By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
COCONUT CREEK – The Monarch football team used a punishing run game in their Class 6A regional quarterfinal against Homestead on Friday and was rewarded with a 28-21 victory at Coconut Creek High.
Florentino Lopez, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior quarterback had a big night with 149 yards on 21 carries and a pair of touchdowns but is was sophomore quarterback Jack Spaeder who came up big late in the fourth quarter.
Spaeder, who came into the game late with his team trailing 21-20 after Lopez suffered a left shoulder injury helped the Knights to the go-ahead touchdown. He completed a pair of passes to Antwaun Parham for first downs.
Spaeder scored the winning touchdown on a six-yard run over left tackle with 1:22 left to play. Samari Reed, who also scored on a 23-yard run early in the fourth quarter, added a two-point conversion to give Monarch a seven-point lead.
Monarch (7-3) advances to a regional semifinal game on Nov. 22 against Southridge. Homestead (4-5), who lost to St. Thomas Aquinas each of the last two years for the Class 3M state title, lost for the first time this season when scoring more than 14 points.
“Our quarterbacks being able to run gives us an advantage because of the great wide receivers that we gave,” said Monarch coach Calvin Davis. “We’re trying to catch our stride.
I made some coaching mistakes that led to turnovers and that was on me. We won’t do that again.”
Monarch’s running attack ended the night with 295 yards on 38 carries and all four touchdowns scored.
Trailing 20-14 midway through the fourth quarter, the Broncos took advantage of two interceptions by senior defensive back Cordae Gamble that led to touchdowns.
The first gave Homestead a 7-6 lead late in the first half on a Malachi Lewis two-yard scoring run. The other gave the Broncos a 21-20 lead with 3:39 left in regulation on a 21-yard scoring pass from Lewis to Cortez Mills.
Lewis also threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Cascudo that cut the Knights lead to 20-14 with 9:13 left in regulation.
“It was a tough loss, but that’s playoff football.” said Homestead coach Ronnie Thornton. “We didn’t get enough stops to win the game. They wanted it more than us and that was the outcome of the game.”
Spaeder, who led the Knights passing game with 1,726 yards and 14 touchdowns entering Friday’s game, used his legs for winning score.
“I knew I had to step up when Tino went down,” said Spaeder. “I had to go in there and win the game for us. We went down and scored, and it was a great game.”
REGIONAL QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
Class 7A:
Western 28, Miami Palmetto 10.
Class 6A:
Miami Southridge 37, South Broward 6
Monarch 28, Homestead 21
West Broward 34, Flanagan 7
Piper 33, Doral Academy 14
Class 5A:
Miramar 32, Palm Bay Heritage 10
Blanch Ely 34, Coconut Creek 27
St. Thomas Aquinas 58, North Miami 0
Class 4A:
Dillard 43, John Carroll 20
Archbishop McCarthy 7, Plantation 0
Class 2A:
Cardinal Gibbons 17, Carol City 14
Class 1A:
Chaminade-Madonna 63, St. John Paul II 0
FRIDAY’S REGIONAL SEMIFINALS
(Games Friday at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)
CLASS 7A: Western (5-6) at Boca Raton (10-1)
CLASS 6A: Monarch (7-3) at Miami Southridge (10-2); West Broward (8-3) at Piper (10-1).
CLASS 5A: Miramar (7-4) at Atlantic (10-1); Blanche Ely (8-3) at St. Thomas Aquinas (8-3).
CLASS 4A: Dillard (9-2) at American Heritage (9-2).
CLASS 2A: Cardinal Gibbons (7-4) at Booker T. Washington (8-2).
CLASS 1A: St. Andrew’s (6-5) at Chaminade-Madonna (9-2).
Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
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By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
PLANTATION – Plantation junior receiver Naijah Arnasalam sat at the Archbishop McCarthy two-yard line with a clear look of dejection as time expired in the Class 4A Regional Quarterfinal football game at PAL Field on Thursday.
The Colonels, poised to potentially send the game into overtime, had one final play on third-down at the McCarthy nine. Junior quarterback Jayden Chico found Arnasalam open over the middle fighting to reach the goal line for the tying touchdown.
No such luck as disappointment began to settle in from the 7-0 loss to the Mavericks.
“We needed a big play,” said Plantation coach Darrell Strong. “But in the end, we also needed a touchdown. It’s something we haven’t done all year.”
Chico completed passes of 43 and 32 yards that put his team in scoring position to tie the game. On his final attempt, time ran out.
“I’m not going to put that on him, it was all me,” said Chico. “I took a sack before, so I put that on me. I put that loss on me. I was frustrated during the game, and we had to keep fighting and find a way. That just didn’t happen.”
Archbishop McCarthy (7-4) lost to Plantation 19-3 earlier in the season as part of three-game losing streak that included losses to Miami Norland and American Heritage.
Early on it looked as if the Colonels (6-5) would have the ingredients to pull off a win against McCarthy.
They stopped the Mavericks on their opening drive after a fumble recovery by Taurus Damon Jr. The Plantation run game got the ball moving down field as running back Andre Barrington repeatedly got big chunks of yardage.
The Colonels’ drive was cut short by a Chico interception and McCarthy answered with a six-play scoring drive for the game’s only touchdown, Quarterback Kendall Brown connected for a 43-yard touchdown pass as the opening quarter expired for a 7-0 lead.
Barrington, who finished with 75 rushing yards, saw only a few touches in the second half and that proved costly.
After the McCarthy touchdown, Plantation drove to the Mavericks 17, settling a for a 35-yard field goal attempt that missed wide right
Damon Jr. had another fumble recovery and an interception, but his team failed to capitalize on each opportunity.
“At this point you would have through we could have cashed in on one of those turnovers. Tonight, we were just unlucky. I told my kids it’s tough to beat a team twice in the same year.”
Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
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Whether you advance to the post-season or just play from late August until early November, the exposure you receive is always valuable.
While many recruiting websites concentrate on the “star-rated” football players, we make sure that we attend every event and provide the spotlight for every player who competes in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
Every week, while we continue to bring you the race for a state title, you will also see us bring you talent along with their video and other information.
Here are some more talented young men to keep an eye on:
CLASS OF 2025
Jesse Hinojosa, DT, 6-0, 270, Miami Palmetto – 2.8 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16522046/673024919e15beea10b4bd20
Isaiah Rock, DB/WR, 5-11, 170, Miami Norland. Track & Field.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16694103/Isaiah-Rock
John Wooden, SS, 5-9, 170, Coral Springs Coral Glades – 3.5 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22379477/John-Wooden
CLASS OF 2026
Kendall Brown, WR, 6-2, 180, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19402855/Kendall-Brown
Robert Donald, WR/DE, 6-2. 185, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19383115/6732490b4907b00f822358ba
Daniel Fernandez, OLB/DE, 6-2, 205, Miami Westminster Academy.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18138208/672e7d340f500401a95c7fe3
Bryan Labardy, DB, 5-11, 160, North Miami.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19740329/Bryan-Labardy
Christopher McDonald, WR, 6-1, 190, Coral Springs Coral Glades.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19387855/6705670f075ebd41cca8933f
Jamari Ritter, Athlete, 5-9, 175, Hialeah ABF Academy.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19406870/Jamari-Ritter
Kendall Smith, LB, 5-10, 180, Plantation – 3.2 GPA. Track & Field.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23842699/672d5b324147fd1b55553263
Nicolas Varela, OL/DL, 6-1, 245, Miami St. Brendan.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22775405/Nicolas-Varela
CLASS OF 2027
Logan Clason, OL, 6-5, 310, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy – 3.2 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20311728/Logan-Clason
Abraham Gray, OL, 6-2, 278, Coral Springs Coral Glades.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22491877/Abraham-Gray
Julian Madero, LB, 5-11, 180, Coral Springs Coral Glades.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19682048/672032a05c4caf2e6f44a9c2
T’ari Miller, DB, 6-4, 175, Homestead.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22397046/6728338af44e3ae67e54034c
Remy Morgan, DB, 5-11, 160, Hialeah ABF Academy.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22766541/66fd3733de337b60b151c44c
Jayden O’Connell, OL, 5-10, 225, Coral Springs Coral Glades - 3.0 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22875712/670d2935e91e1f998e131a64
Aiden Prywitowski, QB, 5-11, 165, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest – 4.0 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22873748/Aiden-Prywitowski
CLASS OF 2028
Jimmy Rodriguez, DL, 6-1, 225, Miami True North Classical Academy.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22074223/67219c59e94ad52ac6c5496b
Quzion Warner, DL, 6-0, 250, Hollywood South Broward.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23099464/quzion-Warner
Arshton Vixamar, DL, 6-3, 250, Coral Springs Coral Glades – 2.7 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23251506/672e38860c37e89ce4df81ce
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 54 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 much of the attention for tonight’s Sunshine State Athletic Association state title game between defending champion Oviedo The Master’s Academy and Fort Lauderdale’s NSU University School, which focuses on the game, itself, maybe it would be wise to see what motivated the 9-2 Sharks this season.
When head coach Mike Norman and his team dropped a 41-20 decision to Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy on Nov. 2, 2023, it brough to an end a successful season, and dashed dreams of an unbeaten year and a state title.
Perhaps the one thing that took a long time to get over was the fact that the Sharks had beaten that same Westminster team by 35 points a month earlier.
University School has been impressive this season with offensive prospects Carlos Avila-Lopez, Devin Mila, Kobe Conway, Jacques Dixson Jr., Collin Francis and Jayden Miller leading the way on offense.
Defensively, Joey Novelli, Shawn Garcon, Justice Martin, Darwin Brooks, Charvis Hood, Jaidyne Dixson, and Kai Starks making an impact on defense.
With that being said, the state championship game this evening (7:00) at The Villages is a chance to accomplish something they fell short of a year ago against a quality team that is led by freshman quarterback Jackson Stecher, who has thrown for 34 touchdowns.
The Eagles are also led by Oshea Faison, Davon Washington, and Oakley Foster on offense - and Christopher Barnes, Sawyer Smith, Joseph Tesorio, Jadon McLennan, Foster and Philip Faragalla on defense.
FORT LAUDERDALE NSU UNIVERSITY SCHOOL
Jupiter Christian, W 14-7
Coral Springs Charter, W 51-7
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian, L 42-34
Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy, W 21-7
Boca Raton St. Andrew’s, W 16-14
Orlando Lake Highland Prep, W 46-10
Miami Ransom Everglades, W 17-16 (OT)
Hialeah ABF Academy, W 52-6
Miami Gulliver Prep, L 34-17
Vero Beach St. Edward’s, W 42-6
Cape Coral Oasis, W 21-10
OVIEDO THE MASTER’S ACADEMY
Winter Garden Foundation Academy, W 42-17
Bradenton Saint Stephen’s Episcopal, W 62-14
Middle Tennessee Christian, W 42-0
Gainesville Oak Hall, W 57-20
Winter Park Lake Howell, W 35-17
Jacksonville Providence, L 51-34
Cocoa Beach, W 49-0
Mount Dora Christian Academy, W 42-14
Jacksonville Duval Charter, W 48-6
Orlando Lake Highland Prep, W 55-14
Jacksonville Christ’s Church Academy, W 40-29
LOCAL FHSAA RESULTS
1A
QUARTERFINAL
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 63, Boca Raton Saint John Paul II 0
Boca Raton St. Andrew’s Academy 31, Miami Archbishop Carroll 20
QUARTERFINAL
Miami Edison 42, Deerfield Beach Somerset Academy Key 0
Miami True North Classical Academy 42, Miami Palmer Trinity 0
2A
QUARTERFINAL
Miami Booker T. Washington 31, North Miami Beach 13
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 17, Miami Carol City 14
QUARTERFINAL
Miami Immaculata LaSalle 27, Miami Gulliver Prep 21
Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace 40, Miami Ransom Everglades 10
3A
QUARTERFINAL
Miami Northwestern 69, Naples Barron Collier 0
Naples Lely 44, Miami Jackson 39
QUARTERFINAL
Key West 42, Estero 7
Fort Myers Cypress Lake 27, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 7
4A
QUARTERFINAL
Plantation American Heritage 40, Jensen Beach 7
Fort Lauderdale Dillard 43, Fort Pierce John Carroll 14
QUARTERFINAL
Miami Norland 39, Hialeah 7
Southwest Ranches Archbishop Carroll 7, Plantation 0
5A
QUARTERFINAL
Delray Atlantic 49, Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy 13
Miramar 32, Palm Bay Heritage 10
QUARTERFINAL
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 58, North Miami 0
Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 34, Coconut Creek 27
6A
REGION 4
QUARTERFINAL
Miami Southridge 37, Hollywood South Broward 6
Coconut Creek Monarch 28, Homestead 21
QUARTERFINAL
Sunrise Piper 33, Doral Academy 14
Pembroke Pines West Broward 34, Pembroke Pines Flanagan 7
7A
REGION 4
QUARTERFINAL
Miami Christopher Columbus 56, Boca Raton Spanish River 8
Homestead South Dade 48, Lantana Santaluces 13
QUARTERFINAL
Boca Raton 27, Miami Lakes Goleman 21 (OT)
Davie Western 26, Miami Palmetto 10
GMAC INDEPENDENT CHAMPIONSHIP
Miami Coral Reef 14, Miami Ferguson 7
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 54 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..
Nobody has to tell Miami Palmetto head football coach Mike Manasco about his first-round opponent, Davie Western.
He already knows that the Wildcats are far from being a No. 7 seed in the 4-7A region.
If you follow high school football, you already know that while head coach Adam Ratkevich and his team come into tonight’s (7:30) game at Tropical Park with a 4-6 record, the reality is this team comes in on a five game “on the field” winning streak.
Because of using ineligible players, the Wildcats were not only forced to lose two wins, but also a district title, which probably would have had them at the top of the region. They come in as a No. 7 seed.
But if you think the 6-4 Panthers are taking this team for granted, you certainly do not know Manasco and his football team.
Like the Wildcats, Palmetto, a No. 2 seed, has also faced a challenging schedule and has the talent to lineup against anyone.
With many games going on across the state of Florida in Week 1 of the state playoffs, this was certainly a game that you would have never picked as a first-round matchup.
DAVIE WESTERN WILDCATS
Hoover, Alabama, L 17-14
Plantation American Heritage, L 51-12
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, L 23-15
Coral Springs Taravella, W 8-0 (Game Called)
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, L 26-9
West Boca Raton, Forfeit Loss
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman, Forfeit Loss
Weston Cypress Bay, W 46-0
Deerfield Beach, W 36-0
Pembroke Pines West Broward, W 35-10
MIAMI PALMETTO
Homestead, W 14-10
Miami Southridge, L 21-7
Miami Christopher Columbus, L 17-14
Miami Killian, W 28-0
Coral Gables, W 35-0
Homestead South Dade, W 34-6
Miami Edison, W 41-24
Miami High, W 42-8
Fort Myers Bishop Verot, L 19-14
Miami Booker T. Washington, L 21-16
In addition to Western and Miami Palmetto, here is a look at other Miami-Dade & Broward first round state playoff games:
1A
REGION 4
No. 8 Boca Raton St. John Paul II (4-5) at No. 1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (8-2)
No. 5 Miami Archbishop Carroll (6-4) at No. 4 Boca Raton St. Andrew’s Academy (5-5)
No. 2 Miami True North Classical Academy (7-3) at No. 7 Miami Palmer Trinity (5-3)
2A
REGION 4
No. 5 Miami Carol City (7-3) at No. 4 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (6-4)
No. 6 Miami Ransom Everglades (6-3) at No. 3 Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (7-2)
No. 2 Miami Immaculata LaSalle (9-1) at No. 7 Miami Gulliver Prep (4-6)
3A
REGION 4
No. 8 Naples Barron Collier (5-5) at No. 1 Miami Northwestern (7-2)
No. 5 Miami Jackson (4-6) at No. 4 Naples Lely (6-4)
No. 6 Fort Myers Cypress Lake (5-5) at No. 3 Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy (7-3)
No. 7 Estero (6-4) at No. 2 Key West (7-3)
4A
REGION 4
No. 8 Jensen Beach (7-3) at No. 1 Plantation American Heritage (7-2)
No. 5 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (8-2) at No. 4 Fort Pierce John Carroll (10-0)
No. 2 Miami Norland (7-2) at No. 7 Hialeah (8-2)
5A
REGION 4
No. 8 Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy (6-4) at No. 1 Delray Atlantic (9-1)
No. 5 Palm Bay Heritage (5-5) at No. 4 Miramar (6-4)
No. 6 Coconut Creek (4-5) at No. 3 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (7-3)
No. 7 North Miami (6-4) at No. 2 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (7-3)
6A
REGION 4
No. 8 Hollywood South Broward (4-6) at No. 1 Miami Southridge (8-2)
No. 5 Homestead (4-4) at No. 4 Coconut Creek Monarch (6-3)
No. 7 Doral Academy (5-4) at No. 2 Sunrise Piper (9-1)
No. 6 Pembroke Pines Flanagan (7-3) at No. 3 Pembroke Pines West Broward (7-3)
7A
REGION 4
No. 5 Homestead South Dade (5-5) at No. 4 Lantana Santaluces (8-2)
No. 6 Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (6-4) at No. 3 Boca Raton (9-1)
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
7A
Miami Christopher Columbus 56, Boca Raton Spanish River 8
4A
Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 7, Plantation 0
2A
Miami Booker T. Washington 31, North Miami Beach 13
1A
Miami Edison 42, Deerfield Beach Somerset Academy Key 0
GMAC INDEPENDENT CHAMPIONSHIP
Miami Coral Reef 14, Miami Ferguson 7
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 54 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..