When the 2025 football season came to an end and Davie Western High finished 4-7, veteran head coach Adam Ratkevich and his staff took a step back to review the year.
For a program that had been in the state playoff mix for much of the past decade, the Wildcats had fallen off, and while there was still plenty of talent on board, the quality depth that the program had become used to was not in place.
With a number of younger prospects having to step up into the spotlight sooner than expected, the focus was now on the future – as several underclassmen had the opportunity to make an impact.
Fast forward to this off-season, and many of those younger players who were called upon in 2025 are the very student/athletes that this program is now about – and with spring fast approaching – this is once again a team that is getting closer to making a solid playoff run.
RISING SENIOR CLASS WILL BE COUNTED ON
The Class of 2027 (rising seniors) are now the prospects that will be counted on to lead the way this coming season, and Ratkevich and his staff are embracing that challenge.
Among those prospects in that class will be veteran quarterback Jack Spaeder, Kayden Augustin (OLB/DE), Logan Barraza (OL), Austin Chauret (PK), Jaylen Dixon (DE/WR), Akil Hearn (CB), Matthew Hernandez (WR), Jason Jackson (OL/DL), Ayden Jobes (CB), Raphael Leite (OL/DL), Andrew Mahoney (RB), Jordan Mortimer (WR), Deuce Olden II (WR), and defensive linemen Juan Perez and Jayden Powell.
The class also features Uriah Ramessar (WR), Gabriel Rivera (RB), Ethin Rodriguez (OL), DiLaughn Smith (DB), Sean Soto (WR), Victor Souza (OL), Josh Tomlinson (DE), Gabriel Valdes (DB), R.J. Wayne (Athlete) and standout defensive back Bryce Williams.
THE UNDERCLASS IS A DEEP GROUP
With the over 25 rising seniors being a starting point in the rebuild, keep an eye on the talented and deep underclassmen that the Wildcats will have.
Class of 2028 rising juniors such as Silas Allen (DB), Raymond Andrews Jr. (DE), Edwin Augustin (DB), Dennard Barnes Jr. (OL), John Bresset (DE), Jayden Clayton (DB), Christopher D’Angelo (WR), Russell George (WR), Tristan Gonzalez (RB/LB) and versatile Iran Hollis (DE/TE) will be fun to watch.
Other Class of 2028 players like Brandon Kidd (OL), Angel Labrador (OLB), Kevin Marroquin (LB), Terrance Metelus (DB), Jeremiah Normil (WR), Cornelius Offord Jr. (DB), Gabriel Ramirez (OL), Aaden Ramsaran (DT), Guillermo Rosas (OLB), Mike Salimbene (DB) and receiver Josiah Williams will be important as well.
The depth on this team will also include the rising sophomores (2029), who have worked hard and are more than ready to contribute. Prospects such as Jeromy Beasley (RB), Drake Bertamini (DE), Antonio Brown (WR), Sean Canales (OL), Tommy Fleischauer (QB), Corian Hall Jr. (DT) rising star Darius Little (OL), Delano Morgan (WR/DB) and Demario White (LB/TE).
2025 Western Wildcats
Plantation, L 18-0
Coconut Creek, L 28-16
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, L 45-6
Coral Springs Taravella, W 72-0
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, L 56-0
West Boca Raton, L 35-0
Miami Lakes Goleman, W 14-7
Weston Cypress Bay, W 26-0
Deerfield Beach, 20-6
Pembroke Pines West Broward, L 35-7
Boca Raton Spanish River, L 23-21
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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..
If you’ve followed the coaching career of Darryel Bethune over the years, you already know that no job is too big.
A product of Miami-Dade County football, this veteran football coach understands that every position he has taken along the way comes with many obstacles.
In this day and age of high school football and players being recruited daily, true coaches believe if they offer something that others don’t, there is no reason to leave.
While the Bulldogs won just three times a year ago, you have to understand that Bethune and his program were in a major rebuilding process after losing key players who never gave he and his staff a chance to show what they bring to the table.
For those who did stay, especially the youngers prospects, they saw someone who was willing to teach and coach and elevate every student/athlete on the roster.
As this off-season began, the emphasis was using the camps, combines and 7-on-7 events as a tuneup for spring where college coaches would be able to see the improvement made from the 2025 season.
WHO IS READY TO COMPETE?
If the Bulldogs are to continue turning the corner, this rising senior (2027) class will need to step up and use the experience and leadership that will be needed.
Among those 2027 players include Taj Bethune (LB/DB), Jovan Crawford (DB/WR), Cleefson “Pop” Guerrier (LB), Jquan Henry (DB/WR), Delawrence Powell Jr. (DB) and receiver Tahjir Sam.
UNDERCLASSMEN WILL BE NEEDED IN THE PROCESS
As the 2027 class will be there for leadership, the younger prospects will also be needed for front line talent and depth. Among the rising juniors (2028) will be Kambrelle Cromer (DT), Dwayne Davis (DE), Jaelin Holmes (QB), Andrew Johnson (WR), Laquan Lowry (RB), Kyle Pelley (OL), Jacob Jean-Pierre (LB/SS), Ranard Ragin (OL), and receivers Jayden Spencer and Kaden Joseph.
There will also be rising sophomores (2029) Jeremiah Chevalier (DE) and offensive lineman Noah Popov.
2025 South Broward Bulldogs
Deerfield Beach, W 21-14
Cooper City, W 39-6
Doral Academy, L 21-20
Plantation, L 28-6
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, L 52-6
Coconut Creek, L 45-6
South Plantation, L 42-38
Davie Nova, W 21-20
Pembroke Pines Flanagan, L 32-29
Sunrise Piper, L 43-14
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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 – For much of the day at the BCAA County Wrestling Championships at Dillard High, defending champion Cardinal Gibbons was pushed by the strengthening team from South Plantation.
Then came the strength of Chiefs team in brothers Peter and Michael Mocco that coach Jamel Morris calls “the anchors.”
Combined, Peter and Michael have won eight consecutive BCAA titles including the final two matches on Saturday after that sealed Gibbons ninth consecutive championship holding off the Paladins by10 points. South Plantations finished fifth last year, 115 points behind Gibbons.
The South Broward girls won their first girls BCAA team title with 160 points, finishing 25 points better than 2024 team champion Douglas.
Peter Mocco (45-0) defeated Tod Mancini of South Plantation by technical pin 19-9 for the 215-pound title. Michael Mocco (44-0) completed the meet at the 285-pound weight class by pinning Lamon Witherspoon of Miramar in 43 seconds.
“It feels great that coach has confidence in me and my brother and that we can win for the team,” said Michael Mocco. “I’ll like being last knowing when it comes down to me, I can win for the team.”
“This season has been a fun journey,” said Peter. “The practices, tournaments have been good overall. There’s always room to improve.”
It was Gibbons’ 22nd overall title since the event began in 1965. Their three individual winners improved the school’s tournament record to 116.
In addition to the Mocco brothers remaining undefeated, five other wrestlers did the same. They were junior Michiah Gillins Jr. (28-0) and Naidreck Saint-Fleur (10-0) of South Plantation, brothers in defending state champion, sophomore Illia Kyryianenko (8-0) and senior Ivan Kyryianenko (29-0) of South Broward and Douglas junior Jacob Balk (16-0).
The Kyryianenko brothers successfully repeated as county champs and in two seasons have a combined record of 105-0.
Between the Mocco and Kyryianenko brothers it marked the second consecutive years that two sets of brothers wrestling for the same teams won individual titles at the same meet.
It marked the 14th time brothers won championships at a single meet since it first happened in 1970 when Pete and Charles Collins of Stranahan were victorious.
“They are absolute monsters,” South Broward coach Major Threlkeld said of the Kyryianenko brothers. “There’s hardly anyone the state that can touch Illia in his class. His older brother should qualify for the state tournament if he gets through Region 4, which is always loaded and produces plenty of state chuampions.”
Senior Latoya Sylvestre (23-2) of South Broward (23-2) became a three-time winner for the Bulldogs at the county meet.
She defeated Ariona Eugene of Flanagan by pin in 45 seconds.
“I faith in myself because of the work I have put in,” said Sylvestre. “I just knew it would pay off because I want to be somebody. If I get other girls motivated because of their weight, they tell me they can always be better. I show up for those girls and myself.”
Other girls that won BCAA titles in consecutive years are Tiffany Francisco (Western), who won back-to-back at 105-pounds; Maryaliz Bernardina of Coral Springs at 145-pounds after winning at 155 last year and Arina Blanc of Douglas who successfully defended her 170-poind title.
BCAA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Those entered to the BCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame were wrestlers Kevin Jacques (South Broward); Kenny Boyd (Stranahan), Sal Guerriero (St. Thomas Aquinas), Nick Limperis (Cardinal Gibbons) and Mardell Gabriel (Cardinal Gibbons).
Coaches were Tom Davis (Chaminade-Madonna), Henry Jackson (Piper) and Thomas Harrison (Stranahan).
(At Dillard High School)
BOYS
Teams scores (Top 5)
1. Cardinal Gibbons 296; 2. South Plantation 286; 3. Douglas 187.5; 4. South Broward 150.5; 5. Monarch 133.5.
Individual results
106: Gillins Jr. (SP) p. Carbajal (CSC) 2:45; 113: Jenkins (SP) d. Metellus (MON) 7-3; 120: Saint-Fleur (SP) t.p. Perez (EVER) 21-3; 126: Derby (SP) t.p. Arnesen (CG) 15-0; 132: Tannariello (MON) p. Madgey (SP) 1:17; 138: lllia Kyryianenko (SB) p. Redman (HH) 1:24; 144: Ivan Kyryianenko (SB) p. Williams (STA) 0:54; 150: Balk (MSD) by forfeit over Rivas (MIR); 157: Dercsar-Kovacs (CG) p. Gonzalez (CB) 4:46; 165: Boyd (SP) d. Fayer (CG) 7-6; 175: Ortiz (NOVA) p. Mantilla (FLAN) 3:11; 190: Lorminey (SP) d. Reid (PIP) 6-2; 215: P. Mocco (CG) t.p. Mancini (SP) 19-2; HWT: M. Mocco (CG) p. Witherspoon (MIR) 0:43.
GIRLS
Teams scores (Top 5)
1. South Broward 160; 2. Douglas 135; 3. Western 122.5; 4. Coral Springs 72; 5. Everglades 53.
Individual results
100: Thomas (COOP) d. Dudley (SP) 14-0; 105: Francisco (WEST) d. Kleine (MON) 4-0; 110: Padin (WEST) p. Barthel (MSD) 2:33; 115: McMahon (MSD) p. Posada (SB) 3:49; 120: Valasco (WEST) p. Jones (NOVA) 1:41; 125: Smith (CS) d. Mashian (WEST) 9-0; 130: Moyer (CS) p. Canals (WEST) 0:56; 135: De Gance (MSD) p. Stubna (SB) 4:23; 140: Torres (MSD) p. Figueroa (SB) 1:18; 145: Bernardina (CS) p. Wright (SB) 1:08; 155: Yelder (PIP) by forfeit over Arroyo (SB); 170: Blanc (MSD) p. Salem (WEST) 0:27; 190: Sylvestre (SB) p. A. Eugene (FLAN) 1:52; 235: Mourad (MSD) p. K. Eugene (FLAN) 5:47.
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.
At a recent 5-on-5-line camp in Fort Lauderdale, several “big men” from all over did their thing in front of coaches and media members on hand.
With offensive and defensive linemen getting more of the spotlight these days with several exposure events, getting that well deserved publicity is only a play away – and that is something that Coral Gables High 2027 standout Stive-Bentley Keumajou Yondui has found out. The native of Cameroon, this 6’4, 290-pounder has been one of the off-season prospects that many have been watching, and for good reason.
He not only plays football, but basketball and soccer as well – showing he is not your average high school athlete.
A two-way (DT/OG) standout who has been getting plenty of attention from major colleges and universities across the country has been just what the Cavaliers and second year head coach Derick Murdock have been looking for as they build this once iconic program with talent and plenty of promise.
While prospects like Stive-Bentley Keumajou Yondui don’t just walk through the door every day, the Rise Preparatory Academy (3.4 GPA) student has given this program a huge life as the off-season is in full swing.
Coming off a 4-5 season, this program is out to build on the 2025 season – and they have a mix of veteran prospects with some young players getting the opportunity to showcase their talent.
Among the other players in this 2027 (rising senior class), Aiden Leon (QB), Zayd Muhammad (DE/OLB), Mylo-Elijah Tshinkola (DT) and receiver Donmondre Williams.
LARGE GROUP OF UNDERCLASSMEN WAITING TO CONTRIBUTE
As there is a nucleus of rising seniors for experience and leadership as well as exposure, the Cavaliers are stacked with plenty of younger prospects as well.
The rising juniors (2028) include Knox Austin (WR), Eden Brown (WR/CB), Dexter Cunningham (WR), David Jaramillo (LB) and defensive tackle Yadir Reyna.
If the future is going to be bright for this program, look at the rising sophomore class (2029) where Xavier Arellano (WR), Sirdarrell Bolton (OL/DL), Carlton Brown (CB), Jordan Byron (OL/DL), Gary Casimir (CB), Jayden Centeno (CB), Dhillon Cunningham (CB) and Iring Flood (DE) all have potential.
The class also has Prince Garcia (WR), Noah Hernandez (PK), Jayden Illescas (DL), Brandon Love (CB), Jayden Manuel (TE/DT), Daniel Martin (OL/DL), Johan Quincoces (DE), James Smith (WR/LB) and defensive back Emmanuel Sosa.
CORAL GABLES CAVALIERS
Hialeah ABF Academy, W 20-0
Miami High, W 34-8
Miami Carol City, L 21-14
Miami Palmetto, L 43-0
Miami Braddock, W 41-0
Miami Christopher Columbus, L 45-7
Miami Beach, L 29-20
Homestead South Dade, L 23-0
Southwest Miami, W 64-0
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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..
Over the past two regular season, the Fort Lauderdale Dillard Panthers have dominated play – winning 10 straight this past season.
While the Panthers were upset in the opening round of the state playoffs this past season, head coach Demetris Mincey Sr., his assistant coaches and players have held on to the belief that hard work would certainly keep this program in the spotlight.
With the off-season in full swing, this is a program that has a belief that they will be right back in the mix when play starts in late August.
Even with the loss of over 30 players from a 10-1 team in 2025, the
Panthers will return some solid football talent – especially with the rising seniors (2027).
That class is led by heavily recruited Anthony Jennings III (WR/CB – 3.5 GPA), but also has some other prospects who have the experience and leadership to make 2026 more successful.
Among those players include Ayden Bain (WR – 3.0 GPA), Christopher Belabre (OL – 4.0 GPA), Jacquess Brown (OL), Kyle Brown (WR), Mikhail Bryant (OLB), Khamare Burke (OLB), Samuel Compare (WR), Sterphend Derisma (DL), Joziaah Eason (DB) and versatile Mychael Graham (DE/MLB).
The class also will have Anthony Mclemore (DT), Quentin Murray (LB/DE), Alexander Pinder Jr. (RB), Ja’Corey Rhoden (DB), J’a’Rodd Rhoden (DB), Justin Spence (DT), Treyson Silvanie (DB), Antonio Smith (DB), Tory Thornton (DB) and defensive back Octavian Tucker (DB).
STRONG UNDERCLASSMEN WILL HAVE PLENTY OF TALENT
As the rising senior class will be competitive and talented, so will many of the younger players – starting with the rising juniors (2028) such as Marion Clark (RB), Randall Gordon (DB), Harold Graham (DB – 3.0 GPA), Sacari Jordan (OLB/SS – 3.0 GPA), Dylan Randolph (WR – 3.0 GPA), Kofi Rojo (OLB), Javari Sapp (WR), Jamarion Strong (DE/TE) and two way lineman Tyrese Thompson (OL/DL – 3.4 GPA).
Also keep an eye on state-rated 2029 quarterback Lamech Rucker Jr. (4.0 GPA).
2025 DILLARD PANTHERS RESULTS
Orlando Dr. Phillips, W 39-0
Fort Lauderdale Stranahan, W 43-6
Oakland Park Northeast, W 66-0
Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, W 63-0
Miramar, W 21-17
Riviera Beach Suncoast, W 66-0
Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, W 35-0
Lake Worth Dr. Joaquin Garcia, W 38-24
Boynton Beach, W 41-13
Deerfield Beach, W 56-0
Plantation, L 21-14
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..