For Hawthorne High School, success has become the expectation. After reaching the state championship game in each of the last three seasons, the Hornets entered 2025 focused on another deep postseason run. Their opening-round blowout of Branford showed they’re well on their way.
Sophomore quarterback Richard Roundtree threw for more than 250 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in the Hornets’ 42–0 win, earning him this week’s UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the Week honor.
“It’s a great honor to get this award, especially with all the great players in the area,” Roundtree said. “There are a ton of people who support me and want to see us win, so this award is a reflection of that.”
Roundtree saw significant action as a freshman and entered this season with both personal and team goals. Winning a state championship topped the list, but he also laid out benchmarks for his own performance.
“I wanted to be the offensive player of the year, put up over 2,500 yards through the air and get into the end zone at least 25 times,” he said.
He’s well on pace. Roundtree has already surpassed 25 total touchdowns and is trending toward the 2,500-yard mark. His play has helped Hawthorne score at least 26 points in every game this season. During their current five-game winning streak, the Hornets are averaging 37 points per game.
That surge came after Hawthorne’s lone loss of the year, a moment Roundtree said reshaped the team’s mindset.
“We took that loss hard, and I took it personally,” he said. “We had to refocus and make sure all of us were doing our jobs. I think we’ve done a good job of keeping that focus.”
They’ll need it Friday when they face Williston in the second round of the playoffs. Williston has won 10 straight since its season-opening loss and has Hawthorne’s full attention.
“Williston is very good at understanding the assignment, so we have to do the same,” Roundtree said. “They play fast and physical, and we’ll need to give effort on every single play if we’re going to get a win.”
As the season wears on and players battle fatigue and bumps and bruises, Roundtree credited Hawthorne’s athletic training staff, especially athletic trainer Olivia Rooney, for helping keep the team healthy.
“She’s awesome to be around on and off the field, and you can see how hard she works to allow us to do our thing between the white lines,” he said. “She’s definitely a big part of our success.”
Roundtree also praised head coach and former Hornet standout Cornelius Ingram. The two-time state championship coach, who played at the University of Florida and in the NFL, provides constant insight into the game’s mental and physical demands.
“CI coaches us hard and gets us mentally ready to play football, and that means a lot,” Roundtree said. “He puts us in spots to be successful and make plays, and we just have to go out and execute.”
To return to the state championship, the Hornets must beat the Red Devils and win one more game. If they do, Roundtree will be positioned to surpass the goals he set before the season began and Hawthorne will have a chance to avenge last years loss in the championship game.
Each weekly UF Health Athlete of the Week winner becomes eligible for the UF Health High School Athlete of the Year Scholarship, a $2,500 award presented at the end of the 2025–26 academic year.