If anyone knows the growing pains of building a program, it’s Coach Arties Knight.
But at the same time, very few understand that the high school game – while it’s about winning and losing – is certainly all about teaching and developing talent.
Remember, when dealing with someone like Knight, you have a coach who has been there from the beginning. Before he accomplished anything in high school, more respected and looked up to him for his work with youth players and leagues.
When he took over the Homestead position, he fully knew that this would be a huge uphill climb. Even with the success that the Broncos had to reach the state finals two years ago not too long ago, times have changed and those players that made that amazing run to reach the highest level of the sport in Florida are no longer at the school.
Creating a culture is never easy. Not when other coaches and schools have their hands in your programs and are waiting for you to develop talent so they can add them to their programs. Nothing to cry over because it happens everywhere these days.
Instead of dwelling on what he doesn’t have in his program, Knight has his blinders on and is all about teaching and players are coming to his program.
When spring starts in a few weeks, the Broncos will welcome 100 players to a team that finished 2-7 a year ago. Explain that. That means that while other programs throughout south Florida are cherry picking their rosters, Knight and his staff are all about teaching these raw young men about the games and also preaching the importance of getting grades.
As the roster will be huge this spring and into the summer, the focal point will be about the rising senior class (2027). Student/athletes who have already started to develop a plan on the field and in the classroom.
Among those 2027 players include Jahari Baptiste (DB, 5'9, 150 – 3.4 GPA), Braylon Becton (DL, 5'9, 230 – 2.8 GPA), Aiden Bryant (OG, 6'1, 235 – 2.5 GPA), Ja’Von Celin (OL, 6'1, 290 – 2.5 GPA), Jayden Celin (DB, 5'9, 150 – 2.8 GPA), Wilfid Francois (LB, 5'6, 151 – 3.0), Tremmel Gammon (WR, 6'3, 170), Willie Gaskin (OL/TE, 6'4, 286 – 2.6 GPA), Maurcel Glover (DL/LB, 5'10, 200 – 3.1 GPA) and defensive lineman Darien Harvey (6'1, 225).
The class also has Tristen Hightower (LB/DE, 5'10, 200), Kesean Hill (WR, 6'0, 155 – 3.1 GPA), Camarey Jackson (OL, 5'11, 235 – 2.5 GPA), Jaymarvi Joseph (DL/LB, 5'8, 185 – 3.0 GPA), Julien Joseph (DB, 5'8, 155 - 3.0 GPA), Kamari Johnson (DB, 5'8, 140 – 2.5 GPA), Corey Lathan (DL/OL, 6'2, 372 – 2.6 GPA), Tony Morgan (DB, 5'7, 145 – 2.5 GPA), Jahmar Morris (QB, 6'3, 173) and defensive lineman Sadley Oracius (5'11, 214).
Rounding out the 2027 group are Ke’Mari Philip (OL, 6'2, 290 – 2.5 GPA), Justo Rodriguez (OL, 6'7, 370), Kameron Smith (DE/RB, 5'11, 205) and defensive back Trenton Spell (5'11, 157 – 2.7 GPA).
THE YOUNGER PLAYERS ARE BUYING IN THIS OFF-SEASON
The success of this program will not only revolve around what happens with the rising senior class, but also a strong group of underclassmen as well.
CLASS OF 2028
The rather large class of rising juniors starts with Darnell Brewer (RB/KR/WR, 5'5, 127), but also includes Dontraevis Brewer (WR, 6'2, 170), Seth Claude (DB, 5'11, 160 – 2.9 GPA), Jeremiah Clinton (WR, 5'9, 150 – 2.5 GPA), Abischai Deceus (DB, 5'10, 150 – 3.0 GPA), Michael Driver (OL, 5'11, 208 – 2.5 GPA), Sylvester Edwards (DB, 5'11, 165), Kemarri Ellis (OG, 5'3, 223 – 3.0 GPA), James Estin (OL, 6'1, 250) and string safety Jahqure Horton (5'8, 150 – 2.5 GPA).
The class also features Jaiden Hush (OC, 5'6, 230 – 2.5 GPA), Jason Larkins (WR/DB, 5'8, 175), Leonidas Leone (MLB, 6'0, 192 – 2.5 GPA), Samuel Leon (DB, 5'9, 145), Devin Lester (DL, 5'11, 200 – 3.0 GPA), Amarion Logan (OL, 5'10, 198), Jimmie Marshall (QB, 5'8, 155 – 2.5 GPA), Jeremiah Martial (Athlete/DE/WR, 6'3, 195 – 3.2 GPA), Dedrick Melvin (DE/RB/Athlete, 5'11, 195 – 3.7 GPA) and linebacker/defensive end Malik Mitchell (5'11, 165).
Rounding out the 2028 prospects are Simon Neal (OL, 5'8, 250), Nickenson Nicholas (DL/OL, 6'0, 180 – 3.1 GPA), Jahiem Reed (RB/KR/WR, 5'8, 160), Fred Reeves (DB, 5'7, 130 – 2.5 GPA), James Richardson (WR, 5'7, 128), Johnny Richardson (WR, 5'6, 110), Zion Shelby (OL, 5'4, 152), Deion Smith (WR, 5'6 140), Jalil Squire (RB, 5'9, 158), Hector Vargas (LB/DE, 5'8, 185 – 2.8 GPA), Freddie Williams (DE, 6'2, 150)
and defensive end Lonnie Woodard (5'11, 170 – 2.5 GPA)
CLASS OF 2029
With several rising sophomores (2029) eager to gain experience, this spring will see plenty of younger prospects such as Darren Bennett (DL, 5'9, 215), Inle Brieva (RB, 5'9, 158), Jamarrie Brown (DL/LB, 5'8, 180), Mozart Deceus (WR, 5'7, 126), Roberto Diaz (WR, 5'6, 117), Deante Fox (DB, 5'5, 100), Travis James (OL/DL, 5'5 180), Carl Joseph (OL, 5'8, 200), Jacory Leon (WR, 5'7, 148) and receiver Nathaniel Lewis (5'6, 122).
Also, keep an eye on Jeremy Lorenzi (LB/DE, 5'7, 165), T'moriyon Mathis (OL, 6'0, 318), Jovan Moore (WR, 5'0, 100), Reno Resilme (WR, 5'9, 150), Domarian Ross (DB, 5'5, 120), Christian Simmons (DB, 5'7, 140), Mantrell Simmons (OL, 5'6, 230) and running back Javarrion Washington (5'0, 110).
2025 Homestead Broncos
Homestead South Dade, L 31-0
Southwest Miami, W 56-0
Fort Myers Bishop Verot, L 39-6
Miami Southridge, L 59-18
Doral Academy, L 20-0
Miami Palmetto, L 40-0
Miami Booker T. Washington, L 34-28
Hialeah American, W 14-13
Miami Edison, L 52-20
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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..