VOTE: The Blitz – North Central Florida Edition: 2025 Week 1 Football Player of the Week

Week 1 is officially in the books, and the North Central Florida 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 – North 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 – North Central Florida Edition on Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. CT.

QB Xavier Collins, Columbia

Threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more in a 42–6 win over Suwannee.

DL Nathan Franz, South Sumter

Tallied two sacks to anchor the Raiders’ defense in a 55–0 win over Haines City.

QB Jackson Gentry, Trenton

Went 5 of 8 for 129 yards and two touchdowns and added 25 rushing yards in a 26–7 win over Bell.

QB Ja’Dence Kennedy, The Villages

Went 6 of 9 for 176 yards and four touchdowns in a 53–0 win over Wildwood.

DE/DT Jacari Lockhart, Hawthorne

Made five tackles with three sacks to anchor a 42–0 shutout of Discovery.

DB Amari Ray, Oak Hall

Intercepted a pass and returned a fumble for a touchdown in a 50–0 win over Bronson.

QB Richard Roundtree Jr., Hawthorne

Completed 8 of 9 passes for 182 yards and four touchdowns in a 42–0 win over Discovery.

QB Jai-Shawn Sanford, Gainesville

Threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns on 15 of 23 passing and added 57 rushing yards in a 36–2 win over Aubrey Rogers.

RB Demorri Sweet, Chiefland

Rushed 13 times for 113 yards and a touchdown and caught a 10-yard pass in a 36–35 double-overtime win over Williston.

QB Tywan Williamson, Lafayette

Went 8 of 9 for 164 yards and four touchdowns and added 84 rushing yards and a score in a 41–0 win over Dixie County.

VOTE HERE

ALSO CONSIDERED

WR Brant Bivens, Trenton

WR Darian Bowie, Hawthorne

RB Taylor Brown, Oak Hall

K Alejandro Cruz-Garcia, South Sumter

DL Nathan Franz, South Sumter

QB Matt Goodale, Chiefland

WR Parker Hill, Lafayette

DE/LB Ashton Hunt, The Villages

OLB Kameron Mills, Columbia

LB Josef Scott, Gainesville

DB Jack Stewart, Lafayette

QB Nelson Tambling, Eastside