It began after a 6-5 season ended with a first-round state playoff loss to Miami Killian.
A 6-5 record for the Miami Carol City football team on top of a number of less than average years, which did not sit well with this longtime successful fanbase.
Years of losing to rivals and early exits in the state playoffs was not something that this program had been used to over the years.
The supporters were quickly growing old of watching programs around them – like Miami Norland, Miami Central and Miami Northwestern reach the state finals, so something had to be done.
Enter head coach Toro Wallace, who had enjoyed state championship success at Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, and the dominoes would start to fall. Longtime supporters and graduates were no longer willing to sit around season-after-season and watch this program underachieve and fail to keep up with programs in the area. It left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.
Piece by piece, the Chiefs started to put things back together – and by the end of spring, elite prospects were added along with coaches – many with ties to the program.
By the end of summer when they lost a four overtime 7-on-7 event to two-time defending state champion West Boca Raton, the word had spread.
While many of the experts had not watched this team play – in full uniform – they were buying in to the names on the roster and the hype that had been generated.
When Max Preps came out with their pre-season national rankings a few weeks back, the school that had struggled to win games over the past six seasons had been elevated to No. 11 in the nation.
While there are those who are still skeptical that this program could be that good, are playing the waiting game.
No matter what anyone feels, Carol City still has to get it done on the field, and with a challenging schedule, they will get their opportunity.
If you look at the roster on paper, there is no getting around that this is as talented a roster as you will find, and playing in Class 2A, those on this team believe in miracles.
Starting with the senior class (2027), there are some elite names that everyone knows – like Miami Norland transfer Alan Blackshere (CB), two-year Chiefs starter and University of West Georgia commit Santana Blount (Slot), Chaminade-Madonna transfers University of Georgia commit Temorris Campbell Jr. (LB), Appalachian State commit Arwin Jackson (RB), West Virginia commit Lee Prince Jr. (RB) and West Virginia commit Trevoris “T.J.” Finley (DE); UCF commit Debonaire Johnson (LB), elite FSU-bound Zakari Johnson (DB/Athlete), Fort Lauderdale Dillard transfer and Tulane commit Joshua Sylvain (WR), FIU commitment Jaylen Thanis (DL), FAU commitment Danard Frazier (DT), rising standout Andrew Davis Jr. (S), and the center piece five-star University of Miami commit Nicholas Lennear (WR) from Miami Northwestern.
In addition, the Chiefs’ rosters also includes Jakell Brown (OL), Jashon Chaneton (DB), C.J. Dauphin (RB), Tramaine Holland (DE), D’Aniko Hunt (LB), Jerryson Jean-Baptiste (DB), U’Darius Jenkins (DB), Tha’kari Smith (DB), Willie Walker III (OL), former Miami Northwestern kicker/punter Alex Lima and legacy Robert Sanford (LB), who’s father was a star running back for this program.
LOADED FOR THE FUTURE AS WELL
While those who follow this game continue to talk about the seniors, there are also some elite underclassmen who will also impact this team in 2026 and beyond.
Prospects in 2028 such as California defensive secondary transfer Jaîlen Hiłł, Gainesville Buchholz transfer Marquel Brooks Jr. (WR) as well as nationally-rated Aden Johnson (Edge) and one-time Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace prospect Zakhari Johnson (LB).
The junior class will also include Kevin Alexander (OL/DL), Achilles Black (DB) Jimmy Gonzalez (DB), Yakes Jones Jr. (DT), Samir Mobley (DE), Cartier Morrell (DB), Semaj Robinson (OL) and Rashard Vangates (WR).
As good as the 2028 class will be, keep an eye on the 2029 sophomores like elite prospects Ben McFadden Jr. (DE/TE), Michael Williams Jr. (DL), Jamar Brinson (DB), newcomer Jerry Joseph (OL) and quarterback Malik Leonard, who helped lead Chaminade-Madonna to the 1A state title game last year.
The sophomore class will also have Victor Aguilar (OL), Jaelin Coach (DT), Kobe Hinton (OL/DL), Jamell Johnson (WR), Darrell McDonald (WR), Marvin McDonald III (WR), Roshard Williams (OL) and Maurice Wright Jr. (DB).
2026 MIAMI CAROL CITY CHIEFS SCHEDULE
8/21 - @Daytona Beach Mainland
8/28 - @Lee County, Georgia
9/4 – Miami Norland
9/17 – Miami Edison
9/24 – Miami Booker T. Washington
10/2 - @Grayson, Georgia
10/9 – Miami Northwestern
10/16 – GMAC WEEK
10/23 - @Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy
10/30 – Miami Central
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 56 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..