Over the years, the Fort Lauderdale Stranahan Dragons have had some quality coaches to lead the football program.

On Tuesday, this program continued that tradition with the hiring of one of their own.

Jacky Candy, who played for the Dragons before going on to college at Robert Morris, Coffeyville Community College and the University of Houston.

Candy takes over for longtime coach Travis Harden who stepped down at the beginning of the year after a successful run.

Candy, who was a two-sport (basketball) standout at Stranahan is excited about coming home to take over a program that has long attracted quality athletes.

He was recently hired at Cardinal Gibbons as a defensive assistant, but when the opportunity to come home presented itself, it was simply a no brainer.

“For the past five years I learned so much being on the staff at Monarch with Coach (Calvin) Davis and his assistant coaches,” Candy explained. “When Coach (Matt) Dubuc brought me over at the start of the year to coach at Cardinal Gibbons, it was another step in the process of becoming a head football coach.”

Leaving Cardinal Gibbons was not an easy decision, but the chance to be a head coach at his alma mater was tough to pass up.

Playing for Coach Kevin Sumlin at Houston also prepared him as a safety for the Cougars.

“I’m just anxious to get going and learn what we have on our roster this spring,” Candy said. “I know the Stranahan community well and will reach out to those who helped me become the person I am today.”

The Dragons will hit the ground running as Candy is looking for a spring game to get his team ready for a competitive summer.

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

Are You Keeping Up With Miami-Dade & Broward High School Football Transfers? https://larryblustein.com/news/keeping-up-with-miami-dade-broward-high-school-football-transfers

For the past 54 years, we have spent plenty of 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The world of college football recruiting has indeed changed.

The days of just focusing on the next class of prospects, we are now jumping ahead two and three classes to be the first to jump on some stellar south Florida athletes.

While knowing who is ahead and what student/athletes will make an impact, sometimes the value of e targeting the upcoming group of football talent.

With so many gifted football players often playing in the shadow of some impressive prospects, the true value of some prospects is often taken for granted.

With the opportunity to see so many players live – in many settings during the year – we are fortunate to have the pleasure of following EVERY prospect, and that is something that high school coaches, parents, players, and college coaches have long told us how helpful the firsthand information is to them.

Today, we bring you five Class of 2025 rising seniors who many have heard about but may have no clue how vital they are to their respective programs.

Davaris Lawson, CB, 5-10, 175, Sunrise Piper. Having followed this impressive talent these past two years, all he does is make plays and give the Bengals a huge boost. As a playoff team in 2023, this is one of the prospects that this team truly needed. His numbers were indeed impressive - 35 Total Tackles, 26 Solo, 9 Assists, 8 PBUS/Forced Incompletions.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17627042/654fc6a96898e9135c5da604

Johannes Mager, DE, 6-4, 230, Homestead. Talk about coming out of nowhere. While he played a year ago, this is a quality football player who is still learning the game. A native of Germany, his quest to get better and become one of the top prospects is endless. He is big, strong, extremely athletic and is like a sponge who picks things up quickly. Will be a catalyst this coming season for a team that is once again expected to do some big things. Keep an eye on him during the spring and summer and you will see why the school that fully discovers his talents will strike gold. His junior year numbers included 55 solo tackles, 74 total tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 4 QB hurries.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18769000/Johannes-Mager

Cameron Sapp, WR, 5-9, 170, Miami Palmetto. Ever since early in his sophomore year when head coach Mike Manasco pointed this impressive talent out, all he has done is produce – using a combination of skill, football IQ and athletic ability to put himself in the spotlight. Still, as much as he brings to the table as a difference maker, there are some who continue to overlook his overall value to the Panthers. Hidden the past two seasons by prospects who were getting more attention, here is a football talent who will emerge this coming season and into the future. Also boasts a 3.5 GPA in the classroom.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16323928/Cameron-Sapp

Trevor Sommers, Edge, 6-3, 245, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. While he committed to the University of Pittsburgh, this is still a quality football talent who makes plays and is always around the ball. His strong football background has given him a huge advantage during this process. Watch him play and you will be bowled over by a motor that never stops and the way he overpowers offensive linemen. While he is on the radar with many colleges – including the Panthers – this is an extremely gifted student/athlete who maintains an eye-catching 4.5 grade point average in the classroom. He certainly has Raiders’ football in his bloodlines.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16277264/Trevor-Sommers

Kyle Washington, WR, 5-9, 165, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. This needs to be said right off the top: this is easily one of the best and most productive football players in the state. Often playing “second fiddle” to the other receivers who are in the spotlight, there is simply no getting around the fact that this is the ultimate team player, who fills up the stat sheet and finds the end zone – often. You will never hear him complain about his role, but college coaches who have watched him perform and know all about evaluating top-flight football players, understand exactly what he has brought to this team – on and off of the playing field. Will end up making an impact at the next level!

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16311449/6366a1999676cd0beca1976f

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

Are You Keeping Up With Miami-Dade & Broward High School Football Transfers? https://larryblustein.com/news/keeping-up-with-miami-dade-broward-high-school-football-transfers

For the past 54 years, we have spent plenty of 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

It should come as no surprise when talking about some of the best football prospects every year, Miami-Dade and Broward are always in the conversation.

For as long as anyone can remember, when it came to talking about elite talent, south Florida boasts talent that can stand toe-to-toe with anyone.

With the Class of 2025 getting ready to be in the spotlight, the rising group of juniors in the Class of 2026 are enjoying an off season that is giving them national recognition, and that only adds to what this region has enjoyed for decades.

Today, we bring you five Class of 2026 football players in the two counties to continue to keep watching:

Kaj Baker, RB/CB, 5-7, 165, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy. Comes back to play for his father after a year at Miami Central. This is easily one of the fastest (10.38 100m) players in the state. A quality talent that can play on either side of the ball as well as on special teams. His ability to make plays happen is what every opponent needs to prepare for. Look for him to have a huge junior season – in and out of the classroom, where he holds down a 3.5 grade points average.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15144891/Kaj-Nitro-Baker

Jemel Bonica, DE, 6-4, 220, Miami Northwestern. Came to Liberty City at the end of his sophomore season from Miami Booker T. Washington where he established himself as a prospect that is getting plenty of attention. Has an opportunity – with his skill level and size – to have huge off-season and will continue to get college offers and plenty of attention.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18032971/Jemel-Bonica

Derrek Cooper, WR/RB/S, 6-1, 200, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. Make no mistake, this is going to be one of the players who blows up the most – as he makes his move over to a national power. While he can run the ball from scrimmage, keep an eye on him catching the ball and playing defense. Got bigger over the past year and will continue to raise the bar. He is a major Power 5 prospect that some have just found out about.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19057210/Derrek-Cooper

Liam Marley, DL, 6-3, 230, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy. Here is a school that has produced more than their share of talent over the years, and you can add this impressive defensive lineman to that list. He is quick off the ball, strong and very athletic. This coming season, college offers will start to pour in as coaches watch this young man perform. His work in the classroom (4.44 GPA) is also something that will open doors as well.

TAPE: Mid-Season Highlights-Liam Marley - Liam Marley highlights - Hudl

Dominic Turnbull, CB, 6-2, 175, Miami True North. Ever since he began playing this sport, he has been compared to his father, who was a high school, college and NFL standout and is now coaching. Watch this young man play and you will be impressed at his skill level, ability to play the position, his size and athleticism. Has everything you are looking for in a big-time football player. Played a challenging schedule this past season and more than held his own. In addition, happens to be an Honor Student.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16260330/Dominic-Turnbull

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

Are You Keeping Up With Miami-Dade & Broward High School Football Transfers? https://larryblustein.com/news/keeping-up-with-miami-dade-broward-high-school-football-transfers

For the past 54 years, we have spent plenty of 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For the first time in school history Coconut Creek Monarch came within one game of playing for the state title on the football field last season.

Veteran head coach Calvin Davis and his Knights had put together a five-game winning streak after losing to national powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas and was hosting Jacksonville Mandarin in a game that would send the winner to state.

Monarch would lead after the first quarter, trail by two at the half and found themselves heading into the fourth quarter down by just three. But that fourth quarter is where things fell apart, and they saw their dreams of playing for a first ever state title, getting outscored 27-0 and losing 51-21.

That loss was not easy to take as the season ended 11-3.

With several seniors moving on, it was time to rebuild for another run, but when they lost the No. 1 Class 2026 player in the state, receiver Jabari Brady to nationally rated Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, it was time to reload.

It comes as no surprise to anyone in south Florida that there are more football transfers that take place in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties than anywhere in Florida – and the numbers are not close.

With the success of the Knights in 2023, and a solid coaching staff that has a reputation of teaching and sending athletes on to the next level, the roster began to change, and perhaps nobody has been more active in the off-season than this team.

While they also would lose Class of 2027 quarterback prospect Jaeden Phillips (PEMBROKE PINES SOMERSET ACADEMY), and 2025 players Standley Louis Jr. (WR/Slot -COCONUT CREEK) and Terrence Johnson Jr. (Athlete - FORT LAUDERDALE CARDINAL GIBBONS) along with a few others, this program served notice that they are ready to pick up where they left off – with some quality newcomers.

With some impressive talent already on the roster, the Knights brought in 2025 prospects Ayden Guy (OC, Boca Raton St. John Paul II), William Gedeon (OT, Coral Springs Taravella), Jaylen Liberal (DB, Deerfield Beach), Belal Logan (WR, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School), Bre’Lan Mareus (RB, Fort Lauderdale), Mekhi Miller (LB, Deerfield Beach), and receiver/defensive back Antwaun Parham (Springfield Effingham County, Georgia).

Class of 2026 rising juniors Amari Deer (Athlete, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy), Jaborree Riggins (WR, Fort Lauderdale), and Gerald Thomas (DE/OLB, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely) also came aboard. The Knights also got Cardinal Gibbons 2027 receiver Chris Cortinas.

While there is a long way to go before things kick off in late August, Monarch is certainly ready to make some noise statewide.

During the spring, we will do an updated look at the complete roster.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARGATE TALK

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

Are You Keeping Up With Miami-Dade & Broward High School Football Transfers? https://larryblustein.com/news/keeping-up-with-miami-dade-broward-high-school-football-transfers

For the past 54 years, we have spent plenty of 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..