When his team dropped a 23-14 decision to Miami Palmer Trinity on Sept. 8 of last year, Miami Archbishop Carroll veteran head coach Jorge Zagales and his Bulldogs had no idea how the season would end up.
That setback only fueled this football team that had lost the region to Miami True North Academy in 2022 and came back motivated.
After the loss last season, this team would go on a 10-game winning streak, taking the district – beating Palmer Trinity twice before getting another chance at True North.
When they emerged with an exciting 38-35 decision, the program came within one game of playing for a state title for the first time in school history.
The state semifinal contest came at national powerhouse Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, and even though they lost to the Lions, the Bulldogs held their heads high and finished 11-2.
As they came back this spring, it was all about maintaining what they have built under Zagales, who is easily one of the best and most respected football coaches in south Florida.
With an eye on the upcoming season, the rising senior (2025) class will be in the spotlight – with some impressive talent.
Here are some of those prospects to keep an eye on:
Sebastian De La Pava, CB, 5-9, 160.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16621918/Sebastian-De-La-Pava
Daniel Diaz, DT, 6-0 220.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18610681/Daniel-Diaz?
Jesse Hinojosa, LB/DE.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16522046/Jesse-Hinojosa
Anthony Pazmino, DL/OL.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16690987/Anthony-Pazmino
Joshua Rivera, RB,
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18294527/Joshua-Rivera
Jake Santovenia, OL, 5-10, 226.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16690894/jake-santovenia
Roger Soca Jr., TE, 6-2, 205 – 3.8 GPA.
TAPE: Junior Year Highlights Number 2 - Roger Soca highlights - Hudl
AWAITING VIDEO
Peter Almeida, OL
Leo Diaz, OL/DL
Bryan Gonzalez, DL
THE FUTURE WILL BE LOADED WITH TALENT
With that rising senior class ready to take charge, the Bulldogs are set for the future with a number of rising juniors (2026), sophomores (2027) and freshmen (2028):
Here is a look at those players – many who are just getting their collective feet wet at the varsity level:
CLASS OF 2026
Jaden Ledo, OL, 5-10, 230.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16690851/Jaden-Ledo?
Kelcey Parrish, RB, 6-0, 198.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19038049/Kelcey-Parrish
Kendrick Pembleton, DE, 6-2, 217 – 3.0 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18159206/664e6fae4d1f5cac7923d0bb
William Secola, SS.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18159278/William-Secola
Joshua Velez, DE.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16260333/Joshua-Velez?
AWAITING VIDEO
Jacob Acosta, OL
Robert Herrera, DE
Gabriel Mazzotti, TE
Davian Pabon, QB
Ryan Pagliery, OL/DL
Nathan Pantoja, OL/DL
Maximo Rodriguez, FB/LB
David Silva, OL
Jonas Taylor, DT/OG
Ga’Mari Williams, RB
CLASS OF 2027
George Diaz, FS, 6-1, 177.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20135564/George-Diaz
Julian Sanchez, OL/NG.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20135407/Julian-Sanchez?
Johnny Santovenia, CB/RB.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18255961/Johnny-Santovenia
Isaiah Suarez, LB/RB, 5-9, 182.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20135512/Isaiah-Suarez?
AWAITING VIDEO
Damian Acosta, OL/DL
Max Marrero, QB/FS
Nicolas Tavarez, CB/RB
CLASS OF 2028
Joel Rodriguez, FB/LB, 5-8, 180.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22379384/Joel-Rodriguez
AWAITING VIDEO
John Cardet, OL
Coleman Quesada, DE
Jamari Waters, CB
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MIAMI HERALD
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