MOORE HAVEN – Feeling at home means everything to Levi Watson.
The Moore Haven 2025 offensive lineman had a life-changing experience on Saturday, Jan. 25 at Ave Maria in Southwest Florida. It resulted in his decision to happily commit and sign with the Gyrenes college football program.
Watson shared his honest thoughts on the NAIA program.
“Well I’m a big family guy, so it being 45 minutes away from my home was big factor,” the 6-foot-1, 310-pound offensive lineman said. “It just felt right. On my visit, everyone there knew my name – first and last – before I ever even met them. I felt important to them. They did things for me that they didn’t do for other recruits. They made me feel right at home.”
Watson added that he was one of a few recruits who had some time to speak with Ave Maria head coach Joe Patterson in his office about football and academics.
“The education there is absolutely amazing,” Watson said. “You can compare it to a small Notre Dame.”
Watson credited Emmanuel Hendrix for his role in him moving on to the next level.
“Coach Hendrix is a great guy,” Watson said about the most recent Moore Haven Terriers head coach, who was at the helm for the 2024 season. “I’ve been real happy to be able to be coached by him these past two years. He’s pushed me and made me a dog. Even for the days that I didn’t want to be a dog, he made sure to get me right and bring me back to that dog mentality. It also helps a lot that he has this strong winning mentality that’s had been brought on to me. He’s been a big impact these past two years on me for sure.”
Watson went on to thank David Simmons for his success.
“Coach Simmons, he’s been a big help in recruitment for the things I needed to know or questions asked,” Watson said of the most recent Moore Haven assistant head coach. “He’s been right there for me, letting me know what to say and what to do and who to talk to. He also helped me face reality and showed me what I got to do and how to improve myself with the recruitment game because it’s a business. He’s been in this game for a long time.”
Watson helped anchor Moore Haven to a 5-5 final record and berth in the Rural playoffs this past season. He posted the following statistics:
•45 pancakes
•2 sacks allowed
•3 quarterback pressures
•No fouls committed
“At first the season was a little rocky,” Watson said. “We didn’t start off strong. But halfway through, everything started clicking. We started winning games and it was a blast. I couldn’t have been more happy to have my senior season like this. I’ve met a lot of new teammates this year that would be my brothers for life and we’ll all do anything for each other. I couldn’t have been more happy.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Fenthon Aristhomene / Top Shot Files and Ave Maria Football
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