Vote Now: Who is Central Florida High School Football Player of the Week? - Dec. 8, 2025

Cast your vote to decide who had the best performance during Week 16 of the 2025 season

Jeff Gardenour | 1 Hour Ago

Jones quarterback Dereon Coleman (1), a Miami signee, completed 19 of 27 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns and ran 13 times for 101 yards to power the defending Class 4A state runner-up Tigers past Port Charlotte, 35-23, in a state semifinal game on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. / Acovan Schild

Central Florida high school football players put their best foot forward in state semifinal games last week, sending two teams to state championship games.

We looked at schools in three counties (Orange, Seminole and Indian River) and nominated seven athletes for games played Dec. 5, 2025.

We ask you to check out the nominees below and cast your vote for Central Florida Player of the Week, which covers offense, defense and special teams.

Congratulations to the winner for games played Nov. 28, 2025: Jones RB Daunte Wallace.

Voting closes at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14. The winner will be announced next week. Here are this week’s nominees:

Noah Grubbs, QB, Lake Mary

The Notre Dame signee and star senior completed 23 of 34 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score to power the Rams to a 31-26 upset of defending Class 7A state champ Venice in a state semifinal game.

Barrett Schulz, WR, Lake Mary

Senior and Florida International University signee caught nine passes for 135 yards and two TDs to lead the Rams past Venice.

Efrem White, ATH, Vero Beach

Senior completed 20 of 23 passes for 277 yards and four TDs and ran 17 times for 62 yards to lift the Indians past Miami Palmetto, 45-44, in a wild Class 7A state semifinal double-overtime battle.

Xavier Stinson, WR/DB, Vero Beach

Senior caught six passes for 119 yards to lead the Indians past Miami Palmetto.

Dereon Coleman, QB, Jones

Miami signee and star senior completed 19 of 27 passes for 278 yards and two TDs and ran 13 times for 101 yards to power the defending Class 4A state runner-up Tigers past Port Charlotte, 35-23, in a state semifinal game.

DJ Hicks, WR, Jones

Senior caught six passes for 125 yards and two TDs to lead the Tigers past Port Charlotte.

Kenyon Alston, WR/ATH, Bishop Moore

Senior caught three passes for 70 yards and one TD and intercepted a pass on defense in the Hornets’ 52-21 loss to defending Class 3A state champ Miami Northwestern in a state semifinal game.

About Our Athlete of the Week Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes, one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.

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Jeff Gardenour can be reached via email at jgardenour1962@gmail.com or X @JMarkG1962

Published 1 Hour Ago

JEFF GARDENOUR

Jeff Gardenour is a Florida native and long-time resident of the Sunshine State. He is a journalism veteran of more than four decades, having worked in a number of news divisions through the years for multiple media outlets, including Gannett and Tribune Company. A University of Florida journalism graduate, Jeff has covered every level of sports, including MLB, USFL, XFL, WNBA, NCAA, IMSA, high schools and more. He is a former award-winning sports editor of the Sebring News-Sun and current freelance writer for SBLive Sports, PrepVolleyball.com and The Orlando Sentinel. Jeff is married with two children and resides in Oviedo, FL. He can be reached at jgardenour1962@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JMarkG1962.