Christopher Columbus On A Mission

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While many across the state of Florida talked about south Florida 4M programs such as Miami Palmetto and Davie Western in the pre-season, one key program was left out of the conversation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Explorers of Miami Christopher Columbus has certainly been in the mix over the past decade, but because “analyst” felt this program lost some key components from last year, they were deemed as a young team on the rise. Not true!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the start of the 2022 season, heard coach <strong>Dave Dunn</strong> and his team have been on the radar, and after huge wins against Palmetto, defending 6A state champion Tampa Jesuit and state/national power Miami Northwestern, they intend on staying there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unbeaten through the first five games on the year, this is a program that has done it on both sides of the ball – including special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MIAMI CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS EXPLORERS FOOTBALL 2022</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Dave Dunn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Record:</strong>&nbsp;5-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Schedule:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BENEDICTINE, GEORGIA, W 41-15</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MIAMI KILLIAN, W 44-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAMPA JESUIT, W 32-15</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Miami Palmetto, W 28-10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Miami Northwestern, W 23-19</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/30 – at Miami High</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/7 at Homestead</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/14 at Doral Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/21 – GMAC Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/28 – HIALEAH BARBARA GOLEMAN</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 Class certainly has some quality talent – with <strong>William Allen</strong> (PK, 6-1, 170), versatile <strong>A.J. Arellano</strong> (WR/QB, 5-11, 165), <strong>Ja'Juan Bradshaw</strong> (OLB, 5-9, 185), nationally-rated punter and kicker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128832' first='Christian' last='De Villiers']</strong> (6-3, 190), impressive safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128072' first='Ahmere' last='Foster']</strong> (5-11, 165), <strong>Manny Fraga Jr.</strong> (OT/LS, 6-3, 235), <strong>Derrick Hart</strong> (DT/OG, 6-1, 267), <strong>Julian Herrera</strong> (OT/OG, 6-3, 325) and Stanford-bound <strong>Sedrick Irvin</strong> (RB, 6-0, 195) leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior class also boasts <strong>Konnor Mann</strong> (OT/OG, 6-3, 285), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128719' first='Miles' last='McGee']</strong> (MLB, 6-2, 212), <strong>Gabriel Quintas</strong> (OT, 6-2, 255), <strong>Jake Rodriguez</strong> (OG, 6-1, 282), <strong>Rodolfo Sori</strong> (DT, 6-1, 270) and running back <strong>Tremonte Underwood</strong> (5-10, 197).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE FUTURE IS ALSO BRIGHT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As solid as the senior class is, take a look at what the Class of 2024 juniors has to offer – with headliners sought after <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404034' first='T.J.' last='Capers']</strong> (OLB/DE, 6-3, 210), <strong>Jeffery Bandy</strong> (CB, 5-9, 175), gifted <strong>Jose Leon</strong> (WR, 5-10, 170), impressive <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404627' first='Alberto' last='Mendoza']</strong> (QB, 6-2, 175) and talented prospects <strong>Daylen Russell</strong> (DE/DT, 6-3, 230), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404048' first='Dylan' last='Stephenson']</strong> (DE, 6-4, 215) and cornerback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404480' first='Jancent' last='Wallace']</strong> (5-10, 160) leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also, <strong>Fadrelle Andrus</strong> (WR, 6-2, 170), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='949258' first='Benjamin' last='Blackburn']</strong> (TE, 6-5, 230), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='398902' first='Blake' last='Brewer']</strong> (OC/OG, 6-1, 265), <strong>Jason Ibarra</strong> (FS/CB, 5-10, 175), <strong>Alex Jorge</strong> (OT, 6-6, 265), <strong>Albert Leonard</strong> (LB, 5-11, 185), <strong>Sebastian Polo</strong> (LB, 5-11, 190) and <strong>Robert Williams</strong> (DT/NG, 6-3, 245) have made a difference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future also looks bright with Class of 2026 sophomores <strong>Apollo Benito</strong> (DT, 6-0, 235), <strong>Fernando De Izaguir</strong> (OT, 6-0, 230), Hezekiah Downs (DT, 6-0, 220), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1230776' first='J.J.' last='Gomez'] </strong>(WR, 5-8, 155), <strong>Ruben Hernandez</strong> (OT, 6-4, 275) and <strong>Armando Pardy</strong> (CB, 5-9, 161).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UPDATED <a>CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS.</a></strong> <a></a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2023-rankings/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2023-rankings/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS.</strong> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/08/updated-2024-florida-rankings/">https://prepredzone.com/2022/08/updated-2024-florida-rankings/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Have prospect or team information? Send to: </em></strong><em><a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":5} --> <h5><strong> </strong></h5> <!-- /wp:heading -->