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Class of 2029 Prospects Make A Splash In Playoffs

When it comes to high school football in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, it is not uncommon for freshmen to make an impact.

For as long as anyone can remember, ninth graders have found a place on the varsity roster and have come through against top competition.

With youth football in south Florida always among the most competitive and talented anywhere in the country, prospects have an opportunity to play a key role as soon as they arrive in high school. It has been like that for a number of years.

With prospects like Malachi Toney and Neimann Lawrence being so dominant at the youth level, it was only a matter of time that both made a difference as soon as they put their high school uniform on.

This year, once again, there are so many elite ninth graders in the Class of 2029 who have had their opportunity to shine during the season – grabbing the spotlight almost immediately.

The opportunity to get a chance to help teams win districts or qualify for the post season, there were several who had the opportunity, in their first season, to get to the state playoffs.

While several had the opportunity to taste that post season football, there are several who are still playing.

Here are a few of those talented freshmen that jumped into the spotlight in 2025:

Evans Branch, DE, 6’5, 195, Miami Ransom Everglades.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23318095/Evans-Branch

Geloni Brown, WR/DB, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26787768/Geloni-Brown

Richard Guilbaud, RB, 5’10, 210, Hialeah – 3.5 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26913286/Richard-Guilbaud

Aydin Hall, LB, 5’11, 205, Miami Gulliver Prep – 3.7 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23634551/aydin-hall

Trayvon Johnson, Athlete/RB, 5’6, 145, Miami Booker T. Washington.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/27177417/Trayvon-Johnson?

Victor Latimore, LB, 6’0, 185, Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26644678/Victor-Latimore

Malik Leonard, QB, 6’0, 170, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna – 4.0 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/25428037/Malik-Jeremiah-Leonard

Darius Little, OL, 6’3, 270, Davie Western – 4.0 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23405273/Darius-Little

Javian “Champ” Norwood, WR/Athlete, 5’10, 160, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons – 4.1 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22058225/Javian-Norwood

Jeffrey O’Neal Jr., Athlete, 6’2, 175, Plantation.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/28191957/Jeffrey-ONeal-jr

Deangelo Plese, QB, 5’7, 150, Davie Nova – 4.0 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26649810/deangelo-plese

Kedarius Rhaney, WR/CB, Pembroke Pines West Broward.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26388150/Rhaney-Kedarius

Khalil Thomas, DB, 5’11, 170, Miami True North.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22386462/Khalil-Thomas

Emerson Walker, TE/DE, 6’6, 210, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/25535746/Emerson-Walker

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..

Once again on Tuesday night the South Florida High School Sports Radio Show took center stage with seven impressive guests.

Each and every week, the FM 104.3 WQAM radio program attracts the newsmakers in high school sports, recruiting college sports – not only locally, but throughout the country.

The show gives listeners an opportunity to hear about college football programs statewide from the media that cover them. It also focuses on the coaches who use the state of Florida – Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in particular.

The show, which has run for nearly two decades, has become a popular listen for recruiting fans as well as high school sports purists, focusing on c

Here is a look at the way Tuesday went:

On Friday night, for the first time in few years, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons will have the chance to play for a Regional championship when they travel to Miami to take in unbeaten Immaculata LaSalle. Head Coach Matt Dubuc broke his team down.

COACH MATT DUBUC ON TUESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/head-coach-matt-dubuc-of-cardinal-gibbons-7076b

In his very first year as head coach of Archbishop McCarthy, head football coach Jake Pew will lead the Mavericks into a Regional title game at home against defending 4A state champion Plantation American Heritage. He talked about the team and game.

COACH JAKE PEW ON TUESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/head-coach-jake-pew-of-archbishop-mccarthy-4f650

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, the annual Nat Moore Trophy presentation will take place at Hard Rock Stadium and CBS 4 sports anchor Mike Cugno broke down the event and previewed the Final 4 athletes.

MIKE CUGNO ON TUESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/cbs-4-miami-sports-director-mike-cugno-is-talking-about-the-nat-moore-trophy-final-4-finalists-c18be

The University of Miami football team heads to Pittsburgh this Saturday for the regular season finale with plenty at stake. The Panthers and Hurricanes are both alive for the post season and former ‘Cane standout football player and pre-game radio host Brian Monroe talked about the team and this Saturday.

BRIAN MONROE ON TUESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/former-miami-hurricanes-punter-pregame-host-brian-monroe-fdd7b

For the first time in several years, Miami Palmetto and head coach Mike Manasco will be practicing on Thanksgiving and playing on Friday. He talked about the team and the game against Barbara Goleman.

MIKE MANASCO ON TUESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/miami-palmetto-head-coach-mike-manasco-f91fd

Last year, Hollywood McArthur was 2-8 and headed nowhere on the football field. But that all changed when former Mustang football player Robert Ortega Sr. returned to his alma mater and heads to the Regional final against six-time defending state champion St. Thomas Aquinas with a 10-2 record!

COACH ROBERT ORTEGA ON TUESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/mcarthur-football-head-coach-robert-ortega-50eb9

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..

St. Thomas Aquinas Ends Impressive Season For Coconut Creek

By Dave Brousseau

FORT LAUDERDALE – It wasn’t the most glamorous St. Thomas Aquinas playoff football victory in recent years, but when the clock ran out on Coconut Creek season, the Raiders continue another state championship run.

Led by senior quarterback Mason Mallory’s pair of touchdown runs and two scoring passes Aquinas rolled to 45-13 victory over the Cougars in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Friday.

The Raiders (11-1) will host McArthur, a 17-16 victor over Atlantic, in a Regional Final this Friday.

Aquinas, winners of 32 consecutive playoff games, are 18-2 all-time against the Mustangs, including a 31-7 win earlier this season.

Up 17-7 at the half, the Raiders put the game away in the third quarter on a 15-yard scoring pass from Mallory to Julius Jones and a 13-yard touchdown pass to Shavis Linder Jr. for a 31-7 lead.

“We just came out and made sure we executed everything we worked on in practice,” said Mallory. “We knew certain looks they were going to give us and knew what we would usually hit.”

“We got sloppy at some points, but we’re a bend don’t break team and made some adjustments,”

The down by 24, the Cougars weren’t quite ready to fold as sophomore quarterback Josiah Sanchious connected wide open Jordan Thompson for and 83-yard touchdown pass cutting the deficit to 31-13.

The Raiders shut down any thoughts of a Creek (9-3) comeback with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns.

Back-up quarterback Brady Palmer scored on a 13-yard run, followed by a 25-yard scamper by Morris Choice III with 5:18 to play.

Aquinas took advantage of two early interceptions of tipped balls to take a 10-0 lead.

Mallory scored on a 15-yard run just 1:17 into the first quarter. That was followed by 30-yard field goal from Johnny DiSalvatore.

“They are an extremely talented team, and we had some opportunities from their mistakes and turnovers,” said Aquinas coach Roger Harriott. “We capitalized on them early that set the tone for us for a solid victory.”

The Cougars showed some grit as they battled back with a Sanchious two-yard pass scoring pass to Thompson.

Mallory completed a 10-play, 65-yard scoring drive on a 1-yard run with 9:59 left in the second quarter for 17-7 lead at the break.

“Our mistakes hurt and we didn’t capitalize on plays we could have made,” said Coconut Creek coach Johnnie Sloan. “We got to get better. They played better than we did today.

We’ll be back next year. We’ll go to the lab and make our corrections, but we have a young group and we’ll be back.”

Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Miami-Dade, Broward Playoff Week 3 – 14 Teams Remain In The Hunt

Back in the third week of August, football programs in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties started the season with a dream.

Now, some three plus months later, programs in every classification still have those hopes of winning a state title as they will compete in the Region Final round of the state playoffs that will end up at Pitbull Stadium in the second week of December.

When play starts the day after Thanksgiving, there are 14 teams from the two counties that are still holding on to that coveted dream of getting to play for a state title.

With that in mind, we check out the top local teams heading into the second round of the state playoffs:

1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5A, 11-1). LAST WEEK: The six-time state champions beat No. 16 Coconut Creek in a region semifinal contest, 45-13. THIS WEEK: No. 7 Hollywood McArthur (10-2). NEXT WEEK: TBA.

2. Miami Northwestern (3A, 11-0). LAST WEEK: The defending state champions rolled to a 56-6 win over Key West. THIS WEEK: No. 3 Miami Central (10-1). NEXT WEEK: TBA.

3. Miami Central (3A, 10-1). LAST WEEK: The Rockets outscored Naples Lely, 70-30. THIS WEEK: No. 2 Miami Northwestern (11-0). NEXT WEEK: TBA.
4. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1A, 9-2). LAST WEEK: The four-time defending state champions continued their path to a 10^th straight state championship appearance with a 47-18 win against Miami Edison. THIS WEEK: No. 8 Miami True North Classical Academy (10-2). NEXT WEEK: TBA.

5. Miami Southridge (6A, 11-1). LAST WEEK: The Spartans continued to make a statement with a dominating 42-6 win against Sunrise Piper. THIS WEEK: No. 6 Pembroke Pines West Broward (10-2). NEXT WEEK: TBA.

6. Pembroke Pines West Broward (6A, 10-2). LAST WEEK: The Bobcats won a competitive contest against No. 17 Coconut Creek Monarch, 38-12. rolled to a 56-13 win over South Plantation. THIS WEEK: No. 5 Miami Southridge (11-1). NEXT WEEK: TBA.

7. Hollywood McArthur (5A, 10-2). LAST WEEK: The Mustangs continued one of the biggest turnarounds in the state with a 17-16 win against Delray Beach Atlantic. THIS WEEK: A rematch with No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (11-1). NEXT WEEK: TBA.

8. Miami True North Classical Academy (1A, 10-2). LAST WEEK: The Tians won for the 10th straight time, 62-28, against Boca Raton St. Andrew’s. THIS WEEK: No. 4 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (9-2). NEXT WEEK: TBA.

9. Miami Palmetto (7A, 10-2). LAST WEEK: For the second time this year, the Panthers knocked off Miami Christopher Columbus, 27-10. THIS WEEK: No. 14 Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (8-4). NEXT WEEK: TBA.

10. Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (4A, 10-2). LAST WEEK: The Mavericks, for the second time this season, beat No. 15 Miami Norland, 24-14. THIS WEEK: No. 13 defending state champion Plantation American Heritage (6-5). NEXT WEEK: TBA.

11. Miami Immaculata LaSalle (2A, 12-0). LAST WEEK: The Royal Lions continued one of the best seasons in school history with a 42-16 win against Miami Ransom Everglades. THIS WEEK: No. 12 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (9-3). NEXT WEEK: TBA.

12. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2A, 9-3). LAST WEEK: The Chiefs won a thriller against No. 19 Miami Killian, 38-35. THIS WEEK: No. 11 Miami Immaculata LaSalle (12-0).

13. Plantation American Heritage (4A, 6-5). LAST WEEK: The defending state champions continued to regain their form with a convincing 48-7 win against No. 18 Plantation. THIS WEEK: No. 10 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (10-2). NEXT WEEK: TBA.

14. Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (8-4). LAST WEEK: The Gators went on the road and beat Boca Raton Spanish River, 56-42. THIS WEEK: When they take on No. 9 Miami Palmetto (10-2), it will be the furthest that this school has ever gone in the state football playoffs. NEXT WEEK: TBA.

15. Miami Norland (4A, 6-5). LAST WEEK: The Vikings dropped a 24-14 decision to No. 10 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy. SEASON OVER.

16. Coconut Creek (5A, 9-3). LAST WEEK: The Cougars dropped a 45-13 game to No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. SEASON OVER.

17. Coconut Creek Monarch (6A, 7-5). LAST WEEK: The Knights ended a very productive year, 38-12, to No. 6 Pembroke Pines West Broward. SEASON OVER.

18. Plantation (4A, 7-5). LAST WEEK: The Colonels ended the season with a 48-7 decision to defending state champion and No. 13 Plantation American Heritage. SEASON OVER.

19. Miami Killian (2A, 8-3). LAST WEEK: The Cougars watching the season come to an end with a tough 38-35 contest to No. 12 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. SEASON OVER.

20. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (4A, 10-1). SEASON OVER.

Here are some other programs who worked hard this year:

INDEPENDENT

Doral Ronald Reagan (7-2). SEASON OVER

Coral Springs Charter (5-6). SEASON OVER

Fort Lauderdale University School (8-5). SEASON OVER

Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (8-3). SEASON OVER

Hialeah Gardens (4-7). SEASON OVER

Miami Braddock (4-6). SEASON OVER

Miami Coral Reef Football (9-2). SEASON OVER

Miami Ferguson (5-3). SEASON OVER

Miami Florida Christian (7-2-1). SEASON OVER

Miami Varela (6-4). SEASON OVER

CLASS 1A

Miami Archbishop Carroll (8-3), SEASON OVER

Miami Edison (6-5). SEASON OVER

Miami Palmer Trinity (7-3). SEASON OVER

Miami Westminster Christian (8-3). SEASON OVER

CLASS 2A

Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy (7-4). SEASON OVER

Miami Booker T. Washington (2-8)

Miami Carol City (6-5). SEASON OVER

Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (4-7). SEASON OVER

Miami Gulliver Prep (6-4). SEASON OVER

Miami Ransom Everglades (7-4). SEASON OVER

North Miami Beach (4-6)

CLASS 3A

Miami St. Brendan (4-7). SEASON OVER

Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy (4-7). SEASON OVER

CLASS 4A

Hialeah (6-5). SEASON OVER

CLASS 5A

Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy (8-4)

Miramar (4-7). SEASON OVER

North Miami (7-4). SEASON OVER

CLASS 6A

Davie Nova (5-6). SEASON OVER

Doral Academy (5-5). SEASON OVER

Miami Christopher Columbus (4-8). SEASON OVER

Pembroke Pines Flanagan (8-3). SEASON OVER

South Plantation (6-5). SEASON OVER

Sunrise Piper (7-5). SEASON OVER

CLASS 7A

Coral Gables (4-5). SEASON OVER

Coral Springs Coral Glades (6-5). SEASON OVER

Davie Western (4-7). SEASON OVER

Homestead South Dade (5-6). SEASON OVER

Weston Cypress Bay (5-5). SEASON OVER

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD TOP 20

WEEK 1. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-1-top-20-miami-dade-broward-loaded-with-talent

WEEK 2. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-2-top-20-st-thomas-aquinas-moves-to-no-1

WEEK 3. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-3-local-teams-are-starting-to-emerge

WEEK 4. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-4-huge-games-will-test-local-teams

WEEK 5. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-5-new-teams-enter-an-elite-group

WEEK 6. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-6-district-games-will-put-distance-between-teams

WEEK 7. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-7-things-are-beginning-to-get-interesting-for-area-programs

WEEK 8. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-8-it-s-all-about-the-state-playoffs-now

WEEK 9. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-9-playoff-slots-still-up-for-grabs

WEEK 10. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-10-playoff-spots-up-for-grabs

WEEK 11. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-11-teams-getting-ready-for-the-post-season

WEEK 12. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-12-the-playoff-waiting-game-begins

WEEK 1 PLAYOFFS. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-playoff-week-1-key-opening-round-games

WEEK 2 PLAYOFFS. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-playoff-week-2-local-programs-stay-alive

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..

Back in the third week of August, football programs in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties started the season with a dream.

Now, some three plus months later, programs in every classification still have those hopes of winning a state title as they will compete in the Region Final round of the state playoffs that will end up at Pitbull Stadium in the second week of December.

When play starts the day after Thanksgiving, there are 14 teams from the two counties that are still holding on to that coveted dream of getting to play for a state title.

With that in mind, we check out the top local teams heading into the second round of the state playoffs:

1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5A, 11-1). LAST WEEK: The six-time state champions beat No. 16 Coconut Creek in a region semifinal contest, 45-13. THIS WEEK: No. 7 Hollywood McArthur (10-2). NEXT WEEK: TBA.

2. Miami Northwestern (3A, 11-0). LAST WEEK: The defending state champions rolled to a 56-6 win over Key West. THIS WEEK: No. 3 Miami Central (10-1). NEXT WEEK: TBA.

3. Miami Central (3A, 10-1). LAST WEEK: The Rockets outscored Naples Lely, 70-30. THIS WEEK: No. 2 Miami Northwestern (11-0). NEXT WEEK: TBA.

4. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1A, 9-2). LAST WEEK: The four-time defending state champions continued their path to a 10^th straight state championship appearance with a 47-18 win against Miami Edison. THIS WEEK: No. 8 Miami True North Classical Academy (10-2). NEXT WEEK: TBA.