Mater Academy’s search for a new head football coach brought back a familiar face. Jeff Pond, the Lions’ defensive coordinator during the 2015 and 2016 seasons under Rocco Casullo, was named the new coach for the 2018 season, his first head coaching job after serving as an assistant for more than 15 years.  Pond built one of the top-ranked defenses in the state, which helped Mater Academy reach the regional playoffs...

  A local group of high school student-athletes were named to the 2018 Miami Herald’s All-Dade teams for their stellar performances in football, swimming and diving, golf, bowling and cross-country. Making the 5A-Independent First Team Offense were Pace junior running backs Tyrone Douglas (107 carries for 1,130 yards and 11 touchdowns) and Willie Floyd (97 carries, 784 yards and nine touchdowns), as well as their teammates, junior...

  The Miami Lakes Optimist Club’s MIA 8U travel flag football team recently won the 2018 national championship, defeating the Miami Lobos in a 20-0 shut out during the Grip It and Rip It Tournament at Brain Piccolo Park in Broward County.    The team went undefeated (5-0) and held all of their opponents scoreless and only gave up three first downs during the entire tournament. “Once that final whistle blew it was...

  Former Monsignor Edward Pace High student-athlete Ray Shipman recently earned his Master’s degree in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University. The former linebacker for the New Orleans Saints, the Florida Gators and University of Central Florida was also a basketball standout at Pace, leading the Spartans to two consecutive state championships and was named Florida High School Player of the Year. Shipman, 28, is a...

  At only 14 years old, Monsignor Edward Pace High School’s James Williams has shown many local spectators and recruiters from around the nation that he is a force to be reckoned with.  At the beginning of the season, head football coach Joe Zaccheo recognized the talents he brings to the Spartan team by stating that Williams “might just be the next Sean Taylor.” Since then, he has continued to work hard to prove...