Fall prep sports storylines you won't want to miss

The prep sports season won’t begin until August, but teams are already hard at work preparing for what’s to come. 

This fall is setting up to be a special one in the Sarasota area. 

There are teams with state championship aspirations, nationally-known recruits and returning athletes who went to the state championships last year. 

These are the things you won’t want to miss:

Cardinal Mooney football poised for best year

It would be hard for the Cougars to top their season from two years ago when they won their first state championship since 1972, but that could be in the cards this fall.

This team is full of experienced senior starters who are some top collegiate recruits. 

To top it off, a stinging 31-21 loss to Cocoa in the state semifinal round in what was their only loss of the season during a 12-1 campaign will certainly motivate them. 

Some of the Cougars’ can’t-miss players include four-star offensive tackle Da’Ron Parks (6-foot-5, 350-pounds), four-star defensive lineman Elijah Golden (6-foot-4, 275 pounds), running back Connail Jackson (1,604 yards, 28 touchdowns in 2024), three-star wide receiver Kymistrii Young (626 yards, 10 touchdowns in 2024) and three-star safety LaRon Dues (4 interceptions in 2024). 

Booker football hungry for first state championship

The Tornadoes shouldn’t be short on motivation this fall. 

Booker has won regional championships each of the past two seasons, but lost in the state semifinal round twice in a row. 

This year, many of its best players will be seniors who have faced bittersweet endings two years in a row. Also, the team lost head coach Scottie Littles, who resigned this spring.

Though some teams would crumble from losing the head coach that revived their program, Booker is using it as a rallying point, and none of its key players have transferred out of the program.

That group includes some of the top collegiate recruits in the state and the nation. 

Players to watch include cornerback Chauncey Kennon (a top 10 cornerback in the nation), defensive lineman Kevontay Hugan (No. 38 overall recruit in Florida), and a wide receiver corps that combined for 3,704 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2024 highlighted by Tyren Wortham (No. 55 overall recruit in Florida), Dylan Wester (No. 103 overall recruit in Florida) and Tyree Mannings Jr. (838 yards, 7 touchdowns as a freshman in 2024). 

New-look Cardinal Mooney volleyball team

Cardinal Mooney’s volleyball team has been one of the best programs in the state over the past few years since putting itself on the map with a state championship in 2019.

The Cougars went 22-5 last year and finished the season ranked as the No. 12 overall team in the state before losing in the regional championship round to Tampa Berkeley Prep.

However, some of its best players — Izzy Russell, Riley Greene and Zoe Kirby — have now graduated.

Returning starters such as juniors Charleston Hermann (173 kills and 32 aces in 2024) and Sydney Sparma (75 kills and 182 digs) and seniors Sophia Vance (44 kills, 14 blocks) and Layla Larrick (39 kills, 20 aces, 13 blocks and 112 digs) will have to step up if the Cougars want to remain as a state title contender.

Individual athletes chasing return to state championships

There were some impressive golfers, cross country runners and swimmers who are in the discussion for can’t-miss prep players this fall. 

The Sarasota boys golf team placed fifth at the Class 3A state championships last season and will return several players, including senior Jake MacDonald (10th at 3A state championships with a 73-74) and junior Jacob Menard (20th at state championships with a 77-74). 

Riverview sophomore Madison Muller could be in line for a state title this season. Despite being just a freshman in 2024, Muller finished second at the 4A state championships as one of only two girls in 4A to run the 5K in under 18 minutes (17:54.2). Last year’s state champion, Mackenzie Roy of Spruce Creek, has since graduated, leaving Muller as the top returning runner in 4A.

Not to be left out of the discussion is the Sarasota girls cross country team, which finished fourth as a team at the 4A state championships. Though Indy Grajalez (9th at the state championships) has graduated, four state runners return, led by sophomore Marley Brown (19:17.6 for 34th at state championships). 

The Riverview girls swimming team is in good position to defend its 2024 4A state championship season. The Rams are returning several of the swimmers that led them to a title, including seniors Brynn Lavigueuer, Taylor Schwenk, Jessica Robie, Clare Custer and Danica Aten, junior Angelina Lista and sophomore Sophia Malkowicz. 

On the boys side, Riverview's swim team placed third in 4A and Sarasota swim placed fourth in 4A. The Rams will bring back key contributors in seniors Samuel Brozek, Jackson DeBruin, Vito Sgroi and junior Maddax Harlan. The Sailors return seniors Daniel Keegan, Jorge Guzman, Bogdan Zverev and juniors Jackson Irwin, Andrew Malaj and Daniil Siutsou.