Athletes within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area were well-represented on the FloridaHSFootball.com’s All-State teams for the 2019 season.
In total, 18 players from four local schools in Hillsborough and Pasco counties were named first-team, second-team, third-team or honorable mention for their respective classifications.
The All-State teams were compiled by FloridaHSFootball.com, along with the consideration of coaches nominations and consultation of all-area/all-county teams and members of the media from around the state.
Steinbrenner High School (8A) garnered the most selections among local schools, with eight.
That included three first-team choices (quarterback Haden Carlson, senior offensive lineman Matt Adcock, senior utility Deon Silas), three second-team choices (senior receiver Dean Patterson, junior linebacker Austin Brannen, junior defensive back Matt Durrance) a third-team choice (junior defensive lineman Aiden Bitter) and an honorable mention (junior defensive lineman Desmond Mamudi).
Carlson also was named the Class 8A Offensive Player of the Year. The Florida International University signee completed 62.4% of his throws for 2,382 yards, 33 touchdowns and five interceptions, guiding the Warriors to a 12-2 mark and the Class 8A state semifinals.
Gaither High School (6A) also was well-represented on the All-State list, with seven selections.
That included three first-team choices (senior quarterback Tony Bartalo, senior offensive lineman Jake Karsen, senior defensive back Hunter Mintzer), two-second team choices (senior receiver Deveon Knighton, junior athlete Jordan Oladokun) and two third-team choices (sophomore receiver Drelin Pittman, sophomore defensive lineman Mario Eugenio).
Bartalo also was named the Class 6A Overall Player of the Year — helping the Cowboys to a 12-2 mark and the Class 6A state semifinals.
The Bethune-Cookman signee completed 62.6% of his throws for 3,194 yards, 45 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also made an impact with his legs, rushing for 382 yards and five touchdowns. Bartalo’s 45 touchdown passes were the most in Florida among all classifications, and good for fifth-most all-time in state history.
Wiregrass Ranch High School (7A) had two All-State selections — senior linebacker Dylan Ridolph (second-team) and senior receiver Keith Walker (third-team).
It marks Ridolph’s third time on the All-State listing. The Catawba College signee exits as one of the most productive defensive players in Pasco County history. He holds the county record for most career sacks, with 48. He also tallied 274 total tackles and 78 tackles for loss across three varsity seasons.
Elsewhere, Zephyrhills Christian Academy senior defensive lineman Malik Jones garnered Class 2A first-team defense honors. The 6-2, 296-pound Florida Atlantic University signee ranked third in the state in sacks (29) in 2019, also registering 113 total tackles and 38.0 tackles for loss.
There were no All-State representatives in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area from Classes 5A, 4A, 3A or 1A.
Last year, 24 players from nine local schools in Hillsborough and Pasco counties were named first-team, second-team, third-team or honorable mention for their respective classifications.
Class 8A
Haden Carlson, Steinbrenner, senior, quarterback (first-team offense, offensive player of the year)
Matt Adcock, Steinbrenner, senior, offensive lineman (first-team offense)
Deon Silas, Steinbrenner, junior, utility (first-team offense)
Dean Patterson, Steinbrenner, senior, receiver (second-team offense)
Austin Brannen, Steinbrenner, junior, linebacker (second-team defense)
Matt Durrance, Steinbrenner, junior, defensive back (second-team defense)
Aiden Bitter, Steinbrenner, senior, receiver (third-team offense)
Desmond Mamudi, Steinbrenner, junior, defensive lineman (honorable mention)
Class 7A
Dylan Ridolph, Wiregrass Ranch, senior, linebacker (second-team defense)
Keith Walker, Wiregrass Ranch, senior, receiver (third-team offense)
Class 6A
Tony Bartalo, Gaither, senior, quarterback (first-team offense, overall player of the year)
Jake Karsen, Gaither, senior, offensive lineman (first-team offense)
Hunter Mintzer, Gaither, senior, defensive back (first-team defense)
Deveon Knighton, Gaither, senior, receiver (second-team offense)
Jordan Oladokun, Gaither, junior, athlete (second-team defense)
Drelin Pittman, Gaither, sophomore, receiver (third-team offense)
Mario Eugenio, Gaither, sophomore, defensive lineman (third-team defense)
Class 2A
Malik Jones, Zephyrhills Christian, senior, defensive lineman (first-team defense)
Published March 25, 2020
