Heating Up: Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks

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If someone told you that there were two football programs in South Florida last season that didn't lose a game, you would be hard-pressed to name the schools.

In Class 8A, Flanagan won a state title but lost during the season. So did Class 7A state champs St. Thomas Aquinas and Class 6A state power Miami Central. Four-time 4A state champion Booker T. Washington lost five times.

While you are trying to come up with the names of the schools, maybe you should also look up the name Byron Walker. The veteran head coach is not only the reason why this team won last year, but a huge factor in why his American Heritage squads and Glades Day programs – in his hometown of Belle Glade – did so well, too.

While one of the programs not to lose last season is Coral Springs Charter, the other, as you may have already guessed, are the Mavericks of Archbishop McCarthy.

As this program heads into the 2016 season, this is one of those elite teams that has a number of outstanding prospects; and while being an independent has its drawbacks, it does give Walker and this program a chance to mature and showcase many of the younger players.

"We know the kind of student/athlete that comes to this school," Walker said. "From the time I started coaching, there's always been a philosophy that you coach what you have."

What this program had last year were a number of quality athletes who were well coached. That is something many throughout south Florida never take into account. Like Willis May of Douglas, Walker seems to get overlooked when speaking about some of the greats in the coaching ranks.

This is a team this season that will have its share of quality prospects on both sides of the ball.

Offensively, things go as junior quarterback Quinn Dempsey goes. He's a very talented football player who had a solid offseason – where he turned plenty of heads.

Also, receivers Logan Giordano, Kevin Guelce and Gioneal Morgan; and lineman Matthew Farenheim are solid.

On defense, the junior class is very solid with linebacker Andrew Hallman and defensive end Eric Scott are solid. So are. Senior defensive end Zach Messer is impressive. So is linebacker Daniel Cerda.

Talented sophomore Derek Burns is one of those prospects that everyone will be wanting to keep an eye on.

OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON
2018 – Brandon Cummins, OL
2018 – Durand Ford, DE
2018 – Trevor Honse, LB
2017 – Marcus Mijares, DL
2017 – Mason Moyer, OL
2018 – Marcus Nunez, OL
2018 – Vincent Redmon, SS
2019 – Jesse Rivera, QB
2018 – Julian Rosario, PK
2019 – Gino Sandora, LB
2018 – Denzel Simmon, OLB
2018 – Chris Umana, DE