Robert Calazans, a senior forward at Mandarin High School, has been named the Gatorade Florida Player of the Year for soccer, a distinction that highlights his standout performance during a record‑breaking season.
A season of milestones
He helped the Mustangs capture the Class 6A state final, finishing the year with 33 goals and 14 assists, while his four‑year varsity career culminated in 66 goals and 32 assists.
Choosing the next chapter
Calazans will continue his career at the University of North Florida, joining a program that already counts recent Mandarin alumni Sasha Maric and Omar Trto on its roster. He becomes the first player from the Gateway Conference to earn the Gatorade Florida honor.
Local ties, statewide impact
The award also underscores the growing talent pipeline in Northeast Florida, where high school standouts are increasingly attracting attention from Division I programs. Calazans’ commitment follows a tradition of local winners who have gone on to shape the region’s soccer landscape.