They had won nine games in the regular season with only a 15-0 setback to Miami Christopher standing in the way of a perfect regular season.
The goal at veteran head coach Mike Manasco and his Miami Palmetto Panthers had set were indeed reachable and were realistic.
Over the past five seasons, this is a program that was right in the middle of the race to reach state, and 2023 was a season where things started to fall into place.
After a district title and a state playoff win over Doral Academy, it was time to get over that hump with Davie Western standing in the way.
Once again the dreams of reaching the school’s first ever state football championships were dashed when they fell 19-9.
That loss and the graduation of some top prospects sent this team into the off-season with a feeling that the rising senior (2025) class would need to step up and fill some huge shoes.
That 2025 class is indeed stacked with talent, but will it be enough to finally conquer that mountain that this program has not been able to climb?
This class will be led by prospects such as three-year performer Cameron Sapp (WR, 5-9, 165), Marquis Robinson (WR, 5-10, 165 – 2.9 GPA), Kadir Battle (WR, 5-7, 160 – 2.6 GPA), Stanley Leger (WR, 6-2, 160), Lucas Goenaga (QB, 6-1, 195 – 3.8 GPA), Ethan Lopez (RB, 5-10, 190 – 3.51 GPA), Wesley Samuels (RB, 5-11, 180 – 2.5 GPA), James Orange (DB, 5-11, 165 – 2.9 GPA), Corey Pruitt, Jr. (DB, DB, 5-9, 155 – 2.8 GPA), Patrick Lawrence (LB, 6-2, 200 – 3.77 GPA), Simorey Smith (LB/HB, 5-10, 195 – 3.25 GPA), and linebackers/edge rushers Jerald James (6-3, 215 – 2.5 GPA), Matthew Brand (6-0, 185), and Dylan Miranda (6-3, 205 – 3.12 GPA).
The class also will roll out Jahprece Joseph (LB, 5-9, 190 – 3.02 GPA), Daniel Fandino, OL, 6-0, 260 – 3.19 GPA), Notre Dame-bound Davion Dixon, DL, 6-2, 310 – 3.2 GPA), Armaan Kazi, DL, 6-1, 205 – 3.31 GPA), Raphael Latortue (DL, 6-3, 250 – 2.81 GPA), Corey Campbell (DL, 6-0, 225 – 2.52 GPA), Judah Scriven (DL, 6-0, 215 – 2.78 GPA), and long snapper Rodrigo Marron (5-9, 155 – 2.96 GPA).
ARE THE PANTHERS A DEEP TEAM?
While the 2025 class will provide the much-need experience, talent and leadership, the underclassmen will also be looked upon to make an impact.
Here is a look at some of the 2026 (rising juniors) and 2027 (rising sophomores):
CLASS OF 2026
Keep an eye on prospects such as Varian Terry (RB, 5-8, 160 – 3.01 GPA), top-flight transfer Anthony Brown (OL, 6-5, 315 – 3.70 GPA), Lucas Martinez (OL, 5-11, 220 – 3.48 GPA), steady Wynton Jones (DB, 5-10, 160 – 2.5 GPA), Braylen Green (DB/WR, 5-11, 165 – 2.5 GPA), Corey Swint (WR/DB, 5-11, 160), Kevin Joseph (WR, 5-9, 175 – 3.3 GPA), Willie Dannah (DB, 5-10, 155), Nikolai Moise (DB, 5-9, 150 – 2.53 GPA), Prince Smith (Edge/LB, 6-0, 206 – 3.88 GPA), and quarterback Charles Flowers (5-10, 165).
CLASS OF 2027
Keep an eye on young playmakers such as Aiden Butler (RB, 5-9, 165), Jahari Collier (DL, 6-2, 235 – 2.77 GPA), Matthew Cili, WR, 5-10, 150 – 2.5 GPA), Ezekiel Herring (WR/DB, 5-10, 165), Kelsey Veargis (DB, 5-9, 155 – 2.83 GPA), Dion Johnson (DB, 5-11, 165), and linebacker Mathias Augustin (6-0, 195 – 3.4 GPA).
There are also Rashad Fuller (OL, 6-2, 285 – 3.25 GPA), Elijah Johnson (OL, 6-2, 290 – 2.67 GPA), Zion Flowers (OL, 6-2, 240 – 3.7 GPA), Joaquin Mejia (OL, 6-3, 305 – 3.2 GPA), and two-way lineman Angel Irizarry (6-1, 265 – 3.10 GPA).
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