Bald Predictions District Previews – District 8-2A

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This already small district shrunk by two – losing Belle Glade Glades Day and Miami Dade Christian – but that doesn't mean that this district is short on talent. The smallest classification that holds South Florida teams will provide for an intense district race.

Champagnat Catholic Lions

2015 Record: 3-7
Coach: Dennis Marroquin
2016 Outlook: One of the smallest schools in Miami-Dade County, but big on sports personality – Champagnat is once again an intriguing team for a multitude of reasons.

The Lions enter the 2016 season with a compact roster, but it is brimming with big-time talent.

Champagnat has gotten national attention for the prowess of freshman linebacker/defensive end Jesus Machado, who's received a scholarship offer from Alabama whilst he was an eighth grader. Machado, measuring 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, has already shown that he belongs on the varsity level.

Pairing with Machado is another young phenom in own right, junior linebacker Donovan Georges. Georges is regarded as one of the best prospects in the country in the 2018 class and he's the unquestioned leader of the Lions' defense.

The Lions' offense needs to find a consistent bell cow. There's oodles of potential in 6-foot-6 leaping specialist/receiver Greg Rousseau, but he must continue to work on the small details and the little nuances of playing the wide receiver position. Champagnat must also find its new signal caller since Alex Ortiz transferred to Miami Edison.

Head coach Dennis Marroquin enters his second year leading a program that won a Class 2A state title in 2013. His development as a coach and leader will be key in Champagnat's ability to make the playoffs and go on a deep run.

International School of Broward Pumas

2015 Record: 0-10
Coach: Charles McCrea
2016 Outlook: You have to give head coach Charles "Man" McCrea a lot of credit. He's doing everything he can to build up ISB's football program.

And the Pumas are looking to bounce back from a 2015 season that did not yield any victories. However, that should change in 2016 as ISB returns a small nucleus of playmakers that should buoy the team throughout the year.

Alex Shelton is a way under-the-radar 2018 prospect. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound athlete will do a little of everything for the Pumas in 2016. Because of his speed and athleticism with the ball in his hands, Shelton – who transferred from Hollywood Hills – has a chance to surprise a lot of people and bring some new eyes to ISB as a whole.

6-foot-2, 215-pound quarterback Demetrius Warren is another player that should turn heads this season. Once he gets rolling downhill, he's hard for any one defender to bring him down.

ISB will be road warriors this season. The Pumas will play eight road games in 2016 – including two trips to Georgia and a trip to Ohio to face powerhouse Elder.

2016 will be one of those essential "building years" for ISB. The program is just in its second year at the varsity level and the players and coaches that are there now are laying the foundation for the future.

Delray Beach Village Academy Tigers

2015 Record: 4-6
Coach: Donald Hanna
2016 Outlook: Village Academy believes it has a claim to stake on this district.

The Tigers made it to the postseason in 2015, but were bounced out in the opening round. 2016 could see them back in the playoffs, but they'll need a Herculean effort out of top returner Rodley Jolicoeur.

Jolicoeur, who has offers from Air Force, Navy and Army, is one of the top defensive backs in Palm Beach – but he'll have to be a "Mr. Everything" for Village Academy to get where it wants to go.

Gone are the Tigers' two captains from 2015, so they'll also need sophomore athlete Marlin Brunson and senior lineman Cyril Spells to step up to provide leadership.

Head coach Donald Hanna has been leading this program since 2007, so he knows how to get the most out of the kids that he's given on a yearly basis.

Bald Prediction

This district is totally up for grabs now that Belle Glade Glades Day and Dade Christian are no longer in the picture.

I think that Champagnat comes away with the district crown. Just like all of the schools in the 2A classification will, the Lions have a small roster. But on that roster is a handful of players that could easily go start for any big school in the state.

Village Academy will take the runner-up spot, after they get edged out by Champagnat in a close game. Last year's game between the two was a two-point win for the Tigers, but I think the Lions finish on the winning side this time around.

ISB still has growing to do. I think that because this district now only has three teams, the Pumas will be able to enter the season with legitimate playoff aspirations. Still, ISB isn't quite ready to go up against more established programs like Village Academy and Champagnat.

Predicted Champion: Champagnat Catholic
Predicted Runner-Up: Village Academy

District MVP

For reasons that extend beyond what happens on the playing field, it has to be Champagnat head coach Dennis Marroquin. Champagnat remains one of the most enigmatic programs in South Florida and it'll be up to Marroquin to give the program some stability and continue to make it an attractive destination for student-athletes. Also, with Glades Day electing to go independent, the Lions are in prime position to make it back to postseason play – only if Marroquin can be a steadying hand.

Bold Prediction

Donovan Georges will be in the top 10 total tacklers in South Florida – regardless of classification. Georges isn't one of those players that don't live up to the hype. The 2018 star is every bit of the player that most everyone thinks he is. His combo of size and position versatility will put him in position to be a tackling machine for the Lions defense this season.

Top Players

Alex Shelton – International School of Broward
Cyril Spells – Village Academy
Demetrius Warren – International School of Broward
Donovan Georges – Champagnat Catholic
Gregory Rosseau – Champagnat Catholic
Jesus Machado – Champagnat Catholic
Jordan Coley – Champagnat Catholic
La'Darious Laster – International School of Broward
Makari Tommie – International School of Broward
Marlin Brunson – Village Academy
Marqui Passmore – Champagnat Catholic
Michael Crespo – Champagnat Catholic
Mikel Jones – Champagnat Catholic
Rodley Jolicoeur – Village Academy
Thierry Lafortune – Champagnat Catholic
Zion Joseph – International School Of Broward
Zenon Cadet – Village Academy