Heritage’s Smith, McCarthy’s Pew are Broward 4A-1A Football Coaches of the Year
American Heritage has been one of the more dominant programs in the state for over a decade.
But their seventh state championship since 2013 was likely their hardest to earn.
And while Archbishop McCarthy did not win a state title this season, the Mavericks advanced further in the playoffs than they had in 15 years.
And so, American Heritage coach Mike Smith and Archbishop McCarthy coach Jake Pew are the Miami Herald’s Broward County Football Co-Coaches of the Year for Classes 4A-1A.
Smith led Heritage to its second consecutive state championship, which was also his second as head coach.
But it came only after plenty of adversity during a 4-5 regular season in which they dealt with numerous injuries including the loss of starting quarterback and Texas commit Dia Bell.
The Patriots opened the season by coming back from a 28-0 deficit to secure a 31-28 victory over nationally-ranked St. Joseph’s Prep of Pennsylvania.
But Heritage stumbled along the way against some of the nation’s toughest competition including New Orleans’ Edna Karr, St. Thomas Aquinas and Chaminade, and dealt with injuries to other key players such as starting running back Jonathan Bueno and receiver Brandon Bennett.
Transfer quarterback Leon Strawder helped stabilize Heritage’s offense and others stepped up especially on defense to help the Patriots hit their stride when it mattered most.
Heritage did not even win its district championship, losing to rival Archbishop McCarthy during the regular season.
But the Patriots won the rematch in the playoffs, and proceeded to beat Choctawhatchee on the road in the state semifinals and Orlando Jones in the final to win state.
And while McCarthy did not win the decisive encounter with Heritage, its breakthrough season couldn’t be denied as one of the most impressive in Broward.
Pew finished his second season at McCarthy as head coach and fourth overall as part of a coaching staff originally led by former head coach Dino Mangiero, who were hired following a successful five-year stint at Mater Dei Prep in Monmouth, New Jersey.
Pew has helped turn the Mavericks from a 2-8 team, playing as an independent his first season, to going unbeaten his second season, to joining a district and making the playoffs with a 7-5 record in 2024.
This season, McCarthy went 10-3 and beat Heritage during the regular season to clinch a district title. The Mavericks advanced to the regional finals in Class 4A, matching the furthest advancement in the playoffs ever by their program and reaching that round for the first time since 2010.
