The one thing that may separate Miami-Dade and Broward Counties when it comes to producing kickers and punters is the year-round competition that is held.

Several exposure camps, instructors and events are taking place the help elevate many these rising special teams performers.

While we are spotlighting kickers and punters today, the long snappers in this area have also jumped into the national picture and we will highlight them as well in the coming weeks.

There are so many opportunities for kickers and punters to jump on the radar screen, and while very few recruiting services and analysts cover these events, those who run them are always in contact with college coaches across the country.

THE SENIORS HAVE THE EXPERIENCE

Unlike 10-15 years ago, kickers and punters start at a very early age, and often follow in the footsteps of siblings and friends.

With the Kornblue Summer Showcase slated for July 29-30 at Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, many of the seniors will have a chance to enhance their standing – with a solid showing.

Some of the seniors to keep an eye on this season includes Andres Amaya (Doral Ronald Reagan), Nicholas Caballero (Miami Christopher Columbus), Aiden Cashette (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Ayden Castillo (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Ryan Cimino (Hialeah Gardens) and showcase-tested Christian de Villiers (Miami Christopher Columbus).

Miami True Classical Academy’s Lucas Falossi, Derek Fletes (Miami Northwestern), nationally-recognized Robert Hammond III (Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), veteran Jeffrey Hernandez (Coconut Creek), standout Patrick Keough (Miami Palmetto), Aidan Martinez (Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy) and Marcos Netto (Miami St. Brendan) are all impressive.

There is little doubt that Cardinal Gibbons has one of the best special teams in the state with a solid long snapper, a tremendous kicker and a punter (Christian Silverstein), who has been competing at a high level for quite some time.  James Thompson (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Jarquez Velasquez (Fort Lauderdale Stranahan), Jason Zapata (Somerset Academy Homestead) and Ivan Zivenko (Miami Immaculata LaSalle) are all anxious to showcase their skills in 2022 as well.

CLASS OF 2024 HAS PLENTY OF PROMISE.

Just like the standouts in this current senior class, there is a wave of juniors who have an opportunity to really put themselves on the map, and as you will see today, we have a solid group to choose from.

Prospects such as Andrew Abu-Akel (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), William Rowe Allen (Miami Christopher Columbus), Jacques Blanchard (Miami Gulliver Prep), Robert Czeremcha (Miami Christopher Columbus), Dylan Dinerman (Miami Gulliver Prep) and Ian Faulkner (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas) have all made major strides.

The class also features nationally-recognized Kristian Hobbs (Davie Western) and Michael Kern (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas) as well as Alon Kochav (Plantation American Heritage), Claiten Maysonet (Homestead Somerset Academy Silver Palms), Nicholas McCarthy (Coral Springs Coral Glades) and nationally-rated Gabriel Perez from Miami Southridge.

With Brandon Rabasco (Hollywood South Broward), Cosme Salas (Miami Gulliver Prep) and Denzel Velasquez (Miramar Everglades) there is plenty to see in this junior group.

THE FUTURE LOOKS VERY BRIGHT

While you saw some of the seniors and juniors who will keep this area of the state of the map, there are some sophomores who figure to make a major impact as well. Keep an eye on these young men as well.

The Class of 2025 features rising stars such as Lucas Avino (Miami Belen Jesuit), Luca Guerra (Doral Academy), Abraham Gutierrez (Miami St. Brendan), Gavin Katz (South Plantation), Zane Knapp (Fort Lauderdale), Adrian Muelle (Miami Belen Jesuit) and St. Thomas Aquinas prospects Nick Navarro and Nicholas Romero.

Ethan Silva (Miami Archbishop Carroll) and Christopher Wirth (South Plantation) are solid and so is Fort Lauderdale Dillard Class of 2026 rising standout Trace Poncev.

ARE THERE CHANGES?

If you are not listed or have a kicker/punter to add or change, please let us know. Our objective is to promote to hundreds of colleges and universities, but it’s also to get it right. If a player is listed at a wrong school or there is someone to add, please let us know by sending the correct information to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS –https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects

MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD TRANSFERS ARE HOT NEWS NATIONALLY –https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-continues-in-miami-dade-broward

For the past 52 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..

THE BULLDOGS FILE 

Head Coach: Jorge Zagales

2021 Record: 6-2

THE SCOOP

In an area that recognizes so many of its football coaches for how much they know, what they bring to the table as teachers and disciplinarian, and how many championships they produce, often times some great coaches are left out of the mix.

Jorge Zagales may not be a household name to many south Florida football fans and analysts, he should be.

What he has accomplished as a coach and teacher through the years has never put him in the spotlight with some, but to those who have played and coached for him, he has been one of the most important people in their lives.

While the team didn’t get any publicity at all last after winning six times, they spent the year developing and building for the 2022 season.

Losing to Miami Ransom Everglades and Miami True North only fueled the fire and set the team up for some huge wins.

Beating Palm Glades (25-14), Miami Palmer Trinity twice (35-28) and (14-0), Marathon (36-7), West Palm Beach Berean Christian (45-6) and Tavernier Coral Shores pushed this program into the spring and summer with a great feeling.

Here is a look at some of the prospects for 2023, 2024 and 2025 that figure to make an impact:

CLASS OF 2023

TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA FOOTBALL TEAMS. https://larryblustein.com/news/tracking-south-florida-2022

For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

FORT LAUDERDALE – Football fans across the state of Florida and the nation better get used to Chaminade-Madonna holding down the top spot – because the Lions are as good as you will find at the high school level.

While they have proven that they can play this game when everything is on the line – winning four of the past five 3A state titles – on Sunday afternoon, the Lions took home the $5,000 first place prize in the First Round Management 7-on-7 tournament at Carter Park.

With head coach Dameon Jones looking on, the Lions rolled through an impressive field of Miami-Dade and Broward County teams, knocking off Miami Central in the finals.

There is no getting around the fact that this football team is one of the best in the state, heading into the season – no matter what anyone wants to say. They have proven what they can do when games are on the line, and with one of the toughest schedules in the state for the 2022 season, this is a program that can make a major statement.

While Miami Central won the $5,000 first place prize last weekend at the Tutu Atwell event in Miami, they were impressive right down to the wire – along with Final 4 teams Miami Booker T. Washington and Coconut Creek.

In addition to Chaminade-Madonna, Central, Booker T. Washington and Coconut Creek, there were some other teams who made a huge impact on Sunday.

On the rise teams Fort Lauderdale Dillard, Miami Southridge, Miami-Dade Christian and Homestead were steady all day.

Other teams on hand were Davie Western, Miramar, Sunrise Piper, Miami Carol City, Miami Killian, South Plantation and Doral Academy.

The event was run by one-time Miami Carol City High and University of Miami running back Cam Harris, who did a tremendous job, picking the teams and along with his mother and others, made things run smooth.

For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

WEST PALM BEACH - With two weeks before the start of summer/fall practice, over 20 teams headed to Keiser University for a 7-on-7 tournament on Saturday, and in the end Wellington Palm Beach Central won the event, beating Lantana Santaluces in the final game.

While the Broncos are one of the heavyweights in Palm Beach County and throughout the state – with The Kevin Thompson leading the way, it was the team on the other side of the field that became the true story.

The Chiefs finished 1-9 last season and has not been a program that many have been watching for quite some time. But that appears to be changing.

After leading Hialeah Champagnat to five consecutive 2A state title games, Hector Clavijo made the move to Palm Beach County in the off-season, and all spring and summer, he has helped to change the culture.

With several camps, 7-on-7 events and combines, Clavijo and his staff have done exactly what made him successful with the Lions.

While they fell short to a very solid Palm Beach Central team in the finals, the Chiefs got by Port St. Lucie Centennial, Pompano Beach, Port St. Lucie and upended the No. 1 seed Miami Monsignor Pace in the semifinals. Palm Beach Central is stacked with talent on both sides of the ball after finishing 10-1 a year ago.

Among the programs in the Final 4 included head coach Anthony Walker and Monsignor Pace, who reached their fourth Final 4 of the summer, Miami Southridge, which was upset by Port St. Lucie in the quarterfinals under the direction of Pierre Senatus.

Also, Coconut Creek Monarch and head coach Calvin Davis surprised everyone by reaching the Final 4, and Coach Johnny Sloane and his Coconut Creek Cougars, who were the defending champions of this tournament, and winners last week in Miami. Pompano Beach also made the trip north.

LOADED TOURNAMENT

In addition to Palm Beach Central and Santaluces, and the Miami-Dade and Broward schools, the competitive tournament attracted Boca Raton St. Andrew’s, Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons, Deltona, Fort Myers Riverdale and former Plantation and Nova head coach Frank Hepler, North Fort Myers, Green Acres John I. Leonard, Inlet Grove, Jensen Beach, Kissimmee Gateway and Lake Worth Park Vista.

Also, Lehigh Acres East Lee, North Fort Myers, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Lakes, Port St. Lucie, Port St. Lucie Centennial, Stuart Martin County and West Palm Beach Forest Hill also competed.

For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..