Broward football team outlook capsules by district/region
DISTRICT 12-8A
Deerfield Beach
2019: 10-4
Coach: Jevon Glenn
Tenure: Sixth season, 50-14 overall
Outlook: Deerfield Beach lost a lot of talent to graduation, including quarterback Michael Pratt, running back Jaylan Knighton and wide receiver Deajaun McDougle. But there are more than enough talented players ready to step in to fill their spots. Junior running back Jaziun Patterson is already rated as one of the top 2022 running backs in the nation, and he looks to fill the role Knighton left. On defense, Auburn commit Phillip O’Brien leads in the secondary, and linebacker Jayvant Brown is rated the No. 15 sophomore in the nation.
Monarch
2019: 6-4
Coach: Dante Lombardi
Tenure: Third season, 10-10 overall
Outlook: Losing quarterback Pete Zamora stings, but the Knights still have a major weapon in the form of wide receiver Jaden Alexis. The first-team All-County standout, Super 11 pick had a strong junior year and committed to Texas during the offseason. Junior running back Jerrell Mash Jr. gives the Knights a solid option in the run game, as well.
Other teams in this district: Boca Raton, Spanish River.
DISTRICT 13-8A
Coral Glades
2019: 3-7
Coach: Cameron Thomas
Tenure: Second season
Outlook: The Jaguars improved by one win in Thomas’ first year as head coach. Junior quarterback Kyle Williamson threw 11 touchdowns with only seven interceptions last season, and senior wide receiver Sheldon Mccullum had 687 receiving yards. On defense, sophomore Jahfarian Coombs had six sacks and senior Devante Sanchez had three interceptions.
Coral Springs
2019: 4-6
Coach: Leonard Weaver
Tenure: First season
Outlook: Former fullback Leonard Weaver brings NFL experience to the Coral Springs job, and there may be a base for him to build on. “We want to have a winning season,” Weaver told the Sun Sentinel in March. “But the biggest thing this year is to really find out where we stand. I think the record for last year doesn’t really reflect the talent that the school has.”
Douglas
2019: 8-2
Coach: Quentin Short
Tenure: Second season
Outlook: In their first season under Quentin Short, the Eagles reached new heights, winning their first district title in 18 years. Senior quarterback Matthew O’Dowd returns after tossing 15 touchdowns last year. He’s protected by Miami Hurricanes commit Michael McLaughlin, a four-star prospect, on the offensive line.
Taravella
2019: 5-6
Coach: Charles Hafley
Tenure: Fifth season, 16-24 overall
Outlook: Taravella finished the regular season at .500 and secured a playoff spot, but they drew powerhouse Miami Palmetto in the first round and suffered a blowout loss. The Trojans have a shot at competing for a playoff spot behind Douglas this season.
DISTRICT 14-8A
Cypress Bay
2019: 5-5
Coach: Rocco Casullo
Tenure: First season
Outlook: Cypress Bay made one of the biggest coaching splashes during the offseason, hiring former St. Thomas Aquinas coach Rocco Casullo to take over the program. Casullo, who won a pair of state titles with the Raiders, thinks the Lightning can improve from back-to-back .500 seasons to becoming a power. “There’s no reason why Cypress Bay should not be in not only the district championship hunt but contending for a state championship,” he said after being hired. “It’s the biggest high school in Broward County, probably one of the biggest in the state, and it can happen.”
Flanagan
2019: 5-5
Coach: Michael Eugene
Tenure: Third season, 6-13 overall
Outlook: The Falcons took a big step forward in Michael Eugene’s second season, improving from 1-8 to 5-5 and challenging for a playoff spot. There is young talent on the team, including sophomore running back Deshaun Fleming, who ran for nearly 10 yards per carry last season, and junior Solomon Charles’Pierre, who led the team with seven sacks.
Piper
2019: 0-10
Coach: Cedric Alexander
Tenure: First season
Outlook: It was a brutal 2019 season for Piper last year, as a depleted roster struggled to a 0-10 record. Things likely won’t get much easier this year in the Bengals’ tough district. Under a new coach, Cedric Alexander, Piper has nowhere to go but up.
West Broward
2019: 1-9
Coach: Brian McCartney
Tenure: First season
Outlook: The Bobcats struggled mightily last year, suffering five shutouts and scoring only 3.4 points per game. There were bright spots on defense. Senior linebacker Wilfredo Diaz had 101 tackles, including 21 for loss, and five sacks, and senior defensive back Matthew Benitez had four interceptions. West Broward hired Western assistant coach Brian McCartney to try to turn things around. “There was a lot of pride and tradition at that school, and that’s what got me excited,” McCartney said.
Western
2019: 9-3
Coach: Adam Ratkevich
Tenure: Seventh season, 44-23 overall
Outlook: Western geared up for a deep playoff run last year, and they made it to the regional finals. The Wildcats feasted on district opponents last year, outscoring the other four District 14-8A teams 199-0. Western lost key players such as Justin Hodges to graduation and five-star safety James Williams to transfer. But talented quarterback Collin Hurst will look to take a step forward as a sophomore, and senior defensive back Omar Simpson Jr., a UAB commit, is a solid and underrated player.
DISTRICT 13-7A
Blanche Ely
2019: 7-4
Coach: Clifford Wimberly
Tenure: Third season, 8-13 overall
Outlook: The Tigers had maybe the biggest turnaround in Broward County, going from 1-9 in 2018 to 7-4 last year. Ely earned a playoff spot but fell in the first round to district foe Atlantic. The Tigers lost first-team All-County running back Shomari Lawrence, defensive back Jashon Prophete and more, so they will have to find capable replacements.
Other teams in this district: Atlantic, Olympic Heights, West Boca Raton.
DISTRICT 14-7A
Fort Lauderdale
2019: 5-5
Coach: Richard Dunbar
Tenure: 11th season, 36-63 overall
Outlook: There will be some turnover for the Flying L’s this year, as they graduated more than 20 seniors from last year’s team. Look for three-star wide receiver and FAU commit Jahmal Edrine to lead the way on offense. Behind perennial power St. Thomas Aquinas and Plantation, Fort Lauderdale has tough teams ahead of them, but the Flying L’s can still make some noise.
Plantation
2019: 9-2
Coach: Steve Davis
Tenure: 15th season, 91-66 overall
Outlook: The Colonels had a stellar season, with their only losses coming to district rival and Class 7A champion St. Thomas Aquinas. Quarterback Gerard Nesbitt, who was the Sun Sentinel’s Broward County large-schools offensive player of the year, has graduated. Whoever replaces him will have one of the best targets in the state: four-star Miami Hurricanes commit Jacolby George.
South Plantation
2019: 5-5
Coach: Cecil McNair
Tenure: Third season, 5-15 overall
Outlook: The Paladins markedly improved last year, going 5-5 after a winless 2018 season. Senior Allan Stanley threw for more than 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. South Plantation will have to improve on both sides of the ball, though, after giving up an average of more than 28 points per game last year.
St. Thomas Aquinas
2019: 15-0
Coach: Roger Harriott
Tenure: Sixth season, 63-8 overall
Outlook: The Raiders had one of the best seasons in program history, and at a school like St. Thomas, that’s saying a lot. Coming off a 15-0 season, a state title and a national title, this year’s Raiders team may be even better. Junior quarterback Zion Turner and junior running back Anthony Hankerson had breakout years that saw them improve as the season went on. Ole Miss commit Bralon Brown will team up with Quincy Skinner Jr. for a potent passing game. On defense, the Raiders may boast the most dangerous defensive line in the nation; Alabama commit Dallas Turner, last year’s Sun Sentinel Broward County small-schools defensive player of the year, Florida commit Tyreak Sapp, Louisville commit R.J. Sorensen and Colorado commit Allan Baugh will lead the way. Michigan commit Jaydon Hood is a big presence in the linebacker room, and the secondary — led by fellow Michigan commit Ja’Den McBurrows and Vanderbilt commit Tyson Russell — should keep opposing defenses out of the air.
DISTRICT 15-7A
Cooper City
2019: 4-6
Coach: Daniel Carlisle
Tenure: Third season, 7-13 overall
Outlook: Cooper City improved by a win last year and were in the middle of the district by beating Everglades and South Broward while losing to McArthur and Miramar. Running back Isaiah Janvier returns for his senior year after earning a second-team All-County spot last season.
Everglades
2019: 1-9
Coach: Rodney Rumph
Tenure: Fourth season, 7-23 overall
Outlook: Everglades had a rough 2019 season, picking up only one win. The Gators had an especially tough time on offense, scoring only 6.4 points per game and suffering four shutout losses.
McArthur
2019: 8-3
Coach: Kevin Burnett II
Tenure: First season
Outlook: Coming off a successful season, former coach Pierre Senatus took a position on Florida Memorial’s coaching staff. McArthur replaced him with former Miami Dolphin linebacker Kevin Burnett II. The Mustangs lost several key players to graduation, including star linebacker Ruben Hyppolite and big target wide receiver Damien Alford. Additionally, four-star safety Alfonzo Allen transferred to Hallandale. But star cornerback and FSU commit Kevin Knowles II returns to anchor the defense.
Miramar
2019: 3-7
Coach: A.J. Scott
Tenure: Fourth season, 17-14 overall
Outlook: It was a rough season for the Patriots. Coach A.J. Scott was suspended for part of the season after being ejected from a game, and the program had to forfeit four victories due to an ineligible player. But Miramar is looking to get back on the right foot this season. The Patriots lost Miami-bound safety Brian Balom and first-team All-County cornerback Myles Harden to graduation. Senior defensive back Timothy White Jr. could potentially step up to replace them.
South Broward
2019: 6-5
Coach: Josh Shapiro
Tenure: First season
Outlook: Anthony Collins led a vastly improved South Broward team in 2019, as the Bulldogs finished 6-5 after going 2-8 in 2018. South Broward went 6-4 in the regular season before having the misfortune of facing St. Thomas Aquinas in the first round of the playoffs. Despite that success, South Broward replaced Collins with former Cypress Bay coach Josh Shapiro, who will look to build on last year’s solid season.
Other teams in this district: Hialeah American.
DISTRICT 15-6A
Archbishop McCarthy
2019: 2-8
Coach: Byron Walker
Tenure: 10th season, 51-44 overall
Outlook: The Mavericks had another disappointing season in 2019, finishing 2-8. Coach Byron Walker will have to find a replacement for running back Joshua Joachim, who scored nine rushing touchdowns last season. Several key defenders graduated, too, leaving room to grow.
Boyd Anderson
2019: 5-5
Coach: Alex Benefield
Tenure: First season
Outlook: Alex Benefield is another local coach who has the tough task of starting his tenure with a team in the midst of a pandemic. Taking over a team that went 5-5 last year, Benefield has a foundation that he can build on and a district that isn’t overly difficult.
Dillard
2019: 12-1
Coach: Tyler Tate
Tenure: First season
Outlook: Dillard came off an undefeated regular season and a pair of playoff wins before facing tragedy: coach Eddie Frasier died unexpectedly in April. Dillard grad and former Chaminade-Madonna offensive coordinator Tyler Tate is the new coach. Key starters quarterback Zamir Jones, running back Patrick Bowen and wide receiver Raphael Williams have graduated, but halfback Leonard Shoultz and wide receiver Devaughn Mortimer are poised for breakout seasons. FSU commit Nyjaik Kelly had a breakout sophomore year and returns to lead the defense.
Hollywood Hills
2019: 2-8
Coach: Brandon Graham
Tenure: Fourth season, 6-23 overall
Outlook: Brandon Graham returns for his fourth year as Hollywood Hills looks to improve from a 2-8 record last year. The Spartans have won two games each season since 2016. Hollywood Hills will have to improve on its point differential, having been outscored 173-310 last year.
Northeast
2019: 3-7
Coach: Nick Dellaria
Tenure: Fourth season, 6-23 overall
Outlook: The Hurricanes took a step forward and improved to 3-7 last year. Northeast should be able to keep improving, as the Hurricanes were a fairly young team in 2019. Many of those players will be seniors this year, and they’ll look to keep pushing Northeast forward.
DISTRICT 14-5A
Coconut Creek
2019: 6-5
Coach: Johnnie Sloan
Tenure: First season
Outlook: Johnnie Sloan takes the reigns at Coconut Creek after Gerald Cox departed to become the new head coach at Miami Booker T. Washington. The Cougars went 4-6 last year but there’s talent enough to compete for a district title. Four-star prospect Trevell Mullen, the younger brother of NFL cornerback Trayvon Mullen and Indiana cornerback Tiawan Mullen, and defensive lineman Keshaun Hudson anchor the defense. If Coconut Creek can move the ball on offense, they could be poised for a good year.
Other teams in this district: Boynton Beach, Jensen Beach, Suncoast.
DISTRICT 15-5A
American Heritage
2019: 10-2
Coach: Patrick Surtain
Tenure: Fifth season, 47-4 overall
Outlook: American Heritage is a powerhouse, like usual. The Patriots’ defense is one of the best in Florida, featuring five-star Miami Hurricanes commit and Super 11 pick James Williams at safety. Williams is joined by 2022 All-American Earl Little Jr. and other defensive standouts like Brian Blades, Marvin Jones. Jr. and Boogsie Silvera. Running back Mark Fletcher is a highly-rated sophomore who will look to break out on offense. The Patriots have to replace quarterback Edwin Rhodes, but Blake Murphy looks like a promising young quarterback.
Hallandale
2019: 4-6
Coach: Herman Lovett
Tenure: Fourth season, 12-18 overall
Outlook: Hallandale took a step forward last year, improving by a win, but expectations are higher this season. Standout junior safety Alfonzo Allen transferred from McArthur, and he should anchor a secondary along with four-star cornerback Jaylin Marshall. FIU commit Gaethan Bernadel returns and should have a strong season at linebacker.
Stranahan
2019: 6-5
Coach: Travis Harden
Tenure: Third season, 7-14 overall
Outlook: Stranahan had one of the biggest turnarounds in Broward County last year, improving from 1-9 to 6-5 and earning a playoff spot. Unfortunately for the Mighty Dragons, they have to find replacements for a lot of their biggest producers, including quarterback Lavonshea Wright and athletes Dave Herard and Keyandre Lawrence. Running back Dennis Cunningham will look to break out this year after sharing carries with Lawreence last year.
Other teams in this district: North Miami Beach.
REGION 4-4A
Cardinal Gibbons
2019: 10-3
Coach: Matt DuBuc
Tenure: Fifth season, 42-9 overall
Outlook: Cardinal Gibbons fell just short of their goal of repeating as state champions, but the Chiefs still had a strong season, winning 10 games. Gibbons returns no shortage of talented players, starting with four-star wide receiver and Clemson commit Troy Stellato. He has senior quarterback Brody Palhegyi throwing to him after a solid first year as the Chiefs’ starter. Defensive lineman and Cincinnati commit Jah-Mal WIlliams, linebackers Jack O’Keeffe and Tray Brown and safety Hugo Silsby should anchor a strong defense.
Coral Springs Charter
2019: 4-6
Coach: Matt Garris
Tenure: Fifth season, 19-18 overall
Outlook: Coral Springs Charter had a bit of a downturn after making the playoffs for the first time in 2018. Still, there is a chance the Panthers can regain that success. Senior running back Terrell Taylor rushed for 944 yards and 10 scores as a junior, and quarterback Brett Straus will look to improve after completing only 43 percent of his passes as a junior.
North Broward Prep
2019: 3-7
Coach: Rex Nottage
Tenure: 11th season, 56-47 overall
Outlook: It was a tough season for the Eagles, as they finished 3-7 after playing a tough schedule. North Broward Prep will have to improve on offense, as their quarterbacks threw more interceptions than touchdowns and they only rushed for 561 yards as a team last year. Luke Collins returns as a junior after leading the team in passing and rushing yards as a sophomore.
Pine Crest
2019: 4-5
Coach: Ladell Betts
Tenure: Second season
Outlook: Pine Crest had a strong small-school schedule last season, playing playoff teams Benjamin, Calvary Christian, Miami Gulliver Prep and Somerset Academy Silver Palms. They lost to those teams but picked up solid wins over King’s Academy and St. Andrew’s. That is a solid foundation to build on going into coach Ladell Betts’ second season.
Somerset Academy
2019: 7-3
Coach: Derrick Baker
Tenure: Second season
Outlook: Somerset rebounded from a disappointing 2018 season and went 7-3 last year. A big task for Somerset this year will be replacing playmaking running back Ahmad Fitchett, who was an All-County honorable mention last year.
Other teams in this region: Miami Booker T. Washington, Miami Carol City, Miami Gulliver Prep, Miami Immaculata-LaSalle, Monsignor Pace.
REGION 4-3A
Calvary Christian
2019: 10-2
Coach: Kirk Hoza
Tenure: 10th season, 63-29 overall
Outlook: Calvary Christian had a strong 2019 season, earning the top seed in a region that included eventual Class 3A champion Chaminade-Madonna. The Eagles lost some key players on both sides of the ball, but they return quarterback Gabe Contento and defensive back Jonathan Lane, who had eight interceptions as a junior. Calvary can keep building on last year’s success, but they still share a region with Chaminade. Getting past them in the regional playoffs will be a tall task.
Chaminade-Madonna
2019: 12-2
Coach: Dameon Jones
Tenure: Fifth season, 45-10 overall
Outlook: The Lions enter the year as one of Florida’s top teams yet again. On offense, four-star running back, Super 11 pick and Miami Hurricanes commit Thad Franklin will lead the way after rushing for nearly 1,000 yards in the playoffs alone last season. Quarterback Jaylon Tolbert, a Howard commit, transferred in after a strong season from Hialeah and should help boost the offense further. The Lions have a strong defense returning, as well, led by Miami commits Allan Haye and Jamaal Johnson, Auburn commit Brian Dilworth and four-star junior Kenyatta Jackson.
Other teams in this region: Homestead Everglades Prep, Miami Edison, Miami Palm Glades Prep, Miami Somerset Charter (Silver Palms), Miami Westminster Christian, Palmetto Bay Palmer Trinity, Saint John Paul II Academy, St. Andrew’s.
REGION 4-2A
Westminster Academy
2019: 9-2
Coach: Tommy Lewis
Tenure: Fourth season, 13-15 overall
Outlook: Westminster Academy took another step forward in 2019, improving from winless in 2017 to 4-5 in 2018 and then to 9-2 in 2019. Do-it-all athlete Donovan Lassitter, who was a first-team All-County selection last year, has graduated, but there is still talent on the Lions’ roster. Sophomore Micah Lewis had a breakout season at running back last year, rushing for 1,007 yards and 12 touchdowns while also being a dominant force at linebacker. Defensive backs Bryce Brown and Tobias Lewis had strong freshman years, as well, and they return.
Other teams in this region: Fort Myers Evangelical Christian, Fort Myers Southwest Florida Christian, Glades Day, Hialeah Champagnat, Marathon, Miami Christian, Moore Haven, Naples Community School, Naples First Baptist, Naples St. John Neumann.
INDEPENDENTS
Nova
2019: 0-10
Coach: Kevin Huntley
Tenure: Sixth season, 21-31 overall
Outlook: Nova remains an FHSAA independent this season after a disappointing, winless 2019. The Titans struggled mightily during their schedule last year, getting outscored 352-102 in their 10 losses.
Pembroke Pines Charter
2019: 3-6
Coach: Keidran Willis
Tenure: Fourth season, 5-22 overall
Outlook: Pines Charter started out strong last year, picking up a couple of wins to start the season. The Jaguars did drop six of their nine games, but many of them were close; they were outscored 167-207 last year and stuck with several other opponents, losing three games by eight points or less.
Pompano Beach
2019: 2-8
Coach: Johnathan Firth
Tenure: Second season
Outlook: Pompano remains an FHSAA independent this year, and the Golden Tornadoes did see some improvement last year. After going winless in 2018, Pompano picked up a pair of victories. Diego Orellana had a strong junior year, racking up 73 tackles and 12 tackles for loss.
Somerset Academy Key
2019: 0-5
Coach: Ryan Combs
Tenure: Second season
Outlook: Somerset Academy Key had a tough first season of football, going winless and scoring only eight total points in five games. But for the new program, there’s nowhere to go but up.
TRU Prep Academy
2019: N/A
Coach: Mario Smith
Tenure: First season
Outlook: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, University School had to cancel its football season. Following that decision, nearly all of the Sharks' players announced they would play for TRU Prep Academy, a small private school in Miami Gardens with a fledgling football program. TRU Prep is an FHSAA independent. Quarterback Nick Vattiato, one of the top quarterbacks in the county, leads the way in his senior season, and he has several great targets. Sophomore Brandon Inniss, rated the No. 7 player in his class by 247Sports, is a star on the rise and is joined by senior C.J. Cage. On defense, Wisconsin commit Ricardo Hallman and linebacker Emile Aime lead the way.
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