The Miami High football team went 4-8 this season but made it to the playoffs where they lost to Columbus High School, who would go on to the State Championship, in the first round. The Stingarees worked hard, and it was their first playoff appearance since the 2019-20 season.  

   This season was filled with emotion and had its difficulties, finishing with a 5-game losing streak after a strong start. However, they won important games against Coral Gables and won their homecoming against Barbara Goleman.  

Player Experiences 

  The players enjoyed the overall experience of just playing football. It is not only a fun activity, but football also instructs young men on how to become men and take responsibility. It gets them ready for the struggles of life.   

   Tyler Garcia, sophomore kicker and linebacker for Miami Senior High, stated, “The season had its ups and downs but was a learning experience for me, especially coming from a young team with only a few seniors, it proved the season as a worthy experience.”   

  Jaime Romero, sophomore offensive lineman, stated, “It was a fun experience. Even though my season saw injuries, I was able to play, and that is what mattered.”  

Our Greatest and Worst Losses 

    The head coach of the football team Mr. Darryl Monroe, said, “These are the growing pains of a young team.  It is a young team that is not fully developed, yet has shown flashes of talent throughout the season.” 

   The greatest win was against Goleman when the Stingarees won 28-23 during homecoming on October 14. The most disappointing loss was against South Miami when we lost 28-26 November 1st because the Stingarees failed a 2-point conversion, which would’ve sent them to overtime. That loss was almost the reason they did not make the playoffs, which fortunately the team did.  

Seniors on the Team 

   The seniors in any team are often the most important and that goes for Miami High as well. Thank you to Julio Viera (Guard), Mike Juarez (Defensive Line), Dezmond Romer (Safety), Richard Quinn (Cornerback, Wide receiver), King Cherry (Quarterback), and Jahiem Robinson (Defensive Line) for being at Miami High for their last season and for being a mentor to the younger players.  

My Experience as a Player 

   As a football player myself, playing football for the team this year was an unforgettable experience. As an extremely young team with future talent, these men battled to gain their position in the playoffs. My teammates and I battled adversity, and being able to see and experience adversity firsthand is something to remember. As one of the few captains of the team, I cherished every moment with my teammates and hope to see them again next season.    

   This season was one to remember. The record does not reflect the hard work these young men put in. It is easy to forget how hard football is. In fact, some underestimate the true amount of ability it takes to even play the sport. How athletic you must be to always perform at a high level. How mentally sharp you must be to make quick decisions on the field, such as tackling, hitting, etc.  

   It is a sport that takes mental and physical preparation to play and some simply don’t have what it takes to play the sport. These young players faced a lot of undeserving criticism, and as a player myself, I can say that the criticism was heard. Yet, we battled through and defied odds by making the playoffs. It is a step in the right direction and a step forward for the future of Miami High football. 

Miami High Football Schedule