL) Armwood
Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna Prep
Chandler Jones (CB)
Daniel Faalele (OT)
Miami (FL) Miami Central
Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
Joey Gatewood (DUAL) Jacksonville (FL) Bartram Trail
Rosendo Louis (ILB) Deerfield Beach (FL) Deerfield Beach
Elijah Moore (WR) Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas
12/28/17 - 1/8/18 • Florida Sporting News
Page 7
Curtis Dunlap (OG)
Nik Bonitto (OLB)
Sevyn Banks (CB)
Anthony Schwartz (WR)
Robert Hicks (ILB)
Gurvan Hall (S)
Cleveland Reed (OG)
Mike Jones Jr. (OLB)
Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
Miami (FL) Miami Central
Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas
West Palm Beach (FL) Palm Beach Gardens
Orlando (FL) Jones
Fort Meade (FL) Ford Meade
Fort Lauderdale (FL) American Heritage
Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
Page 8 Florida Sporting News •12/28/17 - 1/8/18
Devon Williams #1 Athlete in the Nation Just last month, Antelope Valley (Lancaster, Calif.) athlete Devon Williams broke an Antelope single-game scoring record, racking up six touchdowns in a 52-0 win over Little Rock; one of many feats for Williams this season. Still, on Monday when the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance came to Williams’ school and presented him his honorary jersey for the Under Armour All-America Game, it was clear that this was the high point of his senior season. The Under Armour All-America Game is scheduled for Jan. 4 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. and will be televised live on ESPN2 at 6 p.m. EST.
Williams is considered the No. 1 athlete in the ESPN 300 and is mulling over offers everyone to Alabama to UCLA to Oregon. Williams led the Antelopes to an 8-2 regular season finish. Last weekend, the Antelopes rolled Righetti (Santa Maria) 39-18 in the first
round of the playoffs. “I’m gonna go out and celebrate by having a hard practice,” Williams said. “My only focus is winning this state title and I’m putting everything I have into that. I’ve shut my recruitment down and everything. Today makes me want it even more.”
“It’s just blessing to be a part of this game,” Williams said. “I always watched the game since I was younger and to have the chance to play in it now is pretty surreal.”
Jack Lamb Receives All-American Jersey Great Oak (Temecula, Calif.) linebacker Jack Lamb received his Under Armour All-America Game jersey Monday at his school as part of the American Family Insurance Selection Tour. Lamb, a Notre Dame commit, is the 13thranked linebacker in the country according to ESPN. Jack presented his Pop Warner Head Coach/ High School Assistant Coach, Mike Barney, with the Dream Champion Award.
SERVING ALL OF HURRICANE IRMA RELIEF FAMILIES FOR THE LOCAL ORLANDO AREA
12/28/17 - 1/8/18 • Florida Sporting News
Page 9
Page 10 Florida Sporting News •12/28/17 - 1/8/18
NFL Alumni Orlando Student Athelete Honors The NFL Alumni Central Florida Chapter, was excited to collaborate with the Central Florida All Star Game to create its first inaugural 2017 Student Athlete Honors, celebrating and recognizing student athletes who exemplify leadership and excellence, both on and off the field. These students are individuals who have been committed and dedicated and we wanted to recognize their initiatives by hosting an evening just for them. During our Student Athlete Honors, we awarded 5 exemplary students with trophies and scholarships handed out by former NFL players and community leaders. We welcome you to get involved as we honor and reward these student athletes, who will go on to college with an experience they can remember!
Charles Robinson St. Cloud High Tanner Ingle Dr. Phillips Hawke Forsythe West Orange High Eddie Loos Foundation High Brandon Brown Lake Mary High
by Knakeesha Samuels
12/28/17 - 1/8/18 • Florida Sporting News
(321) 282-1055
YOUHAVEPOWER.COM
Page 11
Page 12 Florida Sporting News •12/28/17 - 1/8/18