Gainesville-Area Athlete of the Week Nominees Unveiled for Sept. 14-20

Twenty-five high school football and volleyball players from around Gainesville are up for The Gainesville Sun's weekly reader poll covering performances from September 14-20.

The Gainesville Sun has published its list of Athlete of the Week nominees for the period of September 14-20, spotlighting top high school performances across the region. Readers can cast ballots as often as they wish, with the poll set to close Friday at noon. The nominees come from area football and volleyball programs.

Football honorees include Jasiah Powell of Santa Fe, who ran for 306 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries in a 41-28 victory against Fort White. Andrew Whittemore of Buchholz accounted for 283 total yards and a rushing score in a 20-17 comeback win over Tampa Jesuit, while Drew Simmons of Bradford piled up 219 rushing yards in a 48-10 defeat of Tocoi Creek. Other football nominees include Javaris Gardner (Gainesville High), Carson Long (St. Francis Catholic), Ollie James (Branford), Keydran Teague (Dixie County), Travon Fead (Suwannee), Treston Jones (Hawthorne), Wesli Haywood (Columbia) and Ben Aguayo (Interlachen).

The volleyball slate features Anabella Dicks of Branford with 35 kills and 18 digs in a five-set win over Aucilla Christian, and Charlotte Judge of Gainesville High with 36 assists in a sweep of Forest. Julia Almond (Buchholz), Katie Douglas (Bronson), Holdyn Moore (Santa Fe), Rilyn Prodesky (St. Francis Catholic) and Kayana Mickens (Eastside) are also nominated, along with Grace Perry (Trenton), Kinsley Harvey (Newberry), Macie MacLaren (Fort White), Kylie Rhoden and Tinsley Parks (The Rock).

Kaelyn Streer of Fort White volleyball took last week's honor after posting 21 digs, two aces and three assists against Countryside Christian. Nominations for future polls are being accepted by email and serve as the sole source of candidates for the 2026-27 season.