When it comes to football in south Florida it really doesn’t matter what class they represent.

Talent is everywhere – and no longer are we just relying on juniors and seniors to lead the way.

There was a time when underclassmen who have to wait their turn to get serious playing time, but because our area youth programs are so advanced and stacked with talent, by the time they reach high school, many are ready to make an impact at the varsity level.

This past season, we saw impressive Class of 2029 freshmen, who played key roles – even on state playoff teams.

Another class we saw flourish was the Class of 2028 sophomores. They impact teams of every level – and today we look at a few who made a difference this year, but actually started to showcase their talents last year and into the off-season.

Desmond Christian Jr., WR, 6’0, 170, Plantation. One of those future stars that the Colonels have on the roster. Showcased his skills in several games this season as this program adds some pieces to make another run in 2026. Was also instrumental in key games down the stretch.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/28088641/Desmond-Christian-Jr

Khavon Gipson, LB, 6’0, 205, Miami Northwestern. Talk about one of the better young prospects in south Florida, this is certainly someone who figures to be the next stellar linebacker prospect. He just makes plays and that is going to keep him in the spotlight throughout the off-season.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22891327/Khavon-Gipson

Nate Merrell Jr., QB, 6’4, 175, Miami Immaculata LaSalle – 3.4 GPA. Broke onto the scene this year as someone to watch for in the future. Was instrumental in leading the Royal Lions to a district title and also a state playoff win. He is a prospect that this program can continue building with. A physical talent who does more than throw the ball. Threw for 1,779 yards and 24 touchdowns. Added 341 yards on the ground. Baseball prospect as well.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18015085/Nate-Merrell-Jr

Jaden Parker, OL, 6’3, 260, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace – 3.1 GPA. Ever since watching him after his freshman season during spring, you could tell that this was a talented prospects who had a bright future. You could see his athleticism and knew that when he continued to pick up the little things and learn more technique that this was going to be a player to watch. This will be a player to keep an eye on during the off-season.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22973414/Jaden-Parker

Kenan Powell, QB/Athlete, 6’0, 204, Miami Springs – 3.3 GPA. Before the season began, coaches who had been around this quality football player had warned that if he ever put it all together, watch out. This was a tremendous season for someone who fully put himself on the map with over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. Keep an eye on his progress this off-season and into the future as the Golden Hawks have a new regime in place.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23159090/Kenan-Powell

Micah Price, DT, 6’2, 265, Plantation American Heritage. While this year was special for the Patriots as they won the state title for the second straight year, it came down to the surprise players that ended up making a major impact. Here is one of those quality players that last year at this time was wrapping up a tremendous freshman season as a linebacker with Fort Lauderdale Stranahan. Watching him a number of times in his first season, you could tell that this was going to be a major talent when everything came together, and with some weight added, he moved to the defensive line and dominated – as a leader in sacks and tackles, and in the process thrust himself into a spotlight where colleges and universities nationally will take notice!

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23984296/694af2c6e371a29ddc9e63dc

McKendrick Thomas, Athlete, 5’7, 155, Coral Springs. On a team that continues to search for an identity, here is a gifted football player that certainly turned plenty of heads and gained a lot of attention. Receiving, running and special teams, when the Colts needed someone to step up, this young man did more than his part. Heads into the off-season as a player that will get plenty of attention. He has a chance to be very special.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26452849/mckendrick-thomas

Quizon Warner, DT, Athlete, 6’3, 260, Pembroke Pines West Broward – 4.0 GPA. After a dominating freshman season at South Broward, this quality talent made his way across the county and everything came up as a winner. From a team perspective the Bobcats went to their first ever state title game. From a personal view, this impressive and versatile prospect also showed that with a solid off-season and more work on his craft, he will continue to develop and improve on what he already has.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23099464/Quzion-Warner

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

For the past 55 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, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We are less than two weeks removed from the 2025 high school football season and players are already making moves.

With the official start of the 2026 portion of the school year, student/athletes – whether home schooled or attending the facility live in person – have started to let everyone know where they will play football in a season that doesn’t start for another eight to nine months.

Nobody can ever put their finger why south Florida – Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in particular – have so many transfers, but with “school of choice” and being able to learn from home – this region has become the talk of the country.

Many are bowled over how easy it is to just get up and make a move from one school to another, but for whatever reason, we already have a start that is threatening to match or surpass last year’s nearly 300 students who switched schools in just two counties.

With the state finals, and Miami-Dade and Broward Counties coming away with just one (St. Thomas Aquinas) champion, selling a brighter future is easier than ever before.

Programs who appeared down and out are suddenly “back in the game” with new classifications already being announced.

With literally hundreds more transfers taking place in the coming months, here is a sampling of a few prospects who could definitely change the playing field for the 2026 season.

REMEMBER, THIS IS JUST A FEW PROSPECTS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO SPOTLIGHT THE MANY PLAYERS WHO HAVE CHANGED LOCATIONS WITH A LISTING THAT WILL REFLECT EVERY PROSPECT WHO CHANGED SCHOOLS. COLLEGE COACHES DEPEND ON THE INFORMATION!

2027 – Trezavant Boyd, DB, 5’10, 155, Miami Central. From Miami Booker T. Washington to Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy and now to play for the Rockets, this is one of the elite rising seniors in the state – and fast-rising across the country. Watch this quality talent perform and you can see why he is so highly regarded. Catching a pass on him is never easy and he will continue to show it this coming season. He is indeed skilled and has schools such as Auburn, FSU, Miami, Georgia, Illinois and so many others looking in his direction.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20189717/Trezavant-Boyd

2027 – Nick Lennear, WR, 6’0, 165, Miami Carol City. One of so many who are headed to Miami Gardens to play for first year head coach Toro Wallace, this may be one of the top 10 players in the country. Dominated since his youth football days at just about any position he plays. A premier pass catcher who helped to lead the Miami Northwestern Bulls to a pair of state title appearances. Currently the No. 2 rated player in the state by Prep Redzone Florida. He has received offers from everyone, which includes Colorado, Miami, LSU, Indiana, FSU and Georgia being about the best.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19539314/Nicholas-Lennear

2027 – Carlos Avila-Lopez, WR, 5’10, 175, Plantation. As a three-year varsity standout at NSU University School, this was someone who dominated as a pass catcher with his skill, speed and knowledge of the position. He makes the move to play for a program that continues to build, making the state playoffs for the second consecutive year under head coach Darrell Strong and his staff. Finished with over 600 yards for a program that made another strong run in the playoffs. Keep your eye on this outstanding football talent who has the chance to be special for the Colonels in 2026.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19355992/Carlos-AvilaLopez

2027 – Kai Moore, QB, 6’1, 195, Miami Christopher Columbus – 3.7 GPA. After waiting his turn to start at Miami Norland for two years, he had the opportunity to turn heads this past season for the Vikings, and as the landscape has changed, he heads south to play for an Explorer team that didn’t have the season that head coach Dave Dunn, and his staff have come to expect. Burst onto the scene two years ago as the MVP of the Prep Redzone Florida Orlando Combine. Threw for 2,656 yards and 26 touchdowns this past season for a state playoff team.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20299699/Kai-Moore

2027 – James Perrone, QB, 6’2, 186, Miami Central. After making a huge splash the first two years at Miami Southridge, he makes the move north to play for the Rockets after a 3,000 total yard season for the Spartans. Committed to attend the University of South Florida, he is considered one of the top five quarterback prospects in the class – and that should only improve in the off-season. In addition to new head coach Brian Hartline and the Bulls, programs such as Pittsburgh, Maryland, UCF and West Virginia have been in the mix.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19687356/James-Perrone

2028 – Brady Quinn, QB, 6’1, 195, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. Ever since he could walk, this is someone who had a football in his hands as the son of Football University Managing Partner Steve Quinn. Having watched this young man perform several times, he is a game changer as he comes over from a Naples Lely team that made the playoffs with one of the highest-powered offenses (46 points per game) in the state. One of the state’s leaders as a sophomore, this is a complete prospect that finished with over 2,700 yards and 34 touchdowns passing and well over 250 yards on the ground. Huge asset for the Lions who have made the state finals 10 straight years!

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19487425/Brady-Quinn

2028 – Amir Sears, Athlete, 6’1, 170, Miami Christopher Columbus. When they rank the best sophomores in the country, here is someone who continues to pop up as a top 10 prospect who in the world of star rankings, is a solid 5 on both sides of the ball as well as on special teams. A major catalyst for West Broward’s first ever state championship appearance, he was elite as a freshman and last off-season as a top-flight 7-on-7 performer. He makes the move to play for the Explorers in hopes of getting that program back on track. While his numbers were impressive, his overall production was also something that you could not ignore. Is also being overwhelmed by college offers.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18445689/Amir-Sears

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

For the past 55 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, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

By Dave Brousseau

CORAL SPRINGS – There times in the second half Miami Northwestern cut into a large Cardinal Gibbons lead down to eight points.

The Chiefs weren’t about to be denied becoming the champion of the Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital bracket champion in the 36^th annual Kreul Classic on Monday.

Led by senior guards Justus Dylan-Herbert’s 30 points and A.J. Ambrose’s 21 points Gibbons defeated the Bulls 73-52 for the championship in the first meeting between the two schools at the Coral Springs City Gymnasium.

Dylan-Herbert was named the tournament MVP, averaging 25 points over three games. Ambrose was named to the All-Tournament Team.

“We kind of knew they were going take A.J. away and deny, which they did,” said Cardinal Gibbons coach Bill Mallon. “Once we figured that the game became a little easier.

Mallon said it was an honor to compete against Northwestern coach Melvin Randall, who won a combined nine state championships while at Deerfield Beach (2) and Blanche Ely (7).

“Randall is a legend for a reason,” said Mallon. “I wish he was back in Broward honestly. He’s a great coach, but it was great to beat him.”

No sooner that the Bulls (9-2) cut into the deficit, Gibbons (10-1) nullified the effort bouncing back to a sizable lead, up by 16 with 2:35 remaining.

A strong offensive first half for the Chiefs led to convincing 36-19 lead behind the scoring of Dylan-Herbert and Ambrose. Together they combined 26 points that helped build a 17-point lead at the break.

Bulls senior guard Jakeel Baker led his team with 14 points, while teammates Jarvis Chamber and Giovanny Desire each had 12 points.

THIRD PLACE

HOLY CROSS 58, NOTRE DAME PREP 55: Payton Wilson, a 6’8 sophomore, scored a team high 16 points as the Knights (4-6) held on for the three-point victory.

Jahzir Crawford added 12 points and Donovan Medley 11 points.

The Lancers (3-2) got 19 points from 5-11 guard Joshua Charlot, while Jameer Reid had 17 points and Jaise Greaves finished with 10 points.

FIFTH PLACE

CORAL SPRINGS 57, SAN TAN CHARTER 52: Senior guard Josiah Ayers led the Colts (8-6) with 19 points. Craig Bryant Jr. added 13 points and Gabriel Benkovisky 12 points.

The two teams combined for 15 three-pointers.

Jose Benjaman scored 16 for the Roadrunners (10-3). Jachin Reynolds was the only other player on the team in double-figures with 10.

SEVENTH PLACE

KELL 69, WAXAHACHIE 48: B.J. Love, a 6’1 junior point guard, had a game-high 23 points to lead the Longhorns (3-8). Maximus Cook added 11 points.

The Indians (8-9) were led by Kaleb Jones with 16 points.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

BJ Love, Kell (Marietta, Ga.)

Kaleb Jones, Waxahachie (Tx.)

Matt Croissy, Coral Springs (FL)

Peyton Lubash, San Tan Charter (Gilbert, AZ)

Payton Wilson, Holy Cross (Flushing, NY)

Joshua Charlot, Notre Dame Prep (Fairfield, CT)

AJ Ambrose, Cardinal Gibbons (FL)

Jakeel Baker, Miami Northwestern (FL)

Giovanny Desire, Miami Northwestern (FL)

MVP: Justus Dylan-Herbert, Cardinal Gibbons (FL)

CORAL GLADES FALLS TO BERGEN CATHOLIC

Coral Glades boys’ basketball coach Stefan Whittingham has prepared his team to play the toughest regular season schedule possible with his site to successfully compete for a state title.

The Jaguars faced another difficult task against Bergen Catholic (NJ) for the BSN Bracket championship in the finale the of the 36^th annual Kreul Classic.

Through two quarters Glades looked up to the challenge with a seven-point lead, only to falter to the Crusaders aggressive press during a 58-52 loss at the Coral Springs City Gymnasium.

“We’re really focused on playing the toughest schedule we can play,” said Whittingham. “In order for to achieve the goal that we set at the beginning of the season; we have to play national talent.”

Bergen Catholic was one of those 10 teams the Jaguars (8-5) have faced to date that aren’t from Broward County.

Led by Jahill Owusu’s 18 points and another 12 points from Julius Avent, the Crusaders (5-0) rallied with a suffocating defensive effort to earn the title.

“We went to a full-court man that started to help us,” said Bergen Catholic coach Billy Armstrong. “Coral Glades did a great in the half court with our normal pressure in the half court. Our guys gutted it out and this is how we get better.”

Coral Glades was led by Kyler Theophile with 12 points and Donovan Swain with 11 points.

The Jaguars will continue its challenging schedule with two more teams from Georgia next week.

THIRD PLACE

BISHOP IRETON 65, CORNER CANYON 63: Senior guard Silas Devanish scored a game-high 20 points to lift the Cardinals to a third-place finish in the BSN Bracket of the Kreul Classic.

Ireton (8-2) trailed 39-33 at the half.

Jayden Mills added 19 points, while Jake Bahr had 13 points and Evan Brown 10 points.

The Chargers (7-6) were led by senior Tyler Mortenson with 19 points. Josh Tolman finished with 15 points.

FIFTH PLACE

STRANAHAN 52, HIGLEY 47 (OT): Christian Yeargan scored 17 points and Isaiah Brown, a 6’10 senior center, added 16 points to lead the Dragons (7-7). Brown also scored six points in the overtime period.

Marquice Ples led the Knights (4-3) with 15 points. Andre Tyler added 13 points and Noah Gloor 10 points.

SEVENTH PLACE

PEMBROKE PINES CHARTER 73, BEN L. SMITH 62: Anthony Wallcott scored a game high 23 points to lead the Jaguars (6-3). Zac Dawson added 16 points as he and Wallcott also combined to make six 3-pointers. Both were named to the Kreul All-Tournament Team.

Robert Guishard added 12 points and Alex Vardakis 11 points.

Jyi Dawkins led the Golden Eagles (6-3) with 31 points, while setting a Kreul tournament scoring record of 115 points in three games played. He was also selected to the All-Tournament Team.

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Anthony Wallcott, Pines Charter (FL)

Zac Dawson, Pines Charter (FL)

Jyi Dawkins, Ben L. Smith (NC)

Damari Foster, Stranahan (FL)

Isiah Brown, Stranahan (FL)

Marquice Pless, Higley (Gilbert, AZ)

Jayden Mills, Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, VA.)

Dillon Roberts, Corner Canyon (Draper, UT)

Donovan Swain, Coral Glades (FL)

Kyler Theophile, Coral Glades (FL)

Jaden Brown, Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ)

Jahlil Owusu, Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ)

MVP: Julius Avent, Bergen Catholic (Oradell,  NJ)

Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

It’s Christmas Week and the South Florida High School Sports Radio Show took center stage with six impressive guests on a Monday night.

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 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 Monday went:

The University of South Florida has a new head football coach, replacing Alex Golesh, and Sean Havens from Bulls 247 stopped by to look at what Brian Hartline means to the continued development and growth of the Bulls.

SEAN HAVENS ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/sean-hayes-usf-bulls-247-59357

For the past four years, Keiser University’s football program has been in the NAIA National Title game – by far the most successful college football program in the state of Florida. After a tough loss this year, head coach Myles Russ stopped by to talk about the future of the Seahawks.

COACH MYLES RUSS ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/head-coach-myles-russ-keiser-university-793f1

After beating Texas A&M in their first ever college football playoff game on the road in College Station, the Miami Hurricanes now set their sites on the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve against The Ohio State. David Lake from Inside The U talked about the big game.

DAVID LAKE ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/david-lake-inside-the-u-9a943

After 36 years, the Kreul Basketball Classic has turned into one of the nation’s premier events for boys and girls teams from all over south Florida and throughout the country. Shawn Cerra from the Broward Education Foundation talked about the competition and the tremendous sponsorship that fuels an event like this. He talked about the event and foundation.

SHAWN CERRA ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/shawn-cerra-broward-education-foundation-kreul-basketball-classic-91751

Last year, Mason Mallory helped West Boca Raton High School bring home a first ever state title. This year – in his senior season – the standout quarterback led Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders to their seventh consecutive state title, and he joined the show to talk about how this year changed him.

MASON MALLORY ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/qb-mason-mallory-st-thomas-aquinas-e6b5f

After five years of varsity high school football (at Belle Glades Day & West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman), West Virginia University signee Jyron Hughley finally came home with a state football championship when his Crusaders knocked off Chaminade-Madonna. He talked about the past few years have been life changing.

JYRON HUGHLEY ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/qb-jyron-hughley-west-palm-beach-cardinal-newman-state-champions-west-virginia-university-signee-65149

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

For the past 55 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, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..