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 South Team roster and coaching staff.
SOUTH TEAM ROSTER
No. 1 WR Eddie Bennett, Dunbar (Fort Myers)
5-10, 160; Head Coach: Sammy Brown
More of a defensive back that is playing wide receiver for this game, Bennett had 75 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions, five pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles for the Tigers which reached the state semifinals for the first time ever in school history.
No. 2 WR Chauncy Cobb, Clewiston
5-6, 157; Head Coach: Pete Walker
Cobb who was the Tigers leading receiver this season is a three-star prospect per 247 Sports’ composite rankings for the 2023 Class. Currently, Cobb is an Arkansas State commit and played a little bit of everything this season including quarterback where he was 16-of-27 passing for 350 yards and four touchdowns, rushing for 1,246 yards on 118 carries and 14 touchdowns plus hauling in 16 catches for 115 yards while helping guide the Tigers to a District Championship in District 2S-14. Cobb also recorded 34 tackles on defense along with three interceptions.
No. 3 RB Luke Yoder, East Lake (Tarpon Springs)
5-11, 195; Head Coach: Bob Hudson
Yoder was an instrumental piece to the Eagles winning a district championship and leading them to the Class 4M-Region 2 finals this season. For his senior season, Yoder rushed for 1,673 yards on 171 carries, scoring 25 touchdowns in the process. He also had 17 catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns to add to his stats.
No. 4 RB Trequan Jones, Bartow
5-11, 170; Head Coach: Richard Tate
The leading rusher for the Yellow Jackets this season, Jones was a key part in helping Bartow reach the Class 4S-Region 2 quarterfinals.
No. 5 WR Michael Burgarelli, Okeechobee
5-10, 175; Head Coach: BJ Pryor
Burgarelli was one of the players that the Brahmans could rely on in a downtrodden year going 47-of-108 passing for 581 yards and a touchdown and carrying the ball 127 yards for 441 yards rushing along with seven touchdowns.
No. 6 WR Anthony Benjamin, Dunbar (Fort Myers)
5-9, 160; Head Coach: Sammy Brown
Benjamin was the leading receiver for the Tigers this year in reaching the Class 3S State Semifinals. Benjamin, who has several Division I FBS offers had 30 catches for 431 yards receiving and seven touchdowns.
No. 7 TE Nathan Carter, East Bay (Gibsonton)
6-2, 245; Head Coach: Mike Gottman
A do-everything athlete for the Indians, Carter went 55-of-95 passing for 1,022 yards and 14 touchdowns and 139 carries for 706 yards rushing and 12 more touchdowns while leading the Indians to a district championship this season.
No. 8 DB Terrel Redding, Winter Haven
6-0, 170; Head Coach: James Thomson
One of the leading defensive backs for the Blue Devils district championship season, Redding racked up 30 total tackles, three interceptions, and eight pass breakups.
No. 9 QB Ryan Anthony, Wellington
5-10, 170; Head Coach: Danny Mendoza
Anthony helped guide the Wolverines to the Class 4M-Region 3 playoffs this season, going 110-of-209 passing for 1,881 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for 1,084 yards on 122 carries for 13 more touchdowns.
No. 11 LB Tyler Blevins, Sebring
6-3, 190; Head Coach: LaVarr Scott
One of the leading tacklers for the Blue Streaks, Blevins had 90 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, two sacks, seven quarterback hurries, six pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and blocked two kicks. Blevins helped the Blue Streaks win the district 3S-11 championship as well.
No. 12 QB Trent Grotjan, Lake Wales
6-3, 190; Head Coach: Tavaris Johnson
A state championship-winning quarterback, guiding the Highlanders to the Class 3S State Championship going 123-of-206 passing for 2,358 yards and 28 touchdowns while rushing 54 times for 327 yards and five more touchdowns. For good measure, Grotjan also is a punter, punting 37 times with an average of 43.3 yards per punt with 16 punts landing inside the 20-yard line.
No. 13 K Tyler Patterson, Fort Pierce Central
6-2, 195; Head Coach: Mike Watkins
Patterson a kicker and a punter for the Cobras averaged 56.7 yards per kickoff this season with 12 touchbacks and averaged 36.8 yards per punt on 30 punts. His longest was 37 yards this season. Patterson currently has some interest in a few Division I FBS programs.
No. 16 RB Kirby Vorhees, Steinbrenner (Lutz)
5-10, 195: Head Coach: Andres Perez-Reinaldo
Vorhees was one player most coaches in the Tampa Bay area did not want to face as he led the Warriors with 1,015 yards rushing on 147 carries, scoring nine touchdowns plus added 28 catches for 309 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Vorhees finished his senior season with 1,654 all-purpose yards including 307 kickoff return yards and 23 punt return yards along with a kickoff return touchdown. Vorhees has some interest from a few programs with his biggest offer at the moment coming from Bowling Green.
No. 17 P Rocco D’Angelo, Barron Collier (Naples)
6-0, 160; Head Coach: Mark Jackson
D’Angelo averaged 45.7 yards per punt on 21 punts during the 2022 season and also did kicking duties as well, averaging 54 yards per kickoff with 18 touchbacks on 31 kickoffs. He was also 27-of-28 on point after tries and was 3-of-6 on field goals with his longest coming from 25 yards out.
No. 18 S Phineas Allen, Rockledge
5-11, 180; Head Coach: Wayne Younger
Allen, an Army West Point commit, racked up 77 tackles, a sack, one interception, one pass deflection, one fumble recovery, and forcing a fumble while leading the Raiders to a district championship and to the Class 3S-Region 3 semifinals this season.
No. 20 S Evan Aikens, St. Petersburg
6-1, 165; Head Coach: Denis Gillen
Aikens racked up 49 tackles, four interceptions, and two pass deflections as a key part of helping the Green Devils reach the Class 3M-Region 2 quarterfinals this season.
No. 22 S Ricky Shaw, Largo
5-11, 175; Head Coach: Marcus Paschal
Shaw was a key piece of the Packers’ defense this season in reaching the Class 3M-Region 2 playoffs with 72 total tackles, five interceptions, five pass deflections, one fumble recovery, forcing two fumbles, and blocking one punt.
No. 24 LB Thomas Johnson, Palmetto
5-11, 175; Head Coach: Dave Marino
One of the Tigers’ leading tacklers in leading them to a district championship, Johnson racked up 76 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, one interception, three pass deflections, and forced a fumble.
No. 25 LB Zayvion McCluster, Largo
6-1, 205; Head Coach: Marcus Paschal
The leading tackler for the Packers this season in their playoff run in Class 3M-Region 2 had 117 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, one sack one interception, breaking up five passes, forcing two fumbles, recovering one fumble, and blocking a punt. McCluster is committed to Campbell.
No. 32 DE Kadin Baker, Sebring
6-3, 220; Head Coach: LaVarr Scott
Baker was an anchor to the Blue Streaks’ defensive line, collecting 40 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, five sacks, 19 quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles for the district champion Blue Streaks.
No. 33 DE Da’Marcus Abner, Riverview (Sarasota)
6-0, 225; Head Coach: Joshua Smithers
Abner was one of the leading defensive linemen for the Rams that reached the Class 4S-Region 4 finals after having a sluggish regular season in 2022.
No. 34 LB Jeremy Greaves Jr., Clewiston
6-1, 225; Head Coach: Pete Walker
The leading tackler this season for Clewiston, Greaves racked up 103 total tackles, and 13 sacks, forcing one fumble and blocking three kicks while helping the Tigers win the Class 2S-District 14 championship.
No. 40 DE Terrell James, Lake Wales
6-4, 230; Head Coach: Tavaris Johnson
James, an Arkansas State commit and a 247 Sports Composite three-star player, is one of several defensive players with over 100 tackles for Lake Wales, James racked up 108 tackles with 58 tackles for loss, 29 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries, two pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles in helping lead Lake Wales to the Class 3S State Championship.
No. 44 DT Corey McIntyre Jr., Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie)
6-4, 290; Head Coach: Irvin Jones
A three-star prospect on 247 Sports’ Composite rankings and a West Virginia commit racked up 37 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and one fumble recovery while helping the Titans reach the Class 4S-Region 3 semifinals this season.
No. 45 DT Andrew Rumph, Palmetto
6-6, 280; Head Coach: Dave Marino
A three-star 247 Sports composite prospect and UCF commit, Rumph was another leader for the Tigers’ district championship-winning defense, collecting 44 tackles, 12 TFL, one interception, three pass deflections, and forcing a fumble.
No. 57 OL Maddox Marchbank, Sarasota
6-2, 270; Head Coach: Brody Wiseman
One of the leading offensive linemen for the Sailors that reached the Class 4S-Region 4 playoffs this season.
No. 66 OL Austin Huff, East Lake (Tarpon Springs)
6-3, 270; Head Coach: Bob Hudson
Huff was one of the top linemen for the Eagles and helped guide teammate Luke Yoder to a huge season on the ground.
No. 70 OL Jaycek Lasinski, Southeast (Bradenton)
6-2, 270; Head Coach: Brett Timmons
One of the top linemen for the Seminoles under head coach Brett Timmons during a down season for the program.
No. 73 OL Shane Elam, Clearwater Central Catholic
6-3, 290; Head Coach: Chris Harvey
One of the top offensive linemen for the Marauders who finished the season as the Class 1M state runner-up. Holds offers currently from Middle Tennessee State and Division II West Florida.
No. 74 OL Jahiem Buchanon, Lehigh
6-3, 280; Head Coach: James Chaney
A 247 Sports Composite three-star prospect who is committed to FIU, Buchanon was one of the leading linemen for the Lightning in leading them to a district championship and playoff appearance in Class 4S-Region 4 this season.
No. 75 OL Chance Lundy, Lake Gibson (Lakeland)
6-2, 310; Head Coach: Rich Pringle
A leading offensive lineman for the Braves that reached the Class 4S-Region 2 quarterfinals this season under first-year head coach Rich Pringle.
No. 76 OL Ceddrick Cann, Clearwater Central Catholic
6-3, 280; Head Coach: Chris Harvey
Another quality lineman who was a part of the Marauders’ Class 1M state runner-up finish this season.
No. 82 LS Wesley Choate, Manatee (Bradenton)
5-10, 210; Head Coach: Jacquez Green
A rated long snapper by Kohl’s kicking, Choate has been impressive with his skills as a long snapper for the Hurricanes that reached the Class 4S-Region 4 playoffs this season.
HEAD COACH
Pete Walker, Clewiston
With a record of 192-70 as head coach, Walker has been a coach in Florida for over 30 years including winning three state championships with Glades Day as well as coaching one of the top running backs in the state and nation in 2010 in the name Kelvin Taylor. Walker is a former high school football player, having played at Clewiston under Al Morrell. Walker is also currently the athletic directory as well and has held both positions as athletic director and head football coach at Clewiston since the 2013 season. Walker is the nephew of assistant coach Kenny Buckner of Okeechobee.
ASSISTANT COACHES
Eric Green, Clewiston
The right-hand man to Head Coach Pete Walker, Green has been an instrumental part in the success of Clewiston since returning to the community after playing at Virginia Tech for college and being a third-round NFL draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2005. Green was awarded All-State honors in his senior year at Clewiston.
James Delgado, Immokalee
A longtime coach in Florida and a product of Apopka High, Delgado has been involved in three state championship-winning seasons as a player and coach having won a state championship with Apopka in 2001 as an athlete, plus as an assistant coach on the 2012 and 2014 teams that won the Class 8A state championships those years. Delgado spent several years at Riverdale in Fort Myers before becoming head coach at Immokalee this season, leading a quick turnaround of the Indians and having them in contention for a potential playoff berth.
Irvin Jones, Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie)
The longest-tenured head coach along the Treasure Coast region, Jones has been instrumental in leading his Titans program to great heights that included the team’s first-ever state semifinal berth in program history in the 2021 season. Jones has sent multiple athletes off to the college ranks in his tenure as a head coach and has sent multiple athletes to play in the FACA North-South All-Star Classic.
Matt Kitchie, Lennard (Ruskin)
A graduate of Southeast High in Bradenton, Kitchie is more known for his time as a head coach in Hillsborough County at Leto and then at Ruskin guiding them already to several playoff berths since taking over as head coach back in 2017. Kitchie also spent time as the head coach at Land O’ Lakes as well in the late 2000s.
Brett Timmons, Southeast (Bradenton)
Another product of Southeast High, Timmons has been leading his alma mater as the head coach since 2017 and prior to that was the head coach at Out-of-Door in Sarasota. Timmons played under the legendary Paul Maechtle and was part of the state championship-winning teams at Southeast in the 1993 and 1994 seasons.
Kenny Buckner, Okeechobee
Buckner has been involved in high school athletics in Florida for over 40 years, Buckner has been involved in many different aspects including being an assistant coach with his nephew, Pete Walker at Glades Day where multiple state championships were won at. Buckner has also previously served as the head coach at Okeechobee and is currently the athletic director for the Brahmans.
SOUTH TEAM COORDINATOR
Tim Tharp, Jupiter
A now-retired coach and athletic administrator, Tharp took over as the South team coordinator this year following Joe Hampton’s retirement from coordinating the team. Tharp spent 36 years between the classroom and sidelines and spent five seasons at Jupiter after serving as athletic director at South Fork High in Stuart. Tharp also served as the head coach at Palm Beach Gardens from 1998 until 2005 where he held a 56-20 record. Tharp currently works with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
