Recruiting News

Archbishop McCarthy Continues To Win Over Skeptics

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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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..