GAINESVILLE – When people speak about the top football players from the First Coast area of all-time, the names that often come to mind are Tim Tebow, Derrick Henry, Frankie Franklin, Lito Sheppard, Leon Washington and DeAndre Johnson; now they will have to add Carson Beck to the conversation.
The junior quarterback from Mandarin solidified his place in the conversation by being named the 2018 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Football 27th recipient Saturday following a final round of voting by a statewide panel of high school football coaches and media representatives.
Beck, who was previously selected as the Class 8A Player of the Year, led his squad to the Class 8A state championship by completing 185-of-329 passes for 3,559 yards with 41 touchdown passes and 7 interceptions.
In the 37-35 title game over Miami Columbus, Beck threw for 329 yards and had five touchdown passes to lead the Mustangs to their first ever state title two weeks ago at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Beck, who has committed to football at Alabama, scored a convincing victory over the other eight finalists with 15 of the 23 first-place votes and 185 points overall.
In the runnerup spot was Class 7A Player of the Year Demarkcus Bowman of Lakeland (110) followed in third place by Class 5A POY Marcus Crowley of Trinity Christian (62).
Class 6A Player of the Year Damean Bivins of Pace (45) finished fourth, followed by Class 4A POY Brandon Marshall of Raines (39), Class 1A POY Travis Jay of Madison County (25), Class 2A POY Jensen Jones of St. John Neumann (20), Class 3A POY Justin Wake of The King’s Academy (17) and Independent POY Jalen Carr of Orlando Christian Prep (14).
The Florida Dairy Farmers High School Sports Awards program exemplifies Florida Dairy Farmers’ commitment to the state’s youth. This marks the 27th year of these unique awards as we honor the state’s top athletes and coaches in all 30 FHSAA sanctioned and recognized sports.
Beck becomes the seventh are players to win the Mr. Football Award joining Frankie Franklin (Sandalwood), Leon Washington (Jackson), Tim Tebow (Nease), Derrick Henry (Yulee), D’Andre Johnson (First Coast) and Nick Tronti (Ponte Vedra).
Mr. Football Winners
1995 – Frankie Franklin, Jacksonville Sandalwood
1996 – Travis Henry, Frostproof
1997 – Zain Gilmore, Tampa Robinson
1998 – Anquan Boldin, Pahokee
1999 – Willie Green, Kissimmee Osceola
2000 – Adrian McPherson, Bradenton Southeast
2001 – Leon Washington, Jacksonville Jackson
2002 – Andre Reese, Pierson Taylor
2003 – Xavier Lee, Daytona Seabreeze
2004 – Antone Smith, Pahokee
2005 – Tim Tebow, Ponte Vedra Nease
2006 – Robert Marve, Tampa Plant
2007 – Jacory Harris, Miami Northwestern
2008 – A.J. Graham, Tallahassee Godby
2009 – Matt Elam, William T. Dwyer
2010 – Quentin Williams, Tampa Jefferson
2011 – Randy “Duke” Johnson, Miami Norland
2012 – Derrick Henry, Yulee High School
2013 – Dalvin Cook, Miami Booker T. Washington
2014 – D’Andre Johnson, First Coast
2015 – DeShawn Smith, Nature Coast Tech
2016 – Nick Tronti, Ponte Vedra
2017 – Bryce Carpenter, Venice
Mr. Football (total points, first place votes)
1 Carson Beck, Junior, Quarterback, Mandarin, Class 8A Player of the Year
Led his team to the state championship by completing 185-of-329 passes for 3,559 yards with 41 TD passes and 7 interceptions. Has committed to the University of Alabama. (185 points, 15 votes)
2 Demarkcus Brown, Junior, Running Back, Lakeland, Class 7A Player of the Year
Led his team to the state title by rushing for 2,452 yards on 205 carries (12.0 avg.) with 36 TDs. Rushed for 211 yards including an 84-yard scoring run in state game win over St. Thomas Aquinas. (110 points, 4 votes)
3 Marcus Crowley, Senior, Running Back, Trinity Christian, Class 5A Player of the Year
Led his team to the state Final Four by rushing for 2,325 yards on 222 carries (10.5 avg.) with 28 TDs. Also caught 10 passes for 181 yards and 3 TDs. Has committed to Ohio State University. (62 points, 1 vote)
4 Damean Bivins, Senior, Running Back, Pace, Class 6A Player of the Year
As a senior, rushed for 2,273 yards on 273 carries (8.3 avg.) with 32 TDs. Finished his career with 5,281 rushing yards, 6,693 total yards and 70 touchdowns. (45 points, 1 vote)
5 Brandon Marshall, Senior, Running Back, Raines, Class 4A Player of the Year
Led his team to the state championship by rushing for 1,916 yards on 242 carries (7.9 avg.) with 24 TDs. Set his school’s all-time rushing record with 4,100 career yards. (39 points, 1 vote)
6 Travis Jay, Senior, Quarterback/Defensive Back, Madison County, Class 1A Player of the Year
Led his team to the state title by completing 55-of-99 passes for 1,326 yards and 13 TDs. Rushed for 1,096 yards on 102 carries (11.9 avg.) with 18 TDs. On defense, had 66 tackles (45 solo) with 6 interceptions. Named an Under Armour All-American and has committed to Florida State University. (25 points, 1 vote)
7 Jensen Jones, Senior, Quarterback/Linebacker, St. John Neumann, Class 2A Player of the Year. Completed 90-of-152 passes for 1,525 yards and 14 TDs. Rushed for 1,970 yards on 202 carries (9.7 avg.) with 33 TDs. On defense, had 55 tackles with 5 tackles for loss. (20 points)
8 Justin Wake, Senior, Quarterback, King’s Academy, Class 3A Player of the Year
Led his team to the state championship game by completing 166-of-301 passes for 2,490 yards with 27 TDs and 7 interceptions. Also rushed for 528 yards and 12 TDs. (17 points)
9 Jalen Carr, Senior, Running Back/ Defensive Back, Orlando Christian Prep, Independent Player of the Year. Led his team to the Sunshine State Athletic Conference title by rushing for 1,073 yards on 94 carries (11.4 avg.) with 15 TDs. Also caught 13 passes for 300 yards and 4 TDs. Has committed to Illinois State University. (1 points)
My ballot
1 Carson Beck (Mandarin
2 Jensen Jones (St. Johns Newman)
3 Travis Jay (Madison County)
4 Demarkcus Brown (Lakeland)
5 Damean Bivins (Pace)
6 Marcus Crowley (Trinity)
7 Brandon Marshall (Raines)
8 Justin Wake (King’s Academy)
9 Jalen Carr (Orlando Christian Prep)
To be nominated for the Mr. Football award, a player first had to win their classification award first, which was voted on just a few days ago.
Class 8A
1 Carson Beck (Mandarin) 129
2 Mark-Antony Richards (Wellington) 49
3 Henry Parrish (Columbus) 42
4 Demario Douglas (Mandarin) 37
5 Ali Boyce (Sarasota Riverview) 29
Class 7A
1 Demarkcus Brown (Lakeland) 169
2 Keshawn King (Oakleaf) 49
3 Bryce Norton (Viera) 46
4 Brian Maurer (West Port) 34
5 Jeremiah Payton (Fletcher) 29
Class 6A
1 Damean Bivins (Pace) 94
2 Cesare Mellusi (Naples) 74
3 Tyler Dittmer (Gulf Breeze) 68
4 DJ Williams (Sebring) 35
5 Luke Matthews (Gainesville) 27
Other nominees: Isaiah Flowers (Ed White), Jaden McDowell (St. Augustine)
Class 5A
1 Marcus Crowley (Trinity) 150
2 Mike Weston (Nature Coast) 82
3 Trey Fisher (Godby) 42
4 Joleeco Gaskin (North Marion) 20
5 Cartrell Strong (Zephyrhills) 20
Other nominees: Kenny Logan (Menendez)
Class 4A
1 Brandon Marshall (Raines) 120
2 Willie Gaines (Cocoa) 70
3 Kenny McIntosh (University) 54
4 Carter Kutchko (P.K. Yonge) 42
5 Maurice Jefferies (Dunnellon) 37
Other nominees: Nick Channel (Keystone), Damon Harris (West Nassau)
Class 3A
1 Justin Wake (King’s Academy) 122
2 Gavin Screws (Baldwin) 73
3 John Dunmore (Chaminade Madonna) 49
4 Jejuan Newton (Clearwater Cent. Catholic) 47
5 Kaiir Elam (Benjamin) 27
Other nominees: Dylan Thibault (St. Joseph)
Class 2A
1 Jenson Jones (St. John Neumann) 129
2 Chris Butash (Carrollwood Day) 55
3 Cornelius Shaw (Victory Christian) 51
4 Von Hayes (NFC) 47
5 Isaiah Knowles (Seffner Christian) 34
Other nominees: Ridge Jacobs (U.C), Max McClendon (U.C.)
Class 1A
1 Travis Jay (Madison County) 155
2 Junior McLaughlin (Baker) 91
3 Kahleil Jackson (Hawthorne) 61
4 Trent Peacock (Blountstown) 20
5 Jaxson Beach (Lafayette) 15
Other nominees: Keyshawn Young (Union County), Naykee Scott (Crescent City)
Independents
1 Jalen Carr (Orlando Christian Prep) 78
2 DJ Clark (St. Stephen’s) 71
3 JD Arnold (Satellite) 44
Other nominees: Ben Anderson (Christ’s Church), Jacob Reeves (Christ’s Church)
