VOTE: The Blitz – Tampa Bay Edition: 2025 Week 1 Football Player of the Week

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 – Tampa Bay 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 Player of the Week! Voting is open until Monday, September 1, 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 – Tampa Bay Edition on Tuesday night at 9:15 p.m. ET / 8:15 p.m. CT.

RB Steven Alexis, Gibbs

Rushed 18 times for 248 yards and two touchdowns in a 34–0 win over St. Petersburg.

RB Preston Beckham, Bloomingdale

Rushed for 293 yards and four touchdowns to lead a 41–40 win over Newsome.

QB Chase Burrill, St. Petersburg Catholic

Completed 15 of 18 passes for 228 yards and six touchdowns in a 50–0 win over East River.

QB Will Griffin, Jesuit

Completed 18 of 28 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns in a 33–14 win over Bishop Verot.

WR Jesse Harden, Spoto

Caught four touchdowns among 110 receiving yards in a 43–35 win over Davenport.

QB Patrick Harding, Zephyrhills

Threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing score in a 46–0 win over Springstead.

DB Myrone Jean, Lake Wales

Picked off two passes for 157 return yards and a touchdown in a 48–6 win over Specially Fit Academy.

QB Cayden Thomas, Mitchell

Went 13 of 21 for 231 yards and a touchdown and added 105 rushing yards and two scores in a 39–25 win over Gulf.

QB Ayden Wallace, Lakewood

Went 9 of 11 for 140 yards and two touchdowns and added 132 rushing yards and two more scores in a 49–0 win over Northeast.

QB Noah Walstad, Boca Ciega

Completed 16 of 22 passes for 381 yards and six touchdowns in a 69–22 win over Hollins.

VOTE HERE

ALSO CONSIDERED

QB Jordyn Bailey, Riverview

QB Antonio Balaguer, Sumner

RB Kameron Battle, Carrollwood Day

QB Tripp Brown, Plant

DE Henry Copestake, Shorecrest Prep

QB Gavin Galish, Indian Rocks Christian

QB Jack Griffin, Northside Christian

RB Damir Hooker, Shorecrest Prep

OLB Carlson Lambert, Seffner Christian

QB Daniel Pangallo, Spoto

LB Zion Poole, Countryside

QB Cru Slocum, Victory Christian

LB Trey Trevino, Bishop McLaughlin

QB Jayden Watson, All Saints

QB Jaylen White, Clearwater

DE Dillon Zarle, Calvary Christian (Clearwater)

WR Brendon Zelaya, Bloomingdale