Kymistrii Young (left), Elijah Golden (center) and Macaiden Brown (right) listen to coach Jared Clark's speech during Cardinal Mooney's early signing period ceremony.
Photo by Jack Nelson
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Eleven players from Cardinal Mooney and Booker High have decided their football futures.Â
On Dec. 3, the two schools held ceremonies to celebrate their student-athletes, as the NCAA early signing period officially opened.Â
Both groups of signees contributed to the continued success for their respective programs.Â
The Cougars won the 2023 FHSAA Class 1S state title and have claimed three consecutive regional championships. The Tornadoes, meanwhile, are 31-10 over the past three seasons and have reached the state semifinals each time.
The season isn't over yet for either squad. Before their early signees head off to Division I programs, hopes of a state championship remain alive.
Cardinal Mooney (12-1) faces Cocoa (8-4) in the FHSAA Class 2A state semifinals at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5. Booker (12-1) battles Jacksonville Raines (12-0) in the 3A state semifinals at 6:30 p.m. that same night, but at Raines High School.
"These guys have done a great job of trusting the coaching staff and trusting the process here," said Cardinal Mooney coach Jared Clark. "The success on the field is unmatched in this program's history. It's because of those guys."
"This is the first early signing period that we've actually had guys sign," said Booker coach Carlos Woods. "They're extremely-hard workers. They appreciate the journey that they've gone on, and they see how far they've come."
Here are the early signees:
Macaiden Brown, Liberty
School: Cardinal Mooney
Position: Safety
2025 Stats: 55 solo tackles, 22.0 tackles for loss, 10 pass deflections
Bryce Fulda, Western Kentucky
School: Cardinal Mooney
Position: EDGE
2025 Stats: 28 solo tackles, 29.0 tackles for loss, 12.0 sacks
Elijah Golden, Notre Dame
School: Cardinal Mooney
Position: Defensive lineman
2025 Stats: 30 solo tackles, 33.0 tackles for loss, 14.0 sacks
On choosing the Fighting Irish from his 41 different Div. I offers: "I found peace in Notre Dame," Golden said. "The coaching staff — they've been recruiting me since my freshman year, really, when I was back in Virginia. They showed a lot of love and gave a lot of support."
Kevontay Hugan, Indiana
School: Booker
Position: EDGE
2025 Stats: 43 solo tackles, 32.0 tackles for loss, 13.0 sacks
On whether the Hoosiers' recent success — 12-0 record and No. 2 ranking — influenced his decision: "When I committed, they were really low on the charts and they started boosting up," Hugan said. "All the rankings and stuff really don't matter to me."
Chauncey Kennon, Florida State
School: Booker
Position: Cornerback
2025 Stats: 13 solo tackles, 9 receptions, 158 receiving yards
On how he's been preparing for the next level at Florida State: "Mainly just getting my mind right. It's going to be a new lifestyle," Kennon said. "I'm going to be far away from home — it's just me."
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Max Polivchak, Presbyterian
School: Cardinal Mooney
Position: Offensive lineman
Profile: 6-foot-3, 300 pounds
Ethan Salata, Stetson
School: Cardinal Mooney
Position: Offensive lineman
Profile: 6-foot-5, 300 pounds
Zackery Samuel Jr., Mercer
School: Cardinal Mooney
Position: EDGE
2025 Stats: 24 solo tackles, 18.0 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks
Jamaun Thompson, New Mexico State
School: Booker
Position: EDGE
2025 Stats: 24 solo tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks
On the opportunity to join current graduate student defensive end, Jamall Thompson Jr., with the Aggies: "I would love to play with my brother," Thompson said. "I haven't played with him since little league, like flag (football) eras."
On why he stuck with the Panthers ever since committing on March 21: "The coaches being loyal to me," Wester said. "Reaching out every other day, building a relationship with me and my family. They made it a priority."
On deciding to flip his commitment from Purdue to North Carolina just seven days before signing: "It was just me being developed," Young said. "I just knew (wide receivers coach Garrick McGee) and coach Bill Belichick, they had a great experience being in the NFL. I knew they can develop me well."
Coach Carlos Woods (center) poses for a photo with his group of signees on Dec. 3 at Booker's National Signing Day ceremony. From left: Kevontay Hugan, Jamaun Thompson, Dylan Wester and Chauncey Kennon.
Photo by Jack Nelson
Kevontay Hugan smiles for a photo with his family after signing with Indiana. The four-star EDGE joins the Hoosiers, who as of Dec. 3, stand at 12-0 and ranked No. 2 in the country.
Photo by Jack Nelson
Elijah Golden's seat — and his custom cleats await — as he signs with Notre Dame. The four-star defensive lineman is the No. 83 overall recruit in the Class of 2026, per ESPN.
Photo by Jack Nelson
Surrounded by his family, Chauncey Kennon signs with Florida State. The four-star cornerback is ranked No. 48 overall in the Class of 2026, per ESPN.
Photo by Jack Nelson
Max Polivchak (left), Ethan Salata (center) and Bryce Fulda (right) officially sign with Presbyterian, Stetson and Western Kentucky, respectively, on Dec. 3 at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School.
Photo by Jack Nelson
Dylan Wester smiles for a photo after signing with Pittsburgh. The three-star signee is tied for first among Booker pass-catchers with 12 touchdowns and second with 775 yards.
Photo by Jack Nelson
Kymistrii Young's seat awaits as he signs with the Tar Heels. The senior wide receiver was initially committed to Purdue, but on Nov. 26, flipped to North Carolina and coach Bill Belichick.
Photo by Jack Nelson
Jamaun Thompson signs with New Mexico State as family join him in support. The Booker EDGE also had offers from Akron, Eastern Kentucky, South Florida and UTSA.
Photo by Jack Nelson
Coach Jared Clark speaks to the audience at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School about his team's group of early signees. The Cougars had seven total who are heading off to the Division I level.
Jack Nelson is the sports reporter for the East County and Sarasota/Siesta Key Observers. As a proud UCLA graduate and Massachusetts native, Nelson also writes for NBA.com and previously worked for MassLive. His claim to fame will always be that one time he sat at the same table as LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
