Comment on Kings of the Panhandle • Episode 1: #ComebackSZN

Dia Bell and Malachi Toney were essentially playing pitch and catch for American Heritage this season. Bell, a five-star junior quarterback and Texas commit and Toney, who reclassified as a senior earlier this year and is headed to the UM, were part of a three-headed offensive monster for the Patriots, along with senior running back and UF signee Byron Louis. “I feel like this year we had some new faces and a new offensive coordinator,” said Bell, who was named Gatorade’s Florida Player of the Year.

Chaminade-Madonna senior cornerback Chris Ewald closed one chapter and can’t wait for what is next to come. Ewald, a four-star recruit who had 34 offers including big names like Alabama, Georgia, and Auburn among others, eventually selected the University of Miami. A team captain, Ewald finished the season with his fourth state championship ring as he helped lead Chaminade-Madonna to their fourth consecutive title.

FIRST TEAM Ekeem Atehortua, Chaminade-Madonna, Football. All-County, Deerfield Beach, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Ekeem Atehortua, OL, Chaminade-Madonna junior: The captain of the offensive line finished the season with 21 pancakes and helped the Lions to nearly 6,000 yards of offense; season highlight was winning the state championship after starting the season 0-2; Illinois and Memphis among the schools interested. Tavano Baptiste Jr., Chaminade-Madonna, Football.

FIRST TEAM Omarion Abraham, American Heritage, Football. All-County, Deerfield Beach, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Omarian Abraham, DL, American Heritage senior: Two-time Sun Sentinel All-County first-team pick committed to N. C. State; helped Patriots win Class 4A state title this year; totaled 80 tackles, including 18 solo and nine sacks; career highlight was scoring an extra point and TD, runs track. Dylan Bennett, American Heritage, Football.

Talk about your proverbial two-headed monster. Atlantic seniors Lincoln Graf and teammate Teddy Hoffmann were inseparable this season and nearly ended St. Thomas Aquinas’ streak of consecutive state titles at five when they had the Raiders on the ropes in their state semifinal game. The Eagles were ahead twice by 21 points in the contest, only to fall 49-42 in double-overtime.

When West Boca Raton needed a big play on special teams or defense, junior defensive lineman Xavier Reid was up for the challenge. Exhibit A would be the Class 6A state championship game as the undefeated Bulls closed out a 15-0 season as Reid held up his end of the bargain with five tackles and a blocked punt to set up a score as West Boca topped Kissimmee Osceola 26-7 at Pitbull Stadium on the campus of FIU Stadium in Miami. “We came out fast in the first quarter and we needed a big play,” Reid said following the team’s first state football championship in program history.