Public Schools Better Than Private In All-Star Game

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Marcus Benjamin

Miami Gardens, FL — For 12 years, top talent from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties come together for the annual Private Vs. Pubic High School Football All-Star Game.  The contest pairs the best from all private schools in a gridiron matchup against the best from all public schools across the Tri-County area.  The contest is the final football game of the 2020 season which gives graduating high school seniors one last opportunity to add to their high school football playing resume.  The Public side would outduel the Private side and would leave the field at Monsignor Pace High School with a 31-21 victory.  

“I really don’t have any offers,” said Samaurie Dukes in the post-game interview. “I have some looks but not any big looks.”

Samaurie Dukes, WR, Miami High

Dukes (Miami High, FL), had six catches for 115 yards and a touchdown and was awarded the offensive MVP trophy for his performance in the game.  Dukes, named to the All-Dade first team by the Miami Herald, currently holds offers from local small schools (Keiser University, Florida Memorial University, and St. Thomas University).  

“[Maybe I’ll get some looks after tonight]. Just got to keep working.”

After a scoreless first half, Dukes provided the first offensive touchdown in the third quarter.  Dukes caught a perfectly thrown football by quarterback Manny Reyes III (Hialeah High, FL) over the shoulder just over the goal line in between two defenders.  

“We already knew what was going to happen on the first play,” said Dukes. “I told the quarterback to throw me the ball. It was a great throw by the quarterback.”

Reyes completed six of his seven passes for 96 yards and threw two touchdowns passes. Reyes also connected with Even Valcourt (Fort Lauderdale Dillard, FL) on a shallow crossing route for a fourth-quarter score.

Historically, public schools and private schools are balanced across the counties in South Florida as far as championship success.  This game epitomized this balance as both teams traded interceptions in the first half.  Cordea St. Louis (Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, FL) registered the first interception, followed by interceptions by Herron Eniste (Miami Edison, FL), Rodney Williams Jr. (Miami Columbus, FL), and defensive MVP Corey Scott (Dade Christian, FL). Scott had several pass break-ups to go along with his takeaway.

Corey Scott, DB, Dade Christian


The first takeaway would lead to the first touchdown of the game.  After Leo Zuazo (Miami Northwestern), a Florida A&M commit, converted a short field goal, on the ensuing possession, an errant snap was picked up by Javaris Juste, and the (Fort Lauderdale Boyd Anderson) defensive back ran in for a touchdown. 


The next play from scrimmage quickly put Team Private on the scoreboard.  Matthew Henry (Dade Christian, FL) caught a short crossing route and outran defenders to the sideline and to the end zone for a spectacular 80-yard touchdown.

Miami Killian receiver RJ Huggins and Alexander Bell of Coral Gables would provide highlight touchdown catches to make the game exciting in the end, but the Public squad would seal the game when Mekiel Stewart of Deerfield Beach would make a contested catch in the end zone to extend the Public lead to ten points. 

“We are extremely excited to host an all-star game that not only allows players, parents, and fans alike the opportunity to experience an action-packed and competitive contest between some of the top-ranked schools but [also] incorporates time in the schedule for athletes to go out and make a difference in the lives of others,” said Mario Smith, executive director of the TRU Sports Foundation and the head coach at TRU Prep Academy.

This is the last opportunity for most of the players to gain a scholarship to play college football. With a bevy of talent in the three counties, many players are overlooked during the season and legitimately can earn playing time at some elite schools with games like the Private Vs. Public All-Star Game.

About Marcus Benjamin

Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.
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