In two weeks, the second annual Broward County National Football Showcase will kickoff six different sites.
With last year’s success of the event, and the promise of more national attention, the event officially began this week.
With all 14 teams in this year’s field of teams getting the chance to see much of south Florida and the beaches, Dave & Busters Hollywood will once again be a focal point for the teams, coaches and fans who are headed down to the Sunshine State.
With Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna and Miramar coming this past week to eat and play unlimited games, Wednesday was time for the Western Wildcats, who had plenty of food and drink and had the opportunity to bond with one another.
“This is amazing,” said head coach Adam Ratkevich. “We are the only public school invited back for the second straight year – and I can tell you it is truly an honor.”
Western will square off in the first game on Thursday, August 24 at 7:30 on campus in Davie against Georgia powerhouse Milton and coach Ben Reaves.
Wednesday – like earlier in the week – when Chaminade-Madonna and head coach Dameon Jones, and Miramar and head coach A.J. Scott had the chance eat all they want and show their skill on hundreds and hundreds of games, these young men will never forget this event and being chose to play in nationally-televised games.
The Lions will play a huge 12 noon contest on ESPN against fellow national power St. Frances Academy and head coach Messay Hailemariam at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. Miramar will have a huge home game on Friday, August 25th against Virginia powerhouse Highland Springs and former Patriot standout Loren Johnson, who has been an amazing football coach since graduating from Virginia Tech.
Dave and Busters will show all seven games in their facilities across the nation, giving families in Georgia, Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland and California a chance to watch the action as it happens.
“This is a unique opportunity, and we cannot thank Dave and Busters enough for stepping up and recognizing the importance of this event,” said Co-Organizer Dr. Kevin Perry. “We are looking forward to having the remainder of the teams come out and enjoy like the three teams have so far.”
Next up will be this week will be Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons and head coach Matt Dubuc come out. His Chiefs will clash with Cardinal Gibbons of North Carolina and head coach Steven Wright on Friday, August 25th in Fort Lauderdale.
Plantation American Heritage and head coach Mike Smith, who will play St. John’s of Washington DC and head coach Pat Ward, who return for a second straight year, on Saturday night, August 26th, Coconut Creek Monarch and head coach Calvin Davis, slated to play head coach John Adams and Cedar Grove, Georgia on Thursday, August 24th and St. Thomas Aquinas will all be headed to Dave and Busters as well.
Speaking of the Raiders, head coach Roger Harriott and his team will put their nearly two-year unbeaten streak on the line when they host defending national champion St. John Bosco and head coach Jason Negro from Bellflower, California at 4 p.m. on ESPN.
In addition to enjoying Dave and Busters, visiting teams will also have the option of attending a Marlins game, visiting the world famous Jungle Queen or several other destinations.
TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2024-2027. LAST UPDATED: August 10, 2023. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects COLLEGE COACHES ARE WATCHING ALL THE TIME, SO LET’S KEEP UPDATING – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Transfer Season Heats Up In Miami-Dade & Broward. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-heats-up-in-miami-dade-broward
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
When quarterback Mekhi Stevenson was tragically killed earlier this year, it sent shock waves throughout North Miami Senior High School.
As head coach Gerald Cox and the Pioneers struggled to come to grips with the loss of the rising senior quarterback, it was time to heal and channel that hurt into honoring a student/athlete that was a leader and beloved by fellow students, teachers and administrators.
With heavy hearts this past spring, the Pioneers turned their attention and focus to the 2023 season and a district title to defend.
When the team came together last Saturday at the Football Hotbed Media Day, the three members who attended along with Coach Cox honored their fallen teammate by bringing his No. 3 jersey and placing it on the table as the players answered questions.
With the focus firmly on this season, the Pioneers are focused and ready to defend that district title.
Among the prospects ready to step up include seniors:
Gerson Alette, RB, 5-7, 160.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15063148/6182f97d8cdee90368b416a9
Kendrick Canon, WR, 6-1, 190.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15425339/Kendrick-Canon
Jadarius Gaines, WR/SS.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18950559/Jadarius-Gaines
Steve Jeannitton, RB/WR, 5-8, 165.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17680360/Steve-Jeannitton
Edmond King, CB.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15312314/Edmond-King
Dontrell Rogers-Rusley, OL/DL, 6-2, 340 – 2.56 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18536597/Dontrell-RogersRusley
Blake Vargas, CB.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18026011/Blake-Vargas
Nijay Vargas, FS, 5-10, 165 – 3.0 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18024706/Nijay-Vargas
Jerin Versanne, WR, 5-9, 160 – 3.2 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16333352/Jerin-Versanne
Michael Zephirin, QB, 6-1, 190.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17650971/636957f4b023a304c804bf97
There are also gifted Class of 2025 juniors to watch as well:
Antwan Moore, WR, 6-2, 155.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16279669/Antwan-Moore
Fordy Rojas, LB, 5-11, 165.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17665494/Fordy-Rojas
Sirlvory Williams, DT, 5-10, 255.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17573333/SirIvory-Williams
Lewenski Ydore, LB, 6-3, 202.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16528628/Lewenski-Ydore
TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2024-2027. LAST UPDATED: August 9, 2023. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects COLLEGE COACHES ARE WATCHING ALL THE TIME, SO LET’S KEEP UPDATING – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Transfer Season Heats Up In Miami-Dade & Broward. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-heats-up-in-miami-dade-broward
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
As the stakes rise nationally and the need to play the toughest schedule possible to be considered in the race for the coveted, but mythical national title, programs throughout south Florida have upped the ante when it comes to scheduling games.
The days when a few tough games would carry you into the national picture, is no longer a thing – not when powerhouses are banging heads with other national powerhouses weekly.
Miami-Dade and Broward teams have been forced to play tougher schedules, knowing that when the season ends in December the programs with the tougher schedules will be favored over those teams who step up to the plate once or twice.
Programs such as California’s Mater Dei and St. John Bosco lineup against nationally rated teams every week. So does IMG Academy and Maryland’s St. Francis Academy.
Teams in the hunt locally such as Miami Central, St. Thomas Aquinas, Chaminade-Madonna understand that if they are going to be considered as a national championship contender by the season’s end, the schedule will need to reflect it.
The only drawback for many south Florida powers is the need to play conferred and district teams – which in many cases – lowers the strength of schedule, while many of the teams mentioned are able to play national contenders every week.
PLENTY OF MARQUEE MATCHUPS
There is no doubt that the local schedule this coming season illustrates the many upgrades made to enhance their schedule.
Here is a look at some of the games that you may want to check out this regular season:
August 24
Milton, Georgia vs. Davie Western (BROWARD FOOTBALL SHOWCASE).
Cedar Grove, Georgia vs. Coconut Creek Monarch (BROWARD FOOTBALL SHOWCASE).
August 25
Cardinal Gibbons, North Carolina vs. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (BROWARD FOOTBALL SHOWCASE).
Highland Springs, Virginia vs. Miramar (BROWARD FOOTBALL SHOWCASE).
Miami Norland at Lakeland.
Miami Northwestern at Vero Beach.
Miami Christopher Columbus at Clearwater Academy International.
Miami Palmetto at Homestead.
August 26
St. John Bosco, California vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (BROWARD FOOTBALL SHOWCASE).
St. Frances Academy, Maryland vs. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (BROWARD FOOTBALL SHOWCASE).
St. John’s (DC) vs. Plantation American Heritage (BROWARD FOOTBALL SHOWCASE).
September 1
Miami Central at Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna at Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
September 8
Venice at Miami Northwestern
Miami Christopher Columbus at Tampa Jesuit
Cocoa at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
Bergen Catholic, New Jersey at Chaminade-Madonna
Miami Central at Miami Booker T. Washington
September 15
Western at St. Thomas Aquinas
September 16
Christopher Columbus at Miami Palmetto.
September 21
Chaminade-Madonna at Miami Central.
September 29
Cardinal Gibbons at Plantation American Heritage.
Miramar at St. Thomas Aquinas.
October 5
Miami Booker T. Washington at Miami Norland.
October 6
Homestead at Miami Christopher Columbus.
Miami Northwestern at Miami Central.
October 13
Miami Southridge at Homestead.
Miami Central at Miami Norland.
October 20
Naples at Plantation American Heritage.
Western at Miramar.
St. Thomas Aquinas at Coconut Creek Monarch.
November 3
Chaminade-Madonna at St. Petersburg Lakewood.
Western at Plantation.
November 4
Pompano Beach Blanche Ely at Fort Lauderdale Dillard
TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2024-2027. LAST UPDATED: August 8, 2023. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects COLLEGE COACHES ARE WATCHING ALL THE TIME, SO LET’S KEEP UPDATING – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Transfer Season Heats Up In Miami-Dade & Broward. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-heats-up-in-miami-dade-broward
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We are now two weeks away from the start of the 2023 high school football season, and while there has been plenty of talk about what this year will turn out, how does your school look this season?
With nine months of off-season to lick the wounds from 2022 – or tune up for another state playoff run – everything is starting to come together as the talk begins and the memories are indeed faded.
With the second season of the Metro, Suburban and Rural classifications in play, here is a look at how things will stack up for south Florida teams, who are ALL Metro.
4M
District 12
Coral Springs
Douglas
Monarch
Boca Raton Olympic Heights
District 13
Coral Glades
Cypress Bay
Taravella
Western
District 14
Cooper City
Flanagan
Pembroke Pines Somerset
West Broward
District 15
Christopher Columbus
Doral Academy
Goleman
Miami High
District 16
Coral Gables
Palmetto
South Dade
3M
District 10
Blanche Ely
Coconut Creek
Deerfield
West Boca Raton
District 11
Boyd Anderson
Dillard
Fort Lauderdale
St. Thomas Aquinas
District 12
Nova
Piper
Plantation
South Plantation
District 13
Dr. Krop
Hollywood Hills
McArthur
South Broward
District 14
American
Everglades
Miramar
Pembroke Pines Charter
District 15
Hialeah
Mater Academy
Miami Beach
North Miami
District 16
Belen Jesuit
Homestead
Southridge
Southwest Miami
2M
District 11
Calvary Christian
Coral Springs Charter
North Broward Prep
Northeast
Pine Crest
District 12
American Heritage
Cardinal Gibbons
Hallandale
Stranahan
District 13
Miami Carol City
Miami Central
Miami Norland
Monsignor Pace
North Miami Beach
District 14
Immaculata LaSalle
Miami Booker T. Washington
Miami Edison
Miami Jackson
Miami Northwestern
District 15
Miami Springs
St. Brendan
Westland Hialeah
District 16
Gulliver Prep
Miami Killian
Somerset Charter Silver Palms
South Miami
1M
District 6
Avant Garde Academy
Chaminade-Madonna
Deerfield Beach Somerset Key
St. John Paul II (Boca Raton)
District 7
Dade Christian
Florida Christian
True North Classical Academy
District 8
Archbishop Carroll
Palm Glades Prep
Somerset Academy Charter South Homestead
Westminster Christian
TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2024-2027. LAST UPDATED: August 7, 2023. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects COLLEGE COACHES ARE WATCHING ALL THE TIME, SO LET’S KEEP UPDATING – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Transfer Season Heats Up In Miami-Dade & Broward. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-heats-up-in-miami-dade-broward
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
From Pensacola to Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Lakeland and Fort Lauderdale, the past two weeks have been spent exposing the high school football talent from across the state of Florida.
This Saturday from 8:30 AM to 3 PM, the final chapter will unfold with the FootballHotbed.com South Florida Media Days.
With 26 teams from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade schedule to attend the event at the Hope Church of Christ (1800 N. State Road 7 in Hollywood), the 2023 season will indeed officially get a grand kickoff.
With media members on hand to cover the event, players and coaches will be treated to a college-style press gathering that will shine the spotlight on some amazing talent.
With 4M state champion Miami Christopher Columbus, 3M state champion St. Thomas Aquinas, 2M state champion Miami Central and 1M state champion Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna leading the way, the day promises to be one that everyone will remember as the season is just two weeks away.
“We are excited about this event which features some of the best teams in the country,” said Hotbed owner and founder Brandon Odoi. “In addition to the state champions, we will also have 3M state runner up Homestead, 2M state runner up Plantation American Heritage and a number of serious contenders for the 2023 season.”
Photos and videos will capture the day along with print media, social media and national and regional fan websites are expected to be on hand as well.
SOME IMPRESSIVE TEAMS ARE HEADED TO HOLLYWOOD
There will not be a shortage of talent headed to Hollywood on Saturday. Here is a look at the schedule:
THE SCHEDULE
Here is a look at when schools will be taking center stage:
8:15
Miami Northwestern
8:30 AM
Miami Christopher Columbus
8:30 AM
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman
8:45 AM
North Miami
9:00 AM
Coconut Creek Monarch
9:15
Miami Central
9:30 AM
Goulds Palm Glades
9:30 AM
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
9:45 AM
Miami Southridge
10:00 AM
Miami Palmetto
10:15 AM
Miramar Everglades
10:30 AM
Miami Booker T. Washington
10:45 AM
Doral Academy
11:00 AM
Miami Killian
11:15 AM
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy
11:30 AM
Delray Beach Atlantic
11:45 PM
Davie Western
12:00 PM
Miami Jackson
12:15
Miami Carol City
12:30 PM
Plantation American Heritage
12:45 PM
Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
1:00 PM
Fort Lauderdale Stranahan
1:15 PM
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
1:30 PM
Miami Norland
1:45
Hialeah
2:00 PM
West Boca Raton
2:15 PM
Hialeah American
2:30 PM
Homestead
2:45 PM
Hollywood South Broward
2:45 PM
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
3:00
Westland Hialeah
TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2024-2027. LAST UPDATED: August 4, 2023. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects COLLEGE COACHES ARE WATCHING ALL THE TIME, SO LET’S KEEP UPDATING – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Transfer Season Heats Up In Miami-Dade & Broward. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-heats-up-in-miami-dade-broward
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..