University School looks to take next step after winning Class 4A title last season

DAVIE — When University School went 7-3 two years ago or won a Class 4A regional title last season, the Sharks were youthful and building on potential.

As University participates in spring drills, the team feels ready to shed that “young” label off and take the next step.

And with a talented junior class returning after leading the Sharks to state semifinals last fall, there’s only “next step” left to take.

“States or nothing,” safety Josh Sanguinetti said at practice Friday, held indoors at the Sharks’ basketball facility due to weather. “We’re right where we left off last year — just, we need to put in a little bit extra work so we can win states this year.”

The Sharks went 9-2 last season – the two losses: eventual 3A state champ Chaminade-Madonna and 4A runner-up Cocoa, which won it all the previous year, in that semifinal.

“We’re just trying to come out and finish what we started last year. We still have that same energy. Bring it on to this year,” running back Kenny McIntosh said. “We’re just trying to bring the young boys with us and have them follow us.”

Added wideout Zay Flowers: “We’re going to work harder to get there again, but we’re not planning on losing there this year.”

Those rising seniors take on more leadership – but leadership they already possessed as juniors. While they can no longer be looked upon as young, a new upand-coming crop of talented prospects comes up behind them.

One of them will be the new starting quarterback where 2021 prospect Nick Vattiato is competing against Will Wynn, a junior next season.

Vattiato is said to have one of the most storied youth football careers for a quarterback in South Florida, having played for the Fort Lauderdale Hurricanes and Pembroke Pines Optimist.

“[I’ve seen] a lot of growth, a lot of maturity,” University School coach Daniel Luque said. “This is easy for him. He’s played the highest competition for his age group.”

Vattiato shows excellent composure and leadership qualities for his age and is sound with his fundamentals as a passer.

“It’s not easy, but it definitely helps having guys around me — great players, great coaches around me that really help,” said Vattiato, adding that throwing to a deep receiving corps will help. “I really think it’s one of the best in Florida — maybe in the country.”

In addition to Flowers there and Sanguinetti splitting time on offense, rising senior Jordan Irizarry was a first-team AllCounty selection as a sophomore and Christian Wells already has Syracuse and Boston College offers.

The Sharks also have an offensive tackle that already appears to be one of the best in the class of 2021 in Marcus Tate, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound blocker who holds offers from Miami, LS, Texas, Oregon and Tennessee, among others.

In the front seven on defense, Jalen Reeves looks to expand on a 17½-sack sophomore campaign. Emile Aime eclipsed the 100-tackle mark at linebacker as a freshman last season, and rising senior Moezies Telfort was lauded by Luque for his progress.