Vote: Who should be the South Florida Offensive Player of the Week (10/16/2023)?
An overtime thriller was arguably the best game of the season in South Florida. For that matter, it may have been the game of the season for the entire state of Florida.
That’s saying something considering last month Chaminade-Madonna held off Miami Central, 31-28, in an instant classic.
But Miami Norland rallying past Central, 29-26, in overtime was a game for the ages. It also places the Vikings among the favorites to win the Class 2M state championship. Central has won four straight state crowns, and its drive for five will be a challenge.
Along with Norland-Central, there were plenty of big games in South Florida, with many big-time individual performances.
SBLive Sports Florida asks you to decide which players is most deserving of our South Florida Offensive Player of the Week award for Oct. 11-14?
(Reminder: Coaches, players and schools are encouraged to send their nominees to @JoeFrisaro on X).
Congratulations to last week's winner: Gavin Harvey of American Heritage.
Here are this week's nominees:
Fadrelle Andrus, WR, Palmetto: The Panthers won a 42-34 thriller over the South Dade, and Andrus caught seven passes for 110 yards and two TDs.
Edward Bandy, RB, Columbus: Bouncing back from a loss to Homestead, Columbus defeated Doral Academy, 44-8. Bandy had six rushes for 101 yards, including a 50-yard run.
JC Evans, QB, Miami Central: All season the Rockets have split playing time at quarterback with Evans, a Jacksonville State commit, and Antonio Smith. In the first half against Norland, Evans led the Rockets to three touchdowns, giving them a 20-0 lead at halftime. Evans had TD runs of 3 and 10 yards, and he threw a 21-yard TD pass. Evans didn’t play much in the second half due to injury.
James Hayes, QB, Coconut Creek: Hayes has emerged as one of the best players in Broward County. In a 42-28 win over West Boca Raton, the senior quarterback threw for three touchdowns and rushed for more than 100 yards.
Colton Heinrich, TE, Cardinal Gibbons: Cardinal Gibbons had its way in a 63-6 blowout of Hallandale. Heinrich, a Georgia commit, caught four passes for 107 yards and a touchdown.
Andrew Indorf, QB, St. Thomas Aquinas: The Raiders won in dominating fashion, 42-0, over Fort Lauderdale. In the first half alone, Indorf was 8-for-10 for 167 yards and three touchdowns.
Nylan Maine, QB, Dillard: Dillard held off Plantation, 28-26, and Maine had a big night passing for 326 yards and three touchdowns. The Western Carolina commit also rushed for a score.
Javian Mallory, RB, West Boca Raton: Keep an eye on this sophomore. Mallory scored three touchdowns in a 42-28 loss to Coconut Creek. Mallory already has offers from Miami, Florida State and Florida Atlantic University, as well as other high-profile schools.
Cortez Mills, WR, Homestead: Chalk up another big game for Mills, who keeps posting big numbers. In the Broncos’ 45-14 win over Southridge, Mills had two TD receptions and had three receptions total for 84 yards.
Robert Ortega, RB, Western: The Wildcats blew out Cypress Bay, 56-0, and now are in the drivers’ seat to win Class 4M-District 13. Ortega, a sophomore, had rushing touchdowns of 17, 19 and 32 yards.
Calvin Russell, QB, Miami Northwestern: A running and throwing threat, Russell threw for 120 yards and rushed for 147 in the Bulls’ 28-20 loss to Booker T. Washington. The 4-star recently received an offer from Tennessee.
Noah Sidan, PK, Miami Norland: The sophomore has only been playing football for about six months. A former soccer player, Sidan cemented his legacy in Norland history by booting the game-winning, 35-yard field goal in overtime to beat Central.
JT Tabora, QB, Plantation: In a disappointing two-point loss to Dillard, Tabora posted some impressive numbers – 314 yards passing and two TDs.
Evan Tempro, WR, Westminster Academy: The Lions didn’t have much to cheer about in their 42-7 loss to NSU University. Even in the lopsided setback, Tempro’s talents were obvious. The senior caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Barbar for his team’s lone score.
Malachi Toney, WR, American Heritage: In a lopsided 63-16 affair against Stranahan, Toney had seven catches for 127 yards and one TD. Toney is on the radar of many Power 5 schools.
Jett Yurgealitis, QB, NSU University: The senior is becoming a fixture in our weekly polls, and for good reason. Yurgealitis keeps producing. In the Sharks’ 42-7 blowout of Westminster Academy, Yurgealitis threw five touchdown passes and rushed for another, while directing a balanced offensive attack.
