Despite their geographical isolation and a never-ending shift in enrollment at each school, 2024 was a banner year for prep football in the Florida Keys. For the first time since 2017, none of Monroe County’s teams suffered a losing season.
Key West managed an 8-4 record, with one of those wins a 28-7 victory over Coral Shores in a much-anticipated matchup. Another of Key West’s victories was the Conchs’ first playoff win in 30 years in the FHSAA 3A playoff series. Coach Johnny Hughes surpassed the 70-win career mark in a season which brought win number 400 for the Key West program.
Fifty miles away, Marathon broke even, ending their first season in the rural division at 5-5. The Dolphins narrowly missed a playoff spot with a 6-3 overtime heartbreaker in their final game of the season, which did not see a single point on the scoreboard until the final quarter.
Coral Shores secured a co-championship berth in the Florida Independent Football Conference with a win over the previously-unbeaten Archbishop Carroll Bulldogs. The ’Canes finished the season 8-2 with one of their wins against Marathon, stretching their lead in the longstanding rivalry between the schools to a 55-30 margin. All three teams will need to rebuild and reload with the loss of some of the best talent fielded on Keys’ gridirons in many years.
Photos by Doug Finger, Maicey Malgrat and Barry Gaukel.
MVP
Jaden Fox
Senior, Key West
Senior Jaden Fox was the heart of Key West’s unstoppable scoring machine. Fox rushed for 1,731 yards this season, 17th in the entire state. In 3A, he was third in rushing yards, fourth in total points with 132 and fourth in touchdowns scored with 21. Despite being in the same district as perennial powerhouse and eventual state champion Miami Northwestern, Fox led FHSAA’s 3A District 16 in rushing yards, total points and touchdowns scored, and was second in total yards only behind a Northwestern player with the advantage of additional games. Fox led the team on and off the field, providing leadership and guidance to the underclassmen and setting a pristine example of Conch pride. His coach was keenly aware of the asset he had in Fox; despite his well-known willingness to gamble on fourth-down situations, head coach Johnny Hughes had no intention of gambling on the health of his star running back by playing him on defense. When injuries plagued the Conchs, Hughes had little choice in personnel, and Fox tore up the field defensively, too. In limited defensive play, Fox had 38 tackles plus a pair of interceptions, one of which he carried into the end zone.
A.J. Putetti
Senior, Coral Shores
A.J. Putetti rushed 148 times for 1,288 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. He reeled in 25 passes for 443 yards and seven touchdowns in the air for a total of 1,973 offensive yards. The stealthy senior also had nine returns for 242 yards and a touchdown to make it 22 trips to the end zone in 2024. Defensively, he amassed 55 total tackles (35 solo and one for a loss), caused a fumble and broke up four passes. Incredibly, Putetti was also the Hurricanes’ punter, making him an asset in every aspect of the game.
Matthew Delgado
Junior, Marathon
Offensive tackle Matthew Delgado combined his size with a quick set of feet to lead the Dolphins this season in tackles. A three-year starter for the Fins, Delgado’s specialty is run blocking, making him an asset to Marathon’s run-heavy single wing offensive system.
Eddie Holly
Senior, Coral Shores
If there was action on the field last season, chances are Eddie Holly was part of it. The senior strongman amassed 134 tackles, 101 of which were solo and 22 for a loss. Holly caused four fumbles, reeled in a pair of interceptions and blocked a field goal. He had 10 carries for 80 yards and served as the team’s short and long snapper, making him an asset to every aspect of the ’Canes play.
Braulio Garcia
Senior, Marathon
Braulio Garcia served as a plow for Marathon’s runners, clearing the way for others to rack up yards. The Fins’ lead blocker proved to be a capable runner himself, rushing for 455 yards on 38 carries for an average of 12 yards per carry and three touchdowns.
Yemcel Moreno
Senior, Coral Shores
The ’Canes’ play-caller rushed 69 times this season for 413 yards and eight touchdowns on his legs. He also completed 32 passes for 527 yards in the air and nine more touchdowns for 17 total TDs this season. Moreno amassed 940 total yards offensively for Coral Shores during his senior campaign.
Eduardo Garcia
Junior, Marathon
Junior guard Eduardo Garcia is a three-year starter for the Fins. Garcia puts in extra hours in the weight room and his dedication shows on the gridiron. He is credited with having great leverage and for going 100% until the whistle is blown on each play.
Israel Gonzalez
Sophomore, Marathon
The Fins’ Israel Gonzalez showed impressive composure this season despite being only a sophomore. Gonzalez averaged 8.6 tackles per game with 77 total this season. Gonzalez was described as focused and always prepared for whatever the Dolphins were up against.
Cole Jackson
Senior, Key West
Cole Jackson was a favorite target for the Conchs this season. The sure-handed senior amassed 151 yards receiving, reaching the endzone three times for Key West. Defensively, he had 14 tackles, one of which was for a loss.
Leo Batista
Junior, Key West
A dual threat for Key West, Leo Batista tore up his opponents defensively with 58 tackles, nine of which were for a loss, as well as three sacks and an interception. On offense, Batista added 31 rushes for 158 total yards on the ground in his junior season.
Jeff DeJean
Junior, Key West
Another of Key West’s very talented juniors, Jeff DeJean was a solid player both ways for the Conchs. Offensively, he reached the end zone four times, with 493 yards rushing this season. Defensively, he made 21 tackles, two of which were for a loss.
Shane LaVallee
Senior, Key West
Praised for his excellent perimeter blocking on offense, senior Shane LaVallee was integral on both sides of the ball for the Conchs. Defensively, he had 39 tackles, five for losses, six sacks and a pair of forced fumbles this season.
Josh Johnson
Sophomore, Key West
Though he is only a sophomore, Key West’s Josh Johnson already owns a school record. Johnson ran a 99-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in 2024. He had 35 tackles, six for loss, and a pair of sacks in his sophomore stats, and the 6’5” lineman got better as the season progressed, branding him as one to watch the next two seasons.
Noah Mercer
Junior, Key West
Noah Mercer used his physical strength to help pave the way for the Conchs to amass nearly 4,000 yards this season as part of Key West’s formidable offensive line. Defensively, Mercer made 53 tackles, nine of which were for a loss, and added four sacks, making him a menace to opposing teams.
Carlos Lezcano
Senior, Marathon
A four-year starter for Marathon, Carlos Lezcano accumulated 841 yards rushing this season, scoring seven touchdowns on the ground and tossing three more in the air to make it 10 total. Described as dedicated and dependable, Lezcano averaged 8.6 yards per carry and racked up 965 all-purpose yards in his senior campaign.
Tanner Ross
Senior, Marathon
Tanner Ross bullied his way into the end zone six times this season, using sheer determination to do the heavy lifting for the Fins as a runner. Ross caught a TD pass to make it seven scores for his senior campaign. Ross’ strong will and leadership benefited Marathon defensively, where he made the calls as the leader of the Dolphins’ defense. He had five tackles for loss and a sack this season.
Walson Morin
Junior, Key West
Walson Morin was integral on both sides of the ball for the Conchs. Offensively, he joined the 1,000-yard club, rushing for 1,184 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Defensively, Morin made 30 tackles and reeled in three interceptions, taking one all the way to the end zone to make it an even dozen scores in his junior season.
Fabbianho Louis Jeune
Senior, Marathon
Known to most as simply “Fab,” Louis Jeune gave everything he had to the Dolphins’ team this season. The dedicated senior never missed a practice and his hard work showed; Louis Jeune ran for 1,189 yards this season and added another 111 passing and 40 receiving for 1,340 all-purpose yards. Defensively, he had 26 tackles and a pair of fumble recoveries. On special teams, the school record-holding kicker added four field goals and 29 extra points to accumulate 141 total points this season, earning the No. 2 spot in the Rural division for total points and field goals made.
Dennis Hernandez
Senior, Coral Shores
Coral Shores lineman Dennis Hernandez led the team as a captain, earning top marks on film every week. His consistency was key for the ’Canes in their highly successful season. Hernandez was described as tough, intelligent and excellent under pressure.
Jarmoris Davis
Senior, Coral Shores
Senior Jarmoris Davis was all over the field this season. Offensively, he caught two passes for 43 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but defensively is where he really stood out. Davis had 51 tackles in total, 32 solo and nine for losses. He was credited with 18 pressures, seven sacks and a fumble recovery, making him one of the ’Canes’ top defensive contributors.
Xico Reynoso-Heaton
Senior, Coral Shores
Xico Reynoso-Heaton was a team captain and proved to be a dynamic offensive lineman, playing in whichever spot he was needed and doing so with physicality and fidelity. His work ethic was described as legendary, and his leadership was integral in Coral Shores’ successful season.
Jhonathan Mesa
Senior, Coral Shores
Dual threat Jhonathan Mesa made the most of his senior season, rushing 48 times for 307 yards offensively. He added 32 tackles, 22 of which were solo and two for a loss, to his defensive stats. Mesa added plenty of pressure to the ’Canes’ opponents and broke up a pass to make him a reliable contributor on both sides of the ball.
