When No. 10 Archbishop McCarthy’s football program hosts Miami True North Classical Academy on Friday night in Southwest Ranches, the Mavericks will be out to win their fourth game of the season.
While being 4-0 may not sound like a lot to some programs, for first year head coach Jake Pew (who took over for his mentor Dino Mangiero) and his assistant coaches, what is happening so far this season is the direct result of what was started four years ago when this program was an independent team.
It was only last year when they played in a district for the first time. That district happened to be home to the 4A state champion Plantation American Heritage Patriots as well as the Miami Norland Vikings and the Plantation Colonels. All four teams made the state playoffs, and the Mavericks even won a state playoff game, beating Plantation, 7-0.
While many programs can say they put in the work during the off-season, Archbishop McCarthy and their coaches take it to a different level, attending several camps and 7-on-7 events as well as hosting line camps and competing against the best in south Florida and beyond.
In wins over Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, Community School of Naples and Miami St. Brendan, the results have come from both sides of the ball – showcasing a strong offense along with a stingy defense.
With a state-of-the-art indoor facility which was built this year – along with their teal playing field – this has become a program that is now attracting stellar talent much like they did when they first opened their doors.
A LOADED ROSTER
This is a team that has its share of senior leaders along with some of the top young talent in south Florida. Here is a look at some of the difference makers:
2026
Kendall Brown, WR, 6’2, 180 – 3.5 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19402855/Kendall-Brown
Kevin Campbell Jr., DL, 6’1, 275 – 3.1 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18499164/Kevin-Campbell-Jr
Julian Garcia, TE/DE, 6’3, 215 – 3.86 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18365101/Julian-Garcia
Alex Gokhale, OL/DL, 6’3, 255.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20079172/Alex-Gokhale
David Howard, DB, 5’9, 180.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18100106/David-Howard
Cole Ivey, LB, 6’0, 201.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18100130/Cole-Ivey
Robert Kerns, QB/Athlete, 6’1, 202 – 4.0 GPA. Baseball.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18100152/Robert-Kerns
2027
Samuel Boatwright, DL, 6’1, 250 – 3.6 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20815497/Samuel-Boatwright
Malik Denson, WR/Athlete, 5’10, 175.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20032119/66f835bee927c91e3379276c
Lorenzo Fernandez, P/DB, 5’11, 173.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20080641/Lorenzo-Fernandez
Damien Grant, RB, 5’7, 175 – 3.3 GP.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20312279/Damien-Grant
Ji’Koi Highsmith, DE/OLB, 6’1, 215 – 4.8 GPA. SAT 1040. PSAT 1200. PACT 23.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20357665/JiKoi-Highsmith
Maikel Suarez, Athlete, 6’2, 210.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19957971/Maikel-Suarez
Jacarri Watson, WR, 5’9, 173.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20696517/Jacarri-Watson
Ja’Kobi Williams, WR, 6’2, 182.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/21478987/Jakobi-Williams
2028
Justin Antenor, DB, 6’2, 171.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22901628/Justin-Antenor/highlights
Luke DeFaria, OL, 6’2, 255 – 3.92 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26442541/Luke-DeFaria
2029
Marcus Boynton, DL, 6'3, 295.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/25278595/Marcus-Boynton
Ethan Jones, WR, 6'3, 220.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26830003/ethan-jones
Jayllen Morgan, RB/DB, 5'9, 162.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22902062/jayllen-morgan
Kenneth Rowell, WR/DB, 5'9, 155.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26831067/Kenneth-Rowell
ARCHBISHOP MCCARTHY MAVERICKS
HEAD COACH: Jake Pew
DISTRICT: 15-4A
2024 RECORD: 7-5
2025 SCHEDULE
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, W 42-35
Community School of Naples, W 14-10
Miami St. Brendan, W 56-0
9/12 – Miami True North Classical Academy
9/19 – Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons
9/25 - @Miami Norland
10/10 – Plantation
10/17 – Plantation American Heritage
10/24 - @Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy
10/31 – West Palm Beach The King’s Academy
PHOTO COURTESY OF ARCHBISHOP MCCARTHY
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