As long as he can remember, life was all about football for Drew Davis.
The son of legendary football coach Butch Davis (Miami, North Carolina & FIU), being around some of the best minds in the game for decades, he continued to pick up more and more about the game, and on Wednesday, nearly five years after he started at St. Thomas University, the quarterback coach and assistant coach was elevated to head coach.
“When you are born into the game, this is what you dream of one day happening in your career,” Davis, said. “I am so ready for this next step.”
Davis, 32, was named just the second coach in STU history. It is his first head-coaching job.
He takes over as coach from Bill Rychel, who started STU’s program. Two years ago, Rychel was elevated to Senior Vice President for Athletics.
In his seven years as head coach with the Bobcats, Rychel posted a 51-22 with four post-season appearances.
Davis had worked with the quarterbacks and was one of the top recruiters on the staff. He also helped to organize summer camps and other events to get athletes, coaches and parents on this growing campus.
This past year, the Bobcats ended 7-4, dropping a first-round NAIA playoff in Helena, Montana against power Carroll College.Fueled by a passing game that ranked 19th in the NAIA, STU ranked in the top 10 for scoring with an average of 46.2 points during the regular season that placed eighth nationally. The Bobcats earned a first-round bye in the 2024 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Championships as the fifth-ranked team after going 9-1 during the regular season. Working the wide receivers in 2023, the Bobcats ranked third in the NAIA in 2023 for points per game and passing yards per completion. Khalitri Zow also received All-Conference Second Team honors.
In his first season at St. Thomas, the Bobcats had two All-Conference honorees in C'quan Jnopiere (First Team) and Zow (Second Team).
Davis was at FIU for five seasons, serving as an assistant coach overseeing the tight ends.
He has been a part of three bowl appearances with FIU including the 2018 Bahamas Bowl victory over Toledo. In his first season, Davis helped FIU tie the program record for wins in a season (8), before breaking that record in 2018 with nine victories on the year.
Davis has always been around some of the top college programs in the country. He came to FIU after serving as a backup quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels from 2014-16. He originally committed to play for his dad's former team at North Carolina back in 2012.Prior to his college career, Davis started at quarterback for three seasons at East Chapel Hill (N.C.) and finished as the most prolific passer in school history. He threw for more than 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior, set a North Carolina state record with 43 completions in a game.
“I’m humbled by this opportunity and cannot wait to continue getting this program on top of a very competitive conference,” Davis pointed out. “We have a tremendous staff, did well with our recruiting class and now need to use this off-season to get better.”
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..
Fresh off a ServPro First Responder Bowl appearance against the University of Texas San Antonio and a 7-5 record, Willie Simmons in first year as head football coach at Florida International University made a huge recruiting splash in south Florida.
While they did well across the state, this program used Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade to stock the roster for the future.
Here is a look at the three-county recruits that this program landed in this class:
Jahmani Chin-Suer, CB, 5’10, 170, Sunrise Piper.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19230617/Jahmani-ChinSuer
Justin Compere, RB, 5’11, 180, Miami Carol City.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22972608/Justin-Compere
Jayden Ford, RB, 5’6, 160, Miami Central.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18526032/Jayden-Ford
Ja’kari Johnson, S, 6’0, 190, Hollywood McArthur.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20082475/Jakari-Johnson
Demitris Mincey, LB, 6’1, 200, Fort Lauderdale Dillard.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17969385/Demitris-Mincey-Jr
Ayden Passley, TE, 6’4, 215, Jupiter.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17843850/68ceaea08408f61899ac6249
Malik Penson, WR, 5’10, 175, Miami True North Classical Academy.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18197874/Malik-Penson
Noah Sidan, PK, 5’11, 175, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19971498/Noah-Sidan
Michael Smarts, Edge, 6’2, 225, Pembroke Pines Flanagan.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22768076/Michael-Smarts
Dominic Turnbull, CB, 6’2, 175, Miami True North Classical Academy.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16260330/Dominic-Turnbull
OTHER PROSPECTS WILL HELP AS WELL
In addition to those local players that signed in this class, there were some other prospects that will be a part of the future of this program.
Among those are D.J. Alexander (QB, 6’3, 195, Douglasville New Manchester, Georgia), De’Andre Arnold (LB, 5’11, 192, Madison County), Davis Brown (TE, 6’5, 255, Rolesville, North Carolina), Karaijus Hayes (S, 5’11, 170, Sarasota Booker), Kiyante Ingram (S, 6’0, 165, Powder Springs McEachern, Georgia), Eric Johnson (S, 6’0, 180, Loganville Grayson, Georgia), Barrett Maddox (OT, 6’6, 320, Itawamba CC, Fulton Mississippi), Jaeden McMillan (S, 5’11, 180, Melbourne Holy Trinity), James Resar (TE, 6’4, 230, Independence CC, Kansas), 7A state champion hero Barrett Schulz (WR, 6’5, 190, Lake Mary), Za’marion West (CB, 6’1, 170, Madison County), and Riley Wilson (OT, 6’4, 285, Tampa Bay Tech).
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..
Different day, and a shorter show on Wednesday night as the South Florida High School Sports Radio Show took center stage with seven impressive guests.
Each and every 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 show, which has run for nearly two decades, has become a popular listen for recruiting fans as well as high school sports purists, focusing on high football and the newsmakers.
Here is a look at the way Wednesday went:
Fourteen teams headed to Florida International University’s Pitbull Stadium this past weekend and seven schools were crowned as state champions. Andy Villamarzo from Rivals.com was on hand for games and took look back at West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (1A), Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (2A), Jacksonville Raines (3A), Plantation American Heritage (4A), Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5A), West Boca Raton (6A) and Lake Mary (7A) all took home titles.
ANDY VILLAMARZO ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/andy-villamarzo-rivals-dot-com-e8b59
This Sunday, youth football, girls’ flag football, 8th grade football and high school football will take center stage at the fabled Traz Powell Stadium in Miami for annual Crib Classic Miami-Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game. The day long event will feature some of the top football players – male and female. Anthony Yero talked about this pre-Christmas contest.
ANTHONY YERO ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/anthony-yero-crib-classic-all-star-game-3fdf3
This Saturday afternoon at 12:00, the University of Miami will travel to Kyle Field in College Station, Texas for an opening round College Football Playoff showdown against the Texas A&M Aggies. If the Hurricanes are going to have a chance to advance to play in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve, they need to win this contest. Geo Millian talked about what Miami needs to do to come out with a win.
GEO MILLIAN ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/geo-millian-miami-hurricanes-fd4b1
When the seconds ticked off the clock at Pitbull Stadium on Saturday afternoon and Plantation American Heritage had wrapped up their second straight 4A state title, head coach Mike Smith and his staff turned their attention to 2026.
In this day and age of roster changes and transfers, it’s tough to tell what the Patriots will fully look like when they open the season next August, but we can see which prospects on the current roster have the chance to be back for a third consecutive run at a state title.
While predicting the roster is not easy – especially here a week before Christmas, we do know that this football team will play one of the toughest schedules in the state – like they have the past few years.
What we do know about the 2026 version of American Heritage football is they will have the right to call themselves “two-time defending state champions” – and the coaching they will receive from early January, with conditioning, into spring and all summer, with workouts, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events.
Say what you want about private schools, but here in 2025, everyone recruits. With open enrollment and home schooling, student/athletes in public and charter schools can move freely without having to live in a certain area – and if you dispute that comment, respectfully, you have no idea what you are talking about – at all!
South Florida has become a free-for-all when it comes to athletics. No longer do private schools have an overwhelming advantage when building their rosters.
WHAT WILL THIS PROGRAM LOOK LIKE IN 2026?
With a very talented senior class moving on, there are also some juniors (2027), sophomores (2028) and freshmen (2029) that are currently on the roster.
The Class of 2027 will have talent coming back. Prospects such as running back Jonathan Bueno (5’10, 205), defensive back Amare Nugent (6’1, 190), Michael Stringer (WR, 6’0, 170), Marquand Manuel (WR, 5’9, 170), Marcus Smith (RB, 5;9, 150), Viggo Palenzona (WR, 5’10, 170), Jaiden Sheard (DB, 6’0, 190), Johnathan Matei (K, 5’10, 160), and Edison Garzon (RB, 5’9, 170).
There are also Shane Martinez (OL, 6’0, 280), Armani Eusebio (OL, 6’5, 295), Nico Ramos (OL, 6’6, 310), Aiden Hartnett (OL, 6’4, 300), Brandon Adams (OL, 6’6, 330), Hendrix O’Ferrall (DL, 6’0, 235) and Brendan Braddy (DL, 6’0, 250) to name a few.
The 2028 class (current sophomores) are also talented and will certainly make an impact. Student/athletes such as Robert Outler (TE, 6’5, 205), Blake Mitchell (DB, 5’10, 170), Tremaine Mullen (RB, 5’9, 175), Micah Price (DL, 6’3, 260), George Thompson (LB, 5’10, 180), Osnell Dillon (DL, 6’0, 230) and offensive lineman Iangel Compress (6;0, 240).
While there are several players coming up from the juniors varsity, Class of 2029 freshmen such as Othneil Rhoden (QB, 6’0, 160), Adrian Flores (DB, 5’9, 165), Wyatt Jewell (QB, 6’1, 180), Jake Arias (OL, 6’4, 275), Carlos Singletary (DL, 6’2, 340) and Ben King (DL, 6’2, 255) are ahead of the game at this point.
AMERICAN HERITAGE 2025
Philadelphia St. Joseph’s Prep, Pennsylvania, W 31-28
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, L 28-24
New Orleans Edna Karr, Louisiana, L 24-17 (OT)
Miami Central, L 31-21
Plantation, W 28-13
Pembroke Pines Flanagan, W 31-0
Miami Norland, W 41-21
Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, L 13-10
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, L 19-12
Fort Pierce John Carroll, W 50-20
Plantation, W 48-7
Archbishop McCarthy, W 25-20
Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee, W 31-14
Orlando Jones, W 32-28
2025 Road To Miami & The Villages Charter. https://larryblustein.com/news/2025-road-to-miami-the-villages-charter
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
DAVIE – Western High senior running back Damian Dickerson completed his high school career is style on Thursday with 71 yards on eight carries and a pair of touchdowns to lead the South to a 31-20 victory over the North over the South in the 28th annual BCAA All-Start football game at Nova High.
His performance earned the 5’8, 185-pound back the Otis Gray Most Valuable Player award.
“This was amazing,” said Dickenson. “I was grateful for my team and the offensive line. Their hard work helped me get the MVP. The whole team made a difference.”
The final 51 points of the game was the most since the North 45-6 victory in 2015. It also tied for the second most points since the South 44-7 win in 2010.
Tied at seven at the half, the South took a 14-7 lead, a lead they would never relinquish with 7:48 left in the third quarter. The go-ahead points were the result of a Ka’Nard Boucard (Miramar) 98-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Dickerson added his second touchdown with 1:10 remaining in the quarter for a 21-7 lead.
“At the end of the day all the boys got the chance to participate,” said South coach Adam Ratkevich (Western). “This was a case for them to showcase their talent. There were a lot of great plays out here tonight. It was an exciting football game.”
Flanagan quarterback Chance Humphrey completed a 68-yard scoring pass to wide-out Dylan Zaldumbide (South Plantation) early in the fourth quarter that increased the South lead to 28-14.
Coconut Creek running back Jakari Gentles of closed the gap with an 8-yard run with 8:25 left in the final quarter.
Christian Martinez (Cooper City) completed the scoring with a 37-yard field with less than a minute to play in regulation capping the score at 31-20.
Running back Ray Zachariah was named the North Offensive Player of the game with 92-yards on 15 carries, while the Defensive Player of the Game for the North was Alex Gammage of Piper.
“This was a great week, while giving the guys a chance to compete,” said Coconut Creek coach Christopher Yeargin (North).”
Boucard had a pair of interceptions and was named the South Defensive Player of the game. Humphrey got the nod for Offense Player of the Game for the South with 135 passing yards and a touchdown and added 29 yards rushing.
The score was tied 7-7 at the conclusion of the opening half.
Dickerson opened the scoring with a 12-yard run with 8:28 left in the first quarter. The North yevened the score when Dillard quarterback Jaden Chico completed a 10-yard pass to the back of the endzone to Ladarious Smith (Blanche Ely) on the ensuing possession.
Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. Need to reach out? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.