Orange Park HS- The 2025 Spring football season kicked off on Wednesday afternoon in a matchup between Ribault high school and Ridgeview high school. Both Ridgeview and Ribault boasts new coaches and new players looking to continue their rebuild of prominent programs in Clay and Duval counties. Let’s highlight some of the players from each team.
Ribault:
Quarterback:
Aiden Rodriguez-Jones (#16), Freshman, 6’2, 165lbs, 2028
A tall quarterback with the ability to scramble. Still developing as a passer and must put in lots of work this summer to refine skills. The size is there, and the athleticism is there as Rodriguez-Jones extended plays with his legs that broke down due to pressure.
Running back:
Arion Moore #22 ( 5’10, 180lbs) carried the load mostly for Ribault, yet there were several other players that touched the rock, including Jamal Freeman #11 (5’7, 165lbs) who scored the loan touchdown for Ribault. Moore showed good vision, finding wide open cut back lanes and making Ridgeview pay with first down runs. Moore, a sophomore will need to work on his agility and speed this summer to turn first downs into touchdowns.
Offensive Line:
Offensive tackle Alex Singleton (#65) used his size to open a hole for Freeman’s third quarter touchdown versus Ridgeview. Singleton eclipsed Ridgeview’s smaller defenders allowing the smaller running backs. At 6 foot 5 , 295 pounds, Singleton naturally blocks out the sun. Just a sophomore, he’ll look to build upper and lower body strength while refining technique to become a dominant force on the line.
Linebackers:
Junior Avery Barnes (#27) was the hardest hitter on the field from both teams. The 5’10, 230lbs junior is one of the leaders of the defense and it showed on the field. He flew around like a man on fire even though it was a spring football game where some players tend to play half speed. Barnes doesn’t know half speed, only full speed. Must work on shedding blocks quicker
Joining Barnes in the collision department was sophomore Ishmael Bradley (#5) who looked like a lightning rod shot out of a bottle. The 5’9, 165lbs strong safety show an ability to come down and blow up plays like he did in the second half to stop a Ridgeview drive.
Other Notable players:
WR #3 Terence Croley, 2027, 6’1, 195lbs
C #68 Chase Johnson, 2027, 6’0, 275lbs
LB #21 Ke’wan Smith, 2026, 6’0, 200lbs (Did Not Play)
DB # 7 Zayden Coleman, 6’1 175lbs
DE/TE #1 Jalen Peters, 2027, 6’2, 210lbs
DB #6 Brian Stamper, 6’1, 150lbs
RB #4 Sedric Nelson, 2027, 5’9, 155lbs
Ridgeview:
Running back:
Christian Felder – A hard nosed runner with collegiate looks from Brown University. The 5’9 running back ran hard versus Ribault, moving the chains. He also played wildcat quarterback as well. Keep an eye on him as he increases speed and agility in the summer.
Offensive Line:
You cant talk offensive line at Ridgeview without mentioning 6 foot 9, 410 pound Michale Moglia. He literally is a mountain of a young man who is just a sophomore. The 2027 prospect has the potential to be the biggest collegiate recruit to come out of Jacksonville, where several big schools will covet his unique size. Moglia has improved from last year, firing off the ball and engaging blockers to wall them off. He now must add to his arsenal this summer, physicality to finish blocks, toughness to dominate defenders, and knowing he has the ability to obliterate opponents who line up against him.
Defensive Line:
DE #6 Jayden Cross , 6’2, 215lbs, 2027 – The most impressive player on the field Wednesday was Cross. Rushing from both left and right ends, he applied relentless pressure sacking the quarterback twice and disrupting the rhythm of the Ribault offense. He is still growing into his frame and must continue building muscle and getting leaner over the summer.
Spring Football :
— Andre' Ellis (@andreellis55) May 15, 2025
Sack by Jayden Cross!
6'2, DE , Ridgeview HS , 2027 @jaydencross_777 @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/nBSaP7B2Sh
DE #19 Malik Cole, 2026, 6’0, 200lbs – Applied constant pressure with quickness and the ability to lunge past defenders into the back field.
Linebacker:
Isaiah Fowlkes. 5’8, 180lbs, 2026 – Showed the ability to shoot the gaps with quickness and get off blocks with his power. His height won’t turn heads but he makes up with hustle and hard nosed play on defense.
Safety:
Edren Rhodes, 5’9, 170lbs, 2027- Rhodes showed great hands and impressive speed on a third quarter interception against Ribault. The play was called back due to pass interference by a different player, yet in still the play which would’ve been a pick-6 was impressive. Highlight his name in your programs.
Other Notable players:
QB #9 Jordan Mesa, 5’11, 180lbs, 2027
DB #1 Lorelle Pitt, 2026, 6’0, 175lbs
WR #2 Treyvon Morene, 2026, 5’11, 170lbs
Overall:
Both teams are fielding young players with limited experience. Head Coach Merlin Smith of Ridgeview has increased turnout for the team, and his team is visibly bigger than last year. Credit to the hard work he and his staff have put in this spring.
As for coach Michael Hunter of Ribault, they have an experienced staff that works hard to get the best out of each player. It showed in the spring game as his team got better and more confident as the game went on. If both teams are going to be successful in the fall, they must instill confidence in their youthful squads, while looking to the future to build through the process of getting better.
