Week 2 is officially in the books, and the North Central Florida Region delivered more incredible performances here in the early stages of 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 second 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 2 Football Player of the Week! Voting is open until Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 11:59 AM ET / 10:59 AM 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.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK – WEEK 1
QB Ja’Dence Kennedy, The Villages
Congratulations to The Villages QB Ja’Dence Kennedy on winning The Blitz – North Central Florida Player of the Week for Week 1! Kennedy went 6 of 9 for 176 yards and four touchdowns in a 53–0 win over Wildwood.
WEEK 2 NOMINEES
WR/FS Brant Bivens, Trenton
Stuffed the stat sheet with two interceptions for 52 return yards, added a kickoff return for 56 yards, and scored twice to ignite all three phases in a 48–0 win over Dixie County.
DE Cole Chong-You, Santa Fe
Was nearly unblockable with three sacks and three tackles for loss, anchoring a defense that dominated in the 55–14 win over Zarephath Academy.
RB Timothy Gaynor, South Sumter
Exploded for 111 yards on just four carries with three rushing touchdowns to lead the Raiders in a 45–6 win over Springstead.
OLB/WR Kameron Mills, Columbia
The senior was a two-way force with 50 rushing yards, a kickoff return, 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a 60-yard interception return touchdown in Columbia’s 20–14 victory over Coffee (Ga.).
QB Trent Land, Branford
Sharp through the air, completing 12 of 16 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns while adding 33 rushing yards and a score in the Buccaneers’ 32–7 win over Wewahitchka.
RB Tyler Peera, Oak Hall
Exploded for 191 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 21 carries, fueling Oak Hall’s 35–19 win over Bishop Snyder.
QB Richard Roundtree Jr., Hawthorne
The sophomore was pinpoint through the air, completing 16 of 20 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score to lead Hawthorne past Newberry 32–7.
ATH Cameren Solis, Wildwood
Was electric with 248 all-purpose yards, including a 49-yard rushing score, 27 receiving yards, 120 kickoff return yards, and 52 punt return yards in the Wildcats’ 31–26 loss to Leesburg.
WR Maurice Vought, Branford
Turned in a huge night with six receptions for 149 yards and three touchdowns, plus a 25-yard kick return, totaling 174 all-purpose yards in the 32–7 victory against Wewahitchka.
WR Justin Williams, Buchholz
Delivered a big night with six receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown, plus 44 rushing yards, totaling 141 yards in the 28–24 battle with Vero Beach.
VOTE HERE
Loading ...ALSO CONSIDERED
DL Zaiden Bon, Trenton
WR Darian Bowie, Hawthorne
LB Troy Fleming, Buchholz
QB Jackson Gentry, Trenton
LB Loniki Jackson, Hawthorne
RB Kevin Lucas, Lake Weir
QB Matthew Pitts, Fort White
LB Vernon Richards, Branford
CB Tripp Schultz, Branford
RB Drew Simmons, Union County
QB Andrew Whittemore, Buchholz
