For the last three decades, South Sumter has been the preeminent football program in Lake and Sumter counties. Since 1997, they have accumulated 240 wins over 27 seasons. Their mantra is “Tradition never graduates,” and with an average of almost nine wins per season over the last 27 years, it’s hard to argue with that slogan. What’s also true about South Sumter football is the redundancy with which certain last names have appeared on their rosters over the last 30 years. Names like Everett, Neal, Hart, Simmons, McCook, Moffitt, and many others have helped sustain the strong tradition over the years.

(Earl Everett in his Florida Gators Uniform. Photo Credit – Gainesville Sun)

With such a great tradition, it’s hard to pick out one name that has garnered the most attention and success over the years, but it’s hard to argue that the name Everett hasn’t played one of the largest parts in the team’s biggest successes over the last 20-plus years. Do-everything QB/LB Earl Everett had one of the greatest college careers of any Lake and Sumter county football player ever. A 2003 graduate of South Sumter High, Earl led the Raiders to a 43-10 record over his career, capturing four district titles and three regional championships on his way to accepting a scholarship to play football at the University of Florida. It didn’t take Earl long to make an impact at UF as he became a starter in the fifth game of his freshman season against the University of Kentucky.

Earl Everett’s iconic photo of him sacking Ohio State quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. Photo Credit – Naples Daily News

Earl remained a starter at linebacker each of his last three years at Florida and capped off his career with a BCS National Championship in the 2007 National Championship versus Ohio State. Although he had a remarkable career at UF, he’ll likely be remembered more for the iconic photo of him sacking Ohio State quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith than anything else. The iconic photo graced the cover of Sports Illustrated and is one of the greatest action shots in college football history as Earl lost his helmet during the play but continued to pursue Smith for the quarterback sack. Earl went on to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2007. He also had a brief stint on the practice squad with the Atlanta Falcons and played one year of professional football in Finland for the Turku Trojans. Earl is currently the linebackers coach at South Sumter High.

(Carlos Everett was a standout wide receiver. Photo Credit – 247 Sports.)

Following Earl and continuing the Everett tradition was his younger brother Carlos, a 2006 South Sumter graduate. Carlos was a 6’1” 175 lb. wide receiver who was a key offensive cog in the team’s 2005 run to the state championship game. With Carlos at wide receiver, Jarrod Fleming at quarterback, and bruising fullback Richard Kelly, the Raiders took down long-time rival Jacksonville Bolles and Madison County in the playoffs, only to fall to powerhouse private school Chaminade Madonna in the state championship. Carlos had 36 touchdowns during his career at South Sumter and went on to play two years at Hinds Community College in Mississippi.

Two years later, in 2008, the Raiders had a mammoth defensive tackle by the name of Marty Everett. A cousin to Earl and Carlos, Marty stood 6’4” and 300 pounds. He dominated high school offensive lines and garnered interest from LSU and Tennessee and was offered by N.C. State but ultimately ended up at Butler Community College in Kansas.

(Marty Everett was a great defensive tackle for South Sumter High.)

Fast forward to 2024, and the Raiders have two top players with a connection to the Everett lineage. Rashad Johnson is a 4-star safety and recently committed to the University of Georgia. Rashad’s mother just happens to be Labrica Everett, a cousin to Earl and Carlos. Labrica also has a state championship game under her belt as she was a member of the 2001 South Sumter girls basketball team that reached the FHSAA state championship game in 2001. Last but not least are brothers Malakhi and James “Bubba” Boone. Malakhi and Bubba’s great-grandmother and Labrica Everett’s father are siblings. Malakhi, a senior, is a multi-sport star at South Sumter. A middle linebacker who has already committed to playing football at UCF, Malakhi is also a phenomenal baseball player who holds a player rating of 9 by Perfect Game.

Earl Everett’s nephew George Mullins also currently plays for the South Sumter Raiders. Mullins is one of the top corner backs in the state of Florida and just recently made his commitment to joing Michigan State. He’s a stellar player and is everything you would expect of a family member in the Everett family. He’s going to be a name that we will be talking about a lot of in 2024 and beyond.

(Rashad Johnson Jr. just committed to the University of Georgia.)

To add to his resume, he was a starting forward on the South Sumter basketball team this past season, averaging double figures. Bubba is a junior who started on both the football and baseball teams last season. Bubba, who just turned 16 earlier in July, is a 6’3” 170 lb. wide receiver and OF/1B/P who is still developing. He recently went 7-17 at the prestigious WWBA baseball tournament in Lake Pointe, Ga. This tournament features the top travel organizations from around the country. Only time will tell which sport Bubba turns to, but one thing is for sure: the Everett lineage runs strong and deep at South Sumter, and it’s only a matter of time before another “Everett” is showcasing their talents in Bushnell.