The Commodore’s New Course: Why Eau Gallie’s Xavier Lherisse is taking his talents to the Pacific Northwest

Images by Stormie Queen

On a typical summer afternoon in Brevard County, the air on the practice field at Eau Gallie High School is thick enough to chew. The humidity acts like an extra defender, clinging to every jersey. It’s the kind of oppressive Florida heat that for decades has forged some of the fastest, toughest high school football players in the country.

Xavier Lherisse was forged in this heat. But he isn’t staying in it.

Lherisse, the Commodores’ electrifying four-star defensive back/ATH, has spent his high school career making opposing quarterbacks in the Sunshine State miserable. He’s a blur of instincts and track-star speed in the secondary, a player capable of erasing a receiver from a game plan entirely.

The titans of college football—the Alabamas, the Georgia’s, FINALLY the hometown Florida States— came calling. They saw the tape. They saw the way he closes space in an instant. They saw a prototype modern defender.

But when it came time to chart his future, Lherisse looked past the traditional southern powers. He looked 3,000 miles northwest to Eugene, Oregon. His commitment to the Oregon Ducks isn’t just a massive recruiting win for head coach Dan Lanning; it’s a signal flare indicating the changing geography of college football power.

The Melbourne Menace

To understand why Oregon came all the way to Florida for Lherisse, you just have to watch five minutes of his tape.

Behind the highlight reels is a powerful family foundation. Lherisse grew up training alongside his father, Manny, with his mother, Niki, ensuring he had the best support system possible. That drive is a family trait—his sister, Alayna, plays basketball for EFSC after a dominant high school career boasting 1,000 points and 500 boards. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Marcus, remains his most loyal supporter, proudly looking up to Xavier as his hero.

At roughly 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, Lherisse isn't the biggest player on the field. But he is almost certainly the most explosive. He plays the game at a different RPM than everyone else.

"X" isn't just a cornerback. At Eau Gallie, he’s been the ultimate weapon—lining up at safety, locking down receivers in man coverage, and even taking snaps at wildcat quarterback to ignite the offense. He possesses that rare, unteachable trait: "ball skills." When the ball is in the air, he believes it belongs to him, not the receiver.

His junior campaign was a showcase of versatility, racking up dozens of tackles, snagging interceptions, and providing a spark in the return game. He became the face of an Eau Gallie program that has increasingly demanded respect on the tough Space Coast circuit. Senior year he broke the rushing yard record and the touchdown record. The team leaned on him heavily since star QB Joseph Allen went down week 1. He led them to the final 8 and a 3 peat in district championships.

The Lure of the Ducks

For decades, the script for a player like Lherisse was pre-written. A star defensive back from Florida stays in the SEC or the ACC. It’s comfortable. It’s familiar.

But the landscape has shifted. The University of Oregon has transformed itself from a quirky outlier known for flashy uniforms into a legitimate national powerhouse with a hardened edge.

The architect of that edge is Dan Lanning. Since arriving from Georgia, Lanning has prioritized speed and aggression on defense. He doesn't just want good cover guys; he wants headhunters who can run.

Oregon cornerbacks coach Chris Hampton identified Lherisse early as a perfect fit for this scheme. The Ducks didn't just sell him on the Nike gear or the facilities—though those never hurt—they sold him on a vision of him thriving in a defense designed to let athletes play fast without overthinking.

During his official visit in 2025, the connection was cemented. Lherisse saw a program that felt less like a traditional college team and more like an NFL franchise in waiting. The distance from Melbourne wasn't a hurdle; it was part of the appeal—a chance to pioneer his own path far from home.

This isn't the first time Lherisse has carried the title of a 'Duck.' In his youth, he played under Coach Butch Grantland, a mentor who made a profound impact on his life on and off the field. Coach Butch Passed away from colorectal cancer on 6-24-2024. By committing to Oregon, Xavier ensures that Grantland’s legacy travels with him—proving that as long as he is a Duck, his favorite coach is right there with him.

Westward Bound

That final whistle has been blown for his high school career, Xavier Lherisse will pack his bags for the long flight northwest. He’s trading one coast for another, ready to prove that the speed forged in the Florida sun burns just as hot in Eugene. "Bring that Florida heat to the Pacific Northwest, X. Good luck. The entire Space Coast is in your corner.

Squeeze Play: Longhorns, Wolverines, and The Reptilian Hail

There is no greater holiday tradition in Orlando than the Citrus Bowl. It is the perfect, pulp-free chaser to a year of questionable decisions. And this year, we get a true clash of brands: The Texas Longhorns versus the Michigan Wolverines.

It’s the classic "We Should Have Been in the Playoffs" Bowl. Texas is angry they got snubbed for the 12-team dance. Michigan is just trying to figure out who their coach is this week.

The Big Ten fans from Ann Arbor are easy to spot. They are the ones wearing shorts in 55-degree weather, their skin a translucent shade of "Lake Erie Grey," staring at the sun as if it’s a mythical deity. Meanwhile, the Texas fans are arriving in burnt orange vests, looking for a brisket decent enough to not insult their ancestors.

But let’s talk about the real X-factor of today's game. It isn't Arch Manning’s pedigree. It isn't Michigan’s interim coaching chaos.

It is the falling iguanas.

If you aren't from Florida, you think I’m joking. You think this is some colorful local metaphor. It is not. When the Florida thermometer dips into the 40s—which is forecasted for kickoff—our cold-blooded, invasive reptilian neighbors enter a state of suspended animation. They essentially freeze in place, lose their grip on the oak trees surrounding Camping World Stadium, and plummet to the earth like scaly, green hailstones.

Imagine the scene: Arch Manning drops back. He looks deep. The spiral is perfect. The receiver looks up, tracking the ball against the stadium lights. But instead of a pigskin, he is clocked in the facemask by a four-pound iguana named "Steve" who just fell out of a palm tree in Section 104.

That’s a turnover on downs caused by a reptile. In the Rose Bowl, they worry about pristine sunsets. In Orlando, we worry about getting a concussion from a lizard in a coma.

This adds a layer of tactical intrigue that neither Sarkisian nor the Michigan staff can prepare for. How do you scheme for an aerial reptilian assault? Do you equip the wide receivers with umbrellas? Do you instruct the offensive line to look for blitzing linebackers and falling wildlife?

The Degenerate’s Corner: The "Frozen Lizard" Parlay

Since we are all here to enjoy the chaos, let’s make it interesting. I’m looking at the board on Hard Rock Bet, and I’ve cooked up a parlay that tastes better than a stadium pretzel.

• Leg 1: Texas to Win (Straight Up)

Look, Michigan is in transition. They have an interim coach for their interim coach. Texas has Arch Manning and a point to prove to the committee.

• Leg 2: Under 48.5 Points

Why the under? Because the defense is going to be stiff, and I truly believe at least two drives will be stalled by iguana-related delays.

The Odds: +140 (via Hard Rock Bet)

So, if you are heading to the stadium, bring sunglasses for the glare, a flask for the nerves, and a hard hat. Not because the fans get rowdy, but because in Florida, when the temperature drops, the sky starts raining dinosaurs.

Enjoy the game, watch your head, and Hook 'Em.

Speed Limit: Why the Magic’s New Year’s Eve Clash in Indy is More Than Just a Matinee

It is fitting that the Orlando Magic are spending the final hours of 2025 in Indianapolis.

New Year’s Eve is traditionally a time for reflection—looking at what you were and deciding what you want to be. And as the Magic prepare for a 3:00 p.m. tip-off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against the Pacers, they find themselves staring into a mirror that reflects their exact opposite.

If you want to understand the identity of this Magic team, you don't watch them play the mirror-image Knicks or the gritty Heat. You watch them play Indiana.

The Pacers are a drag racer. They want chaos. They want Tyrese Haliburton pushing the ball off makes and misses, turning the game into a track meet where defense is optional and the scoreboard spins like a slot machine.

The Magic, under Jamahl Mosley, have built a tank. They want a street fight. They want Jalen Suggs picking up 94 feet, Paolo Banchero bullying his way into the paint, and a half-court grinder where every possession feels like a root canal for the offense.

This afternoon’s matinee isn't just a game; it’s a referendum on pace.

For Orlando, the mission in Indy is simple but exhausting: Set the speed limit. When the Magic lose to teams like the Pacers, it’s usually because they get seduced into playing "fun" basketball. They try to match shot-for-shot, they get loose with the basketball, and suddenly they are down 15 points because they tried to out-sprint a sprinter.

When the Magic win, they are the party crashers. They muddy the game up. They make the Pacers play in the half-court, where Indiana’s high-octane engine tends to sputter.

The spotlight, as always, will be on Paolo Banchero. In matchups like this, Banchero isn't just the primary scorer; he is the thermostat. He controls the temperature of the game. If he is deliberate, pounding the ball inside and forcing the Pacers to collapse and foul, Orlando controls the rhythm. If he settles for quick jumpers, the long rebounds fuel the Pacers' transition game, and the Magic are in trouble.

We have spent the first few months of this 2025-26 season asking if the Magic are ready to move from "playoff team" to "contender." Contenders win these games. They don't sleepwalk through a holiday matinee on the road. They don't let the opponent dictate the terms of engagement.

A win today sends the Magic into 2026 with momentum and, more importantly, a reinforced identity. A loss? It’s just another reminder that while the Magic have the muscle, they still need the discipline to control the throttle.

So, before you pop the champagne tonight, keep an eye on the tempo this afternoon. If the score is in the 130s, the Magic took the bait. If it’s a grind-it-out war in the 100s, Orlando is exactly where it wants to be.

Happy New Year. Now go play defense.

Space Coast in the NFL: A Bruising Week 17 for Brevard’s Finest

If you were hoping for a victory lap for our local products in Week 17, the NFL had other plans. It was a physical and unforgiving slate of games for the Brevard County fraternity, with injuries and tough losses defining the holiday weekend.

As we look toward the regular-season finale next week, here is how the Space Coast’s alumni fared in Week 17.

Jamel Dean (Cocoa High) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Result: Dolphins 20, Buccaneers 17

It was a painful Sunday in more ways than one for Jamel Dean. The former Tiger started at cornerback against Miami but was forced to exit the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. Before leaving, Dean had a mixed outing; he recorded a pass breakup but also surrendered a 63-yard touchdown to Theo Wease.

His status is now the biggest storyline for Brevard fans heading into Week 18. With the Bucs fighting for playoff positioning, losing a starter of Dean's caliber is a massive blow. We are waiting on further medical updates, but seeing him ruled "questionable to return" so quickly on Sunday was not an encouraging sign.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Cocoa High) – Chicago Bears

Result: 49ers 35, Bears 28 (OT/Late)

"Ceedy Duce" and the Bears were part of the week’s marquee matchup on Sunday Night Football, but they couldn’t close the deal against San Francisco. Gardner-Johnson was active and flying around the secondary, continuing what has been a statistically solid 2025 campaign (60 tackles, 2 INTs on the season). However, the Bears' defense struggled to contain the 49ers' attack late in the game. It’s a frustrating loss for a Chicago team that has shown flashes of brilliance this year.

Jawaan Taylor (Cocoa High) – Kansas City Chiefs

Result: Broncos 20, Chiefs 13

The holiday brought no cheer for Jawaan Taylor and the Chiefs, who fell to rival Denver on Christmas Day. Taylor started at Right Tackle, a spot he has held down all season. While the Chiefs' offensive line has generally been a fortress, the unit struggled to generate rhythm against a stingy Broncos front. It was a rare home loss for Kansas City, and Taylor will be looking to help the offense bounce back in the season finale to secure momentum for the playoffs.

Jashaun Corbin (Rockledge / Holy Trinity) – New England Patriots

Status Update: Released

We have some breaking news on the transaction wire today (Tuesday, Dec. 30). Reports indicate that running back Jashaun Corbin has been released from the New England Patriots practice squad. It’s a tough break for the Rockledge and Holy Trinity alum who led the UFL in rushing earlier this year. Given his production when given the chance, don't expect him to stay a free agent for long—he’s proven he has NFL-caliber talent.

Marcus Maye (Holy Trinity) – Los Angeles Chargers

Status: Practice Squad

The veteran safety remains on the Chargers' practice squad after re-signing with the team in mid-December. He did not see action in Week 17.

The Verdict

Week 17 was a reminder of the league's attrition. Our eyes are now fixed on the injury report for Jamel Dean. We’ll be tracking his progress all week here at Queen Media as we prepare for the final week of the regular season.

Catch more updates on the next episode of the Space Coast Sports Podcast.

The Roar Remains: Why Cocoa’s Return to the Final 4 Proves the Standard Hasn't Slipped

In the chaotic world of Florida high school football, the word "rebuild" is usually a polite euphemism for a losing season. It’s what you say when your 5-star quarterback leaves for the SEC and your All-American wide receiver heads to the ACC.

So, let’s be honest: The script for the Cocoa Tigers’ 2025 season was supposed to be different. This was supposed to be the year the machine finally sputtered. After all, how do you replace a quarterback like Brady Hart (now slinging it at Texas A&M) and a playmaker like Jayvan Boggs (now terrorizing defenses at FSU and is in the transfer portal)?. You don't. You take a step back, you reload, and you accept that a Final 4 run is a bridge too far.

Unless, of course, you are Ryan Schneider and the Cocoa Tigers.

If this December’s return to the state semifinals proved anything, it’s that the names on the back of the jerseys change, but the standard on the front does not. The Tigers didn't just survive the exodus of their generational talent; they reinvented themselves to stay among the elite.

The "Next Man Up" Isn't Just a Cliché

The narrative coming into August was that Cocoa’s offense would be toothless without the Hart-to-Boggs connection that shattered records in 2024. Critics pointed to the roster turnover as the end of the dynasty.

They forgot about Latrison Lane. The senior running back, who quietly racked up yards last year while the passing game grabbed the headlines, became the heartbeat of this 2025 squad. When the air attack faced growing pains, Lane put the team on his back, turning 3-yard losses into 5-yard gains and keeping the chains moving against brutal defenses like Venice and St. Thomas Aquinas.

And let’s talk about the defense. With the spotlight off the offense, the "Orange Crush" defense had to evolve. Senior linebacker Tyion Jacobs and defensive tackle Chavaris "Redman" Thompson didn't just step up; they became nightmares for opposing coordinators. In the regional finals, it was Thompson’s disruption in the trenches that forced the turnovers which Jacobs turned into field position. They proved that while you can graduate talent, you cannot graduate toughness.

The Schneider Effect

Ultimately, this sustained success leads back to one person: Head Coach Ryan Schneider.

Since taking over, Schneider has done more than just call plays; he has built an ecosystem. Along with defensive stalwarts on his staff like Dan Coe and Rick Dorminy, Schneider has created a program where the expectation of winning insulates the team from the pressure of it. Also having an OC like Adam Franco you know your offense will always be dangerous.

Most coaches would have used the loss of a Mr. Football winner like Hart as a built-in excuse for an early playoff exit. Schneider used it as a challenge. He adjusted the scheme to fit his new personnel, leaning heavier on the run game and a suffocating defense to grind out wins in November that they might have blown out opponents for in previous years.

The Verdict

Making the Final 4 this year is arguably a more impressive coaching job than the state titles that came before it. It proved that Cocoa isn't a program that relies on a single "Golden Generation" of players.

So, to the rest of the state hoping that the Tigers would finally fade away: tough luck. The 2025 Tigers proved that they don't need a roster of 5-stars to be dangerous. They just need the Tiger on the helmet and that chip on their shoulder.

The dynasty isn't dead. It just got tougher.

The King is Dead (or at least Sleeping). Long Live the Commodores.

In Brevard County, high school football is usually a monologue. For the better part of a decade, the conversation has started and ended with the Cocoa Tigers. They are the standard, the measuring stick, and the bully on the block.

But if you watched closely in 2025, the monologue became a debate. And if you looked at the tape, the debate ended with a new answer.

The best football team in the 321 this year wasn't wearing orange and black. They were wearing Commodore blue.

This isn't a hot take born out of boredom; it is a reality born out of resilience. Because what the Eau Gallie Commodores did this season wasn't just "win games"—it was survival of the fittest.

Remember Week 1? When quarterback Joseph Allen went down with an injury, the season could have ended right there. Most teams fold when they lose their QB1. Most teams start looking toward next year.

Eau Gallie didn't blink. They just reloaded.

Head Coach Chris Sands didn't panic; he leaned on a roster that is so deep it feels unfair. They didn't just survive Allen's absence; they thrived, securing a "3-Peat" as District Champions. Winning one district title is a good season. Winning three in a row is a dynasty in the making.

And if you want to know why college scouts are setting up camp in Melbourne, look no further than Captain Rolle. The kid isn't just a player; he’s a walking offer sheet. He has so many Division 1 offers it will make your head spin, and he plays with a swagger that says he knows exactly how good he is. When you pair him with Oregon commit Xavier Lherisse , you have a secondary that is essentially a "No Fly Zone" for opposing quarterbacks.

The argument for Eau Gallie starts, obviously, with Xavier Lherisse. The Oregon commit was the best player in the county, period. You don't replace a guy who runs for over 100 yards a game, intercepts passes on defense, and acts as the emotional north star of the program. He was a cheat code in cleats.

But the scariest part for the rest of the county? It wasn't just the seniors. It was the youth.

If you haven't learned the name X’Zavier Corbin yet, you are late. To have a freshman come in and rack up 15 total touchdowns and average nearly 95 rushing yards per game is absurd. It signals that Eau Gallie isn't just "up" for a year; they are built to stay. When you pair that with the defensive havoc caused by Kayden Jaquez and Gabriel Player, you have a team that dominated both sides of the ball in a way no one else in the county could match week-to-week.

Critics will point to the scoreboard. They will point to Cocoa's historical trophy case. They will mention Eau Gallie’s heartbreaking playoff exit to Bishop Moore.

Let them. History is for museums. Football is played in the present.

In the present, Eau Gallie overcame the loss of their starting quarterback to sweep their district for the third straight year. They dominated the local circuit. They proved they don't need perfect health to win; they just need the ball.

As we head into the offseason, the rest of the county needs to realize the landscape has changed. The road to the title in Brevard no longer runs exclusively through Tiger Trail. It runs through Commodore Boulevard also.

Cocoa is still a giant, sure. But for the first time in a long time, the giant is looking up at the scoreboard.

The Commodores are the captains now.

In the Shadow of Jerry World, The 'U' Finally Gets Its heavy-weight Fight

ARLINGTON, Texas — There is a specific kind of arrogance required to win a national championship. You have to believe, against all available evidence, that you belong in the room with the monsters.

For the better part of two decades, the Miami Hurricanes have been trying to talk their way into that room. They have sold us the "The U is Back" slogan so many times it started to feel like a late-night infomercial.

Tonight, at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, the sales pitch ends. The monsters are here.

When the 10th-seeded Hurricanes (11-2) take the field at AT&T Stadium against the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1), they aren't just playing for a spot in the semifinals. They are playing for validation. They are playing to prove that the grit they showed in that ugly, mud-slinging 10-3 win over Texas A&M wasn't a fluke, but a feature.

But let’s be honest about what is walking out of the other tunnel.

Ryan Day’s Buckeyes are the gold standard of the 2025 season, despite that hiccup against Indiana in the Big Ten Championship. They are a machine built for this specific venue—fast, precise, and terrifyingly efficient on turf. Quarterback Julian Sayin, a Heisman finalist in his first year starting, operates this offense like a surgeon. And then there is Jeremiah Smith, the sophomore wide receiver who has turned the "best player in America" debate into a one-man monologue.

Vegas has installed Ohio State as a 9-point favorite, and frankly, that feels polite. On paper, this looks like a mismatch. The Buckeyes have the pedigree, the trophy from last January, and an offense that averages nearly 35 points a game.

So, how does Miami survive? By dragging this game into the alley.

Mario Cristobal has built this Miami team in his own image: stubborn, physical, and unconcerned with style points. This isn't the flashy Miami of the 80s. This is a blue-collar squad anchored by the No. 6 defense in the country. If Rueben Bain Jr. and that front seven can disrupt Sayin’s timing—if they can make him feel the bruises before he sees the open receivers—the Hurricanes have a puncher’s chance.

The X-factor, unsurprisingly, is Carson Beck. The Georgia transfer came to Coral Gables for this exact moment. He didn't come to throw for 300 yards against Temple; he came to stare down Ohio State in a playoff game. Beck has been steady, if unspectacular, but tonight he needs to be transcendent. He has to match Sayin throw for throw, and more importantly, he has to avoid the mistakes that have occasionally haunted Miami’s offense this season.

Tonight isn't about whether Miami is "back." That phrase is retired. Tonight is about whether Miami is tough enough to stand in the center of the ring with the heavyweight champion and not blink.

Ohio State is looking to cement a dynasty. Miami is looking to wreck one.

In a season defined by chaos, there would be no more fitting ending to 2025 than the Hurricanes turning the Cotton Bowl into a street fight. The Buckeyes want a track meet. The Hurricanes want a wrestling match.

Whoever dictates the terms, wins the night.

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Buckle up.

The Bucs Are Broken, Batterred, and Losing. They Are Also One Win Away From a Championship.

It defies logic. It defies the standings. Frankly, it defies the quality of football we have watched for the last two months.

But here we are, staring down the barrel of Week 18, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—losers of eight of their last ten games, fresh off a sloppy, turnover-filled 20-17 defeat in Miami—are somehow still breathing.

If you are a Bucs fan, you don't know whether to buy playoff tickets or demand a refund for the season.

Following Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins, the mood in the locker room should have been funereal. The offense sputtered. Baker Mayfield, for all his late-game heroics and that touchdown strike to Jalen McMillan, looked frantic for three quarters. The defense, valiant as they were in the second half, couldn't mask the team's inability to play a complete 60 minutes.

And yet, because the football gods have a twisted sense of humor, the Carolina Panthers also choked on Sunday.

So, the script is set for this Saturday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium. It is as simple as it is undeserved: Beat the Panthers, and the Bucs win the NFC South. Again.

"This is our last chance, and it's blatantly obvious," Mayfield said after the Miami loss. He’s right. But the fact that this chance even exists is the story of the 2025 NFC South—a division that seems determined to let Tampa Bay keep its crown no matter how hard they try to give it away.

We should be writing an obituary for this season. We should be talking about how the injuries to the secondary finally caught up with Todd Bowles. We should be dissecting why this team, which looked so potent in September, forgot how to run the ball in November.

Instead, we are talking about a "Game 17" for the division title.

If the Bucs are going to salvage this wreck of a season, they need to find the identity they left somewhere back in Week 6. They need Mike Evans—who just quietly surpassed 13,000 career yards in the middle of this chaos—to be the best player on the field. They need Bucky Irving to provide more than just flashes of brilliance; they need him to sustain drives so the defense can breathe.

But mostly, they need to stop waiting for permission to win.

For weeks, Tampa Bay has played like a team waiting for the other shoe to drop. They play tight. They press. They turn the ball over in the red zone. They look like a team burdened by the expectation of a fifth straight division title rather than a team hungry for it.

Saturday against Carolina offers a clean slate. The record (7-9) doesn't matter. The ugly loss in Miami doesn't matter. The fact that Carolina beat them two weeks ago doesn't matter.

In a season that has felt like a long, slow bleed, the Bucs have been handed a tourniquet.

They don't have to be perfect on Saturday. They don't even have to be pretty. They just have to be better than the Panthers for three hours. Given how this season has gone, that might be asking a lot. But given the alternative—watching the playoffs from the couch knowing you let a golden ticket slip away—it is the only thing that matters.

The Bucs are a flawed, frustrating, limping mess of a football team. But if they win on Saturday, they will be something else, too: Champions.

One game. Winner take all. The season that refuses to die has one final breath left.

Do not blink.