At a time when every football fan in south Florida knows all about the powerhouses and the star-rated players, there are plenty of programs throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties that even the most knowledgeable fans have no clue about.
In the sport of football, like other sports, there are levels of play – and while everyone would love to play at the University of Miami and so many other highly-promoted programs, the reality is it doesn’t happen, and the many athletes who opt attend other smaller colleges and universities end up winning in the end.
Miami Sunset’s football program will never put the fear into any player or coach in south Florida, but what the Knights have in veteran head coach Joseph Petisco is someone who gets it – and despite posting a 3-6 record a year ago, he continues to teach the sport and develop student/athletes. He always has and that’s why he is respected by so many for doing what he does – every year without the fanfare that the state-rated teams receive.
What Petisco and his football program do as an independent team is compete and offer his football players the opportunity to play this sport at the next level while receiving a stellar education that will set them up with degrees and the chance to make a huge impact on society.
Sunset and several other independent programs in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties represent old school values on the football field and in the classroom, and while they may not be mentioned with some of the elite programs, track where their student/athletes end up over a four-year period and you will be surprised at what many of them have achieved.
PLENTY OF GIFTED PROSPECTS ON THIS YEAR’S ROSTER’
As this team is now in spring and looking forward toward the summer – with camps and college visits scheduled – there are quite a few players to keep an eye on:
CLASS OF 2027
Michael Barrow, Athlete, 5/7, 165.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19937882/Michael-Barrow
Tristan Carr, WR/DB, 5'9, 150 - 2.9 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22442623/Tristan-Carr
Joshua Fertil, TE/DE, 6'2, 215 - 2.9 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/27958943/Joshua-Fertil
Savion Moss Savion, WR/DB, 5'10, 155.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19466265/Savion-Moss
Jacob Regalado, DE/OLB, 6'3, 185 – 2.5 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26784937/Jacob-Regalado
CLASS OF 2028
Nicholas De Bari, OL/DL, 5'8, 225 - 3.8 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23256020/Nicholas-De-Bari
David Ortuno, WR/DB, 5'10, 160 -3.0 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/27436752/David-Ortuno
Brayan Padron, RB, 5'8, 150.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26777194/Brayan-Padron
AWAITING SPRING VIDEO
Isaac Caceras, WR/TE/LB, 6'1, 165 - 3.7 GPA
2025 Miami Sunset Knights
Miami Coral Reef, L 23-0
Hialeah Miami Lakes, L 6-0 (Forfeit)
Miami Varela, L 23-6
Hollywood Hills, L 56-0
Miami Coral Reef, W 14-12
Miami Ferguson, L 43-0
Hialeah Miami Lakes, W 6-0, (Forfeit)
Miami Braddock, L 38-0
Miami Coral Park, W 14-0
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 56 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..
It began four years ago as an idea to get local officials ready for spring and welcome some new referees in game conditions.
Twenty schools competed in a 7-on-7 event that ushered in spring and was all about some friendly competition with schools from Broward and a few from Miami-Dade.
Fast forward to 2026 – with spring football under way throughout south Florida, the objective is still the same as game officials – new and veteran will converge on three sites over two days to get some work in while being evaluated by their peers in high school, college and even the National Football League.
From the 20 teams at a few sites, the stakes have been raised as Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and Fort Lauderdale Dillard will welcome 36 schools from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties with defending state champions and other powerhouses competing on both days.
With the championship being held on Sunday at St. Thomas Aquinas, crowing two champions (954 and 754) along with a 5v5 lineman challenge, this promises to be something special for players, coaches, game officials and fans, who will get a preview of some of the top teams in the three counties.
7 on 7 event hosted by the Broward Football Officials Association (BFOA) in collaboration with the Broward County Athletics Association (BCAA) is something that will draw attention from media as well as recruiting services and fan websites.
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
AT DILLARD
POOL A – 9:00 A.M.
Miami Norland
Sunrise Piper
Boynton Beach
Coral Springs Coral Glades
POOL B – 11:20 A.M.
Miami Northwestern
Fort Lauderdale Dillard
Miramar
Weston Cypress Bay
POOL C – 1:40 P.M.
Pembroke Pines West Broward
Wellington Palm Beach Central
Miami Carol City
Deerfield Beach
AT ST. THOMAS
POOL D – 9 A.M.
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman
Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace
Pembroke Pines Charter
POOL E – 11:20 A.M.
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
Miami Killian
Davie Western
Lake Worth Park Vista
POOL F – 1:40 P.M.
Miami True North
Coconut Creek Monarch
Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
Palm Beach Lakes
AT CARDINAL GIBBONS
POOL G – 9 A.M.
West Boca Raton
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
Royal Palm Beach
Oakland Park Northeast
POOL H – 11:20 A.M.
Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy
Coconut Creek
Boca Raton Spanish River
Parkland Douglas
POOL I – 1:40 P.M.
Delray Beach Atlantic
Pembroke Pines Flanagan
Lantana Santaluces
Pompano Beach
TICKETS FOR SATURDAY
AT CARDINAL GIBBONS. https://gofan.co/event/6504774?
AT ST. THOMAS AQUINAS. https://gofan.co/event/6503694?zkLPUC_6iQ
AT DILLARD. https://gofan.co/event/6505032
TICKETS FOR SUNDAY
AT ST. THOMAS AQUINAS. https://gofan.co/event/6503706?
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 56 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
POMPANO BEACH – Perhaps the best word to describe the Cardinal Gibbons 1-0 softball victory over Coral Springs Charter in the BCAA Big 8 championship game on Wednesday is.
FINALLY.
Entering the game the Chiefs had been shutout in 12 consecutive games against their district rival, while being outscored 142-0 during that stretch dating back to February of 2016. Gibbons has also lost 16 straight games to the Panthers going as far back as 2008.
In the bottom of the seventh inning and the game still scoreless, sophomore outfielder Sloane Schaefer stood on third base with one out. Sophomore second baseman Reese Randall delivered the sacrifice fly ball to left center for the win.
“This feels good, but at the same time we know we’re going to see them again,“ said Gibbon’s coach Emily Estroff. “Our goal is to win the state championship. When you’re playing anyone that’s very good and you play a team like Coral Springs Charter there’s more at stake.”
For the first time since these teams first met in 2008, Gibbons (22-1) were winners snapping a 16-game losing streak to the Panthers and first BCAA Big 8 title.
“I knew I just had to put the ball in play,” said Randall, who was named the games MVP. “What ever happens, happens. I was very confident I would get the job done.”
“We battled to the end, and I think we’ve known that about our team this whole year,” said senior pitcher Lydia Berent. “Coral Springs Charter has been the final test. To come out here and show what it takes. We made some great plays, and it was awesome.”
Berent allowed five hits and struck out nine batters.
Coral Springs Charter (17-3) had runners only twice but were unable to produce any runs. The loss was the third of the season decided by a single run.
Panthers starting pitcher Courtney Wahlbrink was replaced by eighth-grader Iyralynn Courtney after two and third innings having thrown 14 innings on Tuesday.
Courtney went 4.2 innings, allowing six hits and the only run of the game in the seventh inning.
“Credit to Lydia she a Division I pitcher going to Stanford and we had a couple of chances there,” said Charter assistant coach Paul Gorlick. “She’s a real good pitcher and we needed to capitalize. There’s a chance we may see them again down the road.”
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.
As long as many high school football fans can remember, when it comes to coaching and developing talent, there are very few who can match what Miami St. Brendan head coach Steve Smith brings to the table.
For decades, teaching the sport and developing talent have become the trademark of a coach who has filled the south Florida landscape with his knowledge of the game and bringing along some elite young players before they moved on to the next level – or in this day and age – to another school.
While his team finished 4-7 a year ago, there was plenty the players and coaches who got out of a season that ended with a first-round state playoff loss.
As the Sabres starts spring, there is an objective of once again taking the veteran players to the next level – while starting to develop many of the younger prospects who will use the next few months to get some film for colleges to check out and use in their recruitment.
With the rising senior (2027) class vital to the 2026 season, there are several underclassmen who will also have a chance to improve and put themselves in a position to help this team advance to the state playoffs again – while improving on last season.
This program will look to impact prospects from a year ago like Moises Rodriguez, Ethan Miller, Cameron Henfield, Jayden Dixon, Zaid Tovio-Garcia young Jakeem Ferguson and several others who are ready to help turn this program around.
CLASS OF 2027
Jayden Dixon, DB, 5'9, 165 - 2.7 GPA. 17 ACT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22435328/Jayden-Dixon
Adrian Gazmey, OL/DL, 5'10, 230 - 3.43 GPA. 23 ACT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19512800/Adrian-Gazmey
Zuberi Graham Jr., DB, 5'9, 165 - 2.62 GPA. 15 ACT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19542907/Zuberi-Graham-Jr
Ethan Miller, QB, 6'1, 175 - 2.75 GPA. 1250 SAT. 15 ACT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652544/Ethan-Miller
Moises Rodriguez, DL, 6'0, 230 - 3.06 GPA. 19 ACT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19463301/Moises-Rodriguez
Alexey Torrente, FB/DL, 5'9, 185 – 3.0 GPA. 1000 SAT. 17 ACT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19512771/Alexey-Torrente
AWAITING SPRING VIDEO
Marco Gonzalez, OL/DL, 6'0, 230 – 2.74 GPA. 920 SAT. 15 ACT
Alejandro Martinez, K/P, 5'9, 175 - 2.51 GPA. 840 SAT. 12 ACT
Chris Pastrana, DB, 5'10, 160 - 3.34 GPA. 1220 SAT. 22 ACT
Jordan Roca, OL/DL, 6'0, 230 - 3.74 GPA. 19 ACT
Anthony Rodriguez, OL, 6'4, 275 - 2.53 GPA. 14 ACT
CLASS OF 2028
Elias Gutierrez, WR, 5'9, 160 - 2.76 780 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22783146/Elias-Gutierrez
Charlie Harper, OL/DL, 5'9, 230 - 3.19 GPA. 1190 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/24742716/Charlie-Harper
Cameron Henfield, WR, 6'2, 170 - 3.17 GPA. 960 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652558/Cameron-Henfield
Khamani Johnson, CB, 5'10, 150 - 2.52 GPA. 790 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22763503/Khamani-Johnson
Troy Otzoy, OL/DL, 6'0, 265 - 3.19 GPA. 790 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23180070/Troy-Otzoy
Zaid Tovio-Garcia, DE, 6'1, 195 - 3.43 GPA. 890 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26477948/Zaid-Tovio-Garcia
AWAITING SPRING VIDEO
Jayden Jean-Pierre, WR/DB, 5'9, 160 - 2.57 GPA. 940 PSAT
Daniel Noriega, DL, 5'9, 200 - 2.76 GPA. 870 PSAT
Jacob Ordonez, OL/DL, 5'9, 190 - 2.5 GPA. 820 PSAT
CLASS OF 2029
Patrick Couto, K/P, 5'8, 150 – 3.0 GPA. 870 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652599/Patrick-Couto
Jakeem Ferguson, WR, 6'2, 195 - 2.5 GPA. 660 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26663948/Jakeem-Ferguson
Marco Gutierrez, QB, 5'9, 160 - 2.57 GPA. 800 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26590491/Marcos-Gutierrez
Kelby Jones, DB/RB, 5'9, 155 - 2.5 GPA. 750 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652584/Kelby-Jones
Joseph Rodriguez, LB, 5'9, 165 - 3.71 GPA. 950 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652593/Joseph-Rodriguez
AWAITING SPRING VIDEO
Caleb Arrazcaeta, TE, 5'10, 190 - 2.71 GPA. 650 PSAT
Anthony Artilles, OL/DL, 5'9, 230 - 2.71 GPA. 940 PSAT
Chris Baetz, OL/DL, 6'0, 210 - 2.5 GPA. 770 PSAT
Sebastian Cruz, WR, 5'8, 155 – 750 PSAT
Noah Diaz, WR, 5'9, 160 - 2.71 GPA. 840 PSAT
Andres “Andy” Garganta, WR/DB, 5'8, 150 - 2.86 GPA. 840 PSAT
Conner Mestepey, DB, 5'10, 165 - 2.71 GPA. 830 PSAT
Alejandro Santana, LB, 5'10, 170 - 2.71 GPA. 990 PSAT
Adam Torres, WR, 5'9, 160 - 2.5 GPA. 1000 PSAT
2025 Miami St. Brendan Sabres
Miami Beach, W 28-17
Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, L 56-0
Hialeah Gardens, W 35-0
Miami Dr. Krop, W 22-21
Miami Jackson, W 35-6
Key West, L 36-14
Fort Lauderdale NSU University School, L 42-6
Miami Immaculata LaSalle, L 40-0
Miami Northwestern, L 49-0
Miami Gulliver Prep, L 42-0
STATE PLAYOFFS
Miami Central, L 70-0
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 56 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..
As long as many high school football fans can remember, when it comes to coaching and developing talent, there are very few who can match what Miami St. Brendan head coach Steve Smith brings to the table.
For decades, teaching the sport and developing talent have become the trademark of a coach who has filled the south Florida landscape with his knowledge of the game and bringing along some elite young players before they moved on to the next level – or in this day and age – to another school.
While his team finished 4-7 a year ago, there was plenty the players and coaches who got out of a season that ended with a first-round state playoff loss.
As the Sabres starts spring, there is an objective of once again taking the veteran players to the next level – while starting to develop many of the younger prospects who will use the next few months to get some film for colleges to check out and use in their recruitment.
With the rising senior (2027) class vital to the 2026 season, there are several underclassmen who will also have a chance to improve and put themselves in a position to help this team advance to the state playoffs again – while improving on last season.
This program will look to impact prospects from a year ago like Moises Rodriguez, Ethan Miller, Cameron Henfield, Jayden Dixon, Zaid Tovio-Garcia young Jakeem Ferguson and several others who are ready to help turn this program around.
CLASS OF 2027
Jayden Dixon, DB, 5'9, 165 - 2.7 GPA. 17 ACT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22435328/Jayden-Dixon
Adrian Gazmey, OL/DL, 5'10, 230 - 3.43 GPA. 23 ACT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19512800/Adrian-Gazmey
Zuberi Graham Jr., DB, 5'9, 165 - 2.62 GPA. 15 ACT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19542907/Zuberi-Graham-Jr
Ethan Miller, QB, 6'1, 175 - 2.75 GPA. 1250 SAT. 15 ACT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652544/Ethan-Miller
Moises Rodriguez, DL, 6'0, 230 - 3.06 GPA. 19 ACT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19463301/Moises-Rodriguez
Alexey Torrente, FB/DL, 5'9, 185 – 3.0 GPA. 1000 SAT. 17 ACT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19512771/Alexey-Torrente
AWAITING SPRING VIDEO
Marco Gonzalez, OL/DL, 6'0, 230 – 2.74 GPA. 920 SAT. 15 ACT
Alejandro Martinez, K/P, 5'9, 175 - 2.51 GPA. 840 SAT. 12 ACT
Chris Pastrana, DB, 5'10, 160 - 3.34 GPA. 1220 SAT. 22 ACT
Jordan Roca, OL/DL, 6'0, 230 - 3.74 GPA. 19 ACT
Anthony Rodriguez, OL, 6'4, 275 - 2.53 GPA. 14 ACT
CLASS OF 2028
Elias Gutierrez, WR, 5'9, 160 - 2.76 780 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22783146/Elias-Gutierrez
Charlie Harper, OL/DL, 5'9, 230 - 3.19 GPA. 1190 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/24742716/Charlie-Harper
Cameron Henfield, WR, 6'2, 170 - 3.17 GPA. 960 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652558/Cameron-Henfield
Khamani Johnson, CB, 5'10, 150 - 2.52 GPA. 790 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22763503/Khamani-Johnson
Troy Otzoy, OL/DL, 6'0, 265 - 3.19 GPA. 790 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23180070/Troy-Otzoy
Zaid Tovio-Garcia, DE, 6'1, 195 - 3.43 GPA. 890 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26477948/Zaid-Tovio-Garcia
AWAITING SPRING VIDEO
Jayden Jean-Pierre, WR/DB, 5'9, 160 - 2.57 GPA. 940 PSAT
Daniel Noriega, DL, 5'9, 200 - 2.76 GPA. 870 PSAT
Jacob Ordonez, OL/DL, 5'9, 190 - 2.5 GPA. 820 PSAT
CLASS OF 2029
Patrick Couto, K/P, 5'8, 150 – 3.0 GPA. 870 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652599/Patrick-Couto
Jakeem Ferguson, WR, 6'2, 195 - 2.5 GPA. 660 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26663948/Jakeem-Ferguson
Marco Gutierrez, QB, 5'9, 160 - 2.57 GPA. 800 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26590491/Marcos-Gutierrez
Kelby Jones, DB/RB, 5'9, 155 - 2.5 GPA. 750 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652584/Kelby-Jones
Joseph Rodriguez, LB, 5'9, 165 - 3.71 GPA. 950 PSAT.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652593/Joseph-Rodriguez
AWAITING SPRING VIDEO
Caleb Arrazcaeta, TE, 5'10, 190 - 2.71 GPA. 650 PSAT
Anthony Artilles, OL/DL, 5'9, 230 - 2.71 GPA. 940 PSAT
Chris Baetz, OL/DL, 6'0, 210 - 2.5 GPA. 770 PSAT
Sebastian Cruz, WR, 5'8, 155 – 750 PSAT
Noah Diaz, WR, 5'9, 160 - 2.71 GPA. 840 PSAT
Andres “Andy” Garganta, WR/DB, 5'8, 150 - 2.86 GPA. 840 PSAT
Conner Mestepey, DB, 5'10, 165 - 2.71 GPA. 830 PSAT
Alejandro Santana, LB, 5'10, 170 - 2.71 GPA. 990 PSAT
Adam Torres, WR, 5'9, 160 - 2.5 GPA. 1000 PSAT
2025 Miami St. Brendan Sabres
Miami Beach, W 28-17
Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, L 56-0
Hialeah Gardens, W 35-0
Miami Dr. Krop, W 22-21
Miami Jackson, W 35-6
Key West, L 36-14
Fort Lauderdale NSU University School, L 42-6
Miami Immaculata LaSalle, L 40-0
Miami Northwestern, L 49-0
Miami Gulliver Prep, L 42-0
STATE PLAYOFFS
Miami Central, L 70-0
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 56 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..