Hawthorne dominates small school offense All Area team

(From left) Union County's Drew Simmons and Hawthorne's Keenon Johnson were selected to the 2024 All Area football small school offensive team.
(From left) Union County's Drew Simmons and Hawthorne's Keenon Johnson were selected to the 2024 All Area football small school offensive team.
Graphic by Seth Johnson/Photos by C.J. Gish

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

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

The Hawthorne football team advanced to its fifth straight state championship game appearance this past December.

Although their title run came to an end following consecutive state titles, the Hornets (10-2), who lost to Madison County, 21-14, in the FHSAA Rural state championship game, led the way with five players on the 2024 Bosshardt Realty All Area small school offensive football team.

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Highlighting the team is running back Keenon Johnson (5’11, 205).

The senior, who rushed for 1,764 yards on 222 carries (7.9 avg.) with 22 touchdowns, finished second in the voting for the Florida Dairy Farmers Rural classification Player of the Year.

“Keenon was the heart and soul of our ground game,” said Hawthorne offensive coordinator Greg Bowie. “With 222 carries for 1,764 yards and 22 touchdowns, he was the workhorse we relied on to wear down defenses. His combination of power and speed made him nearly unstoppable, and his ability to find the end zone week in and week out was a key factor in our offensive success.”

Johnson, who rushed for over 4,500 yards during his career, averaged 147 yards per game on the ground in 2024 and finished with 10 100-plus yard games.

Union County (Lake Butler) running back Drew Simmons was one of three players to make the first team for the Tigers (10-2), who advanced to the final four before falling 34-8 to eventual state champion Madison County in the state semifinals.

In 11 games, Simmons (5’8, 152) rushed for 1,444 yards on 161 carries (9.0 avg) with 17 TDs. He also had 10 catches for 203 yards and three scores.

Bell's Landin Williams puts the Bulldogs ahead 7-0 against Oak Hall in the first quarter on Friday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Bell’s Landin Williams (0) led the Bulldogs with 1,981 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns.

Joining Johnson and Simmons in the backfield as an athlete is Bell’s Landin Williams.

The sophomore helped lead the Bulldogs (9-4) to a spot in the Sunshine State Athletic Association Atlantic 1A championship game.

Williams finished the season with 1,981 yards rushing on 280 carries (7.1 avg) with 20 touchdowns. He averaged 152.4 ypg with 11 100-plus yard games.

“Landin toted the ball for us a lot this year and did everything we asked him to do,” said Bell football coach Joey Whittington. “He got his body in shape for a heavy workload and was able to take advantage of running behind a good line and fullback. His tough runs impressed me, through contact and everyone knowing he was getting it. Very proud of him this season.”

Hawthorne's Adrian Curtis (12) looks downfield for a receiver against Branford.
Photo by C.J. Gish Hawthorne’s Adrian Curtis (12) looks downfield for a receiver against Branford.

When Hawthorne’s C.J. Ingram, last year’s 1A POY, announced he was going to skip his senior year of football to focus on basketball, the Hornets got a boost when Adrian Curtis transferred from Eastside prior to the start of the season.

In his home debut with the Hornets, Curtis finished with three touchdowns, including the game-winner in a 28-27 win in overtime against Newberry.

The senior finished the season with 1,430 yards passing with 17 TDs and only two interceptions.

“Adrian was the steady hand that led our offense with precision and poise,” Bowie said. “With 112 completions on 161 attempts and 17 touchdowns to just two interceptions, he displayed incredible decision-making and accuracy. His leadership and ability to avoid mistakes helped keep us on track and gave our offense the stability it needed.”

Curtis’ favorite target, senior wide receiver Decarion Debose (6’1, 175), joined him on the first team.

“Dacarion is the ultimate weapon on the field,” Bowie said. “Whether it’s catching a short pass and turning it into a big gain, outrunning defenders with his speed, or going up for a jump ball. He has the ability to do it all.”

With 44 receptions, 601 yards, and nine touchdowns, he was a constant deep threat and one of the most versatile playmakers on the field and able to score in so many different ways.

Hawthorne's Dekari Debose (3) scores a third-quarter touchdown to put the Hornets ahead 14-10 over Newberry on Friday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Hawthorne’s Decarion Debose (3) led the Hornets with 41 catches for 601 yards and nine touchdowns.

“He was also key as a return specialist,” Bowie said. “With a full season, those numbers would have been even higher, but he missed two games due to injury.”

Against Branford in the first round of the playoffs, Debose returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown to help set the tone.

Gavin Jenkins (6’3, 173), who signed with the University of South Florida as a cornerback, made the All Area team as a wide receiver.

Jenkins led the Tigers with 31 receptions for 577 yards (18.6 avg) with seven touchdowns.

Most of the offensive line was made up of seniors, including Reece Hendricks of Union County, Stephen Porter (6’1, 250) of Chiefland, Kingston Anderson of Fort White, and Tyler Duncan (6’2, 325) of Hawthorne.

“Tyler was the anchor of our offensive line,” Bowie said. “As a center, he combined strength and intelligence, ensuring our line was always in sync and protecting our quarterback. He also helped create lanes in the run game. His leadership and ability to read defenses made him invaluable to the success of our offense. A true unsung hero who made everything around him work.”

Jaxson Ridgeway (6’2, 325) of Williston made the first team offensive line as a sophomore.

Union County's Gavin Jenkins
Photo by C.J. Gish Union County’s Gavin Jenkins tallied 31 receptions for 577 yards and seven touchdowns for the Tigers.

“Jaxson is a road grader on the offensive line and is good in pass protection,” said Williston football coach Robby Pruitt. “He has a bright future ahead of him.”

Field position was key this year for the state runner-up Hornets and senior punter Josue Knapp was a big contributor after averaging 43.9 yards per punt, including a career-long 60-yard punt.

“Josue’s ability to change the field with his punting was unmatched,” Bowie said. “He consistently gave our team great field position. His precision, with 11 punts inside the 20-yard line, was vital in flipping the field and putting pressure on our opponents.” 

Ryan Gagne of Williston was solid in the kicking game.

Gagne had 52 of 64 touchbacks, was 41-of-41 on extra points, and made 5-of-7 field goals, including a long of 43 yards. He also punted 26 times for a 44.1 average with a long of 63 and seven punts inside the 10-yard line.

“Ryan worked relentlessly on his kicking and punting craft every day which resulted in a great year for us,” Pruitt said. “He has a good frame and a lot of ability moving forward.”

All first-team players led their respective schools to a playoff appearance this year.

Williston's Ryan Gagne (9). Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Williston’s Ryan Gagne (9) went 41-of-41 on extra points and made 5-of-7 field goals, including a long of 43 yards, for the Red Devils.

Small school offense (Rural – 1A)

QB – Adrian Curtis, Hawthorne (Sr.)

RB – Keenon Johnson, Hawthorne (Sr.)

RB – Drew Simmons, Union County (So.)

WR – Decarion Debose, Hawthorne (Sr.)

WR – Gavin Jenkins, Union County (Sr.)

ATH – Landin Williams, Bell (So.)

OL – Reece Hendricks, Union County (Sr.)

OL – Jaxson Ridgeway, Williston (So.)

OL – Tyler Duncan, Hawthorne (Sr.)

OL – Stephen Porter, Chiefland (Sr.)

OL – Kingston Anderson, Fort White (Sr.)

K – Ryan Gagne, Williston (Sr.)

P – Josue Knapp, Hawthorne (Sr.)

Honorable mentions

Bell – Isaac Johnson (ATH, Sr.), Daniel Byers (OL, Jr.), Corbin Abarca (OL, So.), Kaleb Williams (ATH, So.), Clayton Hancock (OL, So.), RJ Leffler (K, So.),

Branford – Cole Peyton (OL, Sr.), Dawson Cannon (RB, Jr.), Trent Land (QB, Fr.), Ollie James (RB, 8th)

Bronson – Kevin Haros (RB, Sr.), Zavarius Cooper (WR, Jr.), Raymond Profit (RB, So.)

Chiefland – Shawn Watkins (OL, Sr.), Domynick Welch (OL, Sr.), Chris Ridgeway (OL, Sr.), Osten Jones (RB, Sr.), Matt Goodale (QB, Jr.), Demorri Sweet (RB, Jr.), Jonathan Adams (WR, Jr.)

Dixie County (Cross City) – Mister Williams (RB, Sr.), Drew Pleasant (QB, Sr.), Jaheim Taylor (RB, Sr.), Javan Wilson (RB, Sr.), Xavier Campbell (OL, Jr.), Tucker Wood (OL, Jr.)

Fort White – Jayden Jackson (QB, Jr.), LeCosta Byrd (RB, Sr.), James Dimauro (OL, Sr.), Michael Peterson Jr. (WR, Sr.), Keimarion Neal (RB, Jr.), Maxwell Eyjolfsson (K, Jr.), Caiden Campbell (OL, So.)

Hawthorne – Davion Pugh (WR, Sr.), Demitrius Brown (ATH, Sr.), Josue Knapp (OL, Sr.), Sam Carroll (K, Sr.), Darian Bowie (WR, Jr.), Zaraun Sessler (OL, Jr.), Richard Roundtree Jr. (QB, Fr.)

Oak Hall – Dakota Brower (ATH, Sr.), Briggs Copeland (RB, Sr.), Aaron Akins (WR, Jr.), Andrew Akins (OL, So.)

P.K. Yonge – Anthony Powers (QB, Jr.), Ty Moses (WR, Jr.), Brenden Brockington (WR, So.)

St. Francis Catholic Academy – Dylan Koroly (OL, Sr.), Tygh Bailes II (OL, Jr.), Jake Long (QB, So.)

Trenton – Jackson Gentry (QB, Jr.), Alexzander Henry (RB, Jr.), Brant Bivens (ATH, So.), Trent Patterson (OL, Jr.), Wyatt Vanlandingham (RB, So.)

Union County (Lake Butler) – Trenton Klein (QB, Sr.), Gavin Maddox Wheeler (OL, Sr.), Clifton Ivey (RB, Jr.), Edward Durant (OL, So.), Bryan Tyson (WR, So.)

Williston – Jamari Williams (RB, Sr.), Tamari McDonald (OL, Sr.), Ryan Gagne (P, Sr.), Giovanni Wright (WR, Sr.), Omarian Walker (RB, Jr.), Bryson Willis (RB, Jr.), John Jazikoff (QB, Jr.), Steve Jennings (OL, So.)

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