Will the 2024 Roster Be Enough for Monarch to Finally Win a Football State Championship?
The Monarch Knights started off the 2023 football season with a big win over five-time Georgia high school state champion Cedar Grove in the Broward County High School National Football Showcase. The Knights offense flexed their offensive muscle against the notorious defense of Saints head coach John Adams in a 50-42 shootout victory.
It was exactly the type of game, opponent, and result that Monarch head football coach Calvin Davis could have wanted to start the season with, and it just got better the rest of the way.
“That game went back and forth, and we were fortunate to get the win in the end,” Davis said.
The Knights rode the momentum of that season-opening victory, winning 10 of their next 12 games. They captured the district and regional championships before falling in the semifinal round of the FHSAA Class 4M state playoffs.
For Davis, who enters his seventh season as the head football coach at the Coconut Creek school, last season was merely the latest step in what has been a successful run and what he hopes will turn into a state championship.
“We had a great season last year, no doubt about it,” Davis said. “I have produced three district championships and one regional championship, and so far I have been the only coach here to do that. … We are getting to where we want to be.”
Davis said his 2024 team may give Monarch the best chance to get there.
“I think this year’s team may be better than last year’s,” he said.
For starters, Davis said this year’s group will have more depth, which is one area the team lacked last year.
“That lack of depth is what hurt us at the end of the season last year, and I think that will actually be one of our areas of strength this season, especially in the secondary and the defensive line,” he said. “Getting that pressure on the QB will be a key for us.”
Speaking of the secondary, the Knights will welcome the return of junior strong safety Antonio Ward to the defensive backfield.
Ward will be joined by senior athlete Jaleel Walters, who made quite an impact in the secondary last year. He had two interceptions, four pass break-ups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery along with 66 tackles from the secondary.
Jaylen Liberal, an incoming transfer from Deerfield Beach, will man one of the cornerback spots this year.
The defensive line will have four-star edge rusher Romando Johnson.
The Monarch offense could be one of South Florida’s most talented with a solid group of incoming transfers, especially at the receiver position.
That includes 2026 wide receiver Jaborree Riggins, a 6-foot-4 transfer from Fort Lauderdale High School. Davis said the four-star recruit has over 30 college offers and that he plans to use Riggins both ways this year.
Others being used at the WR spot are four-star Samari Reed, Bryan Bynes, and speedster athlete Robert Woods.
Getting the ball to these playmakers will be sophomore quarterback Jack Spader.
“Jack had a great year as a freshman last year,” Davis said of his returning signal-caller.
Last season Spader threw for 20 TDs and 1,513 yards in just eight games. He also ran for 255 yards.
Lining up to protect Spader and to provide run blocking will be senior offensive tackle Bryan Auguste. At 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, Auguste is one of the most highly coveted offensive linemen in South Florida. He has 14 Division I offers, said Davis. Look for that number to increase this season.
This Monarch team is talented, and Davis said they have confidence too.
“These guys are getting used to winning,” he said.
