Columbus ready for state title run
Ahmere Foster is the only player left on Columbus’ football roster who was on the field that December night in 2019.
Foster was a freshman when the Explorers scored a last-second win over Apopka to secure their first state title after years of coming up painfully short.
Foster and Columbus have been chasing that feeling ever since.
Now a senior starting cornerback and a Marshall University commit, Foster is likely to have a meaningful impact on whether the Explorers can complete their pursuit this season.
“I learned from the seniors that came before and now I know I have to lead the young guys,” said Foster, who earned first team All-Dade honors last season after recording 39 tackles, five pass breakups and blocking two kicks.
Columbus did not compete in the state series the season following their state title run due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Explorers instead competed and won the South Florida Tri-County championship.
Last season, Columbus suffered a painful exit from the postseason after a 35-7 loss to eventual state champion Venice in the Class 8A state semifinals.
“We knew we had to get better, one percent every day, and be more of a disciplined team,” Foster said.
Columbus coach Dave Dunn’s squad returns six starters on offense and five on defense.
Foster could be one of several players that continue Columbus’ successful pipeline to FBS-level schools.
As the lone returning starter in the Explorers’ secondary, Foster will be entrusted to lead a talented young core which also includes junior corner Jeffery Bandy, the younger brother of former Columbus and UM standout Trajan Bandy.
Foster said he will also return kicks and play on offense this season, likely lining up at receiver.
“Our hardest hit area was our secondary since we’re going to have three new starters back there,” said Dunn, who is heading into his fourth season with the Explorers since returning to the school in 2019. “But with Ahmere, we’re excited to have him back. His veteran presence will help us mitigate that loss.”
Spearheading the defense and a loaded junior class for Columbus is 5-star linebacker TJ Capers, a junior who is ranked the No. 6 overall prospect and top player at his position for the Class of 2024 by 247Sports.
Capers (6-2, 230 pounds) has over 25 FBSlevel offers from major programs including Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Michigan and Miami.
Dylan Stephenson, a 6-4, 215-pound defensive lineman and transfer from Killian, is a 4-star prospect with over 15 offers including Georgia and FSU, will help set the edge up front. Returning first team All-Dade defensive lineman Daylen Russell joins him up front.
Miles Mcgee and Ja’Juan Bradshaw anchor the Explorers’ linebackers
After struggling at times on the offensive end last season, Columbus has several weapons on offense that could make it more explosive in 2022.
Senior Sedrick Irvin Jr., a Stanford University commit, figures to bring speed and versatility both running the ball and as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
Junior quarterback Adrian Posse, a transfer from Monsignor Pace, is in competition with junior Alberto Mendoza for the starting spot. Both will have an opportunity to spread the field with the help of 6-5, 230-pound junior tight end Benjamin Blackburn. Senior guard Jake Rodriguez anchors the offensive line.
Another important addition Columbus made this offseason came off the field. The Explorers hired former longtime University of Miami strength and conditioning coach Andreu Swasey to the same position.
“It’s been great having someone with his knowledge and it’s made a big difference in our program,” Dunn said. “He’s brought a different intensity and a little different mentality to our strength program which I thought was a change we needed.”
After a radical realignment of the district landscape by the Florida High School Athletic Association which broke up the state’s eight classes into four Metropolitan and four Suburban classes, Venice will not be in Columbus’ potential path.
Still, the Explorers face a challenging slate in the new Class 4M, which will include familiar adversaries in their region such as Miami Palmetto and Davie Western — each of whom Columbus defeated in last year’s playoffs.
“Our intensity has gotten better each day during practice,” Dunn said. “We’re not messing around here. We want to win championships. We probably ask more from our guys than most teams do. It’s why our guys who have been here in recent years have gone on to have success at the collegiate level.”
Andre C. Fernandez: @FernandezAndreC