A 20-year coaching veteran in the Keys, Marathon’s coach Kevin Freeman is Monroe County’s longest-tenured head basketball coach. Listen as he sits down with host Sean McDonald to discuss his own playing career, his foray into teaching and coaching, and his expectations for the 2022-2023 Marathon Dolphins basketball team.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent years, Marathon High School has developed a reputation as the Keys’ perennial distance running powerhouse. In 2022, sophomore phenom Vaclav “Vance” Bursa carried that torch, pacing the Dolphins all season and running the race of his life to secure a ninth place finish at the FHSAA state championships in Tallahassee on Nov. 5. Listen as host Sean McDonald catches up with Bursa and coach Jim Murphy to discuss the race, his progress thus far, and future plans for the standout harrier.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Only one fall sport is left standing at Marathon High School as the Dolphins’ quickest runners make the trip to the state championship cross country meet in Tallahassee on Nov. 5. Led by sophomore phenom Vance Bursa and fresh off a third-place finish in their regional race, this will be the Fins’ eighth consecutive trip to Florida’s fastest meet under coach Jim Murphy. Not to be left out, the Lady Fins will make their fourth consecutive trip to the big dance led by first-year coach Darby Sheehan. Listen as host Sean McDonald catches up with Murphy to discuss his team’s potential this weekend and the factors that led to Marathon becoming the Keys’ most dominant running powerhouse.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As temperatures drop – just a little – in the Florida Keys, fall prep sports in the county are wrapping up their seasons, with some looking forward to postseason games and races. Listen as host Sean McDonald recaps where each sport stands as the season draws to a close. After the comprehensive recap, McDonald is joined by Coral Shores football coach Ed Holly and Key West football coach Johnny Hughes for a rundown of the historic meeting between the northernmost and southernmost Keys football teams on Oct. 21, the first game of its kind in 12 years.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andre Garvey is known to most in Marathon as a dedicated coach and one of the outstanding staff members in the Marathon Parks and Recreation department. But what some may not know is that Garvey is part of Florida’s football royalty as the 1997 Florida 2A Football Player of the Year. This 1998 Marathon High School graduate earned the honor after finishing his senior football season with 2,500 rushing yards and 26 total touchdowns – numbers that were good enough to earn him a spot at Florida A&M University as a running back. Listen as host Sean McDonald catches up with Garvey and his former teammate James Paskiewicz ahead of Andre’s jersey retirement ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 20 during Marathon’s football matchup against Palm Glades Prep Academy.

IN PHOTO: Andre Garvey, seen here in his uniform at Florida A&M University, will have his jersey retired at Marathon High School on Thursday night. CONTRIBUTED

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the oldest sports rivalries in the Keys was renewed under Friday Night Lights as Marathon made the trip north to take on Coral Shores in the 53rd “Battle of the Keys” on Oct. 7. An early score by Marathon on a 42-yard Aaron Dolton touchdown run soon gave way to several special teams miscues for the Dolphins, and Coral Shores emerged victorious, 33-6. Listen as host Sean McDonald recaps the battle with Coral Shores head coach Ed Holly before switching gears to catch up with Key West head coach Johnny Hughes. With several games canceled due to the devastation of Hurricane Ian throughout the Keys and southwest Florida, Hughes lays out Key West’s plan for the rest of the season, including a newly-scheduled rivalry game with a Keys opponent.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rich Russell is a home-grown talent and a true “football guy” – a Coral Shores graduate who returned to his hometown program to coach and eventually work his way into his position as the Hurricanes’ athletic director. Listen as host Sean McDonald takes a deep, wide-ranging dive into Russell’s family background and entire athletic career, all the way back to his days setting a Florida high school state record with an 88-yard punt. Ahead of Coral Shores’ much-anticipated rivalry match against Marathon on Friday, Oct. 7, Russell and McDonald take a look through the 52-year history of one of the Keys’ most storied athletic rivalries. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s gut check time for Keys football squads as late-season matchups bring pivotal district showdowns and the return of a storied Monroe County rivalry. Join host Sean McDonald as he is joined by all three head high school football coaches to discuss the critical weeks ahead. Fresh off a gritty game against national powerhouse Cardinal Gibbons, Key West prepares for district play with the hopes of securing a playoff berth, while further up the island chain, Marathon and Coral Shores are just over a week away from squaring off in the 2022 “Battle of the Keys” on Oct. 7.

PHOTO: The Key West Conchs square off against nationally ranked powerhouse Cardinal Gibbons on Sept. 23. ELLA HALL/Keys Weekly

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen as host Sean McDonald sits down with Key West High School basketball coach Dexter Butler to talk about his coaching success so far and his vision as he takes over the KWHS basketball team. Dexter is the son of the late Key West basketball legend Bill Butler, the namesake for the high school’s basketball court and the local Bill Butler Park. The elder Butler is arguably the greatest player to ever come out of Key West, and Dexter has followed in his athletic footsteps, lettering in football, basketball and baseball while at KWHS. A phenomenal discussion of athletic legacies in the southernmost island.

Stay tuned for our weekly local sports coverage at keysweekly.com and on the Keys Weekly Sports Wrap Podcast. #LocalMediaMatters

PHOTO: Bill Butler gets vertical to tip off a Key West High School basketball game. CONTRIBUTED

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key West’s Robert James spent his early life on the football field. At 11 years old, the 5’6’’, 110-pound player was initially put at tight end. Eventually he would find his way as a running back. Listen as host Sean McDonald talks to James about his football career. Plus, McDonald recaps last week’s contests, including a successful week for Keys football teams. Also, get the latest on swimming and volleyball in the Keys. And high school baseball doesn’t get underway until next January, but some of the best local players visited Key West to show off their talents to professional scouts. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.