Vote: Who was the top performer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preseason Kickoff Classic 2024?
TAMPA, FLORIDA- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preseason Kickoff Classic wrapped up prematurely on Saturday due to inclement weather, but there were plenty of top performers from four days of games.
From the event kicked off with Tuesday night's media session to Saturday afternoon's slate of games, the Buccaneers rolled out the proverbial red carpet for girls flag football.
We dive into the athletes that played over the four day span and we plucked out 30 players that stood out during the preseason classic held at the Ed Radice Sports Complex.
Who do you think was the top performer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preseason Kickoff Classic? Chime in, throw a name at us you think is deserving or just vote away in our poll below. Voting ends Feb. 25th, 11:59 p.m.
Editor’s Note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other athlete that may not be mentioned in our poll.
Here are the nominations:
Abby Elwell, QB, Lennard: Just picking up from where she left off from last season, Elwell's poise and ability to always make the right read was on full display in the 33-13 win over Miami Edison.
Grayce Bird, WR, Lennard: The trusty Bird is seemingly always open somewhere for Elwell to find her. Bird caught a 40-plus yard touchdown pass from Elwell that looked to seal the win over Miami Edison.
Adrienne Rivera, QB, Fort Pierce Central: The junior signal caller made plays from inside and outside of the pocket aplenty over two days. The quarterback completed 34-of-47 passes for 504 yards and six touchdowns in two games. Rivera even received an offer from Fort Scott Community College during the classic.
Karla Timothy, WR/DB, Fort Pierce Central: Just a sophomore, Timothy displayed why she will be one of the Treasure Coast's top wide receivers. Timothy hauled in seven passes for 117 yards and three touchdowns. Also picked off three passes on defense.
Braelyn Hartnett, LB, Fort Pierce Central: Hartnett was the leader on defense for the Cobras as the linebacker made 13 flag pulls in two games.
Makenna Sturgis, WR, Alonso: We feel like this will be one of many voting lists Sturgis will be on throughout the season. In two games for the Ravens, Sturgis caught 10 passes for 190 yards and five touchdowns.
Carina Annunziata, WR, Alonso: Another wide receiver that had a stellar couple of games for Alonso was Annunziata. The pass catcher hauled in nine passes for 120 yards and three scores.
Rye Newton, ATH, Sickles: Though the Gryphons are just starting to get things together, Newton looked in mid-season form herself. The quarterback/safety made plays both on offense and defense.
Shanley Herbst, QB, Plant: The Panthers will be a team to watch for this spring and Herbst showed why during the classic. The junior quarterback looked smooth in leading the Panthers to a couple wins.
Allie Vallejo, WR, Riverview: One of the Sharks' leading receivers from a year ago is back to cause secondaries headaches once again. Vallejo, a junior, had a solid outing at the classic for the Sharks.
Layla West, QB, Hillsborough: Showing her ability to throw the deep ball accurately and extend plays out of the pocket, West was certainly impressive for the Terriers.
Poetry Auguste, ATH, Miami Edison: Whether it route running and getting open or helping out in the secondary, Auguste showed she will be one of South Florida's top receivers.
Haidyn Spano, QB, Robinson: If there was any doubt how good the Knights' offense can be, Spano led Robinson to 79 points in two games during the classic.
Lydia Rogers, QB, Palm Harbor University: The Hurricanes had no problems putting up points on Friday, with Palm Harbor pouring on 47 points in a win over Crystal River behind the right arm of Rogers.
Ali Lowery, ATH, Southeast: No matter which side of the ball Lowery was on, she was making plays for the Seminoles. Lowery recorded two touchdowns and two interceptions during the classic.
Gabby Morales, WR, Southeast: Morales proved to be one of the top wide receivers for the Seminoles over the classic, scoring three touchdowns.
Jhenelle Francis, WR, Apopka: The junior wide receiver was the Blue Darters' top pass catcher from a year ago and in a game and a half of action, she showed why she will be again. Francis helped lead Apopka to a 19-12 win over Lakewood.
Victoria Fernandez, QB, Lakewood Ranch: Fernandez was impressive for the Mustangs during the classic as the quarterback threw four touchdown passes and ran in another.
Jenna Ludwig, Rusher, Springstead: Rushing the opposing quarterback is important and Ludwig did a solid job for head coach Andrew Sitar. Ludwig is poised to be one of the North Suncoast's top rushers.
Ariana Ruiz, WR/S, Strawberry Crest: Playing at wide receiver and safety, Ruiz was a playmaker on both sides for the Chargers. Ruiz caught seven passes for 116 yards, three touchdowns and made six flag pulls, three picks on defense.
Lexie Powell, WR/DB, Strawberry Crest: Powell did a little bit of everything for Strawberry Crest, catching six passes for 85 yards, touchdown, threw for 20 yards, two scores and made four flag pulls, interception.
Zoe Surrency, QB, Strawberry Crest: Under center for the Chargers, Surrency was a steady hand as she completed 25-of-41 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns. Also rushed for 65 yards on the ground.
Ny'Ashia Edwards, QB, East Bay: The freshman played both sides of the ball and was a difference maker for the Indians. Edwards accounted for five touchdowns in a win over Hollins. She also saw some time at cornerback.
Azjannie Culbreth, WR/DB, Tampa Bay Tech: Culbreth was a contributor on both sides of the ball for the Titans, catching seven passes for 145 yards and also intercepting three passes on defense.
McKenna Yates, WR, Trinity Catholic: Yates was on fire in the Celtics’ win over Gibbs, as the wide receiver scored four touchdowns.
Jaylen Valdez, DB, Trinity Catholic: On the defensive side of the football for Trinity Catholic, Valdez was the anchor as she intercepted three passes.
Ma’keria Dawes, WR, Palmetto: The Tigers’ wide receiver had 10 receptions, two touchdowns and over 100 yards in two games.
Sienna Zaccardo, WR, East Lake: In the Eagles' 14-0 win over Blake, Zaccardo compiled over 100 yards receiving and returned an interception for a touchdown.
Ava Kelly, QB/DB, Tarpon Springs: Through a game and one quarter versus Lecanto, Kelly threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Kelly picked off two passes at cornerback.
Elicia Issak, WR/DB, Tarpon Springs: In the Spongers' win against Armwood, Issak caught five passes for 97 yards and then defensively picked off a pass and returned it for a touchdown.
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
