We asked. You voted.
The Herald-Tribune compiled lists of Sarasota’s and Manatee’s best players, broken down by position groups. We gave voters the chance to have their say on who is the best.
Here are the results:
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Best team
Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School
The defending state champions lost a lot of players to graduation, among them top running back Carson Beach, linebacker George Leibold, and defensive back Teddy Foster. But head coach Jared Clark secured players to step in, so much so that the Cougars could go one-deep this season at every position. If Clark manages to get his players to adopt their roles on the team, something that powered the Cougars to their state crown, the team could make legitimate push to defend that title.
Best quarterback
Lucas Despot, Braden River High
Vitals: 6-foot-2, 195 pounds
College Offer: Shorter University
Highlights: In 10 games for the Pirates, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound quarterback completed 126 of 215 passes for 1,619 yards and 18 touchdowns, with just five interceptions, for a QB rating of 100.5.
Best wide receiver
Bo O’Daniel, Cardinal Mooney
Vitals: 6-foot, 165 pounds; Jr.
College commitment: None
In 11 games last season, the sophomore wide receiver caught 13 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns. O’Daniel returned two kickoffs for 43 yards and was Mooney’s primary punt returner, returning eight for 123 yards.
Best running back
Marcus Galloway, Cardinal Mooney
Vitals: 5-foot-9, 155 pounds; Sr.
College commitment: Offers from seven schools
Playing last season for Braden River, the 5-foot-9, 155-pound running back rushed for 627 yards on 134 carries and three touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 104 yards and one score and returned a kickoff for a TD. He has received offers from Pitt, Penn, Cornell, Keiser University, Albion College, Howard University, and Brown.
Best offensive lineman
Marvin Palominos, Out-of-Door Academy
Vitals: 6-foot-3, 300 pounds; Sr.
College Offer: Mercyhurst University
Playing in 11 games last season, the 6-foot-3, 300-pounder, on the Thunder offensive line, helped ODA rush for 2,238 yards and 28 touchdowns. The owner of a 4.5 GPA has visited Bucknell and is drawing interest from Ivy League schools and has an offer from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa.
Best defensive lineman
Ashton Springfield, Parrish Community
Vitals: 6-foot-3, 215 pounds; Sr.
College commitment: Albion College
Last season the Bulls defensive end finished with 68 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, 14 quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles. He was a 2023 All-FACA Team Defensive Lineman.
Best defensive back
Kadyn Palmer, North Port
Vitals: 6-foot-3, 202 pounds; Jr.
College commitment: None
The Bobcat cornerback was the team’s best defensive back, with 38 tackles, three passes defensed, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Best linebacker
Caleb Matelau, Manatee
Vitals: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds; Sr.
College commitment: Louisville
A transfer from Palmetto, Matelau last season led the Tigers with 96 tackles, a sack, pass defensed, two fumble recoveries, one caused fumble, and one blocked punt. Committed to Louisville.
Best kicker
Dylan Walker, Out-of-Door Academy
Vitals: 5-foot-8, 160 pounds; Jr.
College commitment: None
Last season Walker sat behind senior kicker Mika Levy. But in three games, Walker, a Thunder soccer player, rushed nine times for 49 yards, and on defense, had 10 tackles in three games. In the Bulls’ spring game, Walker went 3-of-3 on field goals. He will kick and punt for Parrish, and head Rob Hollway said he’s a legitimate kicker.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota, Manatee high school football preseason team as voted by readers
