If anyone out there has the recipe for success on the football field in south Florida, Miami Belen Jesuit head coach Nick Oyarzun is awaiting your call.
In this day of transfers, homes school education and moving around at a record pace, building a programs is nowhere as easy as it used to be, and for the Wolverines, having a 3-7 season is not what this program had become used to over the years.
Let’s face it – 2026 is certainly a different time when it comes to producing winning football programs in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, and while some new faces pop up each year, it’s usually the same cast that finishes near the top and is in the race for a state championship.
While coaches get the applause when they win, and the blame when they have losing seasons, the only answer these days is to develop talent at a young age – and in Belen’s case – play on the fact that the education the student/athletes receive will be second to none.
Getting prospects early on at this school has long been the answer, and even in these rough times, families have to believe that while athletics are fashionable, it’s a quality education that sets you up for the rest of your life.
Look at the Ivy League, Patriot League and several other conferences at the collegiate level and they have long been able to create that balance between academics and what happens in the athletic arena.
RISING SENIORS ARE READY TO TAKE CHARGE
If the process is going to take hold in the coming years, the rising senior (2027) class will have to start the ball rolling – with experience and leadership playing a huge part.
Among those rising seniors putting in the work this off-season includes Jayden Armstrong (OL), Nico Arrieta (RB), Adriano Cajigas (DB), Sebastian Caraballo (OL), Lucas Carillo (LB), Joshua Duran (TE), Danny Garcia (RB), Aiden Rodriguez (DL) and offensive lineman Nicolas Succar.
HOW DOES THAT FUTURE LOOK?
As the rising senior class will be the place to start, the underclassmen will also be part of the story this spring, summer and into the 2026 season.
Among the Class of 2028 players to watch will be Nico Avino (P/K), Francisco Irurita (DB), Marcelo Perez (RB), Henry Rodenberg (DB), Noah Rodriguez (OL) and linebacker Luca Toledo.
Class of 2029 rising sophomores will also have talent that will be looked upon to not only add depth but make a huge difference. Keep an eye on Oliver Alonso (DL), Magdiel Cortez (WR), Connor Cueto (OL), Angelo Mora-Echeverry (FB), Jake McFarlin (QB), Giancarlo Morales (DB), Julian de la Osa (RB), Esteban Suarez (OL), Michael Vega (TE/LB) and versatile Alex Vega (TE/LB).
Incoming freshmen (2030) quarterback Marcus Vega and Marcos Barrientos (WR/DB) will also be worth keeping an eye on. So will eighth grader Vincent Nolte (QB).
2025 BELEN JESUIT WOLVERINES
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian, L 42-11
Hialeah, L 46-7
Miami LaSalle Immaculata, L 34-3
Key West, L 22-15
Miami BridgePrep Village Green, W 47-0
Hialeah American, L 20-14
Southwest Miami, W 42-0
South Miami, W 43-0
Miami Gulliver Prep, L 26-14
Miami Killian, L 44-0
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 55 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
By Dave Brousseau
FORT LAUDERDALE – In the 2024 BCAA Big 8 girls basketball tournament guard Jaelynn Housey dropped 40 points against Western in the first-round game and added another 38 points in loss to Blanche Ely the following night.
Waiting for another big-time moment finally came for the Titans senior guard in the championship game against St. Thomas Aquinas on Saturday at Fort Lauderdale High.
With under 30 seconds left in regulation Housey proved she was clutch again with a pair of key baskets that would lead the Titans to a 56-52 victory over Aquinas.
“This definitely a great moment for our team,” said Housey. “Our goal was to continue to work as a team. This win is a surreal moment. It’s great.”
It was Nova’s fourth Big 8 championship and first since 2018.
“She’s a special kid that makes coaching look a lot easier,” said Nova coach Jason Hively. “That kid shows up every day, every night. She’s been doing that her whole career. She was the reason we won this tonight and she’s the one we earned this tonight.”
Nova (19-4) had to fight off all the Raiders’ chances to take a late lead. But it was Housey’s late key baskets as time wound down that secured the Titans victory.
Housey got sufficient support from Ya’iyah Young with 13 points, J’Yan Tyrell (11 points and Kr’mora Evans (10 points).
“This is the most complete group we’ve had since 2018,” said Hively. “We’ve been in the gym working really have the past couple of weeks. This is the type of momentum looking ahead into districts.
Nova’s win snapped a three-game losing streak against Aquinas. The Titans lead the series against Aquinas 23-3 in games played over the past 25 years.
Aquinas (15-8) was led by senior forward and Notre Dame signee Isabella Sangha with 22 points, with 10 points coming in the fourth quarter that kept the Raiders close.
Sophomore guard London Thomas added 16 points but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter.
“It’s tough to fight back when you put yourself in a hole,” said St. Thomas Aquinas coach Emily Williams. “When you go against good team, sometimes you fall short.”
Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
By Dave Brousseau
FORT LAUDERDALE – It took the St. Thomas Aquinas boys basketball team 28 years to win its first BCAA Big 8 boys championship last year.
With a chance to become a repeat champion the Raiders need only one year to become the eighth team to become a back-to-back winner.
Led by Junior guard Clarence Westbrook Jr., 22 points, the Raiders defeated Miramar 68-60 Saturday night Fort Lauderdale High.
Westbrook averaged 25.7 points through three games and was named the tournament MVP. He scored 30 points in the Raiders Big 8 opener against Boyd Anderson.
“We got off to a good start,” said Westbrook. “We set the tone and in the second half we felt the score was still 0-0. We played hard because Miramar is a very good basketball team. The chemistry we have here is unmatched. We work hard in practice every day for moments like this. That’s why we got the job done.”
Aquinas (21-4) got off to a fast start and outscored the Patriots 35-15 in the first half after all five starters for the Raiders combined for 21 second quarter points.
“Our guys are relentless and resilient and that’s why we were able to win back-to-back championships,” said St. Thomas Aquinas coach Julius Sandi. “We’ve been in multiple moments like this including last year’s state championship.”
Westbrook added 14 second half points to offset any Miramar (17-8) comeback Kellson Sandi added 12 points, Derek Sandi 11 points and Zane Elliot 10 points.
Now the Raiders will focus district and regional tournament play as the seek to defend their Class 6A state championship.
The Raiders defense did a solid job in preventing only one player to score in double digits.
Jayson Negin was Miramar’s biggest threat as the junior guard led the Patriots (17-8) with 22 points.
Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
When first year head football coach Johan Betancourt looks back at the 2025 season, he sees so many positives for Miami Ransom Everglades.
In a year when the Raiders finished 7-5 and advanced to the state playoffs before losing to then unbeaten Miami Immaculata LaSalle, this was a program that showed that hard work and dedication to the sport certainly paid off.
With the off-season fully underway and the returning players looking to build on what happened this past season, the focus is on 2026 – and while this program has not been a power on the gridiron in the past, Betancourt, his assistant coaches and the returning players want to change the way this school is viewed when it comes to football.
THE 2027 CLASS WILL BE A GREAT PLACE TO START
When the year finished and this program looked at the prospects who would be returning for the 2026 season, it was that rising senior class (2027) that would be a great place to start.
While the Raiders lost some quality talent, who moves on, the players coming back will bring talent, experience and leadership to the table.
Among those players to keep an eye on include Alec Martinez-Bolivar (P/K), Spencer Geller (RB/CB), Tyler Grossfeld (SS/WR), Coley Hucks (DE/OT), Lachlan Kelleher (RB/LB), Zack Myones (OL/DE), Hunter White (TE/LB), Nick Torres (LB) and kicker Thomas Nima.
UNDERCLASSMEN WILL ADD TALENT AND DEPTH
As any program changes from year-to-year, this team will add some new faces but will also bring back some of the younger prospects who made an impact in 2025.
Class of 2028 standout Colton Smith (WR/SS) leads the way with some elite players. He has been playing at a high level – year-round for two years already – with 7-on-7, camps and combines only enhancing what he brings to the table as a top-flight football prospect.
In addition to Smith, the rising junior class (2028) also features standout Noah Alce (RB/FS), Matthew Guavara (QB), Quinnard Mays (DE/OLB), Finn McCarron (WR/CB), Robbie Stieglitz (DE/LB), Albert Uster (LB) and versatile Hans Van de kreeke (CB/WR).
The Class of 2029 will also be loaded with potential – with Will Duncan (RB), Alfonso Llanes (QB), Benjamin Rodriguez (WR/CB), Landon Elfenbein (FS/WR), Evans Branch (WR/DE), Harrison Filler (K/QB), Aiden Cohen (OL), David Martin (OL), Evan Powe (OL/DT), Callum Kelleher (DE), Alex Bontas (WR), Connor Yagnik (DE) and offensive lineman Chris Torres.
RANSOM EVERGLADES 2025 RESULTS
North Broward, W 21-0
Somerset Academy Silver Palms, L 9-7
New Smyrna Beach, L 21-3
Miami Palmer Trinity, W 28-0
Miami Westminster Christian, L 22-0
Miami Immaculata LaSalle, L 21-17
Miami Springs, W 35-14
Davie NSU University School, W 43-0
Miami Booker T. Washington, W 35-0
Miami Gulliver Prep, W 20-13
Miami Immaculata LaSalle, L 42-16
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 55 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We are now into February and the South Florida High School Sports Radio Show took center stage for an hour with two impressive guests on a Monday night.
Each week, the FM 104.3 WQAM radio program attracts the newsmakers in high school sports, recruiting college sports – not only locally, but throughout the country.
The show gives listeners an opportunity to hear about college football programs statewide from the media that cover them. It also focuses on the coaches who use the state of Florida – Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in particular.
The program, which has run for nearly two decades and has been recognized nationally as one of the best of its kind, has become a popular listen for recruiting fans as well as high school sports purists, focusing on high sports and the newsmakers.
Here is a look at the way Monday went:
The Miami Jackson High Generals’ football program has been searching for a positive direction and with the hiring of former standout Kenyatis Lewis, they made a move in the right direction. Listen to what the new head coach had to say about the program and the future of this legendary program.
COACH KENYATIS LEWIS ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/head-coach-kenyatis-lewis-of-miami-jackson-high-school-86223
After appearing in the national championship game last month, the buzz around the University of Miami has not been this loud in over two decades. With a solid freshman class and the portal producing some elite talent, there is plenty to be excited about. Geo Milian follows this program year-round and talked about all the positives going on in Coral Gables.
GIO MILIAN ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/geo-milian-univeristy-of-miami-football-reporter-90a17
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 55 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL).
Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..