Vote Now! Who Will Be the Panhandle's Top Football Player of Week 1?

Vote Now! Who Will Be the Panhandle's Top Football Player of Week 1?

The commencement of the 2025 football season in Florida’s Panhandle Region has infused the local sports scene with electrifying energy. As teams gear up, the community has a unique opportunity to rally around notable athletes as they vie for the coveted title of The Blitz – Panhandle Football Player of the Week. This week marks the close of Week 1, showcasing standout performances that have left fans buzzing with excitement.

As highlighted by Florida HS Football, ten finalists have emerged for this week’s award, and the voting is wide open until Monday, September 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET / 10:59 PM CT. Not only does this contest celebrate individual athletic prowess, but it also fosters community spirit with unlimited voting, allowing supporters to fully back their favorites.

Meet the Finalists

Among the standout performers, quarterback JD Brown from South Walton threw for an impressive 270 yards and 4 touchdowns during his team’s emphatic victory over Gulf Breeze, proving pivotal in the 35–6 win. Meanwhile, running back TJ Davis of Bay amassed a phenomenal 258 yards on the ground with a touchdown in a commanding 42–6 win against Arnold.

Defensive stalwart Ayden Dunnell from Taylor County registered 12 tackles, one of which was for a loss, alongside a sack and an interception in his team’s 20–3 success over Fort White. On the defensive line, John Flynn from Tate has made headlines with 6 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks, contributing significantly to a 21–7 triumph over Fort Walton Beach.

In a display of dominance, linebacker Kyle Gilbert from Franklin County notched 10 tackles, including 4 for loss, together with 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble in a 31–0 whitewash over Central (Milton). Quarterbacks are heavily represented this week, with JU Brown’s impressive stats being contested by JP Holsombake from Mosley, who threw for 225 yards and 5 touchdowns, and Taylor Jacobs Jr. from Lincoln, who amassed 318 passing yards and 4 touchdowns.

Furthermore, wide receiver Caden Jasso from Pensacola Catholic registered 6 receptions for 126 yards and 4 touchdowns in a fine display that anchored the team to a 42–27 victory over Navarre. Rounding out the finalists is quarterback Carter Nunes from Freeport, who completed 14 of 19 passes for 300 yards and 5 touchdowns against North Bay Haven, securing a resounding 54–13 win. Also catching the eye were Jaymes Youngblood of Jay, who rushed for 253 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Looking Across the Border: Texas High School Football

As Florida athletes make headlines, their Texas counterparts are equally hard at work gearing up for the upcoming football season. According to Amarillo.com, UIL-sanctioned practices for Texas high school football kicked off on August 4, with full-contact workouts just around the corner. This marks an important period as high school football teams begin to solidify their rosters just before the regular season, which is set to start in late August.

Last year, multiple Class 3A teams from the Texas Panhandle made notable playoff runs, with Canadian even reaching the Region I title game before falling to Wall. Though both Canadian and Childress lost their starting quarterbacks to graduation, they bring back a solid group of experienced players. Sophomore Weston Mitchell is expected to step in as the starting quarterback for Childress, while backup quarterbacks from last season will compete for the starting role at Canadian.

The competitive spirit is palpable, with preseason rankings predicting Canadian to clinch the District 1-3A Division II championship, with Childress as the runner-up. Both schools are expected to continue their strong football tradition as they navigate the season ahead.

As the season gets underway, whether in Florida or Texas, it’s clear that high school football is alive and well, fostering community pride and showcasing young talent. With weekly performances that spark excitement, fans can anticipate nothing short of thrilling action ahead.

Be sure to cast your vote for your favorite players, as the nominees await your support in their quest for The Blitz – Player of the Week, which will be announced on Wednesday at 9:15 PM ET / 8:15 PM CT.