Vote Now: Who should be the Polk County football player of the week (11/7/2023)?
The Florida high school football regular season came to an end this week and the playoffs begin Friday. Here are seven candidates with outstanding performances in their regular season finales for Polk County player of the week honors. Check them out and cast your vote.
Voting concludes Sunday, November 12th at 11:59 p.m. and the winner will be announced in next week's poll.
Congratulations to last week's winner: Zander Smith of Lakeland.
Here are this week's nominees:
John Kostuch, Winter Haven, Quarterback
The junior threw four touchdown passes while going 8-of-13 passing for 190 yards against Auburndale. He also rushed eight times for 26 yards. Winter Haven hosts Bartow in the Class 4S quarterfinals and Auburndale travels to Leesburg in 3S play.
Lake Wales running back RaShad Orr explodes on a 31-yard touchdown run against Bartow. The Lake Wales win was its 25th straight stretching over two seasons of play.
Bill Kemp
Johnqaue RIchardson, Lake Wales, Athlete
The senior rushed five times for 96 yards and two touchdowns during a 28-3 win at Bartow. He also had 13 tackles. The Highlanders extended their winning streak to 25 games with the win. They will host Gulf in the 3S quaterfinals.
Josh Bellamy Jr., Lakeland Christian, Running Back
The junior rushed 13 times for 113 yards and one touchdown during a 31-20 win against Strawberry Crest. He popped one run for 53 yards. LCS wil face Cardinal Mooney in the 1S regional semifinals this week.
Daiveon Pittman, Frostproof, Quarterback
The senior was 6-of-13 passing for 117 yards with one touchdown during a 23-18 win against Chiefland. Frostproof will travel to Lemon Bay in a 2S regional quarterfinal.
RaShad Orr, Lake Wales, Running Back
The senior rushed for 150 yards on 24 carries with one 31-yard touchdown run against Bartow. The performance put him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season with 1,039 yards and nine touchdowns.
Dylan Simmons, Lake Wales, Linebacker
The senior posted 11 tackles -- seven solo - during a 28-3 win at Bartow. He has 37 tackles this season -- 25 solo -- with nine tackles for loss.
J. De La Nuez, Santa Fe Catholic, Running Back
The senior rushed six times for 118 yards with two touchdowns during a 42-13 loss to Canterbury in the first round of the SSAC 2A playoffs
