After struggling with a nasty case of writer's block all summer, I'm pleased to announce my first website feature article is finished, and published. Here's an excerpt for you:
Eersnation.com Feature Article: The Miramar Connection
by Cameron J. Underwood
1,094 miles.
That’s the distance from Morgantown, WV to Miramar, FL.
While that may seem like a great distance, these 2 cities, and the football programs that call them home, are much closer than it would appear on any map.
For years, players have graduated from Miramar High School and migrated north to Morgantown
in pursuit of athletic greatness, and academic success. This transition is not an easy one, and took a
trailblazer to forge a path where there had not been one before.
By now, if you follow Miramar Football, you’ve heard the
name Jermaine “Country” Grace. The 6’1”, 196lb linebacker was one of the key
parts of the Darkside defense in 2011, and figures to be its leader in 2012. A
gifted defender, Grace totaled 115 tackles, 5 sacks, and 4 interceptions in 2011, and made life very
difficult for opposing offenses.
Based upon his past performance, and future potential, Grace
has already been classified as a 4 star recruit by ESPN and Rivals. He has also
been named a 2013 U.S. Army All-American, and was one of a select group of players
who participated in Nike’s The Opening in Beaverton, Oregon.
I saw Jermaine while we both were working out at Xtreme Competition Fitness in Hialeah. (Yes, I work out. Shut up.) After finishing our
respective sessions, I spoke with Grace about a number of topics. Here’s what
he had to say:
Miramar Sports (MS): Thanks
for taking a minute to talk to me today, Country.
Jermaine Grace (JG): No problem.
MS: Alright, let’s
get right into it. Last weekend you went to Nike’s The Opening where you
competed with and against some of the top talent in the country. Tell me a
little bit about that experience.
JG: It was crazy. I mean, it was really good to go out there
and compete against those guys, and see where I stand against really good
players.
MS: What did you
learn about your game and what might you want to improve?
JG: I’m pretty good in my technique, so that’s not a
problem. But, I just gotta keep working and get bigger, faster, and stronger.
MS: I saw that you
weighed in at 196lbs, which is up about 10lbs from where you were last season.
What’s your goal weight heading into this season?
JG: I don’t have a particular number in mind. I’m just going
to continue working hard in the weight room, listening to what [Strength and
Conditioning Coach] Gary [Sanchez] says, and push everyday to be a little
faster and stronger.
MS: That makes sense.
So, are you able to add weight and maintain your athleticism?
JG: Yeah, because I’m not gaining too fast. I’m still able to
run and jump and do everything I need to do to be a playmaker on the field.
MS: Nice. So, do you
have numbers you’re targeting for this season, in terms of tackles and sacks
and the like? Or are you most focused on team success?
JG: I really just want to play hard, and show the young guys
how it’s done. The one thing I’m really working on is to get that 5th
star. I’m a 4 star recruit right now, but I’m really working hard to improve
this season and earn that 5th star.
MS: Speaking of the
young guys, you’re the only returning starter on the Darkside Defense. Has
Coach Cogdell spoken to you about being a leader for this unit?
JG: Yeah, I’ve spoken to Coach about it. I know that I have
to step up and be a leader on this team. A lot of the young guys look up to me,
because I’ve been around. Some even want me to mentor them, and I’m ok with
that. I’ll do whatever it takes to help this team be great.
MS: Now, we all know
the Darkside Defense is always one of the best in the State, and we run a lot
of complex schemes. How will having 10 new starters on the field with you
impact the types of coverages and packages we run?
JG: It’s not going to affect anything. We haven't changed anything, and we're not going to. We’re pushing the young
guys everyday to increase their game and be able to fit in to what we’re doing.
Other teams won’t take it easy against us, so we can’t take it easy on
ourselves. And the young guys are really working hard to get better. Trust me,
the defense you see will not change just because the players are different.
MS: Ok. Now,
switching gears, you missed the spring game with a hamstring injury. What’s the
status of that injury now?
JG: I mean…it’s a lot better than it was. It’s not 100%,
probably about 80-85% or so. I’m just working smart and trying to build it back
up. I will be ready to go by the season opener though.
MS: That’s what I
like to hear. Now, let’s talk recruiting. Who are your top schools at this
point of the process? Do you have a top 10?
JG: I don’t have any favorites, or even a top 10. There are
a lot of schools who have contacted me, and I’m just trying to take my time and
do my research on them right now. My goal is to have a top 10 by the start of
the season, then narrow that to 5 so I can set up my Official Visits.
MS: Sounds like a
good approach.
JG: Yeah, I can only do this once, so I’m trying to make the
right decision.
MS: Very true. Now, I
know you’re looking at a lot of things in your research, but what are your top
3 things you’re looking at when comparing schools?
JG: I am looking for a good coaching staff who can teach me
and prepare me to get to the next level. I am looking at their defensive
systems, you know, to make sure I can fit in and have an impact. And I’m
looking for a good atmosphere with the team.
Jermaine Grace and Artie Burns (Miami Northwestern) at Nike's The Opening
MS: With former
Miramar teammates Tracy Howard, Malcolm Lewis, and Ryan Williams at Miami, and
Coach Cogdell in the past and about 9 players at West Virginia now, are you
considering joining one of those groups?
JG: I mean, I’m looking at all the schools who are
recruiting me. Obviously, knowing those guys is a plus. I’ve known all those South Florida guys
at The U for a long time, and they talk about getting me there to play with
them. The West Virginia guys are doing that too. Coach Cogdell is not pushing
any school, but it would kind of be cool to see what he loves so much about
Morgantown.
MS: Now,
hypothetically speaking, if you were to go to WVU, would you try to get the #1 jersey
that Cogdell wore when he was in college?
JG: Yeah, if I went there I would probably try to get that
number. He’s a great coach, and it would be awesome to follow him and be a
great playmaker wearing that #1 jersey.
MS: Obviously
academics are important at every level. What are you thinking about studying in
college?
JG: I was kind of undecided and thinking about a lot of
different things. But now, I’m really interested in studying Business. I think
it would be a good fit for me.
MS: Sounds good. Thanks for the time. Good work today.
JG: No problem.
For your viewing pleasure, here's Jermaine Grace's 2011 highlights. You'll see why he's such a highly touted recruit.
That's all for now. Share your thoughts in the comments.
So, after a rather heated conversation on Twitter last weekend, I'm seeing people wondering what our schedule for this year will look like.
Well, wonder no longer. It's right here.
Games in bold are home games.
Games in blue are district games.
Miramar Patriots 2012 Game Schedule
Fall Classic: vs. McArthur - August 24
Game 1: @ Bradenton Manatee – September 2nd *Date/Time dependent upon ESPN Television Schedule (has been changed 4 times already, so hopefully this time is right)
Game 2: vs. Blanche Ely – September 7th
Game 3: @ Northeast – September 14th
Game 4: @ West Broward – September 21st
Game 5: vs. Cypress Bay – September 28th
Game 6: vs. St. Thomas Aquinas - October 5th
Game 7: @ Boyd Anderson - October 12th
Game 8: vs. Everglades
- October 19th – HOMECOMING AND MAYOR’S CUP
Game 9: vs. Western - October 26th – SENIOR NIGHT
Game 10: @ Flanagan – November 2nd
Playoffs - TBD
Which game(s) are you looking forward to? Add a comment and let us know.
