Throughout the 2023 Florida high school football season, numerous individual performances from across the state caught our attention, both when they happened and looking back now. As we rewind to the 2023 season, here are some of the biggest showings, including a 500-yard passing game, several 300-yard rushing performances, and much more.
Shawn Simeon, RB – Naples
We begin with Shawn Simeon, who had five games with more than 200 yards rushing a year ago at Naples, as well as one game with more than 300 yards that lands on this list. That came in a 63-33 Class 3S regional semifinal victory over Port Charlotte, in which Simeon rushed for 387 yards and seven touchdowns on 30 attempts, averaging 12.9 yards per carry.
Laython Biddle, RB – Bartram Trail
One of Florida’s top rushers from the 2023 season was Laython Biddle, who racked up five games with more than 200 yards rushing as a senior at Bartram Trail.
One of those performances, however, sticks out above the rest. That showing came on Nov. 10, 2023, in a 67-55 shootout victory over Navarre in the Class 4S regional quarterfinals. Biddle rushed for 322 yards and six touchdowns on 32 attempts, which translated to an average of 10.1 yards per carry.
Luke Knight, QB – Wiregrass Ranch
Luke Knight, who was one of the state’s top passers in 2023, had seven games with more than 300 yards passing this past fall, but none were bigger than his performance in a 57-33 victory over Harmony back on Sept. 22. The Wiregrass Ranch quarterback completed 27 of 37 passes in the win for a season-high 419 yards and eight touchdowns, while also rushing for 10 yards on two attempts.
Sabby Meassick, QB – Tohopekaliga
While there were a few other performances from Sabby Meassick that could’ve made this list, it’s hard to pick against his showing in a 42-0 shutout win over Celebration back on Sept. 29. In the win, Meassick completed 30 of 43 passes for a season-high 587 passing yards, along with six touchdowns.
Noah Grubbs, QB – Lake Mary
Despite throwing two interceptions in the contest, Noah Grubbs’ performance in the Rams’ 76-60 season-opening win over Dr. Phillips still sticks out as one of the best. Alongside that pair of picks, Grubbs completed 25 of 37 passes for 528 yards and a season-high eight touchdowns in the victory.
Jeff Jones, QB – St. Petersburg
You will not find a quarterback who made a bigger impact with his legs in 2023 than Jeff Jones, who amassed six games with more than 200 yards rushing a year ago as a junior.
His biggest performance of that season came in a 42-14 win over Osceola on Sept. 15. Jones rushed for 337 yards and three touchdowns on 16 attempts, which translates to 21.1 yards per carry, and completed 10 of 14 passes for 130 yards with two touchdowns and a pick.
Michael McClenton, EDGE – Ocoee
This past season Ocoee sophomore Michael McClenton had eight multi-sack games and five games with more than 20 tackles.
However, his most impressive performance likely came in a 13-6 win over Wekiva back on Sept. 1 in which he had 20 tackles, seven tackles for loss, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Jeremiah Smith, WR – Chaminade-Madonna
Jeremiah Smith, Florida’s top high school football recruit last season, had a performance to remember in the Lions’ 61-21 win over Bergen Catholic (New Jersey) back on Sept. 8. Smith had 17 receptions for 321 yards and three touchdowns in the win, averaging 18.9 yards per catch.
Isaiah Riggins, WR – Wiregrass Ranch
The top receiver for the aforementioned Knights at Wiregrass Ranch, Isaiah Riggins had eight games with more than 100 yards receiving during the 2023 season, as well as one showing of more than 200 yards that lands on this list. Riggins had eight catches for 250 yards and three touchdowns, translating to 31.3 yards per catch, in a 45-27 victory over Springstead in the Class 4S regional quarterfinals back on Nov. 10.
So, did we miss any? What were some of your favorite performances from the 2023 Florida high school football season?
