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..