By Dave Brousseau

POMPANO BEACH – Perhaps the two best high school softball teams in Broward will have the opportunity to prove they’ll have bragging rights for a full calendar year this evening.

Coral Springs Charter (17-2) and Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (21-1) each advanced to the BCAA Big 8 softball championship game with a pair of victories at Pompano Beach Community Park on Tuesday.

The championship game is set at 6 p.m.

Over the past decade Coral Springs Charter has defeated Cardinal Gibbons 12 consecutive times by a lopsided score of 142-0.

Stellar pitching was key for both teams advancing to the finale.

Junior right-hander Courtney Wahlbrink tossed a pair of shutouts (12-0 and 1-0) to lead the Panthers to their eighth consecutive Big 8 championship final.

Wahlbrink had nine strikeouts in the win over Cooper City and 12 more against Western, in a game the Panthers lone run was unearned.

“I know my team has my back,” said Wahlbrink. “I pushed through the best I could. I worked on the zone because I was tired a little bit, so I work on my spin and that do the work for me.”

Each of the Panthers two losses during the season came by just one run, a 1-0 loss to Oxbridge Academy in eight innings to open the season and 6-5 in eight innings to Melbourne.

Senior Lydia Berent, who signed to play college softball at Stanford, went five innings allowing two hits and struck out 12 in the Chiefs 10-0 win over West Broward. She only tossed one inning in the 20-4 semifinal victory over Pembroke Pines Charter.

Junior infielder Morgan Beavers had three hits, two home runs and six RBI in the win over Pines Charter.

“I told Morgan hasn’t had the number she wanted compared to the last two years,” said Cardinal Gibbons coach Emily Estroff. “I told her to stay patient and that we trust her in a much-needed moment.

 I was proud of her today.”

Gibbons scored double digit runs in games 14 times this season, including the last seven games played.

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.

When the National Football League Draft starts on Thursday evening in Pittsburgh, the names of several college prospects will be read by the commissioner and others over three days.

While Miami Christopher Columbus and Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza is scheduled to be the first player taken by the Las Vegas Raiders, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner will be one of many Miami-Dade and Broward County-bred athletes who will have an opportunity to play professionally.

While this region of the nation has always been the epicenter for football talent – going back to the youth and high school level – the nation is still having the chance to see how impressive the football is in the #305 and #954.

When Mendoza the 6’5, 236-pound Mendoza is taken No. 1, it will be the first time since 1965 that a player from Miami-Dade or Broward is the first overall selection in the draft.

When the New York Giants selected Tucker Frederickson out of Auburn University, the Heisman runner-up from Hollywood South Broward High became the first ever player from south Florida to be selected. Some 61 years later, history will certainly repeat itself – with a #305 product, who began his high school career at Miami Belen Jesuit and then moved on to Christopher Columbus.

Mendoza, who was also a scholar athlete, started his collegiate career at the University of California before making a huge impact for the unbeaten national champion Hoosiers.

BAIN HAS ALSO CONTINUED TO IMPRESS

Over the past three years, Rueben Bain Jr. has continued to leave a mark as a defensive end force for the University of Miami.

Ever since his freshman season at local powerhouse Miami Central High School, the 6’2, 265-pounder has been considered as one of the elite players in college football.

Predicted to be a Top 10 selection on Thursday evening, Bain – like Mendoza – will help to shine a bright light on an area that has had more than its share of talent through the decades.

From a personal standpoint, I have had the opportunity – since 1960 – to watch every football player that competed in youth, high school, college and professionally play live and have been proud to have covered high school and college sports for over a half century. What will happen on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and the weeks after with free agent signings still excited me to watch these young men and their families celebrate the hard work that was put in against elite competition.

WHO ELSE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

R. Mason Thomas, Edge, 6’2, 241, Oklahoma. This Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons standout is the son of former south Florida area standout Harvey Thomas. Big time player who has the chance to be special in the NFL.

D’Angelo Ponds, CB, 5’9, 182, Indiana. Following his head coach from James Madison, this Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna standout truly jumped into the national spotlight as a shutdown corner for the national champions. Was a youth and high school standout locally before a five-year college career.

While most analysts are no smarter than most of us, here are some of the names that many are throwing out that may have interest locally:

Wesley Bissainthe, LB, 6’2, 225, University of Miami (Miami Central).

Travis Burke, OL, 6’9, 325, Memphis University (Hollywood South Broward).

C.J. Donaldson, RB, 6’2, 230, Ohio State (Miami Gulliver Prep).

Ricardo Hallman, CB, 5’9, 183, University of Wisconsin, Fort Lauderdale University School (Miami Gardens TRU Prep).

Marvin Jones Jr., OLB/Edge, 6’5, 245, University of Oklahoma (Plantation American Heritage).

Nyjalik Kelly, Edge, 6’5, 256, University of Central Florida (Fort Lauderdale Dillard).

Patrick Payton, Edge/DE, 6’5, 260, Florida State University (Miami Northwestern).

Desmond Reid, RB, 5’6, 174, University of Pittsburgh (Miramar).

Tyreek Sapp, DL, 6’2, 273, University of Florida (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas).

GET READY FOR THE 2027 DRAFT WHEN SOUTH FLORIDA WILL ONCE AGAIN HAVE THE NO. 1 OVERALL SELECTION!

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..

After five games of the 2025 high school football season Somerset Silver Palms sat at 5-0 and was considered a program that could make some big things happen in 2A.

While head coach Rodney Smith and his team finished 7-4 and advanced to the first round of the state playoffs, there was a feeling that the season could have gone differently.

What happened last year became a learning experience for these players and coaches. Negative things that happened in some games down the stretch became a habit that this team realized that they needed to change.

This off-season, those players who are coming back – and the new faces that they will have are using these months leading up to spring and eventually summer to learn from the second half of the year.

With prospects such as Steven Sanchez, David Lima, Tarelle Moise, Aron Whitfield and Travis Jacinthe coming back, there are leaders with experience that this team will certainly count on.

Here are some of those talented young men that this team will need to finish off what they started in 2025:

CLASS OF 2027

Nicholas Martinez, RB/S, 5’6, 165 – 3.7 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19478258/Nicholas-Martinez

Steven Sanchez, WR/CB, 5’10, 165.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/24827998/69e6c69c2d2de1d246ac0d09

Yoerlan Suarez, CB, 5’10, 165 – 3.47 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/21919319/Yoerlan-Suarez

CLASS OF 2028

Christopher Andino, OLB, 5’9, 1875.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26280882/Christopher-Andino?

Jayden Charles, OL/DL, 6’0, 250.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19444897/Jayden-Charles

Draken Fernandez, OL, 5’11, 255.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/21714584/Draken-Fernandez

Travis Jacinthe, FS/RB, 5’10, 180 – 3.0 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22682373/Travis-Jacinthe

Tamoree Moise, WR/TE, 6’0, 185.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23756292/Tamoree-Moise

Tarelle Moise, WR/CB, 5’10, 170.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23570980/Tarelle-Moise

Kosta Obucina, OL/DL, 6’1, 245.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/21630421/Kosta-Obucina

Christopher Pacheco, WR/FS, 6’3, 180.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26785027/Christopher-Pacheco

Aron Whitfield, QB, 5’10, 175.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/21825642/Aron-Whitfield

CLASS OF 2029

David Lima, WR/CB, 5’7, 165 – 3.14 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26280865/David-Lima

AWAITING SPRING VIDEO

Brandon Brown, S, 5’9, 165

2025 Homestead Somerset Silver Palms Stallions

Miami Braddock, W 19-0

Miami Ransom Everglades, W 9-7

Miami Jackson, W 31-0

Homestead Somerset Academy Key, W 37-6

Miami Springs, W 27-14

Fort Lauderdale NSU University School, L 28-21

Miami Gulliver Prep, L 33-8

St. Petersburg Hollins, W 47-0

Miami Killian, L 55-6

Miami BridgePrep Village Green, W 55-13

STATE PLAYOFFS

Miami Immaculata LaSalle, L 42-7

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..

When they were eliminated in the third round of the state football playoffs last November by Miami Palmetto, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman High had completed an 8-5 season that watched this program compete against some of the top programs in south Florida.

As head coach Ariel Cribeiro, a Goleman alumnus talked to his team following the loss, he spoke about the year-round commitment that this team continues to put in.

In an era where losing players to others schools is unfortunately the norm, the Gators have been able to pretty much keep their prospects around because they have bought in to the balance this program has created.

Success on the football field has not always come easy for this program, which is tucked away in Miami Lakes. Baseball, soccer, volleyball, softball, wrestling and being a strong academic school is what this program has long been known for. While football has been added to the roster of positives, the academics is what continues to keep families from enrolling their students here.

As they head toward spring, there is also talent that comes back and comes in that will keep this team relevant, and that is something that the administration, student body and supporters will rally around once again.

With several seniors moving on – including Darryl Bell III, who is on the depth chart this spring at FSU – there are some quality players coming back such as Jakaris Love-Laidler, Isaac Pena and Timothy Potts (3,455 yards and 40 touchdowns) to name a few.

While some more talent could be added over the summer, here is a look at what the college coaches will see during the spring and college tour visits:

CLASS OF 2027

Raul Agramonte Jr., DB, 5’8, 160 - 3.0 GPA. 950 SAT.

TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/v/2T8EnX

James Butler, LB, 5’10, 185 - 3.0 GPA.  980 SAT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19604827/James-Butler

Chance Darling, DB, 5’9, 170 - 3.0 GPA. 1000 SAT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/24189855/Chance-Darling

Johnathan Harris, RB, 5’10, 195 - 3.4 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/21978931/Jonathan-Harris

Jakaris Love-Laidler, WR, 5’9, 160 - 3.4 GPA.

TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ss5CM

Dorian McCrae, WR, 6’0, 165 - 2.7 GPA.

TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/v/2T76nM 

Ethan Medina, EDGE/LB, 6’1, 225 - 3.0 GPA. 950 SAT.

TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/v/2TJ14U 

Isaac Pena, DB, 5’10, 165 - 3.1 GPA.

TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/v/2TK8fS

Timothy Potts, QB, 6’1, 170 - 3.4 GPA.

TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/v/2TJ6e1

Marvelous Shonde, OL 6’1 310, 2.9 GPA.

TAPE:http://www.hudl.com/v/2THnRb

AWAITING SPRING VIDEO

Davian Allende, OL, 6’0,  305 - 3.2 GPA

Jeremiah Olivares, EDGE, 6’3, 230 - 2.7 GPA

CLASS OF 2028 

David Veras, DL, 5’10, 230 - 3.0 GPA.

TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/v/2THfvw

CLASS OF 2029

Kwame Thomas, WR, 5’9, 150.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26742122/Kwame-Thomas-Jr

AWAITING SPRING VIDEO

Gthan Louissaint, DL, 5’10, 230 - 3.2 GPA

Logan Robaina, EDGE/LB, 6’0, 200 - 3.5 GPA

Kenbrell Thompkins, Athlete, 6’2, 170

2025 MIAMI LAKES BARBARA GOLEMAN GATORS

Key West, W 62-21

Miami Southridge, L 63-22

Hialeah American, W 42-13

Hialeah Gardens, W 35-0

Weston Cypress Bay, W 35-3

West Palm Beach Cardina Newman, L 28-7

Davie Western, L 14-7

Miami Carol City, L 26-21

Coral Springs Taravella, W 56-0

Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace, W 26-8

STATE PLAYOFFS

Homestead South Dade, W 30-28

Boca Raton Spanish River, W 56-42

Miami Palmetto, L 65-41

PHOTO COURTESY OF MIAMI LAKES BARBARA GOLEMAN HIGH SCHOOL

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..