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Jesuit’s Will Griffin becomes 10th Florida high school QB to throw for 10K yards

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Jesuit’s Will Griffin becomes 10th Florida high school QB to throw for 10K yards


Jesuit High School senior quarterback Will Griffin always idolized Florida Gator football legend Tim Tebow.

“I look up to him,” Griffin said.

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However, it’s Tebow that is now looking up at Griffin, at least when it comes to the high school football record books.

What they’re saying:

“He’s definitely the once in a career type of player,” Jesuit head coach Matt Thompson said. “You don’t really get it that much. Not as a quarterback. I have not had a quarterback be as special as Will.”

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In the first game of the 2025 season, Griffin surpassed the 10,000 passing yards career milestone. He is just the 10th player in high school football history in the sunshine state to ever join that club, according to MaxPreps. Tebow finished his career at Nease High School with 9,765 passing yards.

“10,000 was amazing,” Griffin said. “It is really hard to do that. I’ve got to remind myself that I go out here and play for the team. I am not playing for myself or the stats that follows. If you can have a good team around you and a great defense to get you the ball, a great offense that can score, the stats will naturally come.”

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The backstory:

It certainly helps he was able to play varsity football as a seventh and eighth grader under Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Mike Alstott at Northside Christian. Griffin makes it clear; however, he does not deserve all of the credit for hitting this mark.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the offensive line,” Griffin said. “If it wasn’t for the receivers catching my passes. If it wasn’t for the running backs running touchdowns to open up the pass. A lot of things go into it.”

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READ: State Basketball Championships moving to Jacksonville after decades in Lakeland

A lot of things go into his success, but Jesuit head football coach Matt Thompson says Griffin has a lot of the traits to be successful. 

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“He has all of the measurables,” Thompson said. “[He has] the size, the speed, the strength and the arm strength as a quarterback. His football IQ is outstanding. He understands the game. He understands the offense. He understands the defense. He’s a total package.”

The University of Florida was impressed with those abilities and offered him a scholarship. For the kid who grew up watching the Gators on fall Saturdays, it’s a dream come true.

Going to Gainesville

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“It’s just home,” Griffin said. “It felt like the right place for me to be. Very excited. I want to get there. I want to help out. I want to contribute. I want to play really badly.”

However, at this moment, Griffin just wants to soak in his last few months as a high school football player. 

“I am trying to enjoy it as much as I can because I know it’s going to end soon,” Griffin said. “I want to make sure I take in every moment.”

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That’s because Griffin wants to be remembered not for his stats but for who he is as a person. 

“I want people to remember me more as a leader rather than going to Florida,” Griffin said. “I want it to be more like, ‘He was a leader. He gave everything to the team. He never quit. He never gave up.’”

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Griffin will enroll early at Florida. He was the first commit for Billy Napier in the 2026 recruiting class.

The Source: The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13’s Mark Skol, Jr.

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Leanne Wong Wins Silver in World Championships All-Around – Florida Gators

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Leanne Wong Wins Silver in World Championships All-Around – Florida Gators


JAKARTA, Indonesia — Gator grad Leanne Wong soared to World Championships silver today at Indonesia Arena, matching her 2021 finish in a thrilling repeat showdown with Russia’s Angelina Melnikova. Just a tenth of a point separated the two all-around leaders in the final standings.
 
Wong, sitting fourth before the final rotation, delivered a clutch Cheng vault that earned the highest vault score of the day (14.466) and launched her into the lead—until Melnikova’s closing floor routine edged her out for gold.
 

 
The one-two all-around finish was a repeat of the 2021 World Championships, when Melnikova and Wong also went one-two.

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“Of course it’s disappointing to see your name go to second place, but overall I’m happy with the competition,” Wong said, according to the FIG. “I just take it a competition at a time, and I was happy to make it to the Worlds and to be winning a medal.”

 

U.S. teammate Dulcy Caylor took 13th in the final standings.

 

Another Gator looks for World Championships hardware tomorrow. Rising sophomore Skye Blakely earned a place in the uneven bars final after posting a score of 14.166 to qualify seventh. That final will take place Friday, Oct. 24 at 3 a.m. ET.

 

Coverage of the World Championships event finals streams live on Peacock.

 

 

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World Championships All-Around Final Scores

 

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World Championships All-Around Top 15
Place Name Nation Total
1 Angelina MELNIKOVA AIN 55.066
2 Leanne WONG USA 54.966
3 Qingying ZHANG CHN 54.633
4 Kaylia NEMOUR ALG 54.564
5 Asia D’AMATO ITA 53.532
6 Rina KISHI JPN 53.232
7 Aiko SUGIHARA JPN 53.132
8 Abigail MARTIN GBR 52.998
9 Naomi VISSER NED 52.299
10 Ruby EVANS GBR 52.066
11 Liudmila ROSHCHINA AIM 51.999
12 Breanna SCOTT AUS 51.798
13 Dulcy CAYLOR USA 51.532
14 Alba PETISCO ESP 51.399
15 Kaia TANSKANEN FIN 51.266

 
2025 FIG World Championships Schedule – Women
Senior women’s competition schedule:

  • Friday, Oct. 24 | 3 a.m. ET | Vault & Uneven Bars Final | Peacock
  • Saturday, Oct. 25 | 3 a.m. ET | Balance Beam & Floor Exercise Final | Peacock

 
Tape-Delay

  • Sunday, Oct. 26 | 12 p.m. ET | Women’s All-Around Final | NBC

 

 

 





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Will SNAP benefits be sent to Florida recipients in November? What to know about shutdown

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Will SNAP benefits be sent to Florida recipients in November? What to know about shutdown


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  • A potential federal government shutdown could delay November SNAP benefits for nearly 3 million Floridians.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture has alerted states that funding will run out if the shutdown continues past Nov. 1.
  • October benefits will still be issued, and any existing balance on EBT cards can still be used.

Nearly 3 million Floridians who rely on food stamps to provide or supplement their food budget may see their benefits for November delayed if the federal government shutdown continues past Nov. 1.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture sent a memo to state administrators of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, earlier this month, alerting them that funding is running out and they won’t receive disbursements for November if the shutdown persists. SNAP provides low-income families monthly benefits to afford healthy food.

That will affect the 42 million Americans currently receiving SNAP benefits, including 2.8 million in Florida, the state Department of Children and Families confirmed. The program is funded by the federal government but administered by each state.

“If the federal government shutdown continues into November, SNAP benefits for the month of November will not be issued until federal funding is restored,” an alert on Florida’s SNAP website says. “You may receive notices about your eligible benefit amount, but you will not receive any benefits deposited to your EBT card during this time.”

SNAP benefits for October will continue and DCF is still processing initial applications and renewals, DCF spokeswoman Anna Archambault confirmed in an email. Newly approved recipients may receive notification about November eligibility, but will not get benefits yet.

Here’s what to know.

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What is SNAP, the former food stamp program?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides assistance to low-income seniors, people with disabilities living on fixed incomes, and other individuals and families with low incomes to help them buy nutritious food.

It grew out of the nearly century-old national food stamp program and was renamed in the 2008 farm bill. SNAP is part of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Why aren’t SNAP benefits going out in November?

The federal program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Florida, SNAP is managed by the Florida Department of Children and Families Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS).

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The federal government shutdown is affecting large areas of the federal government, including the Agriculture department. SNAP benefits were already obligated for October but further funding may be delayed.

How does SNAP work?

Once you are approved to receive SNAP benefits, you receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT), a physical, reloadable card like a debit card that can be used at participating retailers to buy approved items or to withdraw cash at specified locations.

Monthly benefits appear on the card’s balance. Sales tax cannot be charged on items you buy with an EBT card.

Can I still use the balance on my EBT card?

Yes, you still can use your existing SNAP benefits, which roll over every month if not used. You can check your EBT card’s balance at ebtEDGE.com or by calling 888-356-3281.

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Who is eligible to receive SNAP benefits in Florida?

SNAP eligibility is based on income, resources, and the size of your household. Eligibility rules are set at the federal level but individual states may change them. In Florida:

  • You must be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or qualified noncitizen and be able to prove your identity. You must have a Social Security number or proof you have applied for one.
  • Individuals aged 16 – 59 must meet General Work Requirements for SNAP unless exempt, such as being unable to work, caring for young children or incapacitated persons, or being a student. Additionally, adults aged 18 – 59, unless exempt, must work or participate in the SNAP Employment and Training Program (SNAP E&T).
  • Most households must pass a gross income limit less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Some household expenses such as shelter expenses, dependent care, medical expenses, child support paid, utility deductions, earned income deduction may be subtracted from the total monthly income in the food assistance budget.
  • Households must report when their total monthly gross income exceeds 130% of the Federal Poverty Level for their household size and when work hours of able-bodied adults fall below 80 hours per month.  The household must report these changes within 10 days after the end of the month of the change.
  • Most food assistance households may have assets such as vehicles, bank accounts, or property and still get help. Households with a disqualified member must meet an asset limit of $2,500 ($3,750 if the household contains an elderly or disabled member.

Requirements for SNAP benefits became more restrictive since the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 expanded the 80-hour-a-month work requirement for SNAP by increasing the age limit on able-bodied adults without dependents from 49 to 54. The Florida Department of Children and Families expanded its own definition to include adults up through 59 years old and increased the mandatory employment and training program (SNAP E&T) from 80 hours every month to 120.

What can I buy with SNAP benefits in Florida?

Households can use food assistance benefits to buy breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy, and plants and seeds to grow food for their household to eat.

Households cannot use food assistance benefits to buy nonfood items such as pet foods, soaps, paper products, household supplies, grooming items, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, food to eat in the store, or hot foods.

Who is ineligible for Florida SNAP benefits?

Reasons for SNAP ineligibility include:

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  • Conviction of drug trafficking
  • Fleeing a felony warrant
  • Breaking SNAP Program rules
  • Noncitizens without a qualified status
  • Students attending an institution of higher education at least half time, in some circumstances

Contributing: Gray Rohrer, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida



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University of Florida Baseball Coach Kevin O’Sullivan to Take Leave of Absence – Florida Gators

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University of Florida Baseball Coach Kevin O’Sullivan to Take Leave of Absence – Florida Gators


GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida Head Baseball Coach Kevin O’Sullivan will take a leave of absence from his coaching duties to address personal matters, effective immediately.

During O’Sullivan’s absence, Chuck Jeroloman will assume leadership of the baseball program on an interim basis.

“I appreciate the support of the University and athletic department, “said O’Sullivan. “I have some personal and family issues that need my full attention at this time.”

“Coach O’Sullivan has our full support as he takes the time he needs to focus on personal matters,” said Athletics Director Scott Stricklin. “We appreciate his openness in communicating this decision, and respect his need for privacy.”

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