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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After six weeks of the 2023 high school football season, the Miami Palmer Trinity football team sat 5-1 and were confident about the remainder of the season.

Being in the same region as several elite programs, head coach Mark Reese and this team realized that if they were going to pull off a surprise, the second half of the year would have to see this team play its best football of the year.

Instead of pulling off some surprises, the team went 1-3, which included a loss to region champ Miami Archbishop Carroll and the year came to an end at 6-4.

The positives certainly ended up outweighing the negatives – with a state playoff appearance and the ability to give several underclassmen valuable experience.

That group of underclassmen – the rising seniors (2025) will indeed be the nucleus for this program in 2024.

As spring started and with summer right around the corner, the experience and leadership that the 2025 prospects bring to the table will be very important.

Here are some of those players:

CLASS OF 2025

Matteo Blazuoli, OL/DL, 6-0, 210.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17821779/63eeea48b534940e1cbe2310

Emil Infante, H-Back, 6-3, 180.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13294599/657094ccd21c4603f0e1b37f 

LOADED 2026 PLAYERS GIVE THE TEAM PLENTY OF CONFIDENCE

As the 2025 prospects will lead the way, the Falcons believe that they have enough rising juniors (2026) along with some newcomers to keep things going.

Here are some of those gifted football players who should make an impact:

CLASS OF 2026

Andre Bailey, QB, 5-9, 160.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13294599/63ee8a8e6e819204c404c13e 

Tommy Barcinas, LB, 5-10, 170.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14136977/638ced1d066b5307dc08aa06

Kaan Kinay, OL/DL, 6-4, 210.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14136977/6564a88e64e94b0ab0e2c3b4

Fernando Martinez, OLB/SS, 5-10, 180.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17588518/655d45cbb022950480ae6e09 

Declan McGlaughin, 6-1, 170.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17067077/65dca9b017634e0370425a29 

AWAITING SPRING VIDEO

Nicola Campiani, WR, 6-0, 165

Guilherme Ferreira, OL/DE, 6-3, 210

William Polo, DL, 6-1, 270

Riley Potter, OL, 6-4, 315

Cook Roberts, PK/P, 6-2, 150

Hudson Truby, WR, 6-2, 155

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When you talk with Cypress Bay head coach Bret Hood about the 2023 season, he would much rather talk about the 7-1 start than the way the year ended.

While those seven wins set the tone and pushed the Lightning into the state playoffs, losing to rival Davie Western twice within three weeks was what many will remember about the year.

While several holes need to be replaced this coming season, this spring and into the summer will tell how far this program can go in 2024.

This team will rely on a rising senior (2025) class that has several prospects coming back. That group will need to use experience and talent along with leadership.

Here are some of those 2025 prospects to keep an eye on:

CLASS OF 2025

Rafael Baccala, DE, 5-11, 195 – 3.8 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17624972/rafael-baccala

Eli Collin, TE, 5-11, 205 – 4.3 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17624976/Eli-Collin

Eain Hersh, QB, 5-10, 190 – 3.3 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17624962/Eain-Hersh

Zac Hersh, WR, 5-9, 175 – 3.5 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19668449/Zachary-Hersh

Zach Halum, DL, 5-10, 200 – 3.2 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17625000/Zacharia-Halum

Jacob Lopez, CB, 5-10, 185 – 4.2 GPA.

TAPE:  https://www.hudl.com/profile/17624942/Jacob-Lopez

Milton Milledge, CB, 6-0, 190 – 3.0 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16946045/Milton-Milledge

Alexander Palmer, LB, 5-11, 215 – 4.4 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17624940/Alexander-Palmer

Manuel Pardo, OG, 6-0, 225 – 3.5 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18336008/manuel-pardo

Santi Paz, WR/DB/WR, 5-9, 165 – 3.9 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17624988/Santi-Paz

AWAITING SPRING VIDEO

William Cusson, DL, 6-2, 225 – 3.4 GPA

Andrew Guillen, OC, 5-10, 200 – 4.0 GPA

Brian Guzman, DL, 6-0, 215 – 3.4 GPA

Jason Jordan, S, 5-10, 185 – 3.8 GPA

Rood Olson-Benel, Athlete, 6-0, 185

LIGHTINING WILL LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE

While the rising senior class will be leading the way, keep an eye on the underclassmen where there are some quality football players to watch. Here are a few who figure to give this program a major boost:

CLASS OF 2026

Lorenzo Lopez, TE, 6-1, 195 – 4.5 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18613107/lorenzo-lopez

Sushanth Mortala, OL, 6-4, 260 – 2.7 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19381374/Sushanth-Mortala

Ronald Thomas, WR, 6-3, 185 – 3.0 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19227296/Ronald-Thomas

AWAITING SPRING VIDEO

Harwens Garnier, DB, 5-10, 180 – 2.8 GPA

Grayson Jones, WR, 5-10, 165 – 3.4 GPA

Zachary Lemasters, LB, 5-10, 210

Mateus Lucena, PK, 5-11, 190 – 3.5 GPA

Micah Nicholls, S, 6-1, 185 – 3.4 GPA

Sean Pineda, DL, 6-1, 220 – 2.9 GPA

Jaylen Reid, RB, 5-7, 180 – 3.8 GPA

Demo Thiakos, OT, 6-1, 220 – 3.6 GPA

Kaan Yapar, DL, 6-1, 230 – 3.1 GPA

CLASS OF 2027

AWAITING SPRING VIDEO

Hunter Cullen, TE, 5-11, 190

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They had won nine games in the regular season with only a 15-0 setback to Miami Christopher standing in the way of a perfect regular season.

The goal at veteran head coach Mike Manasco and his Miami Palmetto Panthers had set were indeed reachable and were realistic.

Over the past five seasons, this is a program that was right in the middle of the race to reach state, and 2023 was a season where things started to fall into place.

After a district title and a state playoff win over Doral Academy, it was time to get over that hump with Davie Western standing in the way.

Once again the dreams of reaching the school’s first ever state football championships were dashed when they fell 19-9.

That loss and the graduation of some top prospects sent this team into the off-season with a feeling that the rising senior (2025) class would need to step up and fill some huge shoes.

That 2025 class is indeed stacked with talent, but will it be enough to finally conquer that mountain that this program has not been able to climb?

This class will be led by prospects such as three-year performer Cameron Sapp (WR, 5-9, 165), Marquis Robinson (WR, 5-10, 165 – 2.9 GPA), Kadir Battle (WR, 5-7, 160 – 2.6 GPA), Stanley Leger (WR, 6-2, 160), Lucas Goenaga (QB, 6-1, 195 – 3.8 GPA), Ethan Lopez (RB, 5-10, 190 – 3.51 GPA), Wesley Samuels (RB, 5-11, 180 – 2.5 GPA), James Orange (DB, 5-11, 165 – 2.9 GPA), Corey Pruitt, Jr. (DB, DB, 5-9, 155 – 2.8 GPA), Patrick Lawrence (LB, 6-2, 200 – 3.77 GPA), Simorey Smith (LB/HB, 5-10, 195 – 3.25 GPA), and linebackers/edge rushers Jerald James (6-3, 215 – 2.5 GPA), Matthew Brand (6-0, 185), and Dylan Miranda (6-3, 205 – 3.12 GPA).

The class also will roll out Jahprece Joseph (LB, 5-9, 190 – 3.02 GPA), Daniel Fandino, OL, 6-0, 260 – 3.19 GPA), Notre Dame-bound Davion Dixon, DL, 6-2, 310 – 3.2 GPA), Armaan Kazi, DL, 6-1, 205 – 3.31 GPA), Raphael Latortue (DL, 6-3, 250 – 2.81 GPA), Corey Campbell (DL, 6-0, 225 – 2.52 GPA), Judah Scriven (DL, 6-0, 215 – 2.78 GPA), and long snapper Rodrigo Marron (5-9, 155 – 2.96 GPA).

ARE THE PANTHERS A DEEP TEAM?
While the 2025 class will provide the much-need experience, talent and leadership, the underclassmen will also be looked upon to make an impact.

Here is a look at some of the 2026 (rising juniors) and 2027 (rising sophomores):

CLASS OF 2026

Keep an eye on prospects such as Varian Terry (RB, 5-8, 160 – 3.01 GPA), top-flight transfer Anthony Brown (OL, 6-5, 315 – 3.70 GPA), Lucas Martinez (OL, 5-11, 220 – 3.48 GPA), steady Wynton Jones (DB, 5-10, 160 – 2.5 GPA), Braylen Green (DB/WR, 5-11, 165 – 2.5 GPA), Corey Swint (WR/DB, 5-11, 160), Kevin Joseph (WR, 5-9, 175 – 3.3 GPA), Willie Dannah (DB, 5-10, 155), Nikolai Moise (DB, 5-9, 150 – 2.53 GPA), Prince Smith (Edge/LB, 6-0, 206 – 3.88 GPA), and quarterback Charles Flowers (5-10, 165).

CLASS OF 2027

Keep an eye on young playmakers such as Aiden Butler (RB, 5-9, 165), Jahari Collier (DL, 6-2, 235 – 2.77 GPA), Matthew Cili, WR, 5-10, 150 – 2.5 GPA), Ezekiel Herring (WR/DB, 5-10, 165), Kelsey Veargis (DB, 5-9, 155 – 2.83 GPA), Dion Johnson (DB, 5-11, 165), and linebacker Mathias Augustin (6-0, 195 – 3.4 GPA).

There are also Rashad Fuller (OL, 6-2, 285 – 3.25 GPA), Elijah Johnson (OL, 6-2, 290 – 2.67 GPA), Zion Flowers (OL, 6-2, 240 – 3.7 GPA), Joaquin Mejia (OL, 6-3, 305 – 3.2 GPA), and two-way lineman Angel Irizarry (6-1, 265 – 3.10 GPA).

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

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