If you follow high school football in south Florida, it’s no secret. If you are a larger program and intend on having a chance to play for a state title, it all goes through Miami Christopher Columbus.
Even on a “down” year, the Explorers came within a touchdown of playing for another 7A state title – as they waltzed to a District 16-7A crown and into the regionals.
When Columbus and Miami Palmetto squared off on Sept. 13 – just three weeks into the season – the Panthers had their chances, but like it has been the case for many years, that loss not only wrapped up a district title, but even though head coach Mike Manasco’s team played well, winning six straight, they would never get another chance at Columbus.
When Davie Western beat Palmetto in the opening round of the state playoffs, it once again sealed the fate of this program.
While you can go back and look at the close games that the Panthers could have won – Columbus (17-14) included – the season ended and sent the team into the off-season once again shaking their collective heads.
As many times as this team has left one season and looked forward to another, there was always a sense that things may be different, and with the addition of some key players as a solid rising senior (2026) class, this is the most excited the Panthers have been in a long time.
That rising senior class is stacked with prospects and is up for the challenge once again.
Here is a look at some of those 2026 players:
Andre Bailey, QB, 5'9, 165 - 3.45 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/13294599/Andre-Bailey
Anthony Brown, OL, 6'5, 325 - 3.50 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18142160/Anthony-Brown
Marko Fernandez, DB, 5'11, 175 - 3.50.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/13488167/Marko-Fernandez
Braylen Green, 5'11, 170 - 2.63 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/21396759/Braylen-Green
Chris Green, K/P, 6'2, 170 - 3.53 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20797756/Christopher-Green
Caleb Jones, LB, 6'1, 185 - 2.97 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16419957/Caleb-Jones
Wynton Jones, DB, 5'10, 165 - 2.80 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18651809/Wynton-Jones-Jr
Amiel Mackey, Athlete, 5'10, 180 - 2.50 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20025070/amiel-mackey
Matt Marsh, OL, 6'2, 290 - 2.72 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17548776/Matthew-Marsh
Lucas Martinez, OL, 5'11, 230 - 3.56 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16045176/Lucas-Martinez
Conneilus Miller, WR/DB, 6'0, 175 - 3.49 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18628445/Conneilus-Miller-Jr
Nikolai Moise, DB, 5'9 150 - 2.74 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19132065/Nikolai-Moise
Riley Sawchenco, LS, 6'1, 245 - 3.11 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18664425/Rylee-Sawchenco
Prince Smith, Edge/LB, 6'0, 205 - 3.95 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19369040/Prince-Smith
Corey Swint, WR/DB, 5'11, 165 - 2.50 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19665801/Corey-Swint
Varian Terry, RB, 5'8, 170 - 2.78.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19126825/Varian-Terry
Kevin White Jr., CB, 6'1, 175 - 2.62 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17803174/Kevin-White-Jr
AWAITING SPRING VIDEO
Willie Dannah, DB, 5'10, 155
Charles Flowers, Athlete, 5'10, 165 - 2.77 GPA
TALENTED GROUP OF UNDERCLASSMEN COULD CHANGE THE DIRECTION
As the 2026 class will have experience, talent and provide leadership, there are some young prospects who will also have a chance to make a major contribution.
CLASS OF 2027
Jahari Collier, DL, 6'2, 235 - 2.77 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19937707/Jahari-Collier
Zion Flowers, OL, 6'2, 255 - 3.64 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22407090/Zion-Flowers
Rashad Fuller, OL, 6'3, 285 - 3.25 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19947397/Rashad-Fuller
Ezekiel Herring, WR/DB, 5'10, 165.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19947332/Ezekiel-Herring
Brandon Howard, LB, 6'1, 220 - 2.67 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20590410/Brandon-Howard
Kaden Howard, CB/WR, 6'0, 160 - 3.80 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19438407/Kaden-Howard
AWAITING SPRING VIDEO
Mathias Augustin, LB, 6'0, 195 - 3.33 GPA
Aiden Butler, RB, 5'9, 165
Angel Irizarry, OL/DL, 6'1, 275 - 2.57 GPA
Antonio Jackson, OL/DL, 6'0, 235 - 2.45 GPA
Elijah Johnson, OL, 6'2, 305 - 2.72 GPA
Joaquin Mejia, OL, 6'3, 325 - 2.55 GPA
Julian Sanchez, OL, 5'11, 245 - 2.88 GPA
CLASS OF 2028
Ahmir Barnes, WR, 5'9, 160 - 3.5 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20185498/Ahmir-Barnes
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