Before the start of the 2025 high school football state playoffs began, Coconut Creek head coach Chris Yeargin and his assistants looked at 8-2 regular season the Cougars had put together.

Only a five-point loss to Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons and a three-point setback in the district title game to Delray Beach Atlantic separated this program from an unbeaten season.

As they traveled to play Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy in the first round, this team knew that if they continued to do what they had done all season, they would come away with a Round 1 victory. They were right!

That opening-round 49-20 win showed what this team was all about, and even though they would have to once again travel for a second-round contest against six-time defending state champion and national power Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, this was a confident team that did everything they could to reach the level where they were still alive in Week 2.

While they would lose to the Raiders, who would go on to win their seventh straight state title and finish among the top 10 teams nationally, the Cougars left 2025 with a feeling that this program had arrived.

PLENTY OF CONFIDENCE FOR 2026

As college coaches are out and checking out football talent throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties this January, one of their stops needs to be at Coconut Creek.

What this program returns are some impressive talent that will give them an opportunity to make a major impact when the season begins in August.

The success of this program will certainly start with the rising senior class (2027). This is a group that will have the experience and leadership that will be needed – and as college coaches who come by during the recruiting period will see – there are some prospects to keep an eye on.

Among those in the 2027 class to keep a close eye on includes Everette Butler (WR), Isaiah Calixte (WR/CB), Javarous Carson (OL – 4.0 GPA), Christopher Elliott (OL), Jaden Francois (WR) and defensive back La’Quadri McCray (DB).

In addition, other 2027 players to watch this off-season will be Braylon Alexis (CB), Franck Alphonse (DE – 3.0 GPA), Myrion Barker (OL), Zachary Byrd (LB), Jonathan Hernandez (P/K), Keshawn Huggins (LB), Marvens Jeanise (OL), Jason Jones (CB), Howayne Rose (CB), Nolex St. Victor (LB) and defensive back Kamryn Williams.

HOW IS THAT FUTURE LOOKING?

As the 2027 class will be a place that this team will look to, you can guarantee that the underclassmen will have plenty tp say about the upcoming season.

Class of 2028 (rising juniors) will be impressive – with Tatetreon Isom (CB/WR), Malik Lane (DE), Jaylyn Mehu (LB), Kitray Ross Mullen (DB), Josiah Sanchious (QB) and talented running back Kody Thompson (RB).

Also, the 2028 class has Zavious Brown Jr. (OL), Elijah Burns (RB), David Florent Jr. (WR), Demario Johnson (DL), Kamari Lamar (DB), Isaiah Lopez (QB), Sergio Lowe (WR), Xavier Marshall (WR – 3.5 GPA), Neo Paul (DE), Josiah Pierre-Louis (DT – 3.6 GPA), Jadarian Rush (DT), Justin Williams (DB) and versatile (LB/RB) Randy Witchard Jr.

This program will also rely on the rising sophomores (2029) such as Eian Givens (QB), Qurban Henley (QB), Amari Johnson (Athlete), Evans Joseph (DE), De’Joshua Newkirk (DT/OG – 3.79 GPA) and receiver Dorrian Simmons.

2025 COCONUT CREEK COUGARS

Miramar, W 22-12

Sunrise Piper, W 33-6

Davie Western, W 28-16

Deerfield Beach, W 34-7

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, L 11-6

Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, W 66-0

Hollywood South Broward, W 45-6

Delray Beach Atlantic, L 33-30

Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, W 46-6

Parkland Douglas, W 34-6

Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy, W 49-20

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, L 45-13

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..

MIAMI GARDENS – Eighteen weeks after the University of Miami began the 2025 college football season with a win against Notre Dame, the Hurricanes’ season came to an end in the same stadium with the same national audience giving the game its full attention.

Dropping a 27-21 decision to Indiana, which became the first team to finish the season with a perfect 16-0 record, the Hurricanes and their players showed that while many want to close the door on your season, you will always have the opportunity to kick it in and create your own dynasty.

For the first time in over two decades, the “U” was back in the national championship game after a regular season that saw them finish 10-2 – almost being left out of the College Football Playoff mix. But those who know and watch this great game, understood that this program had some key wins that needed to include them in the top 12 programs after the season had ended.

In a four-game stretch, Miami and head coach Mario Cristobal more than paid that decision to let this team in that selected group back in a major way.

As the No. 10 seed, they opened up on the road at College Station when they beat Texas A&M before over 104,000 hostile fans, 10-3.

As many doubted this program would ever come out of the first game with a win, the attention was quickly turned to the defending national champion Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. When the ‘Canes came out of that game with a convincing win, it was on to the next step – a meeting with another “team of destiny” – Ole Miss. The exciting national semifinal in the Fiesta Bowl once again showcased this football team as they came out with a victory, setting up that national championship at “home” in Hard Rock Stadium against a program that had absolutely no football history in the Hoosiers, who like Miami and hundreds of other college programs, used the transfer portal to build their roster.

This was indeed a chance for college football “bluebloods” to sit on the sideline on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and see two teams that have NOT been in the college football championship mix play before a sellout crowd that included President Donald Trump, his family and several other national figures.

The game brought out the heavyweights who attended these two schools and gave two fanbases to showcase what is not the “new world of college football” – where money is now king, and rosters are built in a year – or two.

As someone who has followed college football for six decades  – and has had the pleasure of being at national championship games and seeing the direction that “amateur” athletics has move toward – it was simply accepting the times we are living in.

This game, which was won on an interception with under a minute left – shined the spotlight on so many storylines, and in the end, one of the best stories in college football unfolded when Miami Christopher Columbus graduate, Fernando Mendoza, capped off his collegiate career with a Heisman Trophy and a national title.

This game was also for the state of Florida, which had produced so many gifted players who made a huge impact in the outcome of the game, and of course the season, which left Miami (13-3) short of winning a sixth national title, but gave Coach Cristobal and his team a firm place as one of the best program in college football once again.

Certainly, both teams will get the players to compete once again – with several other schools that fell short this season.

While there are no guarantees of playing for a national title – at least these two programs – different in every way – proved that anything can happen, and for the Hoosiers and their many, many fans, the 2025 season belonged to them – with Miami not far behind!

NEITHER TEAM GAVE UP – FOR ALL FOUR QUARTERS

The Hoosiers got on the board first with 2:42 left in the opening quarter on a 34-yard field goal by Nico Radicic for a 3-0 lead.

The Hoosiers extended the lead to 10-0 at the 6:13 mark of the second quarter when tight end Riley Nowakowski took it in from the one.

The Hurricanes ended the first half with just 69 yards at the half and just three first downs. By far the lowest of the season, but at the half, things started to turn around.

The Hurricanes got on the board with 11:06 left in the third quarter when Mark Fletcher took it 57 yards for a score.

Indiana extended their lead to 17-7 with 5:04 left in the third quarter when Mikail Kimara blocked a Dylan Joyce punt and Isaiah Jones recovered for a score.

As the fourth quarter began, Fletcher scored his second touchdown of the game on a three-yard run at the 14:57 mark to cut the lead to 17-14.

The Hoosiers went back up by 10 when Mendoza kept the ball on fourth down and scored from 12 yards out and a 24-14 lead at the 9:18 mark of the fourth quarter.

The Hurricanes wouldn’t go away when Carson Beck hit freshman Malachi Toney from 22 yards out with 6:37 left in the fourth quarter, making it 24-21.

The Hoosiers extended the lead to 27-21 with 1:42 left when Radicic connected from 35 yards out.

With Miami driving to take the lead in the final minute, Beck’s pass was intercepted by south Floridian Jamari Sharpe and the dream of winning it all – at home – came to an end.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Mendoza finished 16 of 27 for 186 yards and he scored a key touchdown.

Beck was 19 of 32 for 232 with a touchdown.

Fletcher led all runners with 112 yards and two scores. He had a monster four-game playoff.

Kaelon Black (17-81) and Roman Hemby (19-69) led the way on the ground for the Hoosiers.

The best freshman in the nation, Toney, capped off a once-in-a-lifetime first season with 10 catches for 122 yards and one score.

Omari Cooper (5-71) and Charlie Becker (4-65) were the top pass-catchers for the Hoosiers.

On defense, Mohamed Toure, who was the Hurricanes leading tackler all season after coming in from Rutgers, had 11 tackles, Wesley Bissainthe and Rueben Bain each had eight tackles in their final college game.

Bain and Ahkeem Mesidor combined for three sacks.

Louis Moore (seven tackles), and south Floridians Sharpe and D’Angelo Ponds (11 total tackles).

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATON 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..

When the college football national championship game kicks off this evening at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, the world will be watching a number of interesting stories unfold.

While unbeaten and No. 1 Indiana will be the home team in a stadium that the 13-2 Miami Hurricanes have played all their games this season, the contest will shine a spotlight on the entire state of Florida.

We all know that when it comes to producing high school football teams and talent, the Sunshine State takes a backseat to nobody, and that’s why when these two teams get together, it will be all about the prospects who started their careers on youth and high school football fields around the state.

This evening’s contest is so important on many levels – for both teams – it brings Hurricane fans back 42 years when they played in what would be their first national title game when they were huge underdogs on their then home field – the fabled Orange Bowl against Nebraska.

While many are hoping for the same exciting outcome of that game, they will be able to see plenty of homegrown talent.

Between the two schools, there are 55 players who began their careers in Florida – and will appear in the biggest game on the largest stage.

HOO HOO HOOSIERS LOVE THE SUNSHINE

As we all know by now, Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza our of Miami Christopher Columbus is indeed the biggest name on the Indiana roster that began his career in Florida. But the stellar quarterback is NOT alone.

There is also Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna junior defensive back product D’Angelo Ponds, who began his career at James Madison before becoming a Hoosier, following Coach Curt Cignetti to Bloomington.

In addition to Mendoza and Ponds, here are some other Floridians who will be getting the opportunity to come home this evening for the 7:40 kickoff:

Among those are Sean Cuono (RB, Fr., Clearwater Central Catholic), Amare Ferrell (Jr., DB, Lake City Columbia), Rolijah Hardy (LB, So., Lakeland), Myles Kendrick (WR, Fr., Jacksonville Riverside), Alberto Mendoza (QB, Fr., Miami Christopher Columbus) and former Miami Northwestern junior defensive back Jamari Sharpe.

WE’VE GOT PLENTY OF ‘CANES OVER HERE

Back in the day, while the University of Miami used a number of players from the state of Florida to fill their roster, it’s nothing like it is today – with numerous players who honed their skills on football fields from way underpaid coaches in Florida are joining head coach Mario Cristobal (Miami Christopher Columbus) and the Hurricanes.

While we know the marquee offensive talent such as junior running back Mark Fletcher (Plantation American Heritage) and freshman All-American receiver Malachi Toney (Plantation American Heritage) – there are others.

Defensively, Miami Central defensive line prospect Rueben Bain is one of the country’s best. But there are also players like Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons’ senior product Ahmad Moten and senior linebacker Wesley Bissainthe (Miami Central), who have made a huge impact this season.

Among the prospects who fill out this impressive roster during an amazing season include freshmen Max Buchanan (OL, Sanford Seminole), Demetrius Campbell (OL, Orlando Christian Prep), Chris Ewald (DB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Bryce Fitzgerald (DB, Miami Christopher Columbus), Ryan Mack (DB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Ezekiel Marcelin Jr. (LB, Miami Central), Joshua Moore (WR, Pembroke Pines West Broward), Mykah Newton (DL, Newberry), Girard Pringle Jr. (RB, Seffner Armwood), Amari Wallace (DB, Miami Central), Kellen Wiley Jr. (LB, Seffner Armwood), Jaden Wilkerson (OL, Orlando Edgewater) and Andres Williams (DB, Miami Palmer Trinity).

There are quality sophomores such as Yerovi Valdes-Alfonso (OL, Cape Coral Mariner), Armondo Blount Jr. (DL, Miami Central), Damari Brown (DB, Plantation American Heritage), Adarius Hayes (LB, Largo), Chris Wheatley-Humphrey (RB, Hollywood South Broward), Artavius Jones (DL, Blountstown), Xavier Lucas (DB, Plantation American Heritage), Jordan Lyle (RB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Booker Pickett Jr. (DL, Tampa Wharton), Deryc Plazz (OL, Jacksonville Mandarin), Zechariah Poyser (DB, Wildwood), Dylan Reiman (TE, Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer), Daylen Russell (DL, Miami Christopher Columbus), Joshisa Trader (WR, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna) and Jack Whitehouse (RB, Miami Gulliver Prep).

The junior class is also stacked with talent like Malik Bryant (LB, Orlando Jones), Tommy Kinsler IV (OL, Ocala Trinity Catholic), Matthew McCoy (OL, St. Johns Creekside), Bobby Washington Jr. (LB, Miami Killian), Emory Williams (QB, Milton) and Orlando Evans defensive back Markeith Williams.

How about the seniors who were part of the success this season. Players such as Carson Beck (QB, Jacksonville Mandarin), Charles Brantley (DB, Venice), Carter Davis (PK, Davie Western), Tony Johnson (WR, Ocala Vanguard), Ryan Rodriguez (OL, Miami Christopher Columbus), Chase Smith (LB, Palm Bay Heritage) and Terrell Walden II (RB, Winter Garden West Orange).

There is also graduate student Briton Allen (DB, Bradenton IMG Academy).

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATON 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..

It is one of the busiest weekend’s of the 2026 football “off-season”, and several Miami-Dade and Broward County prospects are getting ahead of the recruiting game.

While the National College Football Championship will be played on Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium and Battle Miami 7-on-7 will feature local and national teams and players, Prep Redzone Florida will host the first of two Stock Up Showcases.

On Sunday afternoon (12-3), Winter Park’s (Orlando area) Showalter Field will play host to nearly 100 prospects who are looking to get on the radar.

Prep Redzone Florida, by far the leading promoter of high school football talent in the Sunshine State, year-round will welcome players from across the state as well as south Florida.

Several talented players will make their way up compete and put themselves on the radar.

Among those expected to compete includes Class of 2027 talent Mason Hall, QB, 6’1, 190, Coconut Creek Monarch, Amarion Ray, DB, 5’9, 170, Fort Lauderdale Dillard and Tyler Smith, DB, 5’11, 160, Davie Nova

Among the Class of 2028 student/athletes headed to central Florida will be Tyreek Harris, WR, 5’6, 135, Pembroke Pines West Broward, Daniel Morgan, DB, 5’9, 160, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely and Colton Smith, WR, 6’0, 175, Miami Ransom Everglades

Class of 2029 football talent will also compete – with Cassius Enriquez, QB, 6’0, 190, Hallandale, Landon Hall, LB, 5’6, 154, Coconut Creek Monarch and Maksim Steuber, QB, 6’0, 190, Sunrise Piper

WHO ELSE IS EXPECTED TO BE ON HAND

In addition to the Miami-Dade and Broward prospects, there are several other talented young men who have already signed up for the event, and several coaches have hinted that they will be signing up the day of the event, which will enhance the talent that will be on hand.

CLASS OF 2026

Jonathan Michael, OL, 6’0, 285, Lakeland Lake Region

Dorvensky Reichley, RB, 5’8, 175, Moncks Corner St. John’s Christian Academy, South Carolina

Matthew Swagger, DL, 6’1, 246, Port Orange Spruce Creek

CLASS OF 2027

Jayden Ammons, RB, 5’7, 175, Winter Garden West Orange

Dion Brown, OL, 6’1, 300, Harmony

Andrew Carter, OL, 6’3, 270, Groveland South Lake

Landon Coning, OL, 6’3, 265, Groveland South Lake

Ashton Cox, WR, 6’3, 190, Bay Minette Baldwin County, Alabama

Bryce Daniels, OL, 6’3, 325, Starke Bradford County

Ralph Evans, DB, 6’2, 165, Lakeland George Jenkins

Danilo Faria, DB, 6’1, 175, Land O’Lakes

Thomas Feliciano, RB, 5’6, 150, Dover Strawberry Crest

Christian Garrett, QB, 6’2, 205, Brooksville Nature Coast Tech

Rashaun Coote-Gilbert, RB, 5’8, 165, Ocoee

Jok Harris, WR, 6’2, 180, Palmetto

Omar Hill, WR, 6’1, 180, The Villages Academy

Tre Kelly, QB, 5’11, 195, Groveland South Lake

Frankie Lastinger, DL, 6’0, 250, Fort Meade

Garrison Lubin, DB, 5’10, 155, Lake Minneola

Darrick Marshall, DB, 6’0, 170, Middleburg

Rome McKinnond, DB, 5’8, 165, Groveland South Lake

Davy Murphy, WR, 5’11, 175, Windermere

Vance Murray, TE, 6’3, 210, New Smyrna Beach

Bryce Norflee, WR, 5’10, 150, Umatilla

Darrian Perez, OL, 5’11, 225, Groveland South Lake

Cesar Ramirez, QB, 6’3, 210, Orlando University

Dylan Richardson, TE, 6’5, 220, Tampa Catholic

Nicholas Robinson, WR, 6’4, 175, Apopka

Jayden Scott, RB, 5’6, 153, Brandon

Mikal Shank Jr., QB, 6’4, 194, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Cole Sharpless, DL, 6’1, 240, Dover Strawberry Crest

Orion Sillito, DL, 5’11, 240, St. Petersburg Northeast

Keith Smith, RB, 5’6, 170, Bradenton Manatee

Mason Summer, QB, 6’2, 200, Bradenton Manatee

Kadyn Thomas, WR, 5’9, 170, Cocoa Space Coast

Danny Torres, DL, 6’2, 255, Starke Bradford County

Jayson Vasquez, LB, 6’1, 195, Groveland South Lake

Edward Wiggins Jr., DL, 6’0, 210, Deltona

CLASS OF 2028

Blake Anderson, QB, 6’0, 170, Bradenton IMG Academy

Tyson Anderson, DB, 6’2, 175, Haines City

Andrew Boris, DL, 6’2, 205, Groveland South Lake

Perry Boyd Jr., WR, 6’1, 185, Jacksonville Raines

Ryan Browning, QB, 6’0, 183, Tampa Gaither

Dylan Olmo-Bush, TE, 6’1, 220, St. Cloud

Josh Bustos, LB, 6’0, 190, Lakeland Christian

Brady Cleveland, WR, 5’11, 165, Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy

Noah Kaylor, DB, 6’0, 170, Ocala Trinity Catholic

Sean Liston, OL, 6’3, 270, Palm Coast Matanzas

J.D. Lovelace, DB, 5’11, 175, Orlando The First Academy

James Macon IV, DB, 5’8, 160, Tallahassee Lincoln

Dracen Martin, DL, 6’3, 240, Hawthorne

Noah Patton, QB, 6’3, 198, Bradenton IMG Academy

Jariah Powe, DB, 6’3, 165, Groveland South Lake

Richard Roundtree Jr., QB, 5’10, 160, Hawthorne

Aizion Sandy, QB, 6’0, 155, Cocoa Space Coast

Javier Shavers, LB, 6’1, 168, Cocoa Space Coast

Cooper Shoultz, DL, 6’5, 210, Windermere

Dominick Sgambellone III, QB, 6’1, 190, Naples The First Baptist Academy

Evan Sorkness, DB, 5’11, 170, Oviedo

Jayden Spurlin, DL, 6’1, 240, Tampa Morgan

Tripp Sillito, OL, 6’2, 280, St. Petersburg Northeast

Cayman Varis, RB, 5’9, 160, Cocoa

CLASS OF 2029

Josiah Carter, QB, 6’0, 180, Zephyrhills Christian

Walker Cassidy, TE, 6’0, 162, Lakeland Christian

Nyshaun Drye, DB, 6’3, 180, Orlando Bishop Moore

Kai Goodling, QB, 5’10, 150, Winter Garden Foundation Academy

Kiptyn Dallas Holt, OL, 6’2, 280, Tampa Morgan

Kash Johnson, DL, 6’2, 200, Lakeland Victory Christian

Kaidyn Moore, OL, 6’2, 280, Bradenton IMG Academy

Colten Petrie, WR, 6’0, 165, Winter Park

Gavin Pritzkau, QB, 6’0, 165, Winter Garden Central Florida Christian Academy

Shore Rawson, QB, 5’10, 150, Lakeland Christian

Gianni Rodriguez, QB, 5’11, 180, Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley

Tanner Smith, DL, 6’0, 210, Cocoa Space Coast

Ryland Travis, DL, 5’11, 240, Cocoa Space Coast

Andy Westry, DL, 6’1, 230, Auburndale

CLASS OF 2030

Riley Collins, QB, 6’0, 190, Lakeland Christian

Walker Mottley, TE, 6’1, 185, Bradenton IMG Academy

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..