THE VILLAGES, Fla. – Today the 67th Annual Florida Athletic Coaches Association North-South All-Star Classic will take place at the H.G. Morse Range at The Villages High School with kickoff slated for 1 PM ET. Nearly 80 players from across the state of Florida are invited each year to take part in the state’s oldest All-Star game that has seen notable players over the year play including Lamar Jackson, Emmitt Smith, Derrick Brooks, Laveranues Coles, Clinton Portis, Deion Sanders, Peter Warrick, Danny Wuerffel, among many others that have played in this classic event.
This year’s FACA North-South All-Star Classic will be the last time that it will be held on the current campus of The Villages High School as the school will move into a brand new campus in the fall of 2023 roughly six miles south on County Road 470, west of the Florida Turnpike that will include a brand-new state of the art facility including field turf. The FACA North-South All-Star Classic will continue at the new campus in December 2023.
With that said, let’s take a look at this year’s North Team roster and coaching staff.
All headshot photos taken by Joshua Wilson
NORTH TEAM ROSTER
No. 1 CB Jonathan Akins, Madison County (Madison)
6-1, 170; Head Coach: Price Harris
Akins is a three-star prospect per 247Sports Composite rankings and is currently a Maryland commit. Adkins in games played this season recorded 22 tackles, 1 INT, 11 PBUs, and forced a fumble for the Cowboys while helping Madison County reach the Class 1R playoffs.
No. 2 DB Clint Thomas, Chiefland
6-2, 180; Head Coach: James Corbin
A lockdown corner, most teams avoided Thomas as he only had five tackles, one interception, and three PBUs on defense. He also had 31 carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns plus 38 receptions for 673 yards and seven touchdowns on offense while being instrumental in Chiefland’s playoff run in Class 1R.
No. 3 QB Nehemiah Vann, Seven Rivers Christian (Lecanto)
6-1, 185; Head Coach: Monty Vann
Vann, who is the son of head coach Monty Vann at Seven Rivers Christian, led them to the semifinals of the SSAC 5A playoffs this year, completing 123-of-241 passes for 1,845 yards and 27 touchdowns. Nehemiah also rushed for 607 yards on 106 carries and scored nine more touchdowns on the ground.
No. 4 CB Chavaris Dumas, Palatka
6-0, 174; Head Coach: Patrick Turner
In all 11 games Dumas played in for the Panthers this season, he racked up 17 tackles, eight interceptions, and 1 PBU in helping lead Palatka to the playoffs in Class 2S-Region 2.
No. 5 CB Vincent Brown Jr., Wildwood
5-7, 165: Head Coach: Vincent Brown Sr.
The son of Wildcats head coach, Vincent Brown Sr., the junior son had 43 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble in leading Wildwood to the regional semifinals in the Class 1R playoffs.
No. 6 WR Will Smiley, Bay (Panama City)
6-0, 170; Head Coach: Jeremy Brown
Smiley is an athlete that has played in multiple positions for the district champion Tornadoes this season in Class 2S-District 3 under Bay alum and head coach, Jeremy Brown. Smiley racked up 82 carries for 509 yards rushing and five touchdowns this season, plus had 15 receptions for 314 yards and a touchdown.
No. 7 DE Arion Stith, Bartram Trail (St. Johns)
6-3, 240; Head Coach: Darrell Sutherland
One of two players from Bartram Trail on the roster for the North, Stith racked up 32 total tackles, four tackles for loss three sacks, and an interception for the Bears that reached the Class 4S-Region 1 finals.
No. 8 WR Akeem Stokes, Escambia (Pensacola)
5-9, 175; Head Coach: Mike Bennett
Stokes was an impressive standout on the field for the Gators that reached the Class 3S-Region 1 semifinals this season having 79 catches for 1,224 yards and seven touchdowns. Stokes had 1,532 all-purpose yards with 95 kick return yards and 200 punt return yards including two punt return touchdowns and one two-point conversion.
No. 9 S Jabrel Samuel, North Marion (Citra)
6-2, 180; Head Coach: Greg Carr
The safety had a solid year with 36 tackles, one tackle for loss, four interceptions, four pass breakups, and two forced fumbles as part of helping the Colts reach the Class 2S-Region 2 quarterfinals this season.
No. 10 LB Zeke Cromwell, Bartram Trail (St. Johns)
5-10, 206; Head Coach: Darrell Sutherland
The second of two Bartram Trail players, Cromwell was instrumental in the team’s defensive effort that helped guide them to the Class 4S-Region 1 final with 75 tackles, five tackles for loss, one interception, and one forced fumble. 6
No. 11 WR Reed Robinson, Booker T. Washington (Pensacola)
6-4, 205; Head Coach: Ryan Onkka
Robinson was an impressive standout for the Wildcats this season with the ability to do some damage at receiver as had 55 receptions for 908 yards and scored nine touchdowns. Robinson holds multiple Division I FBS offers from Group of Five programs including Appalachian State, Middle Tennessee, Southern Miss, Tulane, and Toledo to name a few.
No. 12 RB Rhyder Poppell, Florida High (Tallahassee)
5-10, 205; Head Coach: Jarrod Hickman
The second leading rusher for the Class 2S state runner-up team, Poppell was instrumental in the charge to the state championship game for the Seminoles, having 112 carries for 1,002 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. For good measure, Poppell also had 19 catches for 319 yards and six touchdowns. Poppell is committed to The Citadel.
No. 13 P Jayden Milton, Lincoln (Tallahassee)
6-4, 195; Head Coach: Jimmie Tyson
As a punter, Milton handled it well for the Trojans in their playoff appearance in Class 3S-Region 1 this season averaging 35.4 yards per punt on 38 punts with nine of those punts falling inside the 20-yard line.
No. 14 WR Brooks Hickman, Florida High (Tallahassee)
5-10; 165; Head Coach: Jarrod Hickman
The son of head coach Jarrod Hickman and the grandson of North team coordinator Mike Hickman, Brooks is a third-generation North-South Classic All-Star player or coach, which is only happened twice in the 67 years this game has been played. Hickman was the Seminoles leading receiver in the Class 2S State runner-up finish finishing with 66 catches for 927 yards and seven touchdowns. Brooks also had nine carries for 124 yards rushing and two more touchdowns, plus had one passing touchdown.
No. 16 WR David Ramos, Lake Minneola (Minneola)
6-4, 210; Head Coach: Walter Banks
One of the top targets for the Class 4S-Region 2 finalists, Ramos excelled for the Hawks with 37 catches for 705 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
No. 17 K Reice Griffith, Pace
5-10, 165; Head Coach: Kent Smith
Griffith excelled as a kicker for the Regional Quarterfinalist Patriots in Class 4S-Region 1 as both a kicker and punter. As a kicker, he was 51-of-53 on point after tries and was 4-of-5 on field goals with his longest being from 49 yards. As a punter, Griffith averaged 42.9 yards per punt on 28 punts made during the season.
No. 18 QB Jamie Hampton, Madison County (Madison)
6-0, 185; Head Coach: Price Harris
Hampton is a dual-threat type quarterback who went 47-of-96 passing for 471 yards and a touchdown in 2022 plus had 760 yards rushing on 79 carries and four more touchdowns for the Cowboys in 2022.
No. 20 S Javarion “Jay” Smith, Suwanee (Live Oak)
5-10, 170; Head Coach: Kyler Hall
Smith was instrumental in leading the Bulldogs to the Class 2S-Region 1 finals this season as well as a district championship racking up 91 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one interception for the Bulldogs.
No. 21 RB Cam Smith, Baker County (Glen St. Mary)
5-8, 170; Head Coach: Kevin Mays
The leading rusher for the Class 2S-Region 2 finalists Wildcats, Smith was a force with 190 carries for 1,653 yards and 16 touchdowns. Smith also had 16 catches for 490 yards receiving and four touchdowns.
No. 22 RB Tre’ Jones, Chiles (Tallahassee)
5-10, 210; Head Coach: Kevin Pettis
The leading rusher for the Timberwolves, Jones has 179 carries this season for 1,511 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns while breaking numerous school records along the way. Jones also had nine catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns as well.
No. 24 DE Kameron Graham, Boone (Orlando)
6-4, 220; Head Coach: Andy Johnson
One of the top defensive linemen this season for the Braves, Graham was a key part to Boone winning a district championship and reaching the playoffs in Class 4M. During the season he racked up 62 total tackles, 21 TFL, three sacks, one PBU, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.
No. 25 LB Ashton Bracewell, Flagler Palm Coast
6-4, 215: Head Coach: Robert Paxia
Bracewell was an instrumental leader with 110 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, one sack, seven quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble for the Bulldogs who won a district championship and reached the playoffs this season in Class 4S-Region 1.
No. 32 LB Jawarren Corbin, South Sumter (Bushnell)
6-1, 235; Head Coach: Ty Lawrence
Corbin was instrumental in the defense for the Raiders that won a district championship and reached the Regional Final in Class 2S-Region 3 this season. For the season, Corbin had 78 total tackles, 20 TFL, six sacks, three pass breakups, and forced one fumble.
No. 33 LB Braden Sullivan, New Smyrna Beach
6-2, 225; Head Coach John Wilkinson
Sullivan led the Barracudas in tackles this season with 128 alongside having 16 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and forcing one fumble.
No. 34 LS Brock Walters, Winter Park
6-2, 215; Head Coach: Timothy Shifflet
The leading snapper for the Wildcats, Walters has the ability to play along the offensive line at center and is able to snap the long balls needed for field goals, extra point attempts, and punts as needed.
No. 40 DE Charles Green III, Seminole (Sanford)
6-2, 250; Head Coach: Eric Lodge
One of the top defensive linemen for the Seminoles, Green has been known to get after it against opposing offensives with explosive play-making abilities and has been part of multiple playoff teams under head coach Eric Lodge.
No. 44 DT Rayqwon Smith, Chiles (Tallahassee)
6-2, 270; Head Coach: Kevin Pettis
A key part of the defense for the Timberwolves in 2022, Smith had 72 total tackles along with 13 TFL, six sacks, nine quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one blocked kick.
No. 45 DT Jacques Fenderson, Palatka
5-10, 270; Head Coach: Patrick Turner
The second Palatka athlete to grace the roster for the North team, Fenders racked up 43 tackles, 11 TFL, and three sacks, forcing one fumble, and recovering another fumble for the Panthers who reached the playoffs this season.
No. 57 OL Caleb Revis, The Villages
6-4, 255; Head Coach: Richard Pettus
One of the top linemen for the host school, The Villages, Revis stood out in a year when the Buffalo struggled with a young team and was looked up to as a leader.
No. 66 OL Ethan Newman, Navarre
6-3, 282; Head Coach: Jay Walls
Newman was one of the top offensive linemen for the Raiders that won the District 4S-1 championship this season and helped Navarre reach the Class 4S-Region 1 quarterfinals.
No. 70 OL Joseph Hanson, Niceville
6-5, 285; Head Coach: Grant Thompson
One of the top offensive linemen for the Eagles’ District 4S-2 championship-winning team this season. Hanson has narrowed down his choices with Coastal Carolina and Jacksonville State as his top two schools among the handful of Division I FBS offers he currently holds.
No. 73 OL/DL Brayden Ramey, Trinity Catholic (Ocala)
6-5, 290; Head Coach: John Brantley III
One of two offensive linemen from Trinity Catholic playing the game that was also part of the Celtics Class 1S state runner-up finish, Ramey has multiple Division I FBS offers with FIU and UAB looking to be his top two choices he is deciding from now. Ramey is a three-star prospect, according to 247 Sports composite rankings.
No. 74 OL Neville Brown, Evans (Orlando)
6-2, 300; Head Coach: Kenard Lang
A leader of the offensive line for the Trojans, Brown was instrumental in helping the offense with Evans having over 1,100 yards rushing during the season.
No. 75 OL/OC Trent Lovett, Chiles (Tallahassee)
6-3, 300; Head Coach: Kevin Pettis
Lovett is a very tall and strong offensive lineman that helped propel teammate Tre’ Jones to have a record-breaking season for the Timberwolves. Tennessee State and Middle Tennessee State are the top two schools right now that Lovett is considering.
No. 76 OL/DL Purnell Richardson, Sandalwood (Jacksonville)
6-3, 305; Head Coach: Adam Geis
Richardson has the flexibility to play on both sides of the ball but spent his senior season playing offensive guard and tackle for the Saints.
No. 77 OL Tommy Kinsler, Trinity Catholic
6-6, 300; Head Coach: John Brantley III
The second offensive lineman from the Celtics to be on the North team, Kinsler helped his offense along the way to a Class 1S state runner-up finish this season. A three-star prospect in the 247 Sports composite rankings, Kinsler is a Miami (FL) commit.
No. 82 TE Brady Nowlan, Nature Coast (Brooksville)
6-2, 210; Head Coach: Cory Johns
Nowlan was an instrumental part of the Sharks’ offensive line and helped them win a district championship in Class 2S-District 11. For the 2022 season, Nowlan had 15 receptions for 245 yards and two touchdowns.
HEAD COACH
Darrell Sutherland, Bartram Trail (St. Johns)
After 23 seasons as the only head coach for the Bartram Trail Bears, this will be the last game that Sutherland will coach as a high school football head coach. Sutherland is 187-119 overall as a head coach and led the Bears to the Class 7A state championship game in 2017 losing to Venice 37-24 in that game that was played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
ASSISTANT COACHES
Chad Parker, Bartram Trail (St. Johns)
Parker has been assistant with Coach Sutherland at Bartram Trail and this will be his last official game representing the school as it was announced on Wednesday morning that Parker will become the new head coach at Fleming Island. Parker has been an assistant for the Bears for the last nine seasons.
Mike Bennett, Escambia (Pensacola)
A state championship-winning coach, Bennett is 1-1 in state championship games having won it in Class 3A at Pensacola High in 2009 and then leading Escambia to their first state championship game appearance in many years in 2019, losing to Miami Central in the Class 6A state championship game. Bennett is well known for his coaching career in the Pensacola area and has coached multiple athletes that he has sent on to college.
Robert Paxia, Flagler Palm Coast
Paxia is an alum of Flagler Palm Coast High and just finished up his second season as the head coach there, winning the Class 4S-District 4 championship this season. Paxia has had stops in Florida before returning home to the Bulldogs at Lake Gibson as well as Plant City.
John Brantley III, Trinity Catholic (Ocala)
A longtime coach in Florida, a state championship-winning quarterback that went on to play at the University of Florida, and is currently in his second stint as a head coach at Trinity Catholic. Brantley won the Class 2B State Championship in 2010 as a head coach and just had his team finish as the Class 1S State Runner-up this season. Another note about Brantley is that he played in the FACA North-South All-Star Classic in 1975. Brantley is an alumnus of Forest in Ocala where he played for the legendary late Brent Hall.
Eric Lodge, Seminole (Sanford)
Lodge just finished his seventh season at Seminole including his third as the head coach, Lodge led the Seminoles to a 12-0 season in 2020, leading them to a victory in the Class 8A State Championship, and has guided them to the playoff all three seasons he has been a head coach. Lodge hails from Okeechobee where he played high school football at.
Andy Johnson, Boone (Orlando)
Johnson is well known in the Orange County and Orlando area having been the head coach at Boone for a decade now prior to coming to Boone spent time at Freedom (Orlando) where he guided his team to multiple district championships and playoff berths including a district championship in 2022 in Class 4M.
NORTH TEAM COORDINATOR
Mike Hickman, Florida High (Tallahassee)
Hickman has been the North team coordinator for the FACA for the past 20 years and has been involved in the game as a head coach, serving as the North Head Coach in 2005 when he was the head coach at Florida High. His son Jarrod has played and coached in the game and now grandson Brooks will be participating in this year’s game.
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