AUBURNDALE — Auburndale head football coach Antonio Thomas knew that Fort Meade possessed the championship moxie thanks to the Miners winning the Rural Florida Invitational (RFI) State Football Championship last December of 2024.
But this is 2025. And Thomas is trying to have his team carry on momentum the Bloodhounds generated late last year, winning four out of five and eventually ending the year at 6-4. Well, Auburndale built on that against the defending champs in the spring game Thursday night at Bruce Canova Stadium at Auburndale High School, winning handedly 38-0 thanks to stout trenches, defense, including two-time all-county player Elijah Dias’ five tackles, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery, Arnell Thomas’ three tackles, team captain Jayden Mondesir’s three sacks and one forced fumble as well as sophomore quarterback Gunner Needham’s three touchdown passes.
“We have a lot to clean up. We need to get back on the field to see what we need to improve on. Again, Fort Meade is traditionally a powerhouse team. It’s always good to scrap with them when we get an opportunity. We have a lot to clean up. I am proud of the kids. Proud of the efforts. I just hope we can take all of this momentum into the summer part of our year and just improve on it. But I’m just happy for the kids,” Thomas said.
Auburndale improved from the start. Needham hooked up with Darion Jiles for a 55-yard touchdown with 9:27 to go in the first to make it 7-0 Auburndale after the extra point.
Three possessions later when Fort Meade had a positive drive on Auburndale’s 35, senior Fort Meade quarterback Omari Russell threw it up for grabs for junior defensive back Gavin Hall to make an interception.
The defense was set up in a Cover 3 to prevent the pass.
“It made me feel good. He threw it up, and I just went to go and get it. That’s what I’m taught at DB. Ball in air. You got to go and get it,” Hall said.
On the next offensive drive for Auburndale, stout running back Trey Sullivan was the recipient of a 2-yard touchdown run with 11:54 to go in the second quarter. This was the culmination of a masterful running drive led by Auburndale’s offensive line.
Mondesir would accumulate a big-time sack on the next drive.
Other scoring plays were the following: Luke Slagel executed a 32-yard field goal to make it 17-0; Auburndale running back Pat Weir ran it in for a 10-yard touchdown with 1:32 left in the second to make it 24-0; Needham threw it 82 yards to Takeo Edwards for a touchdown; and Needham, once more, threw a 43-yard touchdown to A.J. Holloway to make it 38-0 to end the game.
For Auburndale and Fort Meade, it’s all about getting stronger in the off-season to prepare for the 2025 campaign.
