Ask Me Anything Volume 1, Number 2

Ok folks, it’s time for the latest installment of Ask Me Anything. So, without further ado, let’s get to your questions:

Q: Where do you think Tracy Howard is going to go to college? – from Nicole @Sweetchoc85

Miramar Sports (MS): Before I answer this one, let me give you a disclaimer: The following response represents MY OWN INDIVIDUAL THOUGHTS. I have not talked with Tracy about his recruiting. I have not talked with his mother or father about his recruiting. I have not spoken to ANYONE about his recruiting. These are MY thoughts, that I have come up with based upon my own PERSONAL PERCEPTION. They are only that, and nothing more.

Whew.
Ok.

Woo-sah.

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s my answer: I personally think that the decision will come down to Florida and Florida State. Both schools have a long history of putting DBs in the league, and have been recruiting Tracy the hardest. They’ve been at the most games and practices that I have seen. They have sent multiple coaches, even coaches who coach OFFENSIVE POSITIONS to make it clear how important he is to each school’s incoming class. For me, I see him staying in-state, over leaving the State for LSU, Alabama, or USC.

Now, COULD HE go to one of those other schools, or Miami (his other finalist)? Sure. Of course he could. Howard has offers from every team in the country with a coach who breathes air. But, in my own PERSONAL estimation, I think it comes down to Florida and Florida State.

Q: Do you feel that Malcolm Lewis should be the first option on a pass play? Why or Why not? – From @sweetchoc85

MS: No, I don’t think he should always be the first option. We are blessed at Miramar to have a wealth of talented athletes at Wide Receiver who can impact the game and make plays. Devonte Mathis, Sean Avant, Charleston Jenkins, Reggie Lennon, Tanares Robinson, Delano Whitehead, Kwasim West, and Geno Smith (the brother) are all top level players, and each of them brings superior talent to the offense.

With all of those options, including the top 4 who will most likely get Division 1 scholarships, I can’t say that Lewis should always be the first option on a pass play. He is an amazing talent, runs great routes, has good hands, and is lightning in a bottle, and goes from 0 to top speed in 3 steps. His talent is so great that he can make plays even if he isn’t the primary option on a play. Additionally, but spreading the ball to all of the playmakers we have on the team, it gives those other players more confidence (which can only help them play even better) and also gives the defense many more things to concentrate on. Since defenses cannot focus solely on Lewis, he should be (and has been) able to do more with the touches that he does get during a game.

Q: Do you think Sean Avant is underrated? – from @sweetchoc85

MS: Yes.

He might not be the fastest receiver on the team (coaches and players call him “4-7” for his mediocre 40 yard dash time), he runs incredibly crisp routes, creates separation from his defender, and catches just about everything thrown his way. When he’s gotten opportunities, he’s made plays all year long (see: his big game against St. Thomas Aquinas). He’s got good size, and has the heart to go over the middle. He is a polished player, and would definitely have more star quality if not for Lewis and Mathis being on the same team.

Q: Will the band again play quietly when the opponent is in the huddle then blare music when they are ready to snap the ball? – from Adam @akosnitzky

MS: The unwritten rule in Broward County is that the Band for any school can freely play when their team is on defense. This has been followed by all bands and their directors for years. Every school is different, and plays their music in the manner that their director sees fit. That being said, I do not foresee the Band changing anything about their performance during games.

Q: Do you think star recruits get favorable calls? – from @akosnitzky

MS: No, I don’t. Officials do their best to fairly officiate every game that is played. Now, I have personally said that I disagree with calls many times over the course of this year, and my life. But, I don’t believe that any particular player gets a free pass from the referees. Some players are just really good at the game, and have learned how NOT to commit a foul or infraction. *Kanye Shrug*

Q: Palm Beach Gardens has 1 receiver [Frank Brown]. What will Miramar do if and when they see Columbus or Southridge, who both have multiple weapons in the passing game? – from @akosnitzky

MS: The Darkside defense is the best in the State. There are star players at every level of the defense (line, linebacker, and secondary), and these players are well prepared to handle any offensive attack that they face. I believe they will welcome the challenge that a team with multiple receiving threats would present, and do their best to showcase that Tracy Howard isn’t the only player who can lock down his receiver and make plays when faced with a potent passing game.

Quick unofficial tally: Marrell Jackson has 12 interceptions, Tracy Howard has 7, Anthony Hamilton has 3, Denzel Trowers and Terrell Hill each have 1. That’s 24 interceptions from the defensive backs ALONE. Add in Jermaine Grace’s 4 interceptions and Mark Rucker’s 2 interceptions, and Kameron Capers’ 2 interceptions from the linebacker position, and that’s 33 interceptions on the year.

Let me say that again: 33 interceptions on the year.

I believe we’ll be ready for a passing attack.

Q: Malcolm Lewis and Tracy Howard get the most attention on the team. Which area do you feel is being ignored and deserves some love? – from @akosnitzky

MS: There are a couple groups I think are due for a bit more attention: the big guys in the trenches, offensive and defensive lines, and the linebackers. The offensive line, Seniors Gerald Toussaint, Daniel Lennon, Clevonne Davis, Kevin Gonzalez, and junior Mike Miranda, is really playing amazing football. They allow the time and space needed for the skill position players to flourish, and that is a luxury that most teams do not have.

The defensive line got some love from me in my Game Recap article after the South Plantation game. They have about 11 players who rotate into the game, and all of them are capable of making plays. Having Trevon Coley and Willie Paisley occupying a lot of attention from the opposing offense has allowed other players to impact games, and they are definitely working under the radar as far as attention is concerned.

The Linebackers are the last group who should get more attention than they do. Jermaine Grace is a superstar, but has only recently gotten media attention. Kameron Capers, Mark Rucker, and Brian Williams have all made big plays this season, and routinely disrupt the offense. They play a multifaceted game, equally playing in run support and pass coverage. Their contributions cannot be understated.

Q: With Tracy Howard getting so much attention, what can you tell us about the other DBs on the team? – from @akosnitzky

Here goes:

• #10 Marrell Jackson – 6’2’’ Senior Free Safety. Leads all of South Florida with 12 interceptions on the year. Has made big plays all season long, and is a leader in the secondary. His size allows him to be a physical presence in the middle of the field, and his ball skills allow him to catch interceptions that lesser players might otherwise drop. A bit weak in man to man coverage situations, but he can improve on that skill over time. Very under the radar as a college prospect, and whatever team signs him will have gotten a steal on a great player.
• #33 Anthony Hamilton – 5’11’ Senior Strong Safety/Nickel Back. Hamilton is one of the stronger defensive backs that you’ll find. He can overpower most receivers, and uses his physicality to his advantage. Missed time with a dislocated elbow after the Northeast game, and is just coming back to play at his full potential. Strong in run support and a sure tackler.
• #19 Denzel Trowers – 5’9’’ Senior Cornerback. Rotates freely with Terrell Hill. Very quick player. Pretty good in coverage, but can get beat deep at times. A capable tackler, but that’s not his strong suit. Can suffer when faced with defending taller players. Very good with his hands, and has deflected 4 passes that ended up being intercepted by one of his teammates. More solid than spectacular.
• #21 Terrell Hilll – 5’8’’ Senior Cornerback. The other half of the “Cornerback on the side of the field opposite Tracy Howard” tandem with Trowers. A good technician in coverage with above average speed. Has the heart to step up and make tackles when he needs to. Knows the game, and is comfortable with his role in the defense.
• #22 Terrance Gaskin – 5’9’’ Junior Cornerback. Has played some snaps this year, and done well. Looks to be a solid starting player on the defense in his senior season.

Q: Which players play other sports or do other clubs/activities in the school? – from @akosnitzky

MS: Miramar High School has 12 varsity sports and over 35 clubs and activities for its students to be involved in. With that many options, there is bound to be some crossover from multiple students, including athletes. Here are some of the ones that I’m aware of:

• About 20 players are on the Track team, including Malcolm Lewis, Tracy Howard, Trevon Coley, Jermaine Grace, Alex Lee, Tanares Robinson, and Khalil Lewis.
• Michal Moyse was in the Sports Information Director’s club when I was in charge of it the last 2 years.
• Sanka Harris is on the wrestling team.
• Kevin Gonzalez is a Section Leader in Chorus, and a member of the most advanced performing groups: Concert Choir and Varsity Singers. He’s also a member of the National Honor Society.
• Trevon Coley, Clevonne Davis and Kevin Gonzalez are all members of the Future Educators of America Club.
• Ryan Samuels is in the International Baccalaureate Magnet Program.

And I’m sure there’s more, but those are the ones that I know of off the top of my head.

Q: 2 part question: How valuable do you think 7-on-7 tournaments during the off season are for teams? And, what do the linemen do while the skill position players play 7-on-7? – from Steven @sr6813

MS: I think the 7-on-7 tournaments are very valuable for teams, especially with new quarterbacks. It allows for them to work with their receivers to get their timing down, and also exposes them to the pressure of reading different defensive coverages. The tournaments give players a chance to practice against live competition, and work to refine their technique.

While the skill position players are engaged in 7-on-7, the linemen usually attend line camps. Most schools take their whole line so they can get the feel of playing together. These camps have group instruction and individual work sessions, which are usually highlighted by the 1 on 1 Offensive Line vs. Defensive Line drills.

So, both groups of players, trench players and skill players, have the opportunity to work together over the summer, and build the foundations for success when the season rolls around in the Fall.

That's it for this week's edition of Ask Me Anything. Be sure you check back later for more articles.

Until Next time,


Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Playoff Game Recap: Regional Semifinal vs. Cypress Bay

The second playoff game brought with it a unique challenge: teams from the same District matching up for a second time in the same season. That challenge is tough for both teams, and makes for some great, intense games.

Such was the case when Cypress Bay met Miramar in the Regional Semifinal game on Friday night. These teams fought hard, and played well, with Miramar eventually coming away with a 23-7 victory. Let’s look at some of the key factors from the game:

Cypress Bay:

• The Cypress Bay offense struggled to move the ball consistently in the first half.  They were held to -3 yards total offense in the first 24 minutes, and didn’t gain a first down until late in the 2^nd quarter. Matt Dayes and Deandre Brown  worked hard for the yardage they were able to gain, but it wasn’t much. Each player broke 1 run of more than 8 yards. It was enough to move the chains late, but not enough to put points on the board.
• Quarterback Jaranta Lewis struggled in this game. Facing constant pressure, he was frequently forced to rush his throws, and missed a couple open receivers down the field. He was able to make a couple nice plays in the 4^th quarter, but overall, he was unable to lead his team to any points on the night.
• WR/DB Alex Montgomery played like a man possessed.  After Miramar went up 7-0 in the first quarter, Montgomery returned the ensuing kickoff 61 yards for a touchdown, tying the game. He was held in check by Tracy Howard for most of the game on offense. That was until the Cypress Bay coaching staff moved him around in different places in their formations, and had him run different routes. Once they went to that switch, Montgomery was able to take advantage of open spaces in the Miramar Zone Defense. He also made spectacular efforts to catch passes while diving out of bound on the sideline, and also in the back of the end zone. Overall, his play was the highlight of the night on offense for Cypress Bay, and they should look forward to a huge season from him next year as a Senior
• On defense, the Lightning seemed a bit shocked by the Miramar offense early in the game. Once they were able to make some adjustments, Cypress Bay showed their mettle and made this game closer than the opening minutes would have led us to believe it would be.
• Seniors Daumantas Venckus and Josh Witt stepped up to make plays and help their team keep the game close. Witt forced an Alex Lee fumble on a huge hit, and Venckus recovered it. Witt had at least 8 tackles on the night by my count, and was involved in many plays. It was easy to see why he is such a highly touted recruit. Venckus was faced with double teams most of the night, and was largely neutralized by the Miramar Offensive line.
• A couple unheralded players made some huge contributions to the defense for Cypress Bay. Linebacker Jared Prinzo made a fair share of tackles on the night, and was a key in slowing down the Miramar offense after the first few drives of the game. Defensive Lineman Giovanni Santoro was a disruptive force at the point of attack, and his presence was key to the success that Cypress bay had on defense in the second half as they held Miramar scoreless.

Cypress Bay came into the game focused and looking to knock off Miramar in this re-match game. However, the Lightning we unable to capitalize on their opportunities in this game, and were again defeated by the Patriots.

Miramar:

• Unlike the previous 3 games, Miramar came out and scored early in the game. 3 first half touchdowns, and a safety, provided all the points the Patriots would need on this night to be victorious. I, along with many fans, had been calling for a fast start for weeks. This was a great time for the team to finally fulfill that request.
• Before looking at any individual players, I would like to look at the other main point that I’d been making for weeks: penalties and turnovers. Miramar had a much, MUCH cleaner game than they’d had in past weeks. By my count (unofficial though it may be), I can only remember about 5 or 6 Miramar penalties on the night. There were a couple, like an offsides when Cypress Bay had a 4^th and 2 near mid-field, that could have been detrimental to the team. They were ultimately non-factors, as the Darkside Defense held the Lightning offense in check for the game.
• Miramar did have the 1 turnover on the Alex Lee fumble (again, on a HUGE hit by Josh Witt), but other than that, there wasn’t anything to be concerned about in this area of our performance. When compared to previous games, when the team averaged 14 penalties and 3 turnovers a game, this performance was very efficient, and the Coaches and Players should be praised for their diligence to address these key issues.
• Quarterback Camren Hudge had one of his best games of the season. He accounted for 124 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first half alone. His passes were crisp, and his decisions were very good. He ran the read option incredibly well, and sliced 32 yards through the Cypress Bay defense for his first score of the night. Add that to a 2 yard sneak, and a 7 yard slant to Malcolm Lewis, and you have quite a night for the Patriot’s QB.
• Hudge’s numbers would have been even bigger if not for a couple untimely drops from his receiving corps. A couple of long passes directed towards Devonte Mathis and Malcolm Lewis weren’t able to be reeled in, but they did help to loosen up the Cypress Bay defense for the Miramar running game.
• Moving to the defensive side of the ball, Linebacker Jermaine “Country” Grace showed why he is considered one of the top recruits in the 2013 class. On the night, he had 11 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss, and 2 passes defended on the night. He was all over the field, and a constant foil to the Cypress Bay running game. Every time you looked up, Grace was making a play. He was the star of the night, and without a doubt the main factor for the defensive success that the Patriots enjoyed.
• Sometimes in life, you have to sit back and appreciate those things that you have. So, let’s just enjoy this season we’ve gotten from Tracy Howard. With another leaping interception (his 7^th of the year) and 3 passes broken up, and 2 nice tackles in run support, Howard showcased the complete game that has made him a 5 star recruit. I’ve been working in South Florida and following High School Football here for 8 years, and the only time I can remember seeing a defensive back with the kind of impact that Howard has on a game was Patrick Peterson (then Johnson) when he was at Blanche Ely. I say that to say this: players of this caliber are few and far between, and Patriots fans get a treat when they can see #3 on the field every Friday.
• Overall, the team played a very good game. I would have liked a couple more touchdowns in the second half (and the opportunities were there), but Cypress Bay fought hard to the end, and proved themselves a worthy adversary. Miramar worked out a lot of the kinks that had popped up over the previous month, and once again have the look of the dominant team we all expected them to be.

2 games are down on the Road to Orlando, and the season continues. With only 2 teams in Broward County still playing, this is something that not everyone can say.

Patriots advance, and that’s all that counts. Keep up the good work, gentlemen.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours?

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Playoff Game Preview - Regional Semifinal vs. Cypress Bay

The Regional Semifinal is a re-match of the top 2 teams from District 11-8A. Miramar and Cypress Bay have a history of great games against each other (see the Series History article from Wednesday for more on that), and now they stand in each other’s way as both teams look to continue their seasons, and chase the 2011 Class 8A State Championship.

Enough with the preamble. Let’s look at the teams, and the keys to victory:

Cypress Bay Lightning (8-3, 4-1 District 11-8A, District Runner-up)
Playoffs: Defeated Taravella 33-3 in Regional Quarterfinals

The Cypress Bay Lightning are the second playoff opponent for the Miramar Patriots. I’ve already written an entire article on the history between these teams, so there’s no need to belabor that point again. But I will say these teams know each other well, and this figures to be the latest chapter in an already intense rivalry.

Cypress Bay is led by Coach Mark Guandolo, who has been at the school since it’s opening. Guandolo is a veteran coach with a very impressive resume. His teams routinely made the playoffs and won State Championships in his days at Chaminade-Madonna, and he has continued that success in his time in Weston. Guandolo’s teams have always been built around a couple central principles: physical Wing-T offensive attack that wears down the opponent and controls the clock, timely play-action passing with athletic Receivers and Tight Ends, and a stingy defense that forces opponents out of their comfort zone. We’ll take a look at the X’s and O’s later, but for now, let’s move on to the players that will play major roles for the Lightning in this game.

Offensively, there are a few players who will need to play well for Cypress Bay to emerge victorious. First and foremost is the player who controls the offense: Junior Quarterback Jaranta Lewis. Lewis has been starting since his Freshman year, and fully understands the intricacies of the Wing-T offense. His athleticism allows him to be a threat in the running game, and his arm has developed into a valuable weapon in the passing game. To be successful as a team, and finally solve the Miramar Defense, Lewis’ play must be flawless.

Helping take pressure off of Lewis are a pair of Running Backs in Junior Matt Dayes and Senior Deandre Brown. Both players are capable of having big games, and run hard for extra yardage after contact. Dayes is the more explosive of the 2 backs, and will look to bounce plays to the outside and use his speed on the edge of the defense. Brown is coming off a strong game in the Regional Semifinal vs. Taravella (14 carries for 91 yards and a Touchdown), and could easily replicate those numbers if the defense relaxes when he takes the field.

Also looking to contribute to the running attack is Junior Josh Kaiser. He started games after Dayes and Lewis sustained injuries against St. Thomas, and he is another player who is tough to tackle one-on-one.

Missing from the offense is Running Back Giscard Philizaire. The Senior sustained a broken leg against St. Thomas back in the 3^rd game of the year, an injury that ended his season. His speed and savvy have been missed through this season, but the Lightning have been able to insert other players such as Brown and Kaiser and replicate the missing production.

Another talented player is Junior Alex Montgomery. The 6’2’’, 210lb athlete starts on both offense and defense, and has made a number of plays on both sides of the ball this season. His height and leaping ability present challenges when on offense, and his lateral quickness allows him to make plays from sideline to sideline on defense. Montgomery is the favorite target for Lewis in the passing game, and absolutely integral to the success of the Cypress Bay offense.

Last, but definitely not least for this run-based team, is the Offensive Line. Anchored by Senior Danny Isidora (6’3’’’, 335lbs), the line has played well this year, opening holes for the running backs, and protect Lewis in passing situations. They are large, tough, and talented, and that is a staple of a Mark Guandolo coached team.

On the Defensive side of ball, Cypress Bay has a few standout players who look to team with Montgomery and stifle the Miramar Offense. Defensive End Daumantas Venckus and Linebacker Josh Witt are battle tested Seniors who are big time college recruits. Venckus, committed to Iowa, and Witt, committed to Miami, have played very strong football this season, and teams are wise to account for them on every play. They, along with Montgomery, have the ability to change the game on any play, and they will need to bring their absolute best to the field on Friday.

Senior Troy Bray handles the punting and kicking duties for Cypress Bay. He has been consistent this year, and he will need to continue his high level of play for the Lightning to be successful against the Patriots on Friday.

Overall, this is one of the best teams in South Florida, and a worthy challenge for any opponent.

Miramar Patriots (10-0, 5-0 District 12-8A, District Champion)
Playoff: Defeated South Plantation 38-0 in Regional Quarterfinals

Miramar continued the 2^nd undefeated season in school history by ousting South Plantation 38-0 in the first round of the playoffs. The Patriots got stellar play from a number of players in this game, and eventually pulled away after only leading 7-0 at the half.

Coach Damon Cogdell continues to have his team well prepared for playoff competition. With a career record of 10-3 in the playoffs, Cogdell will need to have his team well prepared to add another with to that total.

On Offense, Senior Running Back D’Vontis Arnold has emerged as the key player for this team. His 139 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 14 carries vs. South Plantation gave balance to the offense, and his hard running style wore down the Paladin defense. Finally able to play after missing the last 2 years with injuries, Arnold has made the most of his opportunities, and will need another strong game to provide balance for the offensive attack.

Quarterback Camren Hudge continues to utilize his weapons in the passing game. His ability to read the defense and pick out the right target is impressive. His receivers have let him down at times, however, with drops coming at key times during the previous game. Hudge has had trouble holding on the ball in the past few games, however. Fumbled snaps, and even a fumble when trying to throw a pass, have been the main culprits. Ball security must be a top priority in this game.

Malcolm Lewis and Sean Avant are players who have the ability to stretch defenses in the passing game. They will need to have big games to help their Quarterback out, and also lead the team towards victory. Charleston Jenkins and Devonte Mathis were held without a catch in the opening playoff game, and Tanares Robinson seemed to be a bit rushed. Those 3 players will need to have a more consistent performance against Cypress Bay.

The Darkside defense again proved why they are the best in the State. Seniors Tracy Howard and Marrell Jackson both had interceptions in the game, putting an end to South Plantation drives. Howard returned his pick 32 yards for a Touchdown, and gave Miramar an early lead. Jackson’s interception came in the end zone, and put an end to any thoughts that South Plantation had of upsetting the Patriots.

Usually overlooked by opponents and fans alike, the defensive line came through with arguably their best performance of the year against South Plantation.. D’Quan Williams, Willie Paisley, Mike Fluerinvil, D.J. Wallace, Fary Charles, and Trevon Coley controlled the point of attack all game long, and while they did surrender some yards to the Broward County’s leading rusher in Alex Collins, those yards proved to be empty, as the Paladins were unable to score on the night.

Linebackers Jermaine Grace, Mark Rucker, and Brian Williams played steady during the first round game. They were quick to add run support when the line wasn’t able to make plays, and pass coverage when South Plantation was forced to pass. Their contributions were not seen on a stat sheet, but they were nonetheless integral to the success of the Defense as a whole.

Freshman Kicker Malik Wisdom has gotten better as the season has worn on. His leg is very strong, and his technique is coming around as well. He made 2 field goals against Cypress Bay the first time these teams matched up, and could play a big role in the re-match as well.

Miramar had a strong second half performance against South Plantation, and turned a close 7-0 game into a 38-0 blowout. They passed the first test on the Road to Orlando. The next one, against Cypress Bay, figures to be tougher.

Why Cypress Bay might win: The Lightning’s power running Wing-T offense is able to move the ball, and control the clock. One of the key aspects of this offensive paradigm is control of the clock, and if they are able to move the chains, and eat up chunks of clock, this will shorten the game, and make every Miramar possession that much more important.

A strong defensive performance from one or more of the leaders for Cypress Bay is also necessary. Daumantas Venckus, Josh Witt, and Alex Montgomery will have to do their best to be disruptive on defense, and Cypress Bay will need to force Miramar turnovers for this team to swing momentum, and put pressure on the Patriot offense to score every time they get the ball.

Why Miramar might win: First and foremost, the Darkside defense plays another strong game and stifles the Cypress Bay running attack. The defense will need to play disciplined, and take advantage of every opportunity to get takeaways. With Marrell Jackson (11 interceptions), Tracy Howard (6 interceptions), and a host of other players need to live up to their reputations as playmakers come Friday night.

The offense needs to find their identity, and stick to it. Whether that’s quick passes (as seen against St. Thomas Aquinas) or power running (as seen vs. South Plantation), this team has the ability to move the ball and put points on the board. If the offense scores early, and puts Cypress Bay in a 7 or 14 point hole, the Lightning could be forced to change from their run based scheme, which would play into Miramar’s hands.

What to Watch For:

Is Cypress Bay able to control the clock on offense? Which one of their playmakers steps up on Friday night? What wrinkle will the Lightning use to confuse the Patriots? 

Cypress Bay has been the ultimate all-or-nothing team this year: they have won every game when they score a point, but have also been shut out 3 times (St. Thomas Aquinas, Miramar, Bradenton Manatee). Which team shows up on Friday?

Can Miramar forget about the slow starts from the last 3 games and regain their early and mid-season form? What can Tracy Howard do to impact the game? Can the players limit the penalties and turnovers that have plagued them over the course of this season?

This game will undoubtedly be incredibly competitive, and the victors will have earned a chance to continue their path on the Road to Orlando. Come out and see the next chapter in this budding rivalry on Friday night. The game will be played at Branca Stadium on the campus of Miramar High School, with kickoff coming at 7:30pm. Trust me folks, you want to be there.

The next stop on the Road to Orlando is here. Whose trip is going to continue? And whose trip is ending?

You gotta be there to find out!

Until Next time,

Cameron J. Underwood

Miramar Sports 

Miramar vs. Cypress Bay - A Series History

The playoffs usually match teams from opposing districts who, while close in proximity, usually aren’t very familiar with their opponent. In this case, the bracket has yielded 2 teams who are very familiar with each other.

Miramar and Cypress Bay have been in the same District 3 out of the last 5 years, and have won District Championships in each of those seasons, whether they were together or apart. These are 2 of the top teams in Broward County, and they have treated us to some great games in recent history.

As these teams prepare to meet once again in the Regional Semifinals on Friday, let’s look back on the series history between these 2 teams:

Regular Season game: October 5, 2007 – Cypress Bay 21 – Miramar 7

This was the first time that the teams played each other. Miramar, coming off a strong season, and returning a Junior at Quarterback named Eugene Smith (you may have heard of him by now) was looking to take the next step by defeating a talented and disciplined Cypress Bay. The Lightning were also returning a large amount of players with Varsity experience, and Coach Mark Guandolo was excited about the prospects for his team this season.

Unfortunately, this game failed to live up to the pre-season expectations. Facing massive suspensions after a bench clearing brawl vs. Flanagan, an undermanned Miramar team that started 10 JV players fought valiantly, but was unable to put together a winning offensive performance, or stop the powerful Wing-T running game employed by Cypress Bay. The Lightning controlled the clock, rushing for over 200 yards while holding the ball for nearly 35 minutes in the game, and cruising to a relatively easy win.

Miramar would recover from the suspensions to go 7-3 and earn a trip to the playoffs as District Runner-up. The Patriots could not continue their season once the playoffs started, and losing in the 1^st round to North Miami Beach 30-13.

Cypress Bay would go on to win the District Championship and go 9-3 on the year. They advanced to the 2^nd round of the playoffs, before losing to the very same NMB team that ended Miramar’s season, falling by a score of 32-20.

Regular Season game: October 11, 2008 –  Cypress Bay 41 – Miramar 40

This was a game for the ages. Both teams were strong, returning many starters from the previous season. Both teams had this game circled on their schedule, and it was clear from the start that this was going to be one of the best games of the season.

Cypress Bay entered the game at 3-1. After defeating Dillard, Boyd Anderson, and Western, the Lightning traveled to Texas to take on 5A Powerhouse Katy. While the Lightning lost that game 31-6, the score did not reflect how close the game really was.

Miramar, looking to knock off the reigning District Champion Lightning, entered the game at 4-0. Wins over Monsignor Pace, Plantation, Piper, and Flanagan set this team up to potentially win the District, and compete for the first State Championship in school history.

This game was an absolute thriller. Cypress Bay, led by their explosive Senior running back Jason Douglas struck early on a kickoff return, and a few quality possessions to go out to a touchdown lead. Junior David McKnight also contributed to the rushing attack, keeping speed on the field even when Douglas was on the sidelines getting a breather. Quarterback Zach Green did not pass often, but when they coaches ask him to employ play action passes to take advantage of an overly aggressive Miramar Defense, the left handed Junior made solid plays, and kept the chains moving.

For their part, the Miramar Patriots stayed in the game, coming back from a 2 touchdown deficit in the second half to take the lead late in the ballgame. Geno Smith used his vast array of weapons to propel the Patriots towards a victory. With Orwin Etkins at Running Back, and the talented group of Stedman Bailey, Terrance Gourdine, Ivan McCartney, and Derius Silas at Wide Receiver, Miramar used their spread offense to keep the scoreboard full of scoring activity.

After Cypress Bay drove for a touchdown that put them ahead 41-34, Miramar would have one last chance to drive the length of the field in the hopes of tying, or winning, the game. As fate would have it, neither of those things happened.

After a touchdown pass to Terrance Gourdine, Coach Damon Cogdell called timeout and brought his team together on the sideline. After considering kicking the tying extra point with Junior Julian Garcia, Cogdell was persuaded by this All-American quarterback, Geno Smith, to instead go for a 2pt conversion and the win. Miramar came out in a 4 wide set, and challenged the Cypress Bay defense to make one last play to seal the victory, with mere seconds remaining on the clock.

Cypress Bay’s Defense was stocked with talent this season. All-State players Shane Gordon and Phil Walker were incredibly athletic Linebackers, and Coach Guandolo leaned on his seniors on this last play to save the game.

Walker, a 6’2’’ 220lb powerhouse, was assigned to “spy” Geno Smith on the final play, following the quarterback’s every move. As Smith saw his receivers covered, he decided to try to run for the last 3 yards, and 2 points, to give his team the victory. However, Walker made a remarkable play to shed his blockers, and tackle Smith out of bounds at the 1 inch line, short of the end zone. With this, the Cypress Bay sideline erupted in celebration. The Lightning had survived to win a thriller, and Miramar had shown that they had what was needed to compete with the very best teams in the state.

This game also set the stage for a potential re-match in the playoffs. After both teams earned victories in the first round of the playoffs, the re-match was no longer a possibility. It became a reality, and the next chapter of the story between these 2 teams.

Playoff game: Regional Semifinal: November 28, 2008 – Miramar 34 – Cypress Bay 29

After the first game these teams played a mere 6 weeks earlier, the re-match between these teams, the day after Thanksgiving, was as anticipated a game as you would find. Both teams were coming off strong performances in the Regional Quarterfinal round, with Cypress Bay defeating North Miami Beach 29-20, and Miramar defeating Carol City 28-26.

This was an ultimate chess match. Both teams looked to play to their strengths, and add timely wrinkles to their schemes to surprise their worthy opponent. Cypress Bay gave a large dose of their famous Wing-T running attack, but added a few more counters and tosses to try to get Jason Douglas and David McKnight on the edge of the defense. Miramar ran the ball more than they had in any game this season, with the exception of the Taravella game when Orwin Etkins carried the ball 37 times for 295 yards.

Miramar took control of the game early. A methodical offensive attack, coupled with a steady, gap control defense had the Patriots in front 14-3 midway through the 2^nd quarter. Cypress Bay would not go quietly, however, and jumped in front 17-14 early in the 3^rd quarter.

After a back and forth struggle through the middle parts of the game, Cypress bay went back in front 29-28 midway through the 4^th quarter. Geno Smith, looking to cement his legacy as one of the top players in Miramar history, refused to let his team go down without a fight. Smith led a 77 yard touchdown drive to put his team up 34-29. After failing to convert the 2pt conversion attempt to give the Patriots a 7 point lead, the game now came down to 1 simple task: Stop Cypress Bay from reaching the end zone.

Initially, the Lightning had success with quick passes and outside runs, gaining yards and stopping the clock. With only seconds left in the game, Cypress Bay Quarterback Zach Green looked toward the end zone, trying to pull out a thrilling victory for his team. However, this fairytale did not have the ending he was looking for.

Senior Miramar Cornerback Josh Nelson, a new starter in the last 3 games of the season after Maxwell Gibson tore his ACL, made an amazing leaping interception in end zone. His play gave Miramar the ball with only seconds remaining, and also sealed the first victory for the Patriots over the Lightning.

Cypress Bay’s season ended with a record of 10-2. The Lightning had never advanced this far in the playoffs, and while that is a remarkable accomplishment, I’m sure they wanted to continue deeper into the playoffs.

Miramar would continue a deep run in the playoffs. After defeating Denard Robinson’s Deerfield Beach team in the regional finals, the Patriots fell to the 2 time defending State Champion Miami Northwestern Bulls 42-27. Ending the season at 11-3, this was by far the best season in school history to this point.

And even more than that, the Miramar-Cypress Bay rivalry had provided us with 2 instant classic games, and promised to provide more riveting match-ups in the future.

2009 and 2010 Seasons – no games

With District realignment, these teams did not meet in the regular season or playoffs  during 2009 or 2010. While apart, Miramar went 14-1 and won the 2009 6A State Championship, defeating DeLand 42-20 in the Title Game. Cypress Bay advanced to the 2010 6A State Semifinal, where they lost to eventual State Champion Miami Central 30-27.

With a combined record of 34-14 (70.8% winning percentage) in those 2 years, including Miramar’s State Championship, it’s safe to say that these teams have cemented themselves among the top level of the state’s elite programs.

Regular Season game: September 30, 2011 – Miramar 20 – Cypress Bay 0

With reclassification changing Districts and levels across the state, the Patriots and Lightning ended up back where they started 3 years ago: in the same district and fighting for supremacy at the top. Both teams were looking at this game to prove that they were the team to beat, and bring new life to this budding rivalry.

Cypress Bay entered the game at 3-1, having defeated Deerfield Beach, South Broward and Flanagan, while losing to St. Thomas in week 2.The Lightning were trying to recover from injuries to key players on offense, including RBs Matt Dayes and Giscard Philizaire, and were just getting those key players back on the field.

Miramar entered the game at 3-0 following wins over Ely, Northeast, and West Broward by a combined score of 126-15. The team was clicking on all cylinders, having only surrendered 2 touchdowns (1 on special teams vs Northeast), and lighting the scoreboard up like a pinball machine.

While many saw this game as a run away victory for Miramar, I thought this would be closer than the experts. My reasons were these: Coach Guandolo always has his team prepared and disciplined, this is a rivalry game where pride is on the line as much as anything else, and the Wing-T offense, while not able to score quickly, has the ability to drain the clock, and make points and possessions come at a premium for the opponent.

Miramar was able to move the ball in the early going, but fumbles and penalties kept them from putting points on the board. 2 Field Goals by Freshman Kicker Malik Wisdom were the only points the Patriots were able to muster in the first half.

Cypress Bay, for their part, played very strong in the beginning of the game. The offense was able to move 

deep into Miramar territory following both fumbles, but were ultimately unable to put points on the board. The Lightning went for touchdowns twice on 4^th down inside the Miramar 3 yard line, and both times the Darkside defense was able to turn them away.

As the game wore on, Miramar was able to extend their lead. A touchdown run by D’Vontis Arnold made the score 13-0, and things seemed to unravel for Cypress Bay after that. Forced to pass the ball, something that is not their strong suit, the Lightning were intercepted by Marrell Jackson and Tracy Howard on consecutive possessions. Miramar marched a short field for the final score, pushing the lead to 20-0. No more offense would be needed for the Patriots on this night, and the final score would stay the same.

Overall, this game showcased high level talent on both sides, and great coaching. It also added another chapter to this series, and gives a great backdrop for the Regional Semifinal game that will be played the day after Thanksgiving.

That’s it for the history of the past games. Be sure you check back tomorrow for the Game Preview.

Until Next time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Ask Me Anything, Volume 1, Number 1

For weeks, I’ve been fielding your questions on Twitter, and in person, about a wide variety of subjects. Unfortunately, 140 characters isn’t always enough room for me to give full answers. So, I’m taking a stab at a “mailbag” column, which will hopefully give you answers to some questions that you have, and give me a little more room to explain my thinking.  

So, here goes:

Q: Which do you like most: writing sports columns, teaching a chorus class, or being a game announcer/commentator? – from Nicole @Sweetchoc85

Miramar Sports (MS): Guess we’re not going to get started with any easy questions in this edition of Ask Me Anything. I love writing articles for this blog. It gives me an outlet for all this sports knowledge that I have rattling around in my head. Announcing/commentating, whether it’s in the stadium or on TV (and there will be more of that coming up again this year, so stay tuned) is challenging, but a lot of fun. I have learned more about that in the past 2 years than I thought I ever would. I really love the opportunity to share my voice with sports fans, and work with outstanding people.

All of that being said, NOTHING that I’m doing professionally right now compares to standing in front of my choir. There is something about for working together towards crafting a powerful musical performance that cannot be matched by writing or announcing. It’s about the connection with the students, and the music, and working together to tell the story of a song through beautiful music. That is why I get up in the morning. That is what I believe I was put on this earth to do. And that, more than anything else, gives me the most personal satisfaction out of anything I could possibly be doing.

Q: Have you seen the first 2 Rocky movies? Or studied the history of the first 2 Ali-Frazier fights? – from Adam @askosnitzky

MS: Of course I’ve seen the first 2 Rocky movies!! What sports fan hasn’t? As for the Ali-Frazier fights, I’ve seen them, and done a bit of reading about them, but haven’t “studied the history” in the way that you mean it.

After asking for clarification, I understand your underlying question: have you seen how the underdog-champion dynamic has played out in the past, with the favorite winning the first bout, and the underdog gaining redemption in the next matchup. Here’s my thoughts on that, and if it can happen again, with Cypress Bay winning on Friday:

Is it hard to beat a person/team that you’ve already beaten in a given season? Yes, of course. I do not, however, think that anything is a given. I know that Cypress Bay is probably the underdog this week, and is looking to be the spoiler to Miramar’s (to this point) perfect season. Yes, the underdog won the re-match in the Rocky movies and in the Ali-Frazier bouts. But, there are many examples in history where the favorite continues to defeat their opponent: the Patriots over the Jets in the playoffs, the Pistons over the Bulls in the late 80s, the Bulls over the Pistons in the early 90s, the Bulls over the Knicks in the early-mid 90s, Steelers over the Ravens since forever, and the list goes on and on.

For this, I believe you could write whatever story you would like: the underdog overcoming the champion, or the champion continuing to dominate the underdog. As to which of those scenarios I believe will happen…you’ll just have to wait and see for yourself on Friday.

Q: Do you think that it was a good choice for Malcolm Lewis to commit to the University of Miami? Why or why not? – from Tra’Neka @Plain_Jane113

MS: Honestly, yes I do. Malcolm is a player with immense talent, and plays a position where he could have the ability to change the game at UM. If Malcolm believes that he has an opportunity to help the team win, and feels that the University of Miami is the right place for him academically, socially, and athletically, then I think he’s made a sound decision.

Q: Who is going to step up next year to fill the shoes of the big 3 (Malcolm Lewis, Devonte Mathis, and Tracy Howard)? – from Danielle @DanielleLynESPN

MS: I don’t believe any player can replace those guys on a 1-to-1 level. But, there are a bunch of players who have the ability to be the next breakout stars. Here are a few names for you:

• WR Sean Avant – Already putting up numbers and making big plays as a Junior, he should be the top target for whoever wins the battle to be the next Miramar QB.
• WR Tanares Robinson – Playing a lot of snaps as a Sophomore on a State Championship caliber team, Robinson offers a completely different type of receiver from the ones we’ve had in the past. He’s shorter than his predecessors at 5’8’’, but his shiftiness and straight line speed will present challenges for opposing defenses for the next 2 years.
• RBs Alex Lee, Trevon Rolle, and Khalil Lewis – any of these 3 players could be a superstar. Lee and Rolle are already making plays on the Varsity level, and Lewis was absolutely a man among boys at the JV level this past season. All 3 are all talented, hungry players, and should work together to form a running attack that will ease the workload for whoever inherits the starting Quarterback job.
• LB Jermaine Grace – Any discussion about the future of Miramar Football has to include the player nicknamed Country. He is in the top 3 on the team in tackles, has 3 interceptions, and has blocked 2 field goal attempts this year. Simply put, he is a do-it-all player, and will surely be the foundation of the Darkside Defense in his Senior Year.
• LB Wesley St. Ange – Already on Varsity as a Sophomore, coaches say that he is possibly the hardest hitter on the team. Get used to seeing this name a LOT in the future.
• CB Jeffery Hill –Displayed a propensity for making plays at the JV level. Has the speed, tenacity, and ball skills to continue to be a top level defender at the Varsity level .

Qa: Are you concerned about a Thanksgiving hangover?
Qb: Are you thinking about last year’s playoff game vs. Northeast this week? – From @Akosnitzky

MS: No. That’s in the past. Cypress Bay has our undivided attention, and we are focused on bringing our A game on Friday.

Q: What happened during the first half of last week’s game? Should we expect to see a performance like that again? – From DJ @DJ_0o

MS: Last week, I believe the 2 week layoff had us come out a bit slow on offense (as I said in my game recap article). The sloppy field made the ball a bit slippery and also helped derail a couple of our signature plays. I would like to think that we have worked out the kinks in our performance from the last game, and last 2 of the regular season. But I’ve said that before and been wrong. I just hope I’m right this time.

Q: Would you ever consider becoming a Football coach? – from @Sweetchoc85

MS: No. I understand the game, and can tell you what I see. But the intricate technical aspects are something that I don’t have a good knowledge of since I never played the game (except on PlayStation).

Basketball and Baseball, however, are a different story. Those were my sports of choice (played 3 years Varsity Basketball in HS, and Baseball since I can remember walking), and I would definitely love to coach one or both of those sports in the future. I think it would be fun. It’s funny: Coach Kelly actually plays the style of basketball that I personally prefer: uptempo on offense, and pressure all day on defense.

SHAMELESS PLUG: Want to know more about Coach Kelly’s system, and what he thinks about this year’s team? Then check out my Basketball Season Preview article next Monday. It’s really good.

Q: Are you prepared to face a more balanced attack than you saw last week? – from @Akosnitzky

MS: South Plantation presented a unique challenge, with 1 superstar player and a largely unassuming supporting cast. Cypress Bay also presents a unique challenge: a Wing-T team with very good athletes and the ability to score points. I believe we will be prepared for this opponent, and the different offensive looks that they will try to employ. That being said, I still anticipate a good game.

SHAMELESS PLUG #2: If you want more detail on what I think leading up to this game, check out my Game Preview Article that will come out on Thursday.

Q: Do you feel all the pressure is on Miramar this week? - @Akosnitzky

MS: Not so much pressure as attention. The Patriots are in an enviable position: District Champions hosting a second round playoff game. Don’t believe this position is enviable? I believe there are plenty of teams around South Florida who are cleaning out their lockers and wondering which game to attend on Friday who would agree with my stance on this one.

Q: Can you name every coach and their function with the team? – @Akosnitzky

MS: Yes, I can. But, that would take away some of the mystery of the “group of at least 20 coaches, which almost seems like 1 coach per player”, as someone once put it this season.

That's it for the first edition of Ask Me Anything, the column. Want your question answered? Send them in on twitter (@MiramarSports) or email: miramarsports@gmail.com. I'll take questions until Midnight every Sunday.

And be sure you check back tomorrow and Thursday for articles previewing the Miramar-Cypress Bay playoff game.

Until Next Time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Playoff Game Recap - Regional Quarterfinal vs. South Plantation

The first round of the playoffs brought new hope to teams vying to make history by winning a State Championship. Throughout this season, Miramar has been ranked as one of the top teams not only in the State, but in the Country.The Regional Quarterfinal match-up  was against South Plantation. Miramar earned a hard fought 38-0 victory in the game. Let’s take a look at the key factors in the game:

South Plantation:

• Alex Collins was the key for South Plantation keeping the game close for the first half. His tough running style was a challenge for the Darkside Defense. The Paladins tweaked their offensive plan by lining Collins up at fullback. That switch moved him closer to the line, and enabled him to find a hole to run through quickly, before it closed. Collins finished the game with 92 yards on 25 carries, and his heart was shown by never quitting.
• After Alex Collins, the South Plantation offense was non-existant. No other player had more than 20 yards, and that lack of diversity made it easy for the Miramar Defense to key on the star player for South Plantation.
• While South Plantation tried a few passes, even an ingenious wheel route to Collins on a misdirection play, the passing game was largely a non-factor. Miramar Star Cornerback Tracy Howard had a 32 yard interception return for a touchdown, and ballhawk Marrell Jackson had his 11^th interception of the year, a number that leads all of Broward and Miami-Dade counties. With those 2 plays, the Patriots ended any doubt as to who had the advantage when South Plantation attempted to pass.
• South Plantation’s defense was very strong, and did a good job to limit the Miramar offense in the first half. Led by Seniors Chris Morley and Hoy Thompson, the Paladins were a mighty foe in the first half, trailing Miramar by only a touchdown, 7-0. They played solid gap defense, and were physically imposing. The defense also created 2 turnovers, which I thought would be a key to South Plantation keeping the game close.
• Overall, South Plantation’s heart was big, and they played very hard. However, the gap in talent between themselves and Miramar was just too great for them to overcome.

Miramar:

• For the 3^rd game in a row, the Miramar offense started out slowly. Penalties and turnovers plagued this team over and over again in the first half. To be fair, South Plantation’s defense did a great job changing their looks, and bringing intensity and pressure that disrupted what the Patriots were trying to do offensively. However, false starts, fumbled snaps, and other miscues are things that the Patriots have done far too often this season.
• Tracy Howard again proved why he is a 5 star college prospect. South Plantation threw to his side one time, and that pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Howard, a quiet humble kid, once again spoke loudly with his play on Friday night. He’s the ultimate leader, and his great play jumpstarted a lethargic team.
• When they went to it, the Miramar running game was phenomenal. D’Vontis Arnold (139 yards, 2 TDs) and Alex Lee(54 yards on only 8 carries, 1 TD) gashed the defense repeatedly for large gains. Both players scored touchdowns, and turned a close game into a rout with their physical running in the second half. Also contributing late were Sophomore Trevon Rolle, and Senior Michal Moyse, who scored the game’s final touchdown, and put the score to running clock territory.
• Malcolm Lewis continued his stellar season. He made the most out of the opportunities that he had on the night, and occupied South Plantation’s best defender, Senior Hugs Etienne, all night long. The constant attention of 2 and 3 defenders to Lewis’ side of the field opened the game up for the other players on the Miramar offense.
• Miramar’s potent passing attack seemed crippled by slightly sloppy field conditions. Usual contributors Devonte Mathis and Charleston Jenkins were both held without a catch. Sean Avant made a couple good plays to try to pick up the slack. Tanares Robinson played hard in the game, but it seemed as though the spotlight of the playoffs was a little too bright for him on this night. He just seemed as though he was rushing everything and not letting the game come to him. Hopefully the experience he gained will help him be more confident, and slow the game down for him.
• The Darkside Defense, again, was the MVP of the game. They held South Plantation to 120 yards of total offense, and forced 4 Paladin turnovers. With South Plantation looking to run the ball almost exclusively, the interior of the defensive line played a larger role than they have in previous games. D’Quan Williams, Willie Paisley, Mike Fluerinvil, D.J. Wallace, Fary Charles, and Trevon Coley controlled the point of attack all game long, and while they did surrender some yards to the Broward County’s leading rusher in Alex Collins, those yards proved to be empty, as the Paladins were unable to score on the night.
• Still, the Patriots had far too many penalties (Sun-Sentinel says 11 penalties for 101 yards; Herald says 17 penalties for 137 yards) and turnovers (3). Coach Cogdell said that was a key point in practice this past week. I was at practice, and I saw firsthand that they were working on correcting those things. However, the work from this practice week did not manifest itself in the game. I don’t know what new techniques will be tried this week, but these issues have to be corrected soon, with each game being more important, and challenging.
• Overall, the Patriots overcame a very lackluster first half and dominated South Plantation in the second half of the ball game. This game showcased the extremes of performance from Miramar: At times disorganized and sloppy, at others focused and remarkable. To continue this Road to Orlando, the Patriots will have to be more like they were in the second half, and, with the exception of Tracy Howard’s remarkable individual play, less like they were in the first.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours?

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Basketball Season Preview Interview with Coach Kenneth Kelly

For the past 7 years, the Miramar Boys Basketball team, led by Coach Kenneth Kelly, has raised the bar on their performance. They have won their district, regular season and tournament, for the past 6 years. With a strong team returning they look to continue their success and strive for the ultimate goal: A State Championship.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Coach Kelly to discuss his philosophy on basketball, thoughts on the players, and the outlook for the upcoming season. Here’s the interview:

Miramar Sports (MS): Coach, thanks for taking the time to sit down with me today.

Coach Kelly (Kelly): No problem.

MS: First of all, you’ve been very successful in your time here at Miramar. How have you built this program over the past 7 years?

Kelly: Mainly just trying to get quality student athletes. We can teach them how to play basketball, but we want kids who are willing to learn, willing to work, and do all the things that it takes to be successful.

MS: As the new season approaches, how are you feeling about this year’s team?

Kelly: Excited. Excited because we’re so young [only 1 senior], but possibly more talented across the board than we’ve been in my 7 years as the Coach here.

MS: Which players do you feel will be the leaders of this team?

Kelly: Our lone senior [Cornelius Henry] is definitely taking on leadership role, and 2 returning guys who saw quality minutes in Lance Tejada II and Zach Johnson

MS: What is your philosophy on offense? How have you adapted that with the team that you have 

this year?

Kelly: Just… we’re very good at the guard position. We try to play at a tempo offensively that gets us easy, quick shots before defense gets a chance to set up. We shoot the ball pretty well, and try to get the best available shot, and make the most out of every possession that we have.

MS: What is your preferred style of defense?

Kelly: We try to be very disruptive, because the speed we try to play at on offense is kinda created because of the pressure defensively. We pressure the ball the entire length of the court, pretty much the whole game. With a good rotation of guards, we can keep that pressure all the time.

MS: You’ve graduated big time players the last 2 years, especially Xavier Martin and Luis Dinolis. Who on the team do you expect to fill the void of scoring and leadership in the absence of those players?

Kelly: I think this year scoring is going to be more leveled out across the board. The 2 sophomores are really, REALLY talented, and can put the ball in the basket, so I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them takes on the lead scoring role. But, it should be more balanced than it has been in the previous years.

MS: Who are some new faces that we can look forward to seeing play a big role this year?

Kelly: Junior Peterson Morency is up from JV last year. He’s a super fast point guard, very disruptive defensively and makes plays on offense. Another player is Junior Wolky Guerrier. He’s a high energy, athletic forward. Another one to watch is Freshman Sandro Noel. He’s a 6’6’’ big fella with skills on the inside.

MS: This summer, Zach Johnson played in an all-star camp event, and scored against NBA All-Star John Wall. How has that experience helped his development, and what do you think we can expect from him this season?

Kelly: He now knows he has the ability, from the big summer he had, to play with kids that are considered nationally as the better kids in the country. And taking that experience, and bringing it back here to the team, he’s now willing to take on the leadership role both offensively and defensively to take the team, hopefully, a little further than we went last year.

MS: Lance Tejada II also participated in some invitational camps. What can you say about his play, and development at the point guard position?

Kelly: He’s the ultimate team leader on the floor. He’s never concerned with his shot first, he’s always looking for teammates. And the confidence that he’s gained over the summer has added more scoring ability to his game than he had last year as a freshman starting for a good basketball team.

MS: We've already touched on this one, but Cornelius Henry is the only senior you have this year. How has he embraced his role as the upperclassman on this team?

Kelly: He’s jumped in fully. He teaches these young kids how hard they gotta work, to push each other in practice every day. He keeps everyone in line and organized, and ready to move into every part of practice, every drill. And he hasn’t put too much pressure on himself.  He believes in the younger guys and their ability to help him, and this team, win.

MS: This year you’re in a new district this year. What can you tell me about the teams in the district?

Kelly: Cypress Bay is usually tough every year. West Broward made the BCAA Big 8 County Championship Tournament last year, so that’s a team that’s proven they can win in the short time they’ve existed. Flanagan is always a team with talent that’s there in the end. And of course, we bring our city rivalry back in Everglades, and playing them twice a year.

MS: Cypress Bay is the defending champion of this district, and Miramar won our old district 6 years in a row. What are your thoughts on matching these 2 teams against each other in the Regular Season opener (November 29^th at Cypress Bay)?

Kelly: *Laughs* Yeah, that was interesting seeing that when the schedule came out. It's the best way to measure where you’re at. Find things you may have to work on and get better right away. And it’s an opportunity find out where the other teams are by starting out against one of the better teams in the district.

MS: Every coach has to have good assistants to be successful.  What can you tell me about the your Assistant Coaches: Lance Tejada Sr. and Warren Gale?

Kelly: Yes, very true. Lance Tejada Sr [father of starting point guard Lance Tejada II] has coached at the collegiate level, has coached at the High School level, has coached at the AAU level, and has been a winner everywhere he’s been. I’ve known him for over 20 years, and he’s GREAT at getting kids to believe that they can be better, and work harder.

Coach [Warren] Gale is a 2001 graduate from Miramar High School and played basketball at FIU. He brings a true passion to want to see Miramar Basketball succeed because of the special connection that he has with the school, being an alumni.

MS: With you and the other coaches, what is the main thing that you’re looking to instill into the players early on in this season?

Kelly: With the team being so young, we’re just trying to get across to them to be able to trrust each other. They’re individually talented enough to sometimes think that they can go out there and do it all themselves. But we’re trying to get across to all 12 them that we’re going to be a better team by believing in each others’ abilities to help us win basketball games.

MS: Last question Coach: as we sit here today, before the season starts, tell me what you would say would classify as a successful season for this team?

Kelly: We’ve been lucky enough to never have taken a step back, and have progressed further in the playoffs each of the last 5 years. To be successful this year, we want to continue to keep moving on, and take every year a step further than the year previous. Now, that does mean we have to make it to the state finals, but that’s our goal. That's where we want to be.

MS: That’s it coach. Thanks for your time, and best of luck this season.

Kelly: Perfect. Thank you.

Football Playoff Game preview – Regional Quarterfinal vs. South Plantation

After a long and exciting regular season, we have now made it to the Playoffs. This is where champions are made, and the mantra is simple: win, or go home. Now, let’s take a look at the matchup:

South Plantation Paladins (7-3, 4-1 District 11-8A, District Runner-up)

The Miramar Patriots’ first playoff opponent this year will be the South Plantation Paladins. This is a team that Miramar is very familiar with, having been in the same district as the Paladins for the previous 2 years. Miramar was victorious in those games by a combined score of 72-20. But don’t let those scores fool you; South Plantation is a good team, and they have proven that time and again this season.

Led by Coach Doug Gatewood, South Plantation is a team that looks to control the line of scrimmage by running the ball, and play solid defense.  They have had great success with that so far this year, finishing the regular season at 7-3, and runner up in District 11-8A. And while the coach may have the vision, there is one player in particular who has made that vision become a reality.

Junior Running Back Alex “Buddha” Collins enters Friday’s  game as the leading rusher in Broward County. His 1588 yards and 24 touchdowns are remarkable numbers, and his bruising inside-the-tackles running style is the foundation for the entire offense, if not the entire team. Collins, powerfully built at 5’11’’ 190lbs, is in his first year of Varsity football. A transfer from Dillard, he has taken advantage of the opportunities that the offense affords him, and quickly made a name for himself in the record books, and recruiting circles.

Collins is not the only playmaker that South Plantation has on its roster. Quarterback John Franklin is a junior as well, and has had ample starting experience over the past 2 years. His experience playing against Miramar both as a freshman and a sophomore should ease his nerves heading into Friday’s Regional Quarterfinal.

On defense, senior Hugs Etienne is a veteran playmaker. His steady, and sometimes spectacular play in the secondary has allowed his teammates to focus on their own assignments, and also helped cover for their mistakes. Etienne, a 3 star college prospect, is rated as the #30 cornerback in the country by ESPN, and has already committed to continue his playing career at the University of Wisconsin.

Apart from those headliners, South Plantation is largely a team of unknown individuals. However, it’s the name on the front of the jersey that matters, not the back, and this team has proven that while we may not know everyone’s name, they are hard working, talented, and possess the ability to defeat any opponent if they play well.

Miramar Patriots (9-0, 5-0 District 12-8A, District Champion)

Many have called Miramar the best team in the state. After the 2^nd undefeated regular season in school history, and 3^rd consecutive District Championship, it is easy to see where that kind of praise comes from.

Coach Damon Cogdell has an impressive staff, and even more impressive resume. Owner of a 51-10 career record, Cogdell has won State Championships as the coach of Girls Flag Football (2006), and Boys Football (2009). He looks to lead a talented team deep into the playoffs again, with the goal being to add to his burgeoning hardware collection. While that may be the main goal, Cogdell, and the entire team and coaching staff, is focused on taking one game at a time.

Big time players win big time games, and Miramar has a few players who fit this bill. Primary among them is All-American cornerback Tracy Howard. In a number of games this season (St. Thomas, Cypress Bay, and Flanagan come to mind) Howard has made huge plays to help this team swing the tide of momentum, and eventually emerge victorious.

Also among the playmakers that Miramar will look to for big plays are Wide Receivers Malcolm Lewis and Devonte Mathis. Lewis, a 5’11’’ speedster with 4.4 speed, is the go-to player in the Miramar passing game. His knack for big plays has been seen since his sophomore year, when his 58 yard touchdown catch in the State Semi-finals propelled the Patriots into the 2009 6A State Championship game.

Mathis is a matchup nightmare for defenses, standing 6’2’ 210lbs, and blessed with 4.5 speed. He has been used in a number of different ways, and that multi-faceted deployment figures to continue on Friday.

Miramar has an explosive offense, with Lewis and Mathis at receiver, D’Vontis Arnold and Alex Lee at Running Back (each with over 600 yards and 8 touchdowns on the year), and Camren Hudge (1800 yards, 21 touchdowns, 4 interceptions) at Quarterback. Overall, the offense averages 355 yards per game and 30 points per game, and figures to put South Plantation to work early and often.

On defense, the Darkside has lived up to the reputation that they have built over the past decade. This tough, physical, stingy defense has limited even the most talented offenses throughout this season. With Willie Paisley (6’3’’, 315lbs) and Trevon Coley (6’2’’, 245lbs) up front, Mark Rucker (5’9’’, 205lbs) and Jermaine “Country” Grace (6’2’’, 208lbs) at linebacker, and Tracy Howard and Marrell Jackson (6’2’’, 195lbs) in the secondary, this unit has top level talent at every level, each with the ability to stifle the offense, and create turnovers.

I spoke to Coach Cogdell at practice on Wednesday, and asked him what his keys to the game were. “It’s about our discipline, really,” Cogdell said. “We have to maintain focus, and our intensity. Obviously, we have to control their running game, and ease up on the penalties.”

With a focused coach, and talented players, Miramar goes into the playoffs as one of the favorites to win the State Championship. The first test towards that goal comes to Branca Stadium on Friday night, in the form of the South Plantation Paladins.

Why South Plantation might win: This one is simple: Alex Collins. Few teams possess a running back of his caliber, who is able to gain yards after contact, and win the time of possession battle. If Collins has a big game against the Patriots (100+ yards, 1-2 touchdowns), the Paladins may be able to make enough plays to pull off the upset.

Additonally, Miramar has not looked like the well-oiled machine they were in the beginning of the season. Penalties and turnovers have plagued the Patriots throughout the second half of the year, and almost cost them the game vs. Flanagan 2 weeks ago. If South Plantation can force a couple turnovers, and turn those possessions into touchdowns, that could very well lead to a Paladin victory.

Why Miramar might win: The potent spread offense attack reverts back to its old form and puts points on the board. They have performed well over the past few games, but not to the standard that has become the norm for them over the course of this season. If the offense finds its stride early, and uses a balanced attack, the Patriots could be victorious.

Lastly, the Darkside defense has to be the dominant force that they have been for the majority of this season. Many talented players could impact the game, and make it difficult for South Plantation to move the ball or put points on the board.

What to Watch For: Which South Plantation team shows up? The one who beat Stranahan and Deerfield
Beach? Or the one that lost to Hallandale and Plantation?

Does Miramar revert to the form they showed in a dominant start to the year, or do the struggles against Western and Flanagan come back to plague this team again?

In any case, this figures to be a great game in the class 8A playoffs. Be sure to come out to Branca Stadium on the campus of Miramar High School at 7:30pm on Friday night.

The Road to Orlando starts now. Whose trip is just beginning, and whose is ending?

You gotta be there to find out.

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

The Renewed Spirit of Cheerleading

For years, the Miramar Cheerleaders have been a solid group. They have performed at pep rallies, Football games, and also competitions. They’ve been good, but not great, and always had potential that seemed to be untapped.

Until now.

With new coaches, and a renewed passion for the sport, the Cheerleaders are looking to forge a new legacy of excellence through hard work and passion. Obviously, this is a tough task, but it seems that the chemistry is in place to successfully lead this transformation.

New to Miramar, but not to Cheerleading, is Coach Tanya Jones. The 29 year old Pensacola native has been involved with cheerleading since the age of 8. After 2 years on the squad at Woodham High School, Jones was named captain of the team for her junior and senior years. In her senior year (2001), Jones was named an All-American Cheerleader, and was selected to perform with other All-Americans at the NFL’s annual Pro Bowl all-star game in Honolulu, Hawaii.

After that, Jones took her talents and skills to Florida A&M University, where she was a 4 year Cheerleader. During, and after, her time at FAMU, Jones coached cheerleading at Leon High School. It was there that she found her love of working with students.

“My goal has always been to be more than a coach,” Jones said in an interview earlier this week. “I’ve always tried to be a mentor to my girls, to bring a high level of class, and show them all what it’s like to be a lady, as well as a leader.”

While Jones’ vision is at the center of the resurgence of the Cheerleaders’ performance, she does not guide these young ladies by herself. Her assistant coach is someone that she knows very well: her sister Vida Hargrett.

Hargrett, like Jones, is an alumna of FAMU, and has cheered with, and coached with, her sister for almost her entire life. “My goal is to be positive with the girls, but also tough with the team when needed,” Hargrett said in the same interview as her sister. “We hold a lot of hats as coaches, but our main goal is to be the best team that we can be, and compete as hard as anyone around.”

Jones and Hargrett also continue to seek performance opportunities for themselves. Both were top 50 finalists for the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders this past year, making it to the final round out of over 300 ladies who auditioned.

Their passion for the sport is impressive, and noticed by the students on a daily basis. “I wasn’t motivated to cheer last year,” said Senior Keynell Phillips. “But now, it feels as though I have to do my best, give my full effort 100% of the time just to keep my spot on the mat for competition. It’s really great to have that feeling, to want to do better each and every day.”

Senior Captain Kiona Baker echoed those sentiments, saying: “Last year, cheering was just something to do. It was almost robotic in how it felt. But now? I LOVE going to practice. I can’t wait for the 2:40pm bell to ring, so that I can change into my practice clothes, and show up to work on my craft with my fellow cheerleaders, and the coaches. To be honest, I kind of lost my love for cheering in the past couple of years. But I’ve regained it this year, and that’s 100% because of Coach Vida and Coach Jones.”

The current cheerleaders are not the only ones who have a new outlook on the squad. Class of 2010 alumnae Tiffany Parks has been assisting the team, and helping ease the transition for the students and coaches alike. Coach Jones has been very grateful to Parks for her constant support, and also the inside knowledge of the team, and the Miramar community, and how Jones could use both to her advantage.

“I have coached a couple groups before this team,” said Jones. “Out of every group I’ve worked with, this one is the best in terms of attitude, hunger, desire, and ability. They just needed a push, a fresh voice to try to get them to realize their abilities, and help guide them to success. I’m glad that I’m here to work with them, push them, and see them achieve their dreams.”

The early results are in, and they look very promising, both for this year, and the future. The team won 1^st place in the non-tumbling division at a recent competition held November 3rd at Monarch High School, and came in 3^rd overall, and placed 2nd in the non-tumbling division and 3rd overall at the West Broward competition November 15th. With many more competitions and games ahead, this team should continue to refine their technique, and increase their abilities.

“My goal is to put this team on the map,” Jones said. “To let everybody know that Miramar is the best.”

If they follow the lead of their new coaches, they very well could be.

Cameron J. Underwood

Miramar Sports

Regular Season Grades - Defense

As the second installment of regular season grades, we’re going to take a look at the units from the Darkside Defense. As always, these are only my thoughts, so feel free to leave your comments. Anyways, here goes:

Defensive Line – A

•          Dominance starts at the point of attack, and the Defensive line did their best to demolish every offensive play that was run against them. A large rotation of strong, talented players contributed to the success of this unit on the year.
•          Big Willie Paisley has made his presence known on many an occasion this year. The 6’3’’ 325lb defensive tackle was close to unblockable in 1-on-1 situations, and was routinely in the backfield, pressuring quarterbacks and taking down running backs. His size in the middle of the line allowed for his fellow players to make plays.
•          Trevon Coley showed why he’s a highly rated prospect as well. He leads the team in sacks, and has also applied pressure to the opposing offenses. His motor doesn’t  stop, and he is relentless in pursuit of the ball-carrier.
•          An unsung player who has made great contributions this year is Levan Porter. He has played with steady consistency, and surprising burst. Stepping into a role larger than what the coaches originally planned for him, Porter has been arguably the most consistent playmaker up front all year.
•          D’Quan Williams, Mike Fleurinvil, D.J. Wallace have all added quality depth to the rotation. While they have made plays, they have also been known to jump offsides, often in key 3^rd-and-short situations. Their aggressiveness needs to be controlled a bit more to limit the negative impact they have had at times

Linebackers – A

•          This unit has been remarkable in its varied impact it has had on games. From tackles for loss, pass breakups, interceptions, fumbles forced and recovered, this unit has pretty much done it all.
•          Headlining this group is Junior Jermaine Grace. A lithe, fast, strong and intelligent player, Grace has been the key to this unit, and the defense as a whole, all year long. He’s been arguably the best overall player on the defense, which, on a defense that includes Tracy Howard, is incredible. His 2 blocked field goals (at St. Thomas to force OT, and vs. Flanagan to maintain a tight lead in the 4^th quarter) are 2 of the biggest plays that anyone has made all year. He has, at times, been overlooked since he’s a new starter and only a Junior. I don’t  think that’s goin to happen anymore. Jermaine Grace is a name to known and learn. He’s a STAR, and, like Tracy said in his interview, “all you have to do is go to the games to see it, and know that he’s the next Miramar All-American.”
•          Mark Rucker is a 4 year varsity player, and he has been very steady this year. His knowledge of the game is incredible, and he seems to always be in the right place. Every game that I’m announcing, I call his name many, many times, which is proof of how frequently he ends up by the ball. His play has finally caught the attention of some college programs, and they would do well to have Rucker on their team. I know, here at Miramar, we have been for the past 4 years.
•          Kameron Capers and Brian Williams have also played key roles on the defense as well. Capers, the starting middle linebacker, has been a steady performer. His instincts, and familiarity with Grace and Rucker on the outside, has enabled all 3 to make plays freely. Williams, a 6’4, 210lb. athlete, has filled in at all 3 linebacker spots, and made big plays (like his fumble return against Northeast). Filling in at MLB for an injured Capers the last few games of the regular season, Williams has been slightly less effective than he was rotating at OLB, his natural position. But his play has steadied, and I believe the dip in performance from this group in the Everglades, Western, and Flanagan games is a thing of the past.
•          Brian Dorsett, Sanka Harris and Ryan Samuels also contributed this year.

Defensive Backs – A+

·         Tracy Howard is ranked the #1 cornerback prospect in the country for a reason. He has consistently locked down whatever receiver is lined up across from him, and even made opposing offenses completely stay away from his side of the field. When they did try to throw on him, the results were usually not what they desired. Howard is second on the team with 5 interceptions, including HUGE picks against Cypress Bay, St. Thomas, and the undefeated-season-saving highlight-reel diving interception against Flanagan. He also contributed to the pressure that helped Jermaine Grace block the winning FG attempt at St. Thomas. Simply put, whenever the defense needed a play, Howard was there to make it happen. He’s an All-American for a reason. I’m just glad he’s on OUR team, and I got to watch him his whole career, and this season particularily.

·         Senior Safety Marrell Jackson came into the season as an unknown, but quickly made a name for himself. Starting with the Ely game (2 interceptions, including a 90 yd int-TD), Jackson has blanketed the middle of the field beautifully. His 9 interceptions lead all of South Florida, and have to be close to a school record (I’ll research that later). Also good tackler, Jackson has come up in run support when needed. Overall, his steady play has been at a phenomenal level. Some college will get a steal when he signs. This is an All-State level player. Absolutely fantastic season.

·         Anthony Hamilton, Terrence Hill, and Denzel Trowers have all played very well this year in the secondary as well. Each has their strengths, and the coaches have done well to find them, and utilize them throughout the year. Hill and Trowers are slightly undersized, and can be taken advantage of by taller receivers. Hamilton is very tough nosed, but can be overly aggressive at times. That being said, the production from this trio, in addition to the remarkable play from Howard and Jackson, have added up to a phenomenal season by the secondary as a whole.

Overall Grade – A

·         The defense has only surrendered 8 touchdowns on the year (with the other 4 coming on special teams or turnovers), but have themselves scored 3 times. They have limited teams to just under 9 points per game. They have blocked 2 field goals (in the biggest moments of the season), allowed under 150 yards per game, and disrupted every offense they have encountered. If there’s another defense in the entire state that’s as good as this one, I haven’t seen it. Kudos to you all, gentlemen