Jhenelle Francis is Sentinel Varsity Flag Football Player of the Year, honors student

Jhenelle Francis was the best athlete on the field during most of her flag football games this spring.The Apopka senior also might have been the most knowledgeable when it comes to the sport.Shes a perfectionist who is always willing to learn, Apopka coach Tanisha Wilson said.

She always asks questions and (is) always willing to make adjustments.

She is coachable on all aspects.

If I had to clone a player, I would clone her.Her knowledge on the field carries over from the classroom, where she had a 5.6 weighted grade point average.I focus on organization, write everything down and feel it together, Francis said.On the field for the Blue Darters, she was as dangerous running from the quarterback position as when passing, and she was a leader for a team that went 15-2 and reached a Class 4A region final.Put it all together and Francis finishes her high school career as the 2025 Sentinel Varsity Flag Football player of the year.She averaged almost 140 yards passing and just over a touchdown per game.

But on the ground, she was more proficient than most running backs, with 157 yards and 2 TDs per game.She is so dynamic and can play any position well, Wilson said.

We dont see many quarterbacks who can run and pass well.

With her agility, she can move her hips and split defenders so well.Francis relished being a team captain and Apopkas leader from the most important position in the game.I put the team first before anything as a leader, she said.

I wanted to uplift the (underclassmen) to be the legacy I leave behind.Francis was Apopkas leading scorer in girls basketball, averaging 11.5 points and 4.9 steals per game.She is still mulling her college options.

Her decision is coming down to UCF for academics or Florida Gateway College in Lake City to continue playing flag football.

FGC has won three straight National Junior College Athletic Association championships.Jhenelle Francis was an honor roll student and a two-sport standout in flag football and basketball.

(Courtesy photo, Apopka High yearbook staff).Sentinel StandoutsMartha Edwards, Harmony, Sr.Buzz: Areas best pure passer, averaging almost 200 yards and 3 TDs per game.

Also 6 TD runs.Naomi Hamilton, Timber Creek, Jr.Buzz: Had 59 receptions for 656 yards with 12 TDs.

Added 2 rushing TDs and 9 interceptions.Kinzie James, Harmony, Sr.Buzz: No.

1 target for Edwards with 121 catches for 1,366 yards and 15 TDs.

Also had 5 interceptions.Priscilla Rodriguez, St.

Cloud, Sr.Buzz: She had 62 receptions for 906 yards and 14 TDs.

Added 47 tackles and 7 interceptions, with two pick-sixes.Bailey Travis, Harmony, Jr.

Buzz: Two-way standout had 43 catches for 650 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Defensively, she had 8 interceptions.Kumari Wright, Lake Minneola, Jr.Buzz: Dual threat quarterback passed for 1,545 yards and 22 TDs and rushed for 1,150 yards and 28 TDs.Players of the year and Sentinel standouts are selected by the Sentinel staff with input from area coaches.

Athletes represent schools eligible for the FHSAA state series from Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and southwest Volusia counties.Varsity Content Editor Buddy Collings can be reached by email at [email protected]..

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