Pines Charter Making Strides On The Football Field

The objective in anything we do in life is to get something positive out of the experience. That is truly a given.

While we all know that high school football is about winning titles and getting that exposure, it is also about teaching the sport and life - and in the end, that balance is overlooked.

At Pembroke Pines Charter, head coach Keidran Willis took over a program that was not headed in any direction. He came in and made a commitment to turning the program around – and he needed coaches and players who wanted to do the same.

This year – while our many programs in south Florida were playing for state titles and Tri-County Championships, the Jaguars and Coach Willis wanted to expose the senior class that made this all possible.

“We came in and wanted to make a difference and help build this from the ground up,” Willis said. “It was a matter of everyone being on the same page.”

Those seniors who helped get this program off to a solid start were instrumental in the abbreviated (3-0) season.

Geovani Balthazar, DB/WR, 5-9, 155. Yet another of those seniors who made a huge impact this season on the younger players – and did it from both sides of the ball.

Daris Butler, LB, 5-10, 175. What everyone loves about this young man when watching him play is his knack of getting off the ball quick – and relying on his overall athleticism. His 2.8 GPA in the classroom will be a great balance.

Dylan Byam, Slot/DB, 5-8, 165. One of the hard workers that every team needs to have. His work in the classroom has produced a 2.8 GPA.

Anthony Dimanche, RB/S, 5-8, 209. This two-way performer is the kind of player every college coach wants on his team. Holds down a 3.0 GPA and scored 880 on the SAT.

Jeremy Jacobs, QB, 5-9, 172. Impressive talent who not only gets it done on the field, but his 4.8 GPA, 1150 SAT and 23 ACT is also a huge boost.

Alex Kocher, DE, 6-5, 235. Talk about growth and maturity in a year, and this impressive talent fits that perfectly. This is football talent that makes plays on the inside or outside. He is also gifted enough to play tight end. In the classroom it’s all about his 3.2 GPA and 25 ACT.

Bradley Jean-Louis, DE, 6-4, 215. This is certainly someone who has helped to transform himself into quite a student/athlete as a play-making football prospect – and as a student in the classroom – with a 3.5 GPA, 940 SAT and a 16 ACT.

Masen Marcellus, LB, 6-2. 180. Watch this impressive football talent perform and you are sold by what he does. As a linebacker, he combines his athletic ability with his football instincts. Also boasts a 3.0 GPA in the classroom.

Gabe Ortiz, SL/DB, 5-8, 168. Another one of the many student/athletes who have flourished in this system. Grades have also been impressive – 3.98 GPA and a head-turning 1400 SAT.

Brenden Richardson, S/H-Back, 6-0, 224. One of those talented young men who can be used at a number of positions. Big, strong a gifted – and also has a 3.0 GPA. Father was a standout back in the day as well.

For the past 50 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, nobody has evaluated and promoted more football talent than we have. We will remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein- SFHSports) and Twitter (@SFHSSports - @larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..