Hernando Middle Schoolers From Challenger, Powell, Explorer to Compete in Showtime All-American

Several middle school football players from Hernando County are competing this weekend in the Showtime All-American Middle School Game at The Villages, an event that brings regional exposure and recruiting visibility to young athletes from schools such as Challenger, Powell, and Explorer.

The Showtime Bulls 7-on-7 program, coached by Carlos Cleveland and operating from Marion to Citrus counties, includes coaches and players from Hernando County. The event runs through Sunday, with check-in beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Saturday will feature two practices, an evening team event, and an optional recruiting seminar. Game day on Sunday will stage sixth grade kickoff at 10 a.m., seventh grade at noon, and eighth grade at 2 p.m. The games will be livestreamed, and Cleveland said it is the first event of its kind in the area.

Coach Carlos Cleveland, who said his staff has seen most of the selected athletes in person, provided detailed observations of several Hernando players expected to draw attention. Of offensive lineman Malachi Crawford, Cleveland said, “Malachi Crawford, he is about 6’3"-plus, maybe 300 [pound] offensive lineman. He has got a lot of potential. He could possibly make it to the next level if he goes down the right road and stays on track, he will be a Division I player regardless. He is very quick, very agile to be as big as he is."

Cleveland highlighted a number of skill-position players and defenders from Hernando schools. On sixth grader Damani Johnson, Cleveland said, “[Damani Johnson] is a sixth grader. He is an athlete. He is playing safety. He is a great tackler. He loves the big hit. Great field awareness and a very good kid.” On wideout Gabriel Cuadra he noted, “Gabriel Cuadra … athletic, very gifted, has great hands, good size. He is a baller. He can take it 60 or 70 yards off of a two-yard pass. Freakishly athletic.”

Other Hernando athletes Cleveland praised include Major Mickens, a cornerback-type with coverage skills; Jayden Daniel and Brogan Wood, both noted for size and physical play; and Jax Walden, described as versatile and explosive. Cleveland also singled out Davonte Holland for playmaking speed and coordination and Keshaundre Wright for downhill linebacker play.

Local players confirmed in the participant list include WR Devonte Holland, 8th grade, Spring Hill - Explorer; WR Gabriel Cuadra, 8th grade, Spring Hill; OL Malachi Crawford, 8th grade, Brooksville - Parrott; OL Brogan Wood, 8th grade, Spring Hill; LB Keshaundre Wright, 8th grade, Brooksville; and LB Jax Walden, 8th grade, Brooksville.

For Hernando families and school programs, the event represents both a community milestone and a practical recruiting opportunity. Showtime All-Stars says it has helped more than 100 student-athletes earn college scholarship offers through relationship-building with college coaches and programs, a claim that underscores the potential long-term importance of exposure at events like this.

What comes next for these players will depend on continued development, academic progress, and the attention they draw this weekend. For residents, coaches, and school officials, the matchup offers an early look at prospects who could shape high school rosters and local recruiting patterns in the coming years.