Xavione Washington, Jr., Tampa Bay Tech

Since coming over from Tampa Catholic in the offseason, Xavione Washington knew there would be pressure as the quarterback at Tampa Bay Tech. 

After all, the previous two starters at that position, Mike Penix and David Wright, set nearly every school record and are now playing in college. 

But Washington has done something no other quarterback at the school has been able to accomplish. He led the Titans to their first undefeated regular season and their first state championship game appearance. 

Washington did it as a multidimensional force, using his arm and his feet, to rack up yards and points. In the past seven games, Washington has thrown for 16 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He added five more scores on the ground during that span. 

In the region final two weeks ago, Washington accounted for 174 yards (150 passing, 24 rushing) and four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) in a win over Wharton. 

Fans were impressed. Washington received 55 percent of the votes (808) in the football player of the week poll for the region finals. He beat out Berkeley Prep’s Travis Bates, who had 38 percent (505 votes).