State semifinalist Buchholz leads way for All Area big school offense

(From left) Buchholz's Justin Williams and Newberry's Kaleb Woods were selected to the 2024 All Area football big school offensive team.
(From left) Buchholz's Justin Williams and Newberry's Kaleb Woods were selected to the 2024 All Area football big school offensive team.
Graphic and photos by Seth Johnson

Editor’s Note
This is the third of five stories unveiling the 2024 Bosshardt Realty All Area Football Teams. Click here to read about the Small School OffenseSmall School Defense, Big School Defense and Coaches of Year.

Go to our 2024 All Area football landing page by clicking here.

Like Hawthorne has become a regular in the Rural classification championship game, Buchholz has found itself in the state semifinals for the past four straight years.

And while the Bobcats have come up one win short of the state title game each of those seasons, Buchholz still leads the way in the 2024 Bosshardt Realty All Area big school offensive football team.

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Coach Mark Whittemore’s Bobcats have five players represented on the offensive squad, led by junior quarterback Trace Johnson.,

In his second year as a starter, Johnson led Buchholz to a 10-4 record and another trip to the state semifinals. He completed 225 of 356 passes for 3,522 yards, averaging 252 yards passing a game, with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

“Trace Johnson has set the single-season record for passing at Buchholz,” Whittemore said. “Buchholz has produced some great quarterbacks over the last five decades so that speaks highly of his ability. He possesses elite anticipation.”

Buchholz's Trace Johnson with a pass against Osceola (Kissimmee) in the 6A state semifinals.
Photo by Chris Watkins Buchholz’s Trace Johnson passed for 3,522 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Junior athlete Justin Williams had a historic season as well, playing both running back and wide receiver for Buchholz and setting a school record with seven touchdowns in one game against Tocoi Creek on Oct. 14. Williams rushed for 1,023 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging 9.5 yards per carry, and also caught 85 passes for 1,473 yards and 13 more scores, averaging 105 yards a game.

It marked the first time since 2002 when Devin Hester, who played for Suncoast High School, a player in Florida went over 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same year. Hester went on to set records as a return specialist in the NFL.

“Justin Williams is the most prolific offensive player this area has seen in a long time,” Whittemore said. “To be in the same breath as Hall of Famer Devin Hester is quite the accomplishment.”

Second behind Williams in receiving for Buchholz was junior DJ Hicks. Hicks had over 1,000 yards receiving, averaging 15 yards a reception, with eight touchdowns.

Buchholz's DJ Hicks runs the ball against the Pace defense.
Photo by Seth Johnson Buchholz’s DJ Hicks had over 1,000 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.

Next up from the Bobcats is senior offensive lineman Kain McDonald. McDonald is a three-star recruit who signed with Coastal Carolina that anchored the line helping the Bobcats average over 400 yards and 31 points per game.

“Kain is a team captain and the leader of our offense!” Whittemore said.

The fifth and final member from Buchholz is junior kicker Jay Giunta. Giunta finished a perfect 56-for-56 on extra points and was 10-of-14 on field goals with a long of 47 yards.

“Jay is the weapon we had to have to have been in the last two final fours,” Whittemore added.

Four Panthers players were named to the offensive team.

Newberry, who finished 10-3 and won nine straight games and a district title, was ousted by eventual 2A state champion Cocoa in the region final.

The Panthers were led by junior running back Kaleb Woods, who ran for 1,090 yards with 13 touchdowns and five 100-yard rushing games. Woods also had 10 receptions and two touchdowns.

“Kaleb is a very versatile athlete who has great vision and a knack for making explosive plays,” Newberry coach Ed Johnson said. “He’s a real threat running or catching the ball.”

Newberry's Hayden Moore (26) slips through Bradford defenders for a third-quarter touchdown run.
Photo by C.J. Gish Newberry’s Hayden Moore (26) caught 51 passes for 982 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Newberry’s leading receiver in 2024 was junior Hayden Moore. Moore caught 51 passes and finished with 982 yards, averaging 19 yards a reception with 12 touchdowns.

“Hayden is unselfish, consistent, and is a polished route runner,” Johnson said. “He creates separation and makes contested catches regularly.”

Junior tackle Jekai Dawson is the Newberry representative on the offensive line. Dawson helped a Newberry offense that averaged 30 points a game.

“Jekai is disciplined, tough, talented and the unquestioned leader of our offensive line,” Johnson said. “He’s been a three-year starter at left tackle for us.”

Newberry’s fourth representative is senior punter Zane Spires. Spires averaged 37.3 yards a punt on 34 punts with a long of 51 and had 12 punts inside the 20-yard line. He was also 8-of-13 on field goals with a long of 49 yards and finished 31-of-33 on extra points.

“Zane was such an invaluable player for this team,” Johnson said. “His ability and accuracy allowed us so much flexibility and confidence throughout the season.”

Gainesville's Devin Johnson ran for 178 yards and two touchdowns against Santa Fe on Friday. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Gainesville’s Devin Johnson ran for 815 yards and nine touchdowns and added 24 receptions for 273 yards.

Gainesville missed the playoffs for the second straight year under Ian Scott, but the Hurricanes improved from 0-10 in Scott’s first season in 2023 to 5-5. Two Gainesville players were chosen to the All Area team.

Senior running back Devin Johnson was a big reason for the turnaround, leading the Hurricanes in rushing with 815 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns. He added 24 receptions for 273 yards through the air.

“Devin is an exceptional athlete at the running back position,” Scott said. “He can also play out in space as a wide receiver and is a physical player. My favorite thing about Devin as a player is his unselfishness. He doesn’t care who gets the credit and praises his teammates for his own success. He’s a hard worker on and off the field and a good example of a student-athlete.”

The second Gainesville representative is senior offensive guard Taylor Richardson.

“Taylor, who we call Junior, is the embodiment of a Hurricane,” Scott said. “He’s been a four-year varsity starter and a true leader on and off the field. He maintains a 3.8 GPA while playing football and being a manager at his job. He is the thermometer for our team, and we could not have made the progress we did without him.”

Eastside's Ibrahem Shaer. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Eastside’s Ibrahem Shaer.

Eastside had another successful season, going 7-4 and advancing to the postseason for the third time in head coach Harold “Gator” Hoskins’ three seasons at the helm of the Rams. Eastside is represented by sophomore tackle Ibrahem Shaer.

“Ibrahem is a sophomore sensation who anchored the Eastside offensive line,” Hoskins said. “Despite his underclassmen status, this dominant force plays with the poise and ferocity of a seasoned senior. Ibrahem is a blocking machine, finishing assignments with aggressive abandon and pursuing defenders until the whistle echoes. His signature pancakes have become a staple of Eastside’s ground game, and college scouts are taking notice. He’s a future D-I lineman in the making.”

The final member of the big school offense is junior tackle/guard Kyren Green of Bradford. At 6-4 and 310 pounds, Green helped lead the Tornadoes to a 9-2 record and playoff appearance. Bradford was eliminated in the 2A region semifinals by Newberry

Big School Offense (2A-6A)

QB – Trace Johnson, Buchholz (Jr.)

RB – Kaleb Woods, Newberry (Jr.)

RB – Devin Johnson, GHS (Sr.)

WR – Hayden Moore, Newberry (Jr.)

WR – DJ Hicks, Buchholz (Jr.)

ATH – Justin Williams, Buchholz (Jr.)

OL – Kain McDonald, Buchholz (Sr.)

OL – Kyren Green, Bradford (Jr.)

OL – Taylor Richardson, GHS (Sr.)

OL – Ibrahem Shaer, Eastside (So.)

OL – Jekai Dawson, Newberry (Jr.)

K – Jay Giunta, Buchholz (Jr.)

P – Zane Spires, Newberry (Sr.)

Honorable mentions

Bradford (Starke) – Zack Paul (QB, Sr.), Jacob Ferguson (OL, Sr.), Ridge Bradley (OL, Jr.), Gino Addison (RB, Jr.), Jy’quez Cason (ATH, Jr.), Iyen Addison (RB, So.)

Buchholz – Jaden Young (OL, Sr.), Tony Sanchez (TE, Sr.), Brady Baughtman (OL, Jr.), Keil McGriff (WR, Jr.), Anthony Barr (OL, Jr.)

Columbia (Lake City) – Zamarrion Jones (ATH, Sr.), Bynton Edge (WR, Sr.), Chase Johnson (OL, Sr.), Henry Camiel III (OL, Jr.), Xavier Collins (QB, So.), Mathan Cook (K/P, So.), Kyren Caldwell (WR, So.), Jerome Horne (RB, Fr.)

Eastside – Corvin Byrd (RB, Sr.), Jaquez Whitehead (OL, Sr.), Daijon Johnson (WR, Sr.), Deavion McBride (OL, Jr.), Andrew Sutherland (QB, Fr.), Javaris Gardner (RB, Fr.)

Gainesville – Calvin Thomas (WR, Sr.), Aidan Bell (OL/P, Sr.), Nelson Tambling (QB, Jr.), Aric Welch (ATH, Jr.)

Keystone Heights – Zane Leger (ATH, Jr.), Pete Bostic (OL, Jr.), Luke Bacorn (OL, Jr.)

Newberry – Collin Dunmore (QB, Sr.), Zane Spires (K, Sr.), Colton Harvey (OL, Sr.), Amiri Legette (OL, Sr.), Logan McCloud (TE, Sr.), Jamarcus Wimberly (RB, So.), Amaris Bryant (OL, So.)

Santa Fe (Alachua) – Mayer Steen (K/P, So.) 

Suwannee (Live Oak) – Michael Rossin (ATH, Sr.), Jadarius Horne (RB, Sr.), Logan Brooks (WR, Sr.), Davian Ramirez (OL, Sr.), Shawn Watkins (OL, Sr.), William Brown (OL, Sr.), Thomas Sikes (QB, Jr.), Reese Bronson (OL, Jr.), Noah Lopez (WR, Jr.)

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