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