One of the most popular radio shows of its kind was on Wednesday night this week as football practice opened on high school football fields across the state of Florida from 6-8 p.m. on 104.3 FM – WQAM.

Each week, the FM 104.3 WQAM radio program attracts the newsmakers in high school sports, recruiting college sports – not only locally, but throughout the country.

The show gives listeners an opportunity to hear about college football programs statewide from the media that cover them. It also focuses on the coaches who use the state of Florida – Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in particular.

The program, which has been run for nearly two decades and has been recognized nationally as one of the best of its kind, has become a popular listen for recruiting fans as well as high school sports purists, focusing on high sports and the newsmakers.

Here is a look at the way Wednesday night went:

This Saturday at XPE Sports Performance in Fort Lauderdale, Football Hotbed will help to kickoff the 2026 high school football season with their fifth annual media day. Brandon Odoi and his staff will welcome defending state champions Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, West Boca Raton and Plantation American Heritage as well as powers Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, Miami Palmetto, Miami Christopher Columbus, Miami Central, Miami Northwestern, Pembroke Pines West Broward as well as out-of-area schools Community School of Naples, Fort Myers Dunbar, Delray Beach Atlantic and numerous Miami-Dade and Broward schools from 8 a.m. until after 3 p.m.

BRANDON ODOI ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/brandon-odo-of-football-hotbed-on-media-days-8c094

There are very few reporters who have been busier than Andy Villamarzo from Rivals.com this spring and summer. From attending games, practices, camps, combines and media days, he not only covers the state of Florida, but is also a national high school writer – coming up with breaking news and state rankings all over the country.

ANDY VILLAMARZO ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/andy-villamarzo-of-rivals-dot-com-cf9ac

When it comes to following high school football nationally, Zack Poff from Max Preps simply has no rival. At the pulse of every program in the nation, he sees every program and elite prospects and continues to produce national rankings. He recently authored the pre-season national football rankings and stopped by to talk about the reasons why teams were rated high or low.
ZACK POFF ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/zack-poff-of-max-preps-focuses-on-national-recruiting-16b00

His teams have won the past two state titles and have been in the mix since taking over Plantation American Heritage. Coach Mike Smith has helped numerous prospects step into the spotlight locally, regionally, statewide and nationally – and has kept the Patriots in the spotlight. As his team gets ready for another season, he has put together another elite schedule.

COACH MIKE SMITH ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/head-football-coach-mike-smith-of-plantation-american-heritage-a2c5a

For over 30 years, Coach Jeff Bertani has been the head coach at North Miami Beach High. In that time, he has helped to develop talent that has gone on to play in college and at the professional level. In this day and age of transfers and student/athletes who are not loyal, his players have stayed around and helped the Chargers compete. With former players coming back all the time to coach and mentor, he has established something that is rare in public schools today.

COACH JEFF BERTANI ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/head-football-coach-jeff-bertani-of-north-miami-beach-begins-30th-season-2721c