Week 1 is officially in the books, and the Tampa Bay Region delivered some incredible performances to kick off the 2025 season. From game-changing plays to dominating stat lines, athletes all across the region made their mark on opening week.
After reviewing box scores and standout highlights, we narrowed the field down to 10 finalists for the very first The Blitz – Central Florida Football Player of the Week award. We also spotlighted a few more athletes who were strongly considered.
Now it’s your turn — cast your vote and help crown the Week 1 Football Player of the Week! Voting is open until Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET / 10:59 PM CT. Voting is unlimited, so rally your school, your teammates, and your community to support your pick!
We will reveal the winner on The Blitz – Central Florida Edition on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CT.
S Kendric Cidel, Ocoee
Recorded two interceptions for 59 return yards and added two defensive touchdowns in a 47–0 shutout of Apopka.
QB Devin Dicko, Timber Creek
Completed 9 of 9 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns in a 41–6 win over Colonial.
QB Noah Grubbs, Lake Mary
Went 12 of 24 for 154 yards and three touchdowns, adding 41 rushing yards and sparking a 23-point fourth-quarter comeback in a 30–29 win over Norland.
QB Royce Jenkins, Hagerty
Completed 14 of 17 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 87 yards and two scores in a 40–21 win over Lake Howell.
RB Amar’e Johnson, Bishop Moore
Carried 27 times for 223 yards and four touchdowns in a 68–35 win over Oviedo.
RB TJ McCormick, Mount Dora Christian
Rushed for 224 yards and four touchdowns on nine carries in a 56–35 win over Lake Highland Prep.
QB Sabby Meassick, Tohopekaliga
Completed 23 of 31 passes for 352 yards and five touchdowns in a 35–13 win over IMG Academy State.
WR Keydrick Powell, South Lake
Hauled in 10 catches for 149 yards and three touchdowns in a 27–6 win over Nature Coast Tech.
QB Jackson Stecher, Lake Brantley
Completed 8 of 8 passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns in a 75–0 win over Lyman.
LB Nolan Turner, West Orange
Racked up 18 tackles, including four for loss, and added three sacks in a 28–18 victory over Evans.
VOTE HERE
Who should be the The Blitz - Central Florida Player of the Week for Week 1 of the 2025 season?
- RB TJ McCormick, Mount Dora Christian (54%, 55,259 Votes)
- S Kendric Cidel, Ocoee (45%, 46,083 Votes)
- QB Devin Dicko, Timber Creek (0%, 443 Votes)
- LB Nolan Turner, West Orange (0%, 278 Votes)
- RB Amar’e Johnson, Bishop Moore (0%, 41 Votes)
- QB Sabby Meassick, Tohopekaliga (0%, 24 Votes)
- QB Noah Grubbs, Lake Mary (0%, 16 Votes)
- QB Royce Jenkins, Hagerty (0%, 15 Votes)
- QB Jackson Stecher, Lake Brantley (0%, 15 Votes)
- WR Keydrick Powell, South Lake (0%, 12 Votes)
Total Voters: 102,186
ALSO CONSIDERED
QB Kaleb Bielski, Innovation
RB Jack Benson, Orangewood Christian
DE Ricknomar Campos, Deltona
QB Andrew Chung, West Orange
S Jaden Cortes, Innovation
QB Noble Davis, Olympia
QB Tyson Davison, Ocoee
ILB Christian Dentley, Central Florida Christian
QB/RB Issac Farling, Mount Dora Christian
DE/LB Jorden Federick, Winter Springs
QB Jeremiah Hancock, Deltona
QB Ray Jenkins, Umatilla
QB Jaxson Lattier, St. Cloud
QB Christian Maheu, University (Orange City)
QB Blake McCullough, Bishop Moore
QB Lake Morgan, Lake Nona
DB Elijah Mosby, Windermere
ATH Taihj Moore, DeLand
RB Kaio Oliveira, Horizon
QB Breylon Sanchez, Windermere
WR Barrett Schulz, Lake Mary
RB Omar Scott, Winter Springs
DB Malehki Stokes, East Ridge
RB James Thomas, Taylor (Pierson)
CB Jakyri Watson, Osceola (Kissimmee)
RB James Yauger, Lake Buena Vista
