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This supremely talented district continues to get better and better. While one team has been the “king of the hill” in this district, the other programs have been doing everything they can to close the gap. 2017 could be one of the best years for this district as a whole – in terms of overall talent.
Plantation American Heritage Patriots
2016 Record: 14-0 (2016 District champion; Class 5A state champion)
Coach: Pat Surtain Sr.
2017 Outlook: Plantation American Heritage has earned a seat at South Florida’s “big boy table” – putting itself in the elite group of programs that are perennial powers and has elevated to “brand status”, meaning it draws in players based on its name alone.
A movement that was started by former coach Jeff Dellenbach back in 2010, then perfected by Mike Rumph – who replaced Dellenbach – in 2013 and 2014 before he left for the college ranks, and is now being sustained by current head coach Pat Surtain.
On a side note, you’d be hard-pressed to name another high school in the country that can say its last three head football coaches were professional football players. And not just “on the roster” but impact players in the NFL.
Surtain returns for his second season at the helm and has already shown he’s serious about his craft as a coach. He and his staff, which also includes former pros Orande Gadsen and Chad Wilson, teach the game and it shows through the many players that have matured while inside Heritage’s program.
The Patriots were the only South Florida team to “run the table” in 2016 – winning 14 straight games on the way to the Class 5A state crown, their third in four years.
Looking at the 2017 season, Heritage will once again have a roster capable of going on another state run.
American Heritage’s defense will be one of the top units in the area – led by its handful of elite level, national recruits.
Four-star defensive end Andrew Chatfield is the emotional leader. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Chatfield grew up through Heritage’s program and has now emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the country.
Lining up next to Chatfield most times will be four-star senior defensive tackle Nesta Silvera (6-foot-2, 300 pounds). A University of Miami commit, Silvera is a force in the interior because of the power he generates coming off the line which caves an offensive line and wreaks havoc on game plans.
Linebacker Calvin Hart has risen to three-star status – with offers from Texas A&M and Wisconsin – and will lead a young linebacker corps that was hit hard by graduation.
Sitting in Heritage’s secondary could be one of the best overall football players in the nation in Patrick Surtain II. The son of the head coach, “PS2” looks like a player one would create in a video game. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound five-star defensive back has elite level speed, cover skills and instincts – everything his all-pro dad had but in a bigger package.
If you want to avoid throwing at Surtain II, quarterbacks can try their luck with the Patriots’ other five-star cornerback Tyson Campbell. Campbell also stands 6-foot-2 and was a part of American Heritage’s record-setting 400-meter relay team.
Heritage’s offense will have to replace the dual-threat quarterback that had led the team the past two season. Stepping in to fill that void will be 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior Cameron Smith, who transferred in from sister school Delray American Heritage. Smith has great arm talent and can move around in the pocket, but will have to show he’s ready to play on a bigger stage and in a bigger classification each week.
Smith’s transition will be eased because he’ll operate behind a massive offensive line, which already had holdovers Zack Zambrano and Jacob Kaplan and was bolstered by transfers Jack Fris (6-foot-5, 300 pounds from Parkland Douglas High), Troy Ingle (6-foot-5, 280 pounds, from Pembroke Pines Flanagan, Tyler Milord (6-foot-3, 285 pounds, from Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy) and Frank Melgarejo (6-foot-1, 240 pounds, from Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy).
Senior athlete Miles Jones and senior running back Jordan Johnson will be like the “meat and potatoes” of Heritage’s offense. Johnson led the team in rushing yards (832) and rushing touchdowns (9) this past season while Jones was a multi-tool player – finishing second in total receiving and third in rushing in 2016.
The offensive x-factor is speedster Anthony Schwartz. A track superstar that broke the 100-meter World Youth record by posting a 10.15 time, Schwartz can gain separation from anyone – he just needs to refine his overall football skill and sync up with new quarterback Smith.
The Patriots will put themselves to the test right out of the gate with back to back games against out-of-town opponents – traveling to Virginia to face Bishop Sullivan Aug. 26 and coming home to host Nevada Liberty High on Sept. 1. Heritage will also take on Miramar (Sept. 8) and Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (Sept. 22) within the first five weeks of the season.
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs
2016 Record: 9-2 (2016 District runner-up)
Coach: Matt Dubuc
2017 Outlook: No longer is Cardinal Gibbons the team that would have plenty of talented players but always seemed to be missing special trait is a lot of times the difference between good teams and great ones.
But, in just a year’s time, the Chiefs seemed to acquire that trait – and it coincided with the promotion of Matt Dubuc from offensive coordinator to head coach at the start of the 2016 season.
While a nine-win season isn’t necessarily a new thing to the Chiefs, Dubuc and his staff took Gibbons to a different level. The Chiefs were definitely a different kind of team – an overall tougher team.
2017 should be the next step in the progression of that. Not only will Coach Dubuc be in year two of implementing his plan but the team is loaded with talented players.
Junior quarterback Nik Scalzo returns to his post as starting quarterback. As a sophomore, Scalzo threw for nearly 2,300 yards and 25 touchdowns – and just nine interceptions – while leading an offense that scored 35 or more points seven times this past season.
Also returning are Scalzo’s top two targets – seniors Carlos Sandy and Lavontae Decius. Sandy is a 5-foot-8 spark plug receiver that led the Chiefs with 42 receptions for 788 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago and committed to Illinois this offseason. Decius, his twin brother Tavontae, along with Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna transfer receiver Brandon Lee make up a receiver corps that will complement Scalzo.
The engine that powers Gibbons’ offense is its offensive line, which will be anchored by junior Jamari Williams (6-foot-4, 265 pounds), senior Willie Hepburn (6-foot-3, 310 pounds) and Coral Springs High transfer senior Cameron Stage (6-foot-4, 295 pounds). Also, look for speedy back Vincent Davis and bruiser Jordan Riggins (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) to provide balance to the Chiefs spread attack.
Gibbons’ defense has all the pieces to be a stingy unit in 2017.
Stud junior defensive end Khris Bogle (6-foot-4, 218 pounds), who has offers from Florida State and the University of Miami, and 6-foot-1, 290-pound defensive tackle Rashon Brooks represent pass rushing and run stopping forces up front respectively.
Donnell Bennett III, the son of former University of Miami standout Donnell Bennett, is a playmaking linebacker while 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior Ryan Saddler is the enforcer and rising junior Yahweh Jeudy (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) is another pass rushing threat.
Senior defensive backs Maxwell Worship and Ron Hardge III partner with junior Tavon McBride and Rodney Crooks Jr. to create a secondary that should be able to compete with any group of receivers – especially given the receivers they go up against in practice.
Because they have this talented group, the Chiefs weren’t shy when it was time to build their schedule. Gibbons will take on defending Class 8A state champion Miami Southridge, Delray Beach American Heritage, and Fort Lauderdale Dillard as non-district opponents will preparing to throw down against district rival Plantation American Heritage in the middle of the year.
Coconut Creek Cougars
2016 Record: 1-9
Coach: Gerald Cox
2017 Outlook: Coconut Creek and its young head coach Gerald Cox went through some growing pains in 2016.
It was Cox’s first season as a head coach – a year he had to spend not only learning all the nuances of being the leading man but also learning the ins and outs of Broward County football since all his previous coaching experience came from years spent as an assistant at Miami Central High.
Cox is hoping that year two goes better.
If the Cougars are going to see improvements in 2017, they’d be smart to hitch their wagon to 2019 rising star Tiawan Mullen. Mullen, the younger brother of former Coconut Creek four-star athlete and current Clemson cornerback Trayvon Mullen, is following in his brother’s footsteps. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound junior can impact the game as both a defensive back and wide receiver – like his brother did – and has already earned offers from Central Florida, Mississippi State, Michigan State and Louisville.
Coconut Creek’s secondary is its strength. With Mullen locking down one of the boundary cornerback spots, seniors Rich Paul, Jacquinton Thomas, and Kerondo Gobern can all move around and play different spots on the back end and should create opportunities for its defensive line to get a handful of “coverage sacks”.
Senior receiver Timothy Scippio should be the Cougars No. 1 option on offense. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Scippio is a physical pass catcher that does a good job of the little things – blocking downfield, selling his routes, fighting for extra yards – which made him an attractive prospect to Akron, where he’s verbally committed.
The key to success for Creek will be the development of its offensive line. The Cougars have beef up front, but all five guys must get stronger and gel as a unit if the offense, which only scored 46 points in the nine losses from 2016, wants to improve in 2017.
Hallandale Chargers
2016 Record: 4-6
Coach: Herman Lovett (1st year)
2017 Outlook: Hallandale must hit the reset button.
The Chargers enter 2017 as a team that has to pick up the pieces after losing its 2016 head coach – Benedict Hyppolite – and a lot of players that would’ve been returning to Miami Carol City. There was even a bit of confusion in replacing Hyppolite during the offseason, where the program had one coach in place for a brief period before having to re-open the search process and ultimately bring in coach Herman Lovett.
Lovett is a first-time head coach that has had stints as an assistant at Fort Lauderdale High, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, Fort Lauderdale High, and Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson.
On the field, Hallandale – which was considered a state title contender just two seasons ago – will be looking for a new set of leaders and playmakers.
The first player in line is 6-foot-1, 195-pound safety/linebacker Michael Nesmith. Nesmith is a versatile defender that is comfortable operating in open space. He is deceptively quick when closing in on ball carriers and he plays with good awareness to make plays.
Junior Nathaniel Williams will take over the starting quarterback duties – filling the vacancy left by 2016 starter Legend Moore’s transfer to Carol City. The solidly-built Williams (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) showed well during the offseason – displaying a good solid arm during 7-on-7 events.
Hallandale’s defensive line could end up being its best unit in 2017 – and beyond. 2019 defensive tackle Georell Kidd (6-foot-2, 245 pounds) and defensive end Khembrel Leon (6-foot-2, 185-pounds) both have shown the ability to beat blockers and make plays in the backfield.
Miami Jackson Generals
2016 Record: 3-7
Coach: Lakatriona Brunson
2017 Outlook: This past season began with a lot of buzz surrounding Miami Jackson’s football program – largely because the team had made history by hiring the state’s first female head football coach.
Hiring Lakatriona Brunson, who teaches at Miami Jackson and had served as an assistant basketball coach before taking over the football position, made a big splash not just because of her being a woman but because of the celebrity status she developed from her appearances as “Bernice” on the scripted-reality show South Beach Tow.
The excitement around the Generals was at a fever pitch when Jackson upset Miami-Dade County powerhouse Miami Booker T. Washington in the second week of the season.
Jackson went on to lose six of its last eight games and missed the playoffs for the second straight year.
2017 represents a year where Jackson’s players and coaches can focus on football. The “novelty” of having Brunson has pretty much worn off and she’s revamped her coaching staff in an effort to restore some luster to this proud and storied program.
Senior wide receiver Davon Washington and senior quarterback Terrence “T.J.” Craig are the top returners for the Generals.
Craig threw for nearly 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns during his junior campaign – but he should improve upon those numbers working under new offensive coordinator Larry “LA” Fitts.
Washington led the team in receptions in 2016 and should replicate that feat along with being the top producer of total receiving yards and touchdowns since he’s the incumbent No. 1 receiver.
Linebackers Kayshawn Lamour (6-foot-1, 185-pound, junior) and Gael Laurent (6-foot-1, 190-pound, senior) are in line to be defensive leaders for a group that will rely more on its speed and athleticism rather than its size.
The Generals can do themselves – and Coach Brunson – a big favor by putting together a solid year. Though Jackson has non-district matchups with Homestead South Dade High and its annual “Soul Bowl” showdown with rival Miami Northwestern, earning quality wins could restore some luster to a program that has routinely been in Miami-Dade’s upper echelon.
Fort Lauderdale Stranahan Dragons
2016 Record: 3-6
Coach: Tally Adams
2017 Outlook: Stranahan, more specifically its head coach Tally Adams has been planting positive seeds since he took over the program in 2014.
Adams came in with the mindset to create a disciplined, team-first culture and just about every move he’s made with the team has been working towards that goal.
Because the team’s talent level is – arguably – the highest it has been during Adams’ tenure, 2017 appears to be the year the Dragons take another step forward.
Attention must be paid to 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior defensive end Uchenna Ezewike. The three-star prospect has earned offers from Florida International University, Bowling Green, Appalachian State, and Pittsburgh because of his quick first step and natural “slipperiness” that allows him to get past blockers and make plays in the backfield.
6-foot-3, 180-pound senior defensive back/receiver Freddie Sears is another upperclassman that has matriculated through Coach Adams’ program and will be counted on heavily to be a playmaker – on both sides of the ball – this season.
The hidden gem of this squad could be senior J’Veion Johnson. Johnson has the ability to line up at receiver, linebacker or defensive back and he has a nose for making big plays.
Stranahan’s schedule is favorable enough for a final record at or above the .500 mark to be a realistic expectation.
Bald Prediction
The gap between American Heritage and Cardinal Gibbons has shrunk – more than it did a year ago when the Chiefs narrowly lost 10-7 to the Patriots in the second round of the playoffs.
This district is really a two-horse race and barring any other unforeseen catastrophes, both Heritage and Gibbons should come into the October 13th showdown in a good place. The Chiefs will be coming off a bye week and the Patriots will square off against Stranahan the week before.
I’m going to give the regular season edge to American Heritage. It will be strength on strength – Gibbons’ passing game against Heritage’s defensive backfield and pass rush – and I think the Patriots will have the edge there.
Cardinal Gibbons takes the No. 2 spot, but they will still earn a playoff spot.
After the top two teams duke it out, the way the rest of the district shakes out will be up to a lot of those intangible things that have to be gauged as the season wears on.
A team can get a bad rash of injuries, another team could get hot in the middle of the season – it is hard to predict because the other four teams all have athletes but still have work to do.
Swinging for the fences, I think 2017 could be the year that Tally Adams gets a return on his investments and Stranahan jumps into the third spot. In the same bold vein, I’ll pick Coconut Creek to take No. 4 position.
Barring a collapse from one of the two teams predicted ahead of them, Jackson and Hallandale will battle it out for the final two spots in the district. I’d be willing to give the Generals the nod for the No. 5 spot while the rebuilding Chargers finish last.
Predicted Champion: American Heritage
Predicted Playoff Teams(s): Cardinal Gibbons
Bold Prediction
American Heritage’s Andrew Chatfield will be a top five sack producer in Broward County. He has all the requisite tools to be a nightmare pass rusher coming off the edge and he plays the game with the right amount of enough swag and confidence to accomplish the feat.
Bonus prediction: Stranahan’s Uchenna Ezewike will be in the top 15 in sacks.
District MVP
The MVP is going to the best football player in this district and that is American Heritage’s Pat Surtain II.
PS2 is – without question – one of the best defensive backs in the country. He’s a multi-tool player that will take any defensive secondary from good to great just with his presence.
Teams will be very hesitant to throw anywhere near him, but I still say Surtain II gets at least three interceptions this season.
Top Players
Andrew Henley – Hallandale
Andy Garcia – American Heritage
Anthony Schwartz – American Heritage
Antwan Brinson – Jackson
Brandon Cohen – American Heritage
Brian Ellis – Coconut Creek
Calvin Hart Jr. – American Heritage
Cam Smith – American Heritage
Carlos Sandy – Cardinal Gibbons
Dave Bonnet – Coconut Creek
Davon Washington – Jackson
Delon Smith – Hallandale
Donnell Bennett III – Cardinal Gibbons
Dontay Watson – Stranahan
Edward German – Stranahan
Frank Melgarejo – American Heritage
Freddie Sears – Stranahan
Gabriel Dunn – Jackson
Gael Laurent – Jackson
Georell Kidd – Hallandale
Ginial Isma – Stranahan
Gregory Smith – Jackson
J’Veion Johnson – Strahanan
Jack Fris – American Heritage
Jacob Kaplan – American Heritage
Jamari Williams – Cardinal Gibbons
Janito Cyriac – Coconut Creek
Javon King – Hallandale
Jaylin Young – Hallandale
Johnathan Cotto – Hallandale
Jonathan Solomon – Stranahan
Jordan Johnson – American Heritage
Jordan Riggins – Cardinal Gibbons
Joshua Alexander – American Heritage
Kamryn Giles – American Heritage
Kayshawn Lamour – Jackson
Kerondo Gobern – Coconut Creek
Kerry Shahid – Hallandale
Keyshawn Paul – Jackson
Khembrel Leon – Hallandale
Khris Bogle – Cardinal Gibbons
Lens Bernadel – Hallandale
Marcus Lafrance – American Heritage
Maurquel Dillard – Stranahan
Maxwell Worship – Cardinal Gibbons
Miles Jones – American Heritage
Milton Cook – Stranahan
Nesta Silvera – American Heritage
Nik Scalzo – Cardinal Gibbons
Pat Surtain II – American Heritage
Rich Hall – Coconut Creek
Rodney Crooks Jr. – Cardinal Gibbons
Ron Hardge III – Cardinal Gibbons
Ryan Saddler – Cardinal Gibbons
Tavontae Decius – Cardinal Gibbons
Terrence Craig Jr. – Jackson
Terry Michel – Coconut Creek
Tiawan Mullen – Coconut Creek
Timothy Scippio – Coconut Creek
Trey Bennett – Cardinal Gibbons
Troy Ingle – American Heritage
Tyler Milord – American Heritage
Tyson Campbell – American Heritage
Uchenna Ezewike – Stranahan
Willie Hepburn – Cardinal Gibbons
Yahweh Jeudy – Cardinal Gibbons
Zackary Zambrano – American Heritage
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