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Athletics Outreach

In a town of fewer than 1,000 people along the Suwannee River, building a high school volleyball powerhouse might seem like a tall order.In Branford, it’s simply what the Buccaneers do.A coaching change brought Hank Rone to Branford this season after more than a decade at Newberry High School. He arrived believing the Buccaneers had the potential to be one of the state’s best programs again. The players shared that belief, even as outside expectations suggested they might be in for a rebuilding year.

For a player who didn’t play football a year ago, Williston junior Deon Long has quickly become an impact player for the Red Devils, contributing on both sides of the ball while emerging as a vocal leader.Encouraged by his brothers to give football a try, Long has played wide receiver, his preferred position when he started, along with cornerback and, more recently, running back. A year after not playing the sport, he has become an important part of Williston’s turnaround.

For a kid who grew up in Hawthorne, there was always something special about the idea of one day putting on the Hornets uniform and having success for his hometown school.  For senior defensive lineman Demeion Rutledge, that dream has become a reality and an incredibly successful one at that.Rutledge was in middle school when Hawthorne won its first state championship, and watching the Hornets reach the top of the mountain planted a thought in his mind: Someday, he wanted the opportunity to help keep that success going.

For Gainesville High School, the 2026 football season began with plenty of questions.The Purple Hurricanes surrendered a late lead and lost their season opener in overtime. Two more losses followed, leaving GHS at 0-3 and prompting plenty of conversation about whether another losing season was on the horizon.

In an era when changing schools has become increasingly common among high school athletes, staying put can sometimes be the biggest statement a player can make.For Bradford senior Danny Torres and several of his classmates, there was never much of a decision to make. They came to Starke with a goal, and they intend to see it through.

The Wildwood football program knew the offseason was going to test them.There was adversity, plenty of it, along with the kind of conditioning that can make even the toughest players question their life choices. But the Wildcats also knew what they were working toward: a chance to compete for a state championship.Three weeks into the season, it appears the work is paying off.

The Buchholz football program has established itself as one of the best in the state. For the Bobcats, a deep playoff run is no longer a pleasant surprise. Reaching the final four has become the expectation.That might create added pressure for some players, but for Buchholz junior quarterback Andrew Whittemore, it is exactly what he wants.

Will Cosby joined UF Health Orthopaedics in 2024 and currently operates as Clinical Athletic Trainer and Physician Extender at the UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute in Gainesville. In this role, he assists physicians and other advanced providers with day to day patient care and clinical operations.

The offseason is normally a time to relax, spend time with family and maybe take a vacation or two to unwind after a long season.But while others were taking a breather, Trenton High School senior Zayne Braswell was working. He was doing whatever it took to make it back for his final season of high school football.

Samantha is currently serving as an Outreach Athletic Trainer for P.K. Yonge High School while pursuing a Doctor of Athletic Training degree with a concentration of Orthopedics at the University of Florida.

Sam is a certified Athletic Trainer and recent graduate from the University of Delaware where she earned her BS in Sports Health and MSAT. Sam is currently pursuing her DAT while working as a Resident Athletic Trainer for UFs Outreach program. She will be doing her concentration in Teaching and Leadership to further explore her passion for education.

Brooke Sachau, MA, LAT, ATC is an Athletic Training Resident with the University of Florida Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine while pursuing her Doctor of Athletic Training degree at the University of Florida with a concentration in Orthopedics.