It’s that time of year where the seniors who are headed to college have the opportunity to play in national all-star games.

While there are several of these all-star contests being held, it’s the Under Armour All-Star Game in Orlando (January 3, 2024) and the All-American (formerly the Army All-American contest) on January 7 in San Antonio, Texas that still receive the main TV exposure and much of the national media and fan website coverage.

Each year, the very best football talent from all over the country have the opportunity to head to these games, and this year, once again, Florida is well represented at both events.

Eleven athletes will be departing in the coming days to compete before many leave early for colleges and universities.

Here is a look at the Miami-Dade and Broward student/athletes selected to the games:

2024 Under Armour Game Roster

Cedrick Bailey, QB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (NORTH CAROLINA STATE). Winner of three straight state titles, this 6-6 standout will play his last game in high school before the home state crowd

Davi Belfort, QB, Davie Western (VIRGINIA TECH). While the future is indeed very bright, a late season injury kept this versatile performer from having the chance to lead the Wildcats to a state title.

Davion Gause, RB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (NORTH CAROLINA). Since his freshman season, here is someone who has helped to elevate the Lions as he was part of four state championship appearances for one of the nation’s best.

Ryan Mack, DB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (MIAMI). Make no mistake here is one of the nation’s best who follows in his father’s (Rod) footsteps and heads to Coral Gables to play for the Hurricanes.

Lawayne McCoy, WR, Miami Central (FSU). There are few better than this impressive two-way standout who came to play for the Rockets two years ago from Hollywood Avant Garde Academy. Will be an instant success for the Seminoles. He is that good!

Joshisa Trader, WR, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (MIAMI). While he was in the rather large shadow of his best friend, Jeremiah Smith, through much of his football career, here is easily one of the top recruits the Hurricanes landed. Big time receiver who can perform on defense and on special teams.

All-American Bowl

Jamari Howard, DB, Miami Norland (FSU). No matter where he has played throughout his high school career, here is one of the elite secondary performers that has it all. Headed to Tallahassee, you can guarantee that the Seminoles will be getting one of the best in the nation.

Michael Kern, P, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (TEXAS). Since he was a freshman, this is a special teams performer that had established himself as one of the best in the country. His ability to not only kick for average and height, but his accuracy helped him win several showcases throughout the years.

Zaquan Patterson, S, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (MIAMI). When asked who may be the closest to getting major playing time in this class for the Hurricanes, this is the name that continued to come up. Big time secondary player who has tremendous ball skills as well having the ability to hit like a linebacker. Extremely athletic and skilled.

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (OHIO STATE). What can you say that hasn’t already been said about the No. 1 player in the country? Fast, skilled, great size, smart and has once in a generation talent that has been on display for all four years, leading the Lions to three consecutive state title games. If he doesn’t hit the field right away for the Buckeyes, they are wasting a valuable year. He's three and done and in the first round of the NFL – if he stays healthy.

Dylan Stephenson, Edge, Miami Christopher Columbus (STANFORD). Since his freshman season at Miami Killian this was a standout who stepped to the front as a playmaker. He continued to make that impact with the Explorers and was a big part of the state title success the past two seasons. He also worked very hard in the classroom.

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

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..

 It’s only fitting that the final high school football game of the year in south Florida would showcase the future and present.

Last Friday evening, Miami-Dade and Broward got together for a year-end all-star contest that attracted some of the best 8^th graders and high school seniors in the most fertile area for talent in the country – Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

With the #305 coming out on top in both games, it wasn’t about wins and losses on this evening at Monsignor Pace High School in Miami Gardens, what this was all about came down to celebrating the enormous talent that will head to high school – and of course – move on to the collegiate level.

The second annual Miami-Dade vs. Broward Battle For The Crib was made possible by Frank Tucker and Arvis Lawson. But have devoted their life to exposing and promoting talent in south Florida and fully understand why it’s so important to showcase these young men.

Tucker, a Davie Western graduate, and Lawson, who starred at Miami Central, continue to give back to their communities. Not only with the game that attracted several sponsors who stepped up, but also a year-round commitment to exposing these student/athletes to colleges and universities across the country.

“When you have the best high school football talent in the country, you don’t want to hide it,” Tucker said. “We annually produce talent that not only gets it done in college but check rosters around the NFL and you will see plenty of our own making a huge impact.”

With Miami Central star linebacker Vincent Shavers Jr. winning the MVP, the Nebraska-bound standout was not the only player who shined on this evening. Players from FSU, UMass, FAU, Mississippi State, Toledo, South Dakota, Marshall, Georgia State, Oregon State, Florida, USF, Western Michigan, Brown, Vanderbilt and Bethune Cookman were also showcased as these athletes get ready to depart high school and showcase their skills nationally.

While there are still a few national all-star games to keep an eye on, this was an evening where these young men, at the eighth-grade level, and in their final year in high school took center stage.

For Miami Booker T. Washington quarterback Claudell Sherman, his season was cut short due to injury. Many felt that if the three year starter didn’t get hurt, the Tornadoes would have made a serious run in 2M.

Sherman, healthy again, dazzled the crowd with his athletic ability and left many in attendance believing that college coaches are missing out in a huge way by not getting this quality talent on campus – soon.

Sherman’s head coach Tim “Ice” Harris has been in Sherman’s corner from the beginning and made sure that as the co-head coach of the Miami-Dade team put his impressive player in the spotlight.

Like Sherman, Homestead linebacker Eduardo Nunez was also out to prove that he deserves to end up on some college campus this coming year.

A three-year starter, Nunez helped to lead the Broncos to the 3M state title game two consecutive years against St. Thomas Aquinas.

Other Miami-Dade County prospects that have impressed throughout their careers include Miami Norland receivers Isaiah Scott and Ivory Aikens and defensive tackle Germaine Carter Jr., who recently signed with Florida International University.

Carter, who came to Norland this past year after playing at Miami Carol City, is one of those prospects who figure to explode at the next level with his athletic ability, quickness, and strength.

Miami Central also made a huge impact in the game with FSU-bound receiver Lawayne McCoy, a Nat Moore Trophy finalist, and a ground of linemen who made the Rockets special.

For Will Rothmiller, Luke Moise, Albert Moise, and Teko Shoats, it was their final contest playing together up from on the offensive line.

Miami-Dade also featured Bowling Green University defensive back signee Kal El Pascal, Booker T. Washington running back Gerald Modest, Miami Killian DE Damien Gill and Miami Southridge kicker Gabriel Perez.

BROWARD COUNTY ALSO MAKES A STATEMENT

Even though they came out on the losing side, the Broward County team with Plantation American Heritage head coach Mike Smith also had some head turners.

One of the players that was impressive was Coconut Creek Monarch quarterback A.J. Hairston. Injured much of the season, this quality talent signed with UMass last week and what they are getting is someone who has the chance to be very special.

His teammates Gabriel Birnbaum (FAU) and offensive lineman Holden Zeltner (FAMU) are also going to be special – as will Weston Cypress Bay linebacker Ryan Geary, Dillard receiver Marcus Striggles, and Cardinal Gibbons’ linemen Nicholas Rodriguez (FIU) and Zack Boehly, who will be headed to East Carolina.

The game also attracted South Broward running back Chris Wheatley-Humphrey (University of Miami) and big-time kicking prospect Brandon Rabasco, who is headed to the University of Florida.

Broward’s talent also featured Shamar Meilke (DE, Miramar), Gavin Shepard (CB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Nate Jean (S, Davie Western), Keon Daceus (OL/DL, Coconut Creek), and Michael Brennan (OL, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna).

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHUCK BETHEL

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

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..

If you have followed high school football recruiting in south Florida for any length of time, what happened on Wednesday should come as no surprise.

Once again Miami-Dade and Broward Counties were directly in the spotlight as National Signing Day, Part 1 took place with several prospects heading off to colleges throughout the country.

Because of the success the student/athletes have enjoyed through the years in college and beyond, so much attention has been paid to this area whenever pen is put to paper and the next chapter of their lives begins.

While the landscape of recruiting has changed greatly, those who are committing and signing with these schools are truly only for a year. With the Name Image & Likeness (NIL) fully taking over collegiate athletics, it’s the highest bidder that will win out each and every year.

College coaches are finding themselves not only recruiting the next class up, but also having to make sure that their current roster doesn’t shift from year to year.

The very fact that these young men do not have to sit out a year when transferring is not in place, this free for all will never stop and things will only get worse. You cannot blame it on the athlete – that wouldn’t be fair. The money that is being thrown around is tough to ignore and principals fly out the window.

With that said, here are 43 Miami-Dade and Broward prospects, rated among the Top 150 in the state, who will be headed to a college or university as soon as the first week of January:

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna – OHIO STATE.

Armondo Blount, WR, Miami Central – UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.

Zaquan Patterson, S, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna – UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.

Joshisa Trader, WR, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna – UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.

Jamari Howard, CB, Miami Norland – FSU.

Lawayne McCoy, WR, Miami Central – FSU.

Chance Robinson, WR, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.

Jordan Lyle, RB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.

Jacory Barney Jr., Athlete, Miami Palmetto – NEBRASKA.

James Madison II, WR, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI.

Ryan Mack, S, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.

Cedrick Bailey, QB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna – NORTH CAROLINA STATE.

Dylan Stephenson, Edge, Miami Christopher Columbus – STANFORD UNIVERSITY.

Stacy Gage, RB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA.

Isaac Brown, RB, Homestead – UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE.

Willis McGahee IV, Edge, Miami Christopher Columbus – UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA.

Davion Gause, RB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna – UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Dimitry Nichols, DL, Miami Norland – AUBURN UNIVERSITY.

Tovani Mizell, RB, Davie Western – UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY.

Kobe Boykin, Athlete, Miami Edison – JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY.

Romanas Frederique Jr., CB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.

Jeremiah Marcelin, LB, Miami Norland – UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH.

Earl Kulp, CB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – PURDUE UNIVERSITY.

Dinellson Exume, DL, Miami Edison – USF.

Dylen Russell, DL, Miami Christopher Columbus – UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.

Colton Heinrich, TE, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons – UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.

Nicholas Rodriguez, LB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI.

Jamorie Flagg, DL, Miami Booker T. Washington – FSU.

Gavench Marcelin, Edge, Miami Belen Jesuit – FAU.

Tycoolhill Luman, Edge, Miami Norland – RUTGERS UNIVERSITY.

Amare Sanders, CB, Miami Gulliver Prep – UNIBVERSITY OF NEBRASKA.

Vincent Shavers, LB, Miami Central – UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA.

Larry Tarver, CB, Miami Norland – UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA.

Jose Leon, WR, Miami Christopher Columbus – APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY.

Chris Wheatley-Humphrey, RB, Hollywood South Broward – UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.

Michael Merdinger, QB, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons – UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Davi Belfort, QB, Davie Western – VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY.

Chenellson Exume, OL, Miami Edison – USF.

Donovan Philord, Miami Norland – CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY.

Hyajah Miller, CB, Coconut Creek – TOLEDO UNIVERSITY.

Allen Bryant, S, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH.

Germaine Carter Jr., DL, Miami Norland – FIU.

Remington Roberts, LB, Fort Lauderdale – FAU.

Jaylon Edmonds, Athlete, Davie Western - WASHINGTON STATE.

Keyvon Johnson, CB, Davie Western - AKRON.

Jeremy Fishkin, OL, Parkland Stoneman Douglas - FLORIDA A&M.

If there are some we have missed, please send to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will add.

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

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..

Usually when you have a post season all-star game, especially in south Florida, many of the top prospects will decline as they get ready for college. That has not been the case for The Miami-Dade vs. Broward Battle For The Crib.

Since starting this event last year, organizers Frank Tucker and Arvis Lawson have made sure that the best of the best represents the most fertile area for football talent in the nation.

When the second annual contest kicks off on Friday evening at Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace High School (15600 NW 32nd Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33054) at 7:30, the top seniors in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties will square off in perhaps the most talent-rich post season game in the nation.

State champions, Power 5 athletes and coaches who have achieved some great things will be on display.

With the addition of a 5:30 youth football game, featuring some of the top 8^th grade talent in the two counties, this is now something that has become a standard for other areas of the country to live up to.

The exposure that the student/athlete receives in this region of the country is second to none – with fan websites, recruiting services and media all expected to be on hand as prospects who are headed to some of the top colleges in the country will battle.

With Miami Booker T. Washington veteran head coach Tim “Ice” Harris teaming up with Miami Norland’s Daryle Heidelberg to guide the Miami-Dade team, and Mike Smith from Plantation American Heritage leading the way in Broward, you know that both sides will be well prepared.

Colleges such as Miami, FSU, UMass, FAU, Mississippi State, Toledo, South Dakota, Marshall, Georgia State, Oregon State, Florida, USF, Western Michigan, Brown, Vanderbilt and Bethune Cookman will be showcased as these athletes get ready to depart high school and showcase their skills nationally.

BROWARD

0 – Omar Thornton, LB, Plantation American Heritage

0 – Zaquan Patterson, S. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna

1 – Kevin Powell, DB, Coconut Creek Monarch

1 – Elijah Cannon, CB, Coconut Creek

2 – Edward Louis, WR, Fort Lauderdale Dillard

2 – Jaden Williams, DB, Plantation

3 – Jamarie Hostzclaw, RB, Coconut Creek

3 – Cenard Bennett, WR, Miramar

4 – Marcus Striggles, WR, Fort Lauderdale Dillard

4 – Zyon Pressley, CB, Davie Western

5 – Chris Wheatley-Humphrey, RB, Hollywood South Broward

5 – Jermaine Dalias, DB, Plantation American Heritage

6 – Denzel Johnson, LB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna

7 – Jason Bell, Athlete, Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson

7 – Damaine Wilson, LB, Coconut Creek

8 – A.J. Hairston, QB, Coconut Creek Monarch

8 – C.J. Dales, LB, Plantation

9 – Shamar Meilke, DE, Miramar

10 – Gavin Shepard, CB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna

10 – Brendan Leal, LB, Davie Western

11 – Joaquin Edie, WR, Weston Cypress Bay

11 – Joshua Lloyd, LB, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely

12 – Kael Alexander, QB, Miramar

12 – Brandon Pridgen, Athlete, Fort Lauderdale Dillard

13 – Deron Latson, WR, Weston Cypress Bay

13 – Eirik Simmons, WR, Coconut Creek

14 – Pat Anderson, RB, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons

14 – Jahmir Campbell, DE, Pembroke Pines Flanagan

15 – Ryan Geary, LB, Weston Cypress Bay

15 – Santana Harrison, LB, Coconut Creek Monarch

16 – Cris Thornton, DE, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan

16 – Godson Sinelien, WR, Coconut Creek

17 – Brandon Rabasco, PK, Hollywood South Broward

17 – Brian Lane, WR, Plantation

20 – Hyajah Miller, CB, Coconut Creek

21 – Jeremiah Johnson, DE, Sunrise Piper

24 – Jordan Saintilus, S, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely

25 – Nate Jean, S, Davie Western

29 – Alon Kochav, P, Plantation American Heritage

33 – Isaiah Hope, OL/DL, Coconut Creek

50 – Terrance Gimble, OL, Miramar

51 – Brekien Harold, DT, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna

51 – Deymien Chavarry, DT, Davie Western

52 – Chris Williams, DE, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons

55 – Keon Daceus, OL/DL, Coconut Creek

56 – Gabriel Birnbaum, DT, Coconut Creek Monarch

56 – Daniel Mincey, OL, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons

65 – Michael Brennan, OL, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna

66 – Martaz Charles, OL/DL, Davie Western

70 – Roosevelt Caldwell, DT, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely

72 – Zach Boehly, OL, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons

73 – Melvin Puckett, OL, Coconut Creek Monarch

74 – Jackson Campbell, OL, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna

75 – Holden Zeltner, OL, Coconut Creek Monarch

76 – Jonathan Rodriguez, OL, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons

82 – Kendarius Frazier, DL, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna

99 – Joey Podubynsky, DT, Davie Western

MIAMI-DADE

00 – George Stubbs, DL, Hialeah American

0 – Jaylen Jackson, WR, Hialeah

0 – Damien Gill, DE, Miami Killian

1 – Lawayne McCoy, WR/DB, Miami Central

1 – Chenellson Exume, DE, Miami Edison

2 – Jamari Howard, CB, Miami Norland

2 – Edward Bandy, CB, Miami Christopher Columbus

3 – Joshua Townsend, QB, Homestead

3 – Jeffery Bandy, RB, Miami Christopher Columbus

4 – Andre Brown, WR, Miami Booker T. Washington

4 – Brandon Lowe, WR, Miami Edison

5 – Claudell Sherman, QB, Miami Booker T. Washington

5 – Eduardo Nunez, LB, Homestead

6 – Gerald Modest, RB, Miami Booker T. Washington

6 – Germaine Carter Jr., DT, Miami Norland

7 – Jayquan Reid, WR, Miami Southridge

8 – Fadrell Andrus, WR, Miami Palmetto

8 – Kal El Pascal, DB, Miami Dr. Krop

9 – Isaiah Scott, WR, Miami Norland

9 – Vincent Shavers, LB, Miami Central

10 – Dylan Calero, LB, Miami Gulliver Prep

10 – Ivory Aikens, WR, Miami Norland

11 – Danny Horne, WR, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace

11 – Ricky Joseph, DB Miami Dr. Krop

12 – Antonio Smith, QB, Miami Central

12 - Sadonnie Gray, DB, Miami Northwestern

13 – Elijah Henton, WR, Miami Booker T. Washington

13 – Eldreen Terma, LB, Miami Booker T. Washington

14 – Caleb Turner-Allen, DE, Miami Dr. Krop

15 – Lawrence Wright, QB, Jam Prep

15 – Anthony Matison, LB, Miami Norland

17 – Aidan Karsh, QB, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace

18 – Ed Farley-Kendrick, Athlete, Homestead South Dade

19 – Marek Anderson Jr., LB, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace

20 – Juan Rodriguez, RB, Miami Norland

21 – Jaylan Morris, DB, Miami Edison

22 – Theondre Ballon, LB, Hialeah American

24 – Tomauri Johnson, S, Miami Palmetto

25 – Leroy James, DB, Miami Booker T. Washington

26 – Jaheim Miller, DB, Miami Norland

27 – Lavaris Stanford, CB, Miami Booker T. Washington

28 – Guylijah Theodule, DB, Miami Northwestern

30 – Gabriel Perez, PK, Miami Southridge

31 – Antwan Williams, LB, Miami Northwestern

50 – Will Rothmiller, OL, Miami Central

51 – Luke Moise, OL, Miami Central

52 – Albert Moise, OL, Miami Central

53 – Teko Shoats, OL, Miami Central

54 – Jonathan Mejia, OL, Miami Palmetto

55 – Dinellson Exume, DL, Miami Edison

56 – Jameel Carter, OL, Homestead

76 – Blake Brewer, OL, Miami Christopher Columbus

77 – Justyn James, OL, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace

87 – Travon Black, DL, Miami Carol City

93 – Robert Williams, DT, Miami Christopher Columbus

99 – Jamorie Flagg, DT, Miami Booker T. Washington

Get into both games for $20.00 – or go to #BattleForTheCrib2023 - https://gofan.co/event/1299838?schoolId=FL86884

2022 GAME: Miami-Dade stuns Broward with last-second TD in All-Star Game

By Joe Frisaro

Bragging rights and another championship trophy is going back to Area Code 305. Fittingly, it was the “Miami-Central Connection” that led the way.

Central quarterback Keyone Jenkins connected on a 5-yard touchdown pass to his Rockets’ teammate Cataurus Hicks on the final play of the game and Miami-Dade County stunned Broward County, 23-21, on Friday night at the Ansin Sports Complex.

Billed as “The Battle for the Crib,” the All-Star game featured many of the top players from two of Florida’s most talented counties.

“That Central Connection,” Jenkins said. “We’ve been doing it all year. Why stop now.”

The Miami-Dade team was coached by Central coach Jube Joseph, and his staff, a week after they won the Class 2M state championship.

The winning drive came after Miami-Dade’s defense stopped Broward on downs near midfield with 1:06 remaining.

With 305 out of time outs, Broward had a chance to ice the game with a first down. But the Miami-Dade defense made a key fourth down stop.

Running the hurry up offense, Jenkins connected on a long pass to Central receiver Lamar Seymore, who made a diving catch at the five. With seven seconds left, Jenkins found Hicks in the back of the end zone for the game-winner.

“I kind of knew it was coming to me,” Hicks said. “I saw my quarterback, and he was just waiting. He just threw it, and I went and grabbed it. When adversity hits, we do good.”

Jenkins to Hicks hooked up for two TDs on a chilly, low 60-degree South Florida night.

The game featured players who have committed to Power 5 schools, and more than 30 players with Division 1 who have already signed letters of intent.

Jenkins signed with Florida International University, and Hicks is headed to Louisville. Seymore is bound for Pittsburgh, and he will enroll in January.

“We’ve got a winning mindset,” Seymore said. “We didn’t lose all season. So why come out here and lose?”

Central finished 14-0 and won its fourth straight state title.

“They asked me, what did I want to do,” Joseph said of putting his team together. “I said, I need my coaches with me. Because I knew my coaches were going to infuse that championship demeanor with the guys. When we went down, nobody was shaken. Everybody was calm. At the end of the day, we’ve been here before as a staff. It’s only right that you had the best in Dade to coach the best in Dade. That’s what happens.”

The game featured players who have committed to Power 5 schools, and more than 30 players who have already signed Division 1 letters of intent.

Broward’s roster also was filled with future college players.

Cardinal Gibbons’ running back Kamari Moulton, who scored the game’s first touchdown, has signed with Iowa. Dillard running back Christopher Johnson has signed with the University of Miami, and Pine Crest receiver Jordan Faison will be playing his college ball at Notre Dame.

Then, you have players like Monarch defensive lineman Gavin Peacock, who had a strip fumble that resulted in a Broward touchdown in the second quarter. Justin Tedim from Western recovered the loose ball and scampered towards the end zone. Tedium flipped to Greg Otten from Cardinal Gibbons, who scored the touchdown.

“It’s awesome to have the Power 5 kids play, but it’s even better to see the small schools come out here, and get a chance to earn these kids some money,” said Frank Tucker, one of the organizers of the event. “We have kids out here like Jordan Jean [Western] out here, putting on a show. Peacock from Monarch. He gets a strip-sack. Those are the moments that I cherish more than anything, because these kids get to put that on film. People get to see that.”

The fans were treated to an entertaining and intensely played All-Star game that featured some of the best players in the state of Florida.

“It’s really like, for the battle of Florida,” Jenkins said. “Who runs Florida? I’m going to go with 305 all day.”

Even with the game played two days before Christmas, “The Battle for the Crib” attracted a nice crowd.

“We had like 80 media members signed up, photographers, came to see this game,” Tucker said. “We’ve put on one the best shows in South Florida for the year. I think there are so many positive outcomes from this game.

“Last year, we had a couple of kids sign after the game. They got offers after the game. I think the same thing is going to happen here. That’s really what I look to get out of this. Last year, we did this on Jan. 8, and we missed out on a lot of kids because they were leaving early for school or were out of town.”

To attract so many players who have already signed letters of intent was impressive.

“I came out for the fun of it,” Jenkins said. “To experience it. This would be my last high school game. I wanted to go out with a bang, and play with some of these guys from across the city.”

The fact so many players who have already inked college deals participated is impressive.

“They still played,” Joseph said. “They’re competitors. You can’t take that away from them. We’re old school. We have an old school feel to it.”

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

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..