When Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace lost to 1A power West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman 46-7 in the opening game of the 2024 season, there was a feeling that it would be a long season for the Spartans.

Here was a program that had always been productive under head coach Anthony Walker Sr., but with several key prospects graduating - or being picked off by other schools, everything pointed to a struggle to compete in a tough 2A classification.

After that setback to the Crusaders, this program took a step back and looked at this season ahead.

What the players and coaches saw was a schedule that was challenging, but one that this team could manage and gain a state playoff spot.

What happened over the next two months was things came together, and the Spartans would win seven of the next eight games, which included victories over Miami Carol City, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian and Miami Gulliver Prep and Miami Ransom Everglades in the first round of the state playoffs.

Despite losing a tough 20-14 contest in the second round of the playoffs to Miami Immaculata LaSalle, the year ended 8-3, and it showed this team that no matter what adversity they may face, the coaching and talent would overcome it.

As they are now in the off-season, all eyes are in 2025 – with several prospects coming back for 2025.

Among those rising seniors (2026) include Solomon Campbell (DB, 5-11, 175 – 3.2 GPA), Ismael Carmona (DL, 5-10, 185 – 2.6 GPA), Steve Carvil, Jr. (OL, 6-0, 210 -  2.5 GPA), Cleveland Gary III (LB, 6-0 205 – 3.9 GPA), Dejuan Johnson (OT, 6-8, 305), Dorrian Michel ((OL/DL, 5-9, 300 – 3.0 GPA), Zachariah Nozile (DL/OLB, 5-9, 210 – 2.9 GPA), Antonio Owens Jr. (DB, 5-7, 140 – 3.3 GPA), Rashad Wallace Jr. (RB, 5-8, 175 – 3.7 GPA), and defensive back Jordan Wooden (5-9, 160 – 2.9 GPA).

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR THE SPARTANS

As this program will rely on a talented and experienced senior (2026) class in 2025, keep an eye on this rising junior (2027) class that has several key prospects to keep an eye on.

Among those players will be Kahrim Bassette (WR, 5-9, 150 – 2.7 GPA), Jeysus Cobas (OL, 6-0, 260 – 2.9 GPA), Calvin Etienne (OL, 6-2, 325), Jose Fernandez (OL, 5-7, 230 – 2.6 GPA), Jamaal Gibson (WR, 5-10, 175 – 2.8 GPA), Jayden Govender (DB/WR, 5-6, 140), Jayden Gummer (LB, 6-0, 200 – 3.86 GPA), Abdul Hopkins (DB/LB, 5-11, 170 – 3.2 GPA), Tyre’ Lloyd (DB, 6-3, 180 – 2.6 GPA), Haendel Montlouis (OL, 5-9, 210 – 3.5 GPA), Jayden Perera (TE/WR, 6-2, 180 – 3.8 GPA), Isaiah Thurston (RB, 5-6, 160 – 2.6 GPA), and linebacker Liam Vazquez (5-10, 180 – 3.2 GPA).

Even the rising sophomores (Class of 2028) figure to play a key role in getting back to the state playoffs.

Watch prospects such as Tyler Bryant (WR, 5-9, 150 – 2.7 GPA), Maurice Cherry (WR, 5-9, 160 – 3.0 GPA), Michael Diaz (OL, 6-2, 250 – 2.5 GPA), Amari Finnie (WR, 5-6, 140  - 3.4 GPA), Aden Francois (QB/WR, 5-9, 160), Calique Gary (DB/WR, 5-7, 160), ZaKhari Johnson (DE/OLB, 5-11, 160 – 3.1 GPA), Nathaniel  Merrell Jr. (QB, 6-3, 150 – 3.1 GPA), Ahziah Murphy (LB, 5-10, 165), Jaden Parker (OL, 6-3, 275), James Morgan (RB, 5-6, 140 – 3.6 GPA), and receiver Mykei Wade ( 5-9, 160 – 2.9 GPA).

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