PREPZONE - FOOTBALL

It might only be spring but there's football action. Here are impressions across the Treasure Coast

Bryan Cooney
Treasure Coast Newspapers

Several area football programs finished spring workouts with games and jamborees from Thursday to Saturday as teams got a look at where their rosters stand entering the summer.

Here are the observations from those teams seen in-person and others that competed in games and jamborees across the state:

Fort Pierce Central 32, South Fork 7 (Thursday)

Fort Pierce Central running back D'Marvelous Reid breaks through the line for a big gain during the Cobras' spring football game against South Fork at Lawnwood Stadium on Thursday, May 20, 2021

In the first look at the Cobras under Mike Watkins, Fort Pierce Central's offense looked ready to begin the fall early. An uptempo pace was to the liking of a unit that struggled to score points last season, and rising senior quarterback Nick Halliday was impressive spreading the ball around.

A trio of three more rising seniors in Aaron McCleod at receiver, D'Marvelous Reid at running back and Rhys Stone at tight end all seem to have established themselves into key roles heading into the fall.

Stone was equally impressive at this linebacker spot and while rising junior defensive end Gabriel Jacas flashed his talent, another name to keep tabs on is rising sophomore Jamarion Davis, who blew up multiple plays from the defensive line that included a safety for the Cobras.

For the Bulldogs, the combination of rising seniors Matt Bowman at quarterback and Phoenix Ross at fullback with option looks is going to be a staple of South Fork's offense, but finding more production through the air continues to be a work in progress.

South Fork's Bart Jezewksi (72) and Jose Martinez pressure Fort Pierce Central quarterback Nick Halliday during a spring football game at Lawnwood Stadium on Thursday, May 20, 2021

Names that stood out defensively for South Fork were rising senior Maki Laskaris, who made a diving interception and also flashed from his safety spot supporting the run, and rising junior defensive lineman Bart Jezewski, who found himself in the backfield on multiple occasions and plugging the Bulldog line.

Sebastian River 42, Gateway 7 (Thursday)

The Sharks had several contributors produce in their game in Kissimmee led by rising junior Ranger Beach scoring two touchdowns. Louis Brown, Gavin Ford, Cedric Stuckey, Jr. and Jacoby Scott also found the end zone for the Sebastian River offense.

Trevor Welsh and Joesph Butler each had an interception and Savas Carnohan recovered a fumble for the Shark defense in the victory.

Jensen Beach, Centennial and Port St. Lucie jamboree (Friday)

Positives for all three teams came out of the four quarters contested and in particular on the offensive side of the ball.

Port St. Lucie quarterback Tyree Ellis throws downfield during a spring jamboree against Jensen Beach on Friday, May 21, 2021.

Port St. Lucie rising senior quarterback Tyree Ellis with his athleticism was electric with his feet breaking contain, but had impressive throws downfield in particular to classmate Allen Graham, who also had a good showing at receiver.

Running back Saleem Felder will be a junior next season and one of the top backs to watch in the area and linebacker Gervaris Desire is another player to watch in his senior year with his sideline-to-sideline speed and tackling ability for the Jaguars.

Another offense that looked strong was Centennial with both quarterbacks Dylan Miranda (rising senior) and Malik Torres (rising junior) able to move the team downfield with their arms.

Centennial running back Demari Scott runs through a hole for a big play during a spring jamboree game against Jensen Beach on Friday, May 21, 2021.

Wideout Tyler Buck had a productive night and appears to be a reliable weapon heading into his senior year as well as classmate Javion Toombs, who was all over the field on defense making plays while doing the same on offense at running back.

Jensen Beach has a lot to replace from last year on both sides of the ball and will feature rising senior wide receiver Javin Dames often with his big-play ability he displayed in each game.

Classmate Austin Duchene is a name to keep an eye on in the fall that could thrive with more touches on offense, but was even more impressive on the other side of the ball at linebacker for the Falcons.

Jensen Beach wide receiver Javin Dames hauls in a catch during a spring football jamboree against Port St. Lucie on Friday, May 21, 2021.

Martin County jamboree against Park Vista and Jupiter (Saturday)

With firepower on both sides back heading into the fall, the Tigers were impressive with some familiar names making waves and new ones to also watch out for.

Rising senior Jayden Pressey had an outstanding day with a couple touchdown catches from classmate Jaxon Scott and made things happen every time he touched the ball, including making a spectacular interception at cornerback.

Martin County wide receiver Jayden Pressey looks over the coverage during the Tigers' spring jamboree against Park Vista on Saturday, May 22, 2021.

A linebacker group headlined by senior-to-be Garrett Slone could be one of the top units in the area as classmates Hudson Mckinney and Mark White were all over the field making plays for the Tigers.