HOLLYWOOD – As Owner & Founder of the nationally-recognized Hotbed brand of football, Brandon Odoi get several Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County teams ready for the upcoming season.
Hosting their third media day, Hotbed welcomed several local, regional, statewide and national members of the media on Saturday.
With practice under way across the state, 38 schools came to talk about the season ahead – while providing a forum for those teams who will once again be in the mix for a state title.
As head coach Jube Joseph and his Miami Central Rockets kicked things off, the media day was about getting several prospects out there as well as enhancing others who already have established themselves.
While the Rockets figure to make a run back to the state title game after missing out last season, Plantation American Heritage and head coach Mike Smith were edged out in the state semifinals and believes the Patriots have the talent to get back.
For two-time defending state champion Miami Christopher Columbus and head coach Dave Dunn, it is a reloading year for this well coached program. While they are reloading, the Explorers will be a force in 7A.
One of the programs that all eyes will be on this coming season is head coach Adam Ratkevitch and his Davie Western Wildcats, who may have as much talent and depth as any 7A school in the state.
Other schools on hand who believe they can make a run include veteran head coach Darryle Heidelburg and Miami Norland. The Vikings fell short in the 2M state title game last season.
Two-time defending state runner up Homestead and head coach Ronnie Thornton are primed for another run.
Mike Manasco and his Miami Palmetto Panthers have been in the mix the past few seasons and believe they have enough to get the job done.
Speaking of getting the job done, First-year head coach Teddy Bridgewater returns to his alma mater – Miami Northwestern – setting the table for the future.
Teams that are ready to turn the corner will be Coconut Creek Monarch and head coach Calvin Davis, who guided the Knights to their best season in school history, advancing to the state semifinals.
While winning the district and hosting a state title game was exciting, Pembroke Pines West Broward and head coach Brian McCartney are loaded up again.
Also, keep an eye on the always well coached Miami Booker T. Washington Tornadoes and Tim “Ice” Harris, who will have his team ready for another run in the state playoffs.
Palm Beach County also made their way to the media event – with the always talented Eagles of Delray Beach with Jamelle Murray putting together quite a program.
For several seasons, the Palm Beach Central Broncos and head coach Kevin Thompson have once again set themselves up.
One of the Palm Beach County schools that has joined the powers in the #561 are the Bulls of West Boca Raton – with head coach Dylan Potts and his staff building things up where this team believes they have a legitimate shot to reach the 6A state title game.
Among the other talented programs making their way to Hollywood for the media day included Doral Academy (Coach Eddie Delgado), Coconut Creek (Coach Johnnie Sloan), Miami Southridge (Coach Pierre Senatus), Plantation with first year head coach Darrell Strong, Miami Jackson with the popular first-year head coach Max Edwards.
Other schools with high hopes in 2024 include Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (Ariel Cribeiro), Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (Coach Matt Dubuc), North Miami (Coach Gerald Cox), Parkland Douglas (Coach Christian Baldwin), Miami Killian with first-year head coach Rudy Trevino, first-year head coach George Stubbs, who looks to turn Miami Carol City around.
Media Day also brought out Miami Edison (Coach Luther Campbell), Fort Lauderdale Dillard (Demitris Mincey Sr.), Deerfield Beach (Cameron Thomas), Miramar, who has been very successful under head coach A.J. Scott, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (Coach Anthony Walker Sr.), Pembroke Pines Flanagan (Coach Benjamin Rolle), Hialeah (Tony Smith), Miami Belen Jesuit (Nick Oyarzun), Homestead South Dade (Chris Reid), Fort Lauderdale NSU University School (Coach Michael Norman) and Somerset Academy Silver Palms (Matt Dixon).
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
Miami-Dade/Broward Summer Top 20. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-summer-top-20
Are You Keeping Up With Miami-Dade & Broward High School Football Transfers? https://larryblustein.com/news/keeping-up-with-miami-dade-broward-high-school-football-transfers
For the past 54 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..