Written by Coach Rob (@KaufmanRobert)
The Edgewater Eagles (8-0) claimed the District 5A-5 Championship with a dominant win over the Winter Springs Bears (5-3).
From the coaching staff to the players, this team is stacked and is one of the best in the entire state of Florida.
The Eagles have defeated some of Central Florida’s toughest opponents, including an international powerhouse. They opened the season with a win over Bishop Moore (6-0), one of the state’s top 3A programs, and later defeated the Jones Fightin’ Tigers (5-2), last year’s state runners-up. They also bested England’s NFL Academy, showcasing their talent on a global stage.
Now at 8-0, the Eagles are poised for a deep state championship run, with two major tests ahead: a home matchup against Dr. Phillips (6-1) and a road showdown with the undefeated Boone Braves.
From the head coach down through the entire staff, this Edgewater team has playmakers in all three phases of the game. Their schemes are sharp and well executed. Every time I watch Edgewater, their shift to an unbalanced formation seems to draw at least a couple of encroachment penalties per game. This is a testament to their discipline, practice habits, and game time execution.
Defensively, the Eagles are creative with their blitz packages and relentless in pursuit. They seem to send eleven hats flying toward the football on every snap. In this matchup, they completely controlled the line of scrimmage and pressured the quarterback almost instantly after the snap.
On special teams, the Eagles are reminiscent of the Dallas Cowboys, with their own version of Brandon Aubrey in kicker Jacob Lue Pann. His poise was on full display in the game-winning kick against Jones High, and in this game, he drilled two field goals of over 35 yards in the first half alone. That kind of reliability turns the 30-yard line into a scoring opportunity. Edgewater’s kicking game is a weapon, and their overall execution is elite.
#34 | Kicker | Jacob Lue Pann | c/o 2027
Jacob is extremely accurate on PATs and field goals. He is a clutch kicker, a consistent ball striker, and extremely efficient from the snap to the kick. He is poised under pressure, kicks with smooth rhythm, and displays collegiate-level confidence. He has ice in his veins when the lights are brightest.
#2 | Quarterback | Carter Emmanuel | c/o 2026
Carter displays extreme pocket presence, reads pressure, and maneuvers with ease. He always keeps his eyes downfield to make a play, throws with anticipation, and maintains accuracy outside the pocket. He creates extra time under duress, throws with lower-body power, and controls the pace of the game. Carter is a natural field general with elite pocket awareness and collegiate confidence.
#7 | Running Back | Damian Moore | c/o 2026
Damian is one of the top running backs in the state. He is a true workhorse who reads holes with patience and elite field awareness. His footwork is quick and efficient in traffic, and he hits lanes with authority. He absorbs hits, punishes defenders, excels in pass protection, and consistently breaks tackles. Damian handles a heavy workload with ease and is a threat out of the backfield.
Is there a better duo than Justin “JJ” Edwards and Michael McClenton?
#0 | Linebacker | Justin Edwards | c/o 2026
Justin can line up off the edge with elite first-step explosiveness. He uses speed and power to win, with a natural dip and lean around the corner. He diagnoses plays quickly, reacts instinctively, and has coverage capabilities. He never quits on a play and will chase the ball sideline to sideline. Justin lives in the backfield, sets the defensive tone, thrives off contact, and is a true game-wrecker.
#5 | Linebacker | Michael McClenton | c/o 2026
Michael plays every snap with bad intentions. He is a mismatch wherever he lines up and a defensive weapon who can dominate the game from any alignment. A Micah Parsons-style hybrid, he is explosive and violent off the edge. He can line up with his hand in the dirt or stand up, rush from inside or outside, and has an arsenal of moves. Michael plays sideline to sideline with violent hands and a powerful lower body, making him dominant on every snap.
I look forward to watching and covering this team as they compete for a state championship. Edgewater has the makeup to play until the very end. This is a complete team that will be exciting to watch as the season closes and the postseason begins.
