2023 Football Hotbed Media Day Recap

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Brandon Odoi

Brandon Odoi BlockHollywood, FL– The 2nd Annual Football Hotbed Media Day brought 31 teams from across South Florida to the Hope Church of Christ on Saturday, August 5, 2023.  The day began with Barbara Goleman High and rising sophomore Darryl Bell, III who goes by “Tre” grabbing the immediate attention as the first team in the building. Bell made waves when he garnered a Florida State offer this off-season at camp in Tallahassee.  All while attending a non-traditional football school in Goleman.  Head Coach Ariel Cribeiro has been building Goleman back into a powerhouse program to attract talent like Bell over the past several years.  In 2023, they will reintroduce themselves into FHSAA play after several years of independent play in order to build the program’s ability to compete.

The attention Bell received proved the program is close.  Goleman was followed by defending FHSAA 4 Metro State champion Miami Columbus.  They now share a district and the differences between the two programs couldn’t be more stark.  One is an aspiring power and the other is a Miami football juggernaut. Head Coach Dave Dunn brought his starting quarterback and Football Hotbed showcase platform participant Alberto Mendoza (James Madison commit) along with tight end Ben Blackburn (Boston College commit) who also participated in the Hotbed Sophomore game during their high school careers.  Appalachian State wide receiver commit Jose Leon also joined the Columbus cohort who feel great about their chances to repeat as state champions but admit it will not be easy.

Throughout the day state champions like Miami Central and head coach Jube Joseph and Chaminade Madonna offensive coordinator Toro Wallce came in and out of the building representing their schools and hopes for continuing their growing legacies.  St. Thomas Aquinas, the defending 3 Metro FHSAA stole the show bringing in more than 40 athletes to media day.  Associate head coach Stevin Scott lead the team who dressed in offensive and defensive jerseys and were flanked by Ohio State commit Jordan Lyle and Missouri wide receiver commit James Madison.

American Heritage and head coach Mike Smith made a great impression bringing a large contingent of players looking to improve upon their state-championship runner-up finish in 2022.  Heritage’s first-year starter at quarterback Dia Bell, spoke about what it would take for him to lead his team to the promise land.  Sophomore sensation Malachi Toney was a media darling as most outlets waited for long stretches just to have the opportunity to speak to him.

All teams are optimistic about their chances to improve and continue to make South Florida one of the best areas for High School Football in the country.

Media Coverage from Other Outlets

The Athletic

Rivals CanesCounty

 

Rivals National Writer

 

Live Stream

Part 1

Part 2

Attending Schools can download their photos here free of charge.  To get the watermark removed, digital photos can be purchased for as little as $0.59 per image.

MEDIA DAY PHOTOS

MIAMI HERALD COVERAGE

About Brandon Odoi

Brandon Odoi is a tenured journalist. He's covered youth football since 8th grade, high school football since 2009 and began covering college football in 2011 as a beat writer for the University of Miami Athletic programs. In 2011, he founded Football Hotbed a national multi-media platform for football across the country. He's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and spent his first five years as a professional working at ABC Television Network, ending his career as a producer in Miami. He's married with two sons and a daughter and resides in South Florida.
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