Coach Paradiso, Tigers Turn to Velez as Tohopekaliga Begins New Era at Quarterback

By: J. Daniel Pearson
Positively Osceola

After four seasons with one of the most prolific quarterbacks in Osceola County history leading the offense, Tohopekaliga enters 2026 with a new face behind center and a new chapter ready to be written. Head coach Anthony Paradiso will turn the Tigers’ offense over to junior Gabriel Velez, who steps into the spotlight following the graduation of record-setting quarterback Sabby Meassick.

Meassick lined up under center and took practically every snap for the Tigers over the last four years, rewriting the county record book with 1,828 attempts, 1,162 completions, 13,577 passing yards and 137 touchdowns. Now, it’s Velez’s turn to take the reins.

“Whenever you lose a four-year starter that posted prolific numbers, the odds say you are not going to get a person to step in and duplicate those numbers,” Coach Anthony Paradoso said. “Gabriel didn’t get a lot of playing time as a sophomore, but he stepped in and did a good job in the spring. He knows our system and continues to get comfortable in it.”

Velez played in just one game last year, completing five of 15 for 45 yards, he also rushed for 29 yards on three scrambles.

Meassick is not the only productive player Tohopekaliga will have to replace on offense. Top running backs Xaevez Brown (98-637) and Gavin Aponte (42-274) departed via graduation; as did star wide receiver Tre Punter (60-784). Aponte, who also played defensive end, recorded 10 sacks last year.

Look for senior AJ Wise to step up and become Tohopekaliga’s featured receiver. He grabbed 67 balls last year for 856 yards and eight touchdowns; while sophomore Zion Williams has shown big play potential.

Kesan McDuffie is a former Tohopekaliga athlete who moved to Apopka but has moved back for his senior season. Paradiso said McDuffie is a “Swiss Army Knife” type player who could see action at running back, wide receiver, corner or safety. “He’s the type of player you can plug in just about anywhere and he’s going to be productive,” Paradiso says. “I am not sure what position we will use him the most at, but I do not know he is going to be on the field. I’m so glad he is returning to Tohopekaliga for his senior season.”

Senior Jaiden Marrero and junior Chase Santos are returning starters on the offensive line.

On defense, Chris Alcantara (34 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 QS) returns to anchor the defensive line. Tremaine Jones-Felix (43 tackles) is a hard-hitting safety; while Hector Saenz is returning linebacker.

With reclassification, the Tigers find themselves essentially in the same district as the year before with county rivals Harmony and St. Cloud and nearby Lake Nona. The addition of Gateway –a team Tohopekaliga defeated 41-30 in a bowl game last November–gives them another district game against a county opponent. “The district is tight, district with four pretty evenly matched teams in it,” Paradiso said.

Following the Kickoff Classic, which does not count in a team’s record, Tohopekaliga will open the season with four consecutive road games in Astronaut, Pine Ridge, Sebastian River and Celebration. Of those, only Astronaut (5-5) posted a non-losing record. “You can’t make assumptions on last year’s record and opening with four straight road games is difficult and we have a really young team,” Paradiso said. “Still it is the type of schedule that if we come together early and play well, we will have a chance to get off to a good start.”

Tohopekaliga (6A, District 5)

Head Coach: Anthony Paradiso

2025 Record: 6-5

8/14 Innovation^ 7:00 p.m.

8/21 at Astronaut 7:00 p.m.

8/28 at Pine Ridge 7:00 p.m.

9/4 at Sebastian River 7:00 p.m.

9/11 at Celebration 7:00 p.m.

9/17 Bye Week

9/24 Harmony* 7:00 p.m.

10/2 New Smyrna Beach 7:00 p.m.

10/9 at Gateway* 7:00 p.m.