Up until September 29th of last year, when Coconut Creek played the No. 2 team in the country – Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna – the 4-1 record the Cougars had put together to start the season never got anyone’s attention.
After losing to state-rated Gainesville High in Georgia by only eight never registered with football fans in south Florida. But those four quarters on that muggy fall night changed the way everyone viewed a football team that had been knocking on the door for several years.
With head coach Johnnie Sloan and his impressive staff going hard year-round, the Cougars were on the verge of doing something special.
The 35-27 loss to the Lions had turned the fortunes of this team around.
For the next six weeks, football fans across the state noticed a new face on the 3M landscape.
Loaded with quality talent and plenty of experience, they would lose just one more time and that came in the second round of the state playoffs to eventual state champion and national powerhouse Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.
That 10-3 season was not just a one-time thing. Even though there were losses, there was a strong feeling that the future was indeed bright.
With some key leaders returning, the Cougars had a plan. One that would ensure that this program would remain in the mix.
As the off-season began, returning prospects started to work toward 2024, and with the spring and summer on the horizon, the outlook was once again positive – with prospects competing in 7-on-7 events, line camps and looking toward restocking.
THE SHELVES WERE NOT LEFT EMPTY
With several prospects moving on to the next level, the Class of 2025 rising seniors were ready to make a return.
Led by one of the most underrated players in the state of Florida, leading the way at defensive tackle, leadership would not be a problem.
With 6-2, 275-pound Nimari Brantley holding things down, the class was ready to own the responsibility of keeping this program moving forward.
In addition to Brantley, the 2025 class also included Samuel Alexis Bonilla (OG), Jahar Brown (WR), Elijah Calixte (OLB), Ivan Delien (CB), Jermaine Gordon (RB), Akemi Rainford (DE), Keon Roy (SS), Jaydon Rucker (OG), Jaheim Taylor (WR), and cornerback Tyler Williams.
With the future depending on what the underclassmen can bring to the table, the Class of 2026 (rising juniors) were also ready to step up to the plate as well – with Khameron Baker (LB), Santonio Banton (DE), Mekhi Headley-Fain (OG), Jacari Johnson (OT), Sebastien Midi (DB), Zanii Miller (SS), Andrew Stickney (QB), and running back Jordan Thompson.
TRANSFERS WILL CERTAINLY MAKE A HUG IMPACT
At a time when prospects are switching schools at a record pace, the Cougars have certainly not been left out of what the off-season brings.
Knowing that to keep up with the rest of the playoff teams, things had to be done – and they have in a major way.
Among the 2025 new faces include Isaiah Anderson (WR, Pembroke Pines Flanagan), Janaris Foster (DB, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan), highly regarded quarterback Devin Gonzalez (Weston Cypress Bay), Dylan McCarthy (DB/WR, Weston Cypress Bay), Ricardo Paul (DE, Coral Springs), and Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy linebacker Mike Varga.
The future was also enhanced with the addition of Class of 2026 players Jonathan Brady (DL/OL, Oakland Park Northeast), Damian Dickenson (RB, North Lauderdale Somerset Prep) and Trayvon Mitchell (SS, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely).
Incoming freshman cornerback/receiver Jaquan Washington will make his way over from Fort Lauderdale Dillard.
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