When you happen to be in the same district as a program that has gone to the state finals in three of the past five years, you must raise the bar – every season.

For Doral Academy and head coach Eddie Delgado, having to line up against Miami Christopher Columbus has put them in a position where either you get better or sit home. The Firebirds have opted to build this team back to where it was a few years back.

What last year was about for this program came down to rebuilding an entire offensive backfield, offensive linemen and several key players who departed after the 2022 season.

Although they were 5-5, the good news was they made the state playoffs and showed vast improvement throughout the season.

As spring rolled around, the objective was to continue getting better, and with a rising senior (2025) class leading the way, they have the talent to compete and get over that hump.

Here are some of those 2025 players who figure to continue stepping up:

CLASS OF 2025

Marcus Antelo, WR, 6-1, 170.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13483060/654849882352620a404d6551

Samuel Catalan, WR, 6-0, 175.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19657679/65ce983eda5b420b3c767e63

Nicholas Garcia, RB, 5-9, 200.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16683394/65185b6b0c536509a421c138

Erick Hernandez, OT, 6-4, 260.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17355591/651f5e71b02371046803c5bb

Jayson Lopez, WR, 5-8, 160.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12951930/654ef987b3c9e4110cd6bbd2

Diego Montes, OL, 6-1, 270.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16332223/653f2af42ab1070a883c5d05

AWAITING SPRING VIDEO

Ricardo Gaitan, RB/TE, 5-10, 185

Brett Rayon, OL, 5-11, 235

Jason Sastre, DL, 6-1, 235

Aiden Zamora, DL, 6-1, 270

THE FUTURE IS WHERE THINGS WILL GET EXCITING

As the rising senior class will provide talent, experience, and leadership, it will be up to the underclassmen to add depth and prospects who will see the field early.

Here is a look at some of those younger players expected to make a statement in 2024:

CLASS OF 2026

Jordan Lleo, QB, 5-10, 155.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16945641/Jordan-Lleo/highlights

Karmelo McCrae, DB, 5-8, 155.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18196806/Karmelo-McCrea/highlights

Joel Miller, RB, 5-10, 175.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19808791/Joel-Miller/highlights

Dannell Wesby, RB/WR, 5-9, 145.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19657623/65b316d2b5362d06a0dd356d

AWAITING SPRING VIDEO

Yaseen Elmissiry, OL/DL, 6-1, 230

Brooklyn Diaz, DB, 5-8, 155

Gianni Fornaris, LB/DE, 5-10, 185

Joshua Lleo, WR/RB, 5-7, 140

Michael Moscoso, OL/DL, 6-1, 240

CLASS OF 2027

AWAITING SPRING VIDEO

Matthew Lopez, LB/RB, 5-10, 185

Jeancarlos Rodriguez, DL/OL, 6-2, 215

Max Selma, DB, 5-10, 160

Mathew Vargas, DE, 5-10, 200

Rylen Zamora, TE/DE, 5-11, 205

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MIAMI HERALD

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