Alvon Isaac did a little bit of everything this season in helping lead Hawthorne to its second consecutive Class 1R state football title.
Now he’s taking his talents two hours south to play at the next level.
Isaac signed with the University of South Florida on Thursday at a ceremony in Hawthorne’s Bill Woods Gymnasium.
He was rated a three-star recruit by 247 Sports and Rivals as he played mostly wide receiver for the Hornets.
“I liked the coaching style and how the coaches at USF welcome you,” Isaac said. “I feel like they want to bring the top guys in, and being from Hawthorne also helps with the success we have had here.”
Isaac only played this past season with Hawthorne after transferring from The Villages, but what a season it was.
Isaac led the Hornets receivers with 47 catches for 974 yards a team-high 17 touchdowns. Isaac added a touchdown rushing for 18 total TD’s this season with the Hornets.
He had spent most of his junior season of 2022 as a running back for The Villages, rushing for over 1,100 yards.
“Alvon has been special for us all year,” Hawthorne coach Cornelius Ingram said. “He’s been unselfish on the field and one of the best playmakers I’ve coached. He will do some special things at South Florida and I can’t wait to watch.”
Of course, the school and town of Hawthorne are still on a high as they celebrate back-to-back state championships after beating Madison County, 22-13, at Florida A&M’s Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee on Dec. 7.
Isaac wasn’t with the team during the 2022 state title run, but he’s proud to be part of a state champion this year.
“I had never won a state (title) in football, so this was quite an experience,” Isaac said. “It felt good and it made me wish I could play another year for Hawthorne.”
Ingram meanwhile is taking some time to reflect.
“If you look at the entire body of work from when we took over to the school possibly shutting down to calling yourself champions, it’s hard to do.”
Signing along with Isaac at Hawthorne on Thursday was actually a player who never played for the Hornets. Running back Jerrick Gibson, a Gainesville native who has played for IMG Academy (Bradenton), signed with Texas. Gibson who is considered the No. 2 or No. 3 running back nationally, spent the last two summers working out with the Hawthorne team.