PORT ST. LUCIE – Every single Tradition Prep nominee for a Week 8 superlative honor has come out on top.
It started with the upstart Pirates program that won our Team of Week 8 honor. They have gone from 1-6 overall last season to 5-2 after seven regular season games in just their second full varsity football campaign.
TEAM OF WEEK 8: 772@JensenFootball @caffeyjbhs @TradPrepfb @MightySmcgrath3 @WeAreTCoast @bornbred09 @VBFootball @VBHSNation
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) October 17, 2023
It continued down to head coach Shawn McGrath, who won the Coach of Week 8 honor.
COACH OF WEEK 8: 772@caffeyjbhs @JensenFootball @VBFootball @VBHSNation @bornbred09 @WeAreTCoast @MightySmcgrath3 @TradPrepfb
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) October 17, 2023
“Last week’s game was a dream every coach has to start a long road trip game,” McGrath said of his team’s 24-16 road win over Gateway Charter in Week 8.
“Our boys came out aggressive and ready to play,” McGrath continued. “Drindans Malvosin started our scoring off with a great bounce out run. Our defense led the way all night, consistently giving us a short field to work with allowing the team to score quickly. The seniors guided us throughout the game as shown by lineman Olivier Candy’s 5-yard touchdown run. Jeremiah Michel shut down all receivers against him and allowed out front to play fast and aggressive football.”
Speaking of Michel, he earned our Defensive Player of Week 8 honor.
Here are his statistics from Week 8:
•4 tackles
•1 forced fumble
•1 interception
Meanwhile, Candy won our Lineman of Week 8 honor.
Here are Candy’s statistics from Week 8:
•5 tackles
•1 sack
•5-yard rushing touchdown
Our Breakout Player of Week 8 is Isaiah Vertus, who recorded the following statistics:
•3 sacks
•4 quarterback hurries
•2 quarterback hits
Our Special Teams Player of Week 8 is Niccolo Antonini, who recorded the following statistics:
•5 touchbacks
•1-for-2 on field goal attempts; made 40-yarder with 15 seconds to spare
•70-yard punt downed inside the 10
And our Offensive Player of Week 8 is Josh Volcin, who recorded the following statistics:
•3 rushes for 18 yards
•1 reception for 80 yards
Volcin also had:
•2 tackles on defense
“Josh was the overall leader of the offense all night, causing double teams and extra bodies everywhere he went,” McGrath said.
In a regular season to remember, Tradition Prep will finish this campaign out tonight (Oct. 19) against Coral Shores (3-4). The homecoming game and Senior Night will take place at South County Stadium in Port St. Lucie at 7 p.m.
Here is a list of the seniors who are on this year’s Tradition Prep roster – in alphabetical
order:
•Niccolo Antonini
•Dominick Brown
•Olivier Candy
•Chris Cintron
•David Collado
•Angel Defreitas
•Jorge Garcia
•Keishawn Rivers
•Isaiah Vertus
•Josh Volcin
•Mike Watkins
•Dorian Williamson
“We are incredibly proud of this group,” McGrath said. “We told them all summer that we had something special building. This season was going to shock the world. They never quit and they never shied away from the work. These seniors can leave their heads held high knowing they have set the standard for years to come.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Provided Photos
