When first year head coach Robert Ortega took his team to the Football Hotbed Media Day in Deerfield Beach last Saturday, he knew the questions would come from the reporters and recruiting services on hand.
After years as an assistant at Davie Western, Ortega decided to leave and head back to where it all began as a student/athlete at Hollywood’s McArthur High.
What he has done since leaving high school – where he was a standout defensive lineman - Ortega has indeed blazed a trail that has watched him coach, teach and develop young talent at the youth level and in high school – as well as being a force on the off-season national 7-on-7 circuit.
His return to hi alma mater has watched him surround himself with elite talent that he has been around for several years – including his son, Robert Jr., who has not only made dad proud as a tremendous football talent, who has played at the varsity level since the 8th grade, but also has gotten it done in the classroom, where Ivy League programs have been looking to get him on campus.
While questions surrounded his players, Saturday was also about how his team stacks up with a challenging schedule and more than competitive Class 5A, which includes six-time defending state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.
Hollywood McArthur Mustangs
HEAD COACH: Robert Ortega
DISTRICT: 15-5A
2024 RECORD: 2-8
2025 SCHEDULE
8/29 – Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
9/5 - @Miramar
9/12 - @Weston Cypress Bay
9/19 – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
9/26 – Hollywood Hills
10/3 - @Deerfield Beach
10/11 - @Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson
10/17 – Fort Lauderdale
10/24 – South Plantation
10/31 - @Miramar Everglades
MUSTANGS SHINE AT MEDIA DAY:
With head coach Robert Ortega bringing players to the Football Hotbed Media Day, the Mustangs had the chance to showcase some quality talent. Here is a look at those players that spoke:
2027 – Jaylyn Jones, DB, 6’0, 182 – Top Prospect In The State. University of Miami Commitment. Davie Western Transfer.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19945180/Jaylyn-Jones
2026 - Brandon Lattimore Jr., LB, 6’0, 218 – 4.0 GPA. Miami Jackson Transsfer.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17633760/Brandon-Latimore-Jr
Marek Marcellus, DB, 6’0,185 – 3.5 GPA. Western Transfer.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/13059825/Marek-Marcellus
2026 – Robert Ortega Jr., RB/Slot, 5’7, 175 – 4.1 GPA. Will Be A Five-Year Varsity Performer.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18274649/677f01b3002acf25bc553d15
2026 - Troy Smith, OL, 6’4, 270.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22511192/Troy-Smith
2026 - J.T. Turner, DT, 6’2, 297 – 3.0 GPA. Fort Lauderdale Dillard Transfer.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18707262/JT-Turner
2027 - Khamarian Young, WR, 6’0 175. Several major offers. Top junior prospect.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20363038/Khamarian-Young
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