_{September 4th, 2025}
by Josh Zedner
Miami, Fla. | “Spartans Evade Panthers”

Florida Man Sports is back with Week 3 coverage of the South Florida high school football season. This week we have a matchup between the Southridge Spartans and the Palmetto Panthers. Both teams started the season 1-0, with blowout wins against Goleman and Booker T. respectively. This was sure to be a dandy of a game between two of the better teams down south.

Palmetto started with the ball, but the drive ended quickly after a nice tackle by 2026 ATH Marquise “Booda” Williams. 2027 QB James Perrone started the drive fast with a first down screen to 2026 WR Rodney Strozier. Then 2026 RB Travis Gamble Jr. found a hole and breezed his way into the endzone to give Southridge the early 7-0 lead.

The Panthers were in great position for their next drive after a long return by 2027 RB Aiden Butler. 2026 QB Andre Bailey then completed a pass to 2026 WR Robert Richardson for a first down that had Palmetto threatening to score. But the drive stalled out with TFL’s from 2026 DL and Syracuse commit Kam Wilson and 2028 DL Antonio Wilcher Jr. 2026 K/P Chris Green cashed in a field goal to cut into the deficit.

Perrone completed another screen to 2026 WR Jhakari Johnson, in which Johnson broke an arm tackle and then flew into the endzone to extend the Spartan lead. Palmetto responded with another 1^st down completion between Bailey and Richardson, and then Butler had a first down tote of his own. But as Palmetto was ready to respond, Bailey fumbled the snap on the goal-line, and 2028 DB King Gage came out of nowhere to pick the ball off. He evaded multiple Panthers and took the rock about 90 yards to the endzone to get the lead out to 20-3.

It was getting late early for Palmetto. They went 3 and out on the next drive. And right away Perrone found 2027 TE Trae Proctor wide open in the endzone. A stunning 27-3 lead in the middle of the second quarter. 2026 ATH Samuel Coleman forced a fumble on Butler that was recovered by 2026 ATH Jean Calixte. We were nearing blowout territory at this point. But Palmetto forced a turnover on downs after some PBU’s by 2027 DB Kelsey Veargis and 2026 DB Braylen Green.

Palmetto needed a drive to cut into this deficit going into the half. And they got one on the back of their QB. Bailey delivered first down passes to 2026 WRs Connelius Miller (twice) and Amiel Mackey. After evading Wilson, Bailey fought for a first down sneak, and then caught the corner and bulldozed his way into the endzone to get the score line to 27-10 at the half.

Southridge went 3 and out to start the second half after another PBU by Green. Just as Wilson, Calixte and the rest of the Spartan defense was starting to rise again, a fake punt occurred and they found Green streaking on the outside to get the ball back into the redzone. Bailey then found a crossing 2026 WR Willie Wilson near the goal-line and Wilson punched it in. All of a sudden we had a 10 point game.

But when Southridge needed a response drive, Perrone would always get the job done. Gamble got the proceedings going with a first down carry, but Perrone found the massive Proctor once again to make the lead a commanding one at 17. Butler had another huge return, but the drive was stalled out by Calixte (sack) and Wilcher Jr. (TFL).

Time was running out for Bailey and the Panthers in the 4^th quarter. He connected with Miller (Eastern Michigan commit) once again, this time for a touchdown to cut the lead back down to 10. But Proctor and Gamble did just enough late and throughout to finish this contest, each getting first down chunks to salt this game away. Final score, Southridge, 34, Palmetto, 24.

Southridge was not as comfortable as they had been in their previous games this season. They got off to a fast start, but Palmetto never backed down in this one even after getting blown out early. Perrone still showed a great level of comfort with his weapons. Proctor and Johnson showed once again why they are elite down south, while Gamble is finally that backfield piece that the Spartans have needed for years. Their defense is the backbone. Wilson, Calixte, Wilcher Jr., Gage and 2026 DB William Favors are all studs. Every time that this team takes the field, they show state champion level potential. They will go up against Hialeah on the road next Saturday.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Palmetto’s fight in this game, despite the loss. Bailey never gave into Southridge’s consistent pressure on him. He grinded this one out, and ended up with 3 touchdowns. They just can’t start so behind on the scoreboard. They also have a great RB duo with Butler and 2026 RB Varian Terry. The backend of the defense was getting shredded at times in this game though. Wide-open receivers for Southridge was a common problem for them, and once a guy got in some open space, the play was over. They will face another stiff test with Columbus waiting for them next week.

FINAL SCORE:
Miami Southridge beats Palmetto 34-24

Florida Man Sports Player of the Game:

2027 TE Trae Proctor (2 TDs)


About Josh Zedner:
Joshua Zedner is a beat writer covering high school football for Florida Man Sports. A native of Miami Beach, he attended Florida International University before finishing his undergraduate Business Administration degree at the University of Florida. Josh is an avid Miami sports fan, and he also writes a music review blog as a passion project under the @AlbumAnalysisWithZ handle on Instagram.