Each year colleges across the nation travel to the state of Florida in search of an athlete who can help better their football program on and off the field. This year many of the colleges will be making a stop in Vero Beach in hope of landing the Indians star safety Zeke Motta.

Last year South Dade Buccaneers had one of the toughest defenses in the state. The Bucs only gave up an average of 10 points per game despite playing one of the toughest schedules in the state. One of the biggest reasons for their success was the surprising play of rising senior defensive end Ed Stinson.

Coming out of half time with a 10 point lead, the quarter didn’t exactly start off like the Vikings would have wanted it to. Winter Springs begin the quarter with a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to three points with just over four minutes left to go in the quarter causing Norland to take a time out. Unfortunately for Winter Springs, they couldn’t get any closer as the Vikings ended the quarter on a 19-11 run to extend the halftime lead to eleven as they held on to defeat Winter Springs 62 to 61.

Last year, Fort Lauderdale Dillard ran into a Lake Howell team who after four years of trying seemed destined to win the state championship. This year destiny may be on the side of the Panthers as they defeated the Gainesville Hurricanes 61-38 to advance to the championship game.

At the beginning of the 2007-2008 basketball season, no one gave Orlando Dr. Phillips a chance to be a contender for the 6A state title. Coming off a season in which the Panthers went 25-7 and made it to the championship game, the Panthers faced the daunting task of having to return to the state playoffs without its top two leading scorers and with a big target on their back. The Panthers has more than answered the challenged this season with a 21-6 record and is in position to make another deep run into the playoffs. One of the main reasons for the Panthers success this year is the surprising play of junior guard Chuck Ford.

This year’s version of the Muck Bowl took on a very familiar theme. Both teams entered the game undefeated and ranked number one in their perspective classes and both teams were coming off of state championships with high expectations of winning another one. But on this night none of that mattered. This is the Muck Bowl, a game that you can throw out the records and watch some of the top players in the nation play for bragging rights.

Jacksonville First Coast Running Back Jermaine Thomas came into the game against Berkeley High School looking for respect. Thomas is one of the three players from First Coast High school who is committed to Florida State University. Of the players, Thomas is the most unheralded of the trio. After Saturday’s night performance against South Carolina Berkeley High School, respect is something he will not have to worry about anymore.

Miami Booker T. Washington entered Saturday’s contest against nationally ranked Summerville High School with the eyes of all Dade County on them. Yes they were expected to be good this year with many returning starters from last year’s semifinals team, but no one knew exactly how good the Tornadoes were. After a convincing 36-3 victory, Washington served notice to the rest of the state that they are for real and ready to take on the state.

After earning All Dade County honors during his sophomore year Rashad Dantzler transfer to South Dade in hopes of continuing to improve his game and playing for a championship contender. After a junior campaign in which he led his team to an 18-6 record and barely miss the playoffs, Dantzler is back and ready to take the next step in his basketball career.

With several Florida AAU teams competing at a high level at major tournaments throughout the nation it’s no wonder why colleges are starting to pay more attention to basketball in the state of Florida. One team responsible for the recent success in the state is the Marquis Daniels Showtime Ballers team out of Orlando Florida.

After only winning three games in the 2005 season and missing the playoffs last year, Pompano Blanche Ely surprised many teams in the state by going 22-5 and making it to the Final four this season. Although the Tigers did lose to eventual state champions Orlando Edgewater, they gained valuable experience that will help them in the 2008 season. One player who gained valuable experience from the final four and will be looking to improve in the 2008 season is rising junior guard Joanna Harden.

Last year, Jacksonville Bartram Trail star quarterback Kyle Parker had an outstanding year throwing for over 1800 yards and rushing for over 700 yards with 15 total touchdowns. Parker’s play resulted in him getting numerous offers from major Division One schools. Florida Prospects Football Analyst Michael Holloway, recently caught up with Parker to discuss his past season and his recent commitment to Clemson University.

Every year colleges across the nation make their annual trip to Orlando Edgewater High School looking to find an athlete that can help turn their program around. Over the years, the school has produced great players like Kenny Ingram, Aaron Jones, Lorenzo Edwards, Mike Walker and Antonio Turner who has gone on to college and are now big stars for their perspective schools. This year will be no different as Edgewater is once again a hotbed for some of the top players in the state. One player who will be getting major attention this year is running back Jeremiah Schwartz.

After a junior year in that included over 120 tackles and nine sacks, Ridge Community Linebacker Vincent Williams has been one of the fastest rising prospects in the state. Recently Florida Prospects Football Analyst Robert Sumpter, caught up with Williams to talk about his commitment and the rest of his plans for the 2007 season.

Miami Northwestern Offensive Lineman Brandon Washington went into the Miami Nike Camp looking to prove that he was one of the best players in the state. After the long six hour competition, Washington left no doubt in everyone mind who at the event that he was a player to be reckon with.

Daytona Seabreeze athlete Troy Dannehower is one of the top rated Dual Threat Quarterback in the state. Here is exclusive footage of him in action.

The start of the 2007 football season is four months away but you wouldn’t have been able to tell that to the more than 100 athletes who attended the annual Nike camp in Miami Florida on April 1, 2007. Some of the best athletes in South Florida attended the camp in hopes making a name for themselves or validating their status as one of the state’s elite players. One person who proved that he is truly one of the best players for the 2008 class is Miami Northwestern quarterback Jacory Harris.

With the eyes of the state upon him, Pompano Blanche Ely sophomore guard Kenny Boynton Jr. produced one of the best seasons in Tigers history leading them to the Class 6A state championships and earning him many awards along the way. Today we add another award to his list, Florida Prospects Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

The city of Jacksonville routinely puts out some of the best football talent in the nation. This year will be no exception as the area is once again loaded with talent across the board. One player from the area who will be highly recruited is Jacksonville First Coast running back Jermaine Thomas.

Daytona Beach Seabreeze High school came into the 2006 season with a lot of question to be answered. After going 6-4 the previous year, the Sandcrabs was supposed to go through a rebuilding year with many young players. Instead of rebuilding, Seabreeze enjoyed a successful year making it all the way to the Regional Finals. One huge reason for their success was the play of junior quarterback Troy Dannehower.

The 2008 linebackers class in the state of Florida may be the best class the state has had in recent memory. This year, the state boasts at least five linebackers who will be in the top 30 overall players and should also factor in the national rankings as well. One player who will be in the mix is Ridge Community’s star athlete Vincent Williams.

The legend of Kenny Boynton Jr. continues to grow. After playing in his first game in the state final four, Pompano Beach Ely’s sophomore star Kenny Boynton Jr. did what he says comes natural to him which is play the simple game of basketball. Fortunately for Pompano Beach Ely, he’s one of the best at it as he led the Tigers to a 70-67 win over Winter Park.

It took 46 years for Jacksonville Robert E. Lee to return to the state final four and for three and a half quarters it looked as if they would be continuing their Cinderella season as they hung tough against state power St. Petersburg Lakewood in the first semifinal game of the 5A Region. Unfortunately for the Generals, the clock struck midnight on their season as Lakewood defeated Lee 57 to 44.

After a one year layoffs from the state final four, Florida Air Academy returned and were greeted with a familiar foe in Jacksonville Ribault High School, the team in which they defeated to win the state championship two years ago.

With the 2007 Boys Basketball season coming to an end, Florida Prospects releases our top 10 candidate for the Mr. Basketball award this season.