There was a time when very few coaches and football players paid little attention to kickers and punters.
Back in the day, the position was truly looked at by many as a waste of roster space. Fast forward to 2024 – and it is a fact that if you don’t have a solid kicking and punting game you will most likely not win.
NFL, college and now high school teams thrive on the ability to make the opponents start deep in their territory with a kick or a punt. It is also where huge football games are won with an extra point for a field goal.
Kickers, punters and long snapper have taken the spotlight at every level, and the need to have the best special teams is perhaps one of the most important parts of building a football team.
With national showcases and local competition and training, kicking and hunting has become a year-round commitment. If you are not training and competing, you are falling behind.
Over much of the past decade, we have been fortunate to have attended numerous events that spotlight special teams and have exposed the athletes who work as hard as any other position of the football field.
While many fan websites and local recruiters are just finding out about the devotion put into the craft, we have been there from the start.
Miami-Dade and Broward Counties have been getting better and better and producing elite special teams performers who have gone on to successful collegiate and professional careers.
Today, we bring you some of those area kickers and punters to keep an eye on.
The senior class has taken the lead – with several players making a huge splash at local, regional, statewide and national competition.
Among those include Mike Astrain (K, Westland Hialeah), Lucas Avino (K, Miami Belen Jesuit), Jacob Corredera (P/K, Miami True North Classical Academy – 3.3 GPA), Isaac Cruz (P/K, Somerset Academy Silver Palms), Brent Fardette (K/P, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons – 4.5 GPA), Alexander Fitzgibbons (K/P, Miami Christopher Columbus), Ernesto Gonzalez (K/P, Homestead Everglades Prep), Luca Guerra (P/K, Miami Central – 3.5 GPA), Matthew James (P/K, Deerfield Beach), Matthew Jean-Baptiste (K, Fort Lauderdale University School), Gavin Katz (K/P, South Plantation – 3.7 GPA), Felix Martinez (K, Somerset Academy South Homestead), Carter McCrary (K, Sunrise Piper), Nathan Moncada (K/P, Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy), Adrian Muelle (PK, Miami Belen Jesuit – 4.9 GPA) and Chris Murciano (P/K, Miami Gulliver Prep – 4.28 GPA).
The class also features Nick Navarro (PK, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – 4.8 GPA), Antonio Pasquatti (K, Plantation American Heritage – 4.0 GPA), Adam Piniero (K, Miami St. Brendan), Kaleb Rodriguez (P/K, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy), Nicholas Romero (K/P, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – 4.0 GPA), Jake Rosoff (P, Pompano Beach - GPA: 5.2 SAT: 1390) and Ethan Silva (K, Miami Northwestern).
UNDERCLASSMEN ARE ALREADY STARTING TO SHINE
As impressive as the seniors will be this season, colleges are already looking at several underclassmen. Here are some of those to keep an eye on.
The 2026 class juniors will have John Allen (K, Miami Christopher Columbus), Diego Barrera (K, Coconut Creek Monarch), Matisse Bullrich (K, Miami Gulliver Prep – 3.54 GPA), Dominic Celli (P, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons – 3.91 GPA), Caysen Chevannes (K, Pembroke Pines Charter – 4.5 GPA), Jacob Ferrandiz (K, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman), Pablo Gomez (K/P, Miami Dr. Krop), Jordan Hechler (K/P, Miami Christopher Columbus), Njonte Henry (K/P, Davie Nova), Carlos Iavernia (K, Miami Ransom Everglades), Alan Lopez-Ortiz (K/P, South Miami) and Thomas Lopez (K, Miami Booker T. Washington).
Others in the class are Francisco Mascuso (K, Miami Belen Jesuit), Emilio Mollinedo (K, Homestead South Dade), Brennan Parsons (K/P, Davie Western), Trace Poncev (K, Pembroke Pines West Broward – 4.0 GPA), Stephen Cook Roberts (P/K, Miami Palmer Trinity), Noah Sidan (P/K, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna – 4.0 GPA) and Conrad Tolerico (K, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – 3.6 GPA).
Sophomores are also going to have a say this season – with Julian Dominguez (K/P, Homestead South Dade), Sam Florens (K/P, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest – 3.96 GPA), Gabriel Gonzalez (K, Doral Academy), Michael Johnson (K, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy), Alec Martinez-Bolivar (K/P, Miami Ransom Everglades), Krystian Nacier (K, Miami Florida Christian), Jonathan Rivera (K/P, Miami High), Cole Rodriguez (K/P, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons – 3.5 GPA) and Coral Gables’ kicker Mykel Sam. Also keep your eye on 2028 prospects Kyle Aller (K/P, Fort Lauderdale Dillard – 3.5 GPA) and Alfonso Arellano (P/K, Somerset Academy Silver Palms).
PHOTO COURTESY OF KORNBLUE KICKING
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
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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..