TAMPA - There have been a lot of high school football programs that have turned heads this off-season, but head coach Anthony Walker Sr. and his Miami Monsignor Pace Spartans have surprised everyone.

Loaded with plenty of young prospects, poised for the future, the Spartans have met every challenge put in front of them, and everyone is taking notice.

Walker took over this program to get them back on track as one of the top programs in the state. He has been around this school for a number of years, making sure that students were on track.

He has coached and mentored – and along with his son, Anthony Jr., who plays for the Cleveland Browns, has shown how you can balance athletics and academics.

On Saturday, this team that has traveled to several schools, made a major impression at the second University of South Florida Sling & Shoot event that attracted some impressive teams from around the state.

When the event was over, the Spartans stood tall as champions, beating Coach Ryan Schneider and hos Cocoa Tigers in the finals.

Using very few seniors and plenty of underclassmen, Monsignor Pace has inched back on the map as they head toward 2022.

This is a talented and discipline program that believes that what is happening in May, June and July will translate to the regular season.

In addition to the Spartans and Cocoa, other Final Four Teams included Oviedo (Greg Odierno) and 7A state runner up Tampa Bay Tech (Jayson Roberts).

By beating a solid Cocoa team, the Spartans ran a gauntlet that began with Riverview, Seffner Christian, Clearwater and Orlando Dr. Phillips, finishing 4-0, heading into the playoff round as a No. 2 seed.

The tournament was indeed stacked with talent. Teams such as Valrico Bloomingdale, West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman, Tampa Gaither, Dover Strawberry Crest, Daytona Beach Mainland, Tampa Leto, Sarasota Riverview, Tampa Sickles, New Port Richey J.W. Mitchell, Orlando Lake Nona, Brooksville Hernando, Palm Bay, Tampa Sickles and Rockledge were competing.

Melbourne Bayside was there. So were Lakeland Lake Gibson, Fort Pierce John Carroll, Orlando Evans, Gibsonton East Bay, Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Ranch, Orlando Olympia, Winter Park, Tampa Carrollwood Day, Naples Baron Collier, Vero Beach, Winter Garden West Orange, Seminole Osceola Fundamental, Clearwater, Zehyrhills, Port Orange Spruce Creek and Fort Myers Bishop Verot.

The defending 6A state champion Tampa Jesuit was on hand. So was the always tough Seffner Armwood, who came in as the No. 1 seed.

The day also included an impressive lineman camp, which attracted hundreds – as far away as Georgia and northern Florida.

For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..