Game preview - @ South Plantation

FOOTBALL SEASON IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!

2 a days, summer conditioning, and fall camp are all things of the past. Now, it's time for teams to write their chapter of history. And for your Miramar Patriots, this is a day that couldn't come fast enough. 

Before we look at the Patriots side of things, let's first examine their opponent.

South Plantation Paladins (0-0, 0-0 District 11-8A)

Over the past 2 years, this has been a playoff matchup. The first year in 2011, the Patriots (winners of their District) hosted and defeated the Paladins 38-0 in the Regional Quarterfinals of a playoff run that ended in the State Championship game. Read my recap of the 2011 game here.

Last year, the Paladins hosted, but the end result was the same: a 3-0 Miramar victory, and the end of the season for South Plantation. Read my recap of last year's game here.

As for this year, the Paladins figure to be in for a struggle. Over the past 2 years, South Plantation has lost some very good college level talents, including Broward County's leading rusher in 2011 RB Alex Collins (Arkansas) and QB John Frankline (Florida State). In all honesty, those 2 players were the ones who propelled South Plantation into the playoffs in these past seasons, and without them to create plays and score points, the Paladins will struggle to recreate their past success.

The Paladins lost their kickoff classic 39-7 to Everglades. While they have decent talent, losing by such a large margin to the Gators, who haven't made the playoffs 2005, is a warning sign. It doesn't figure to portend good things for the future prospects of the South Plantation season.

The Miami Herald and South Florida High School sports are calling for the Paladins to lost by 20+ points. Barring a bunch of turnovers from Miramar, I tend to agree with those predictions.

2 Reasons South Plantation might win:

The Paladins force turnovers and turn those takeaways into points.

The Patriots overlook a team without it's best 2 players from the last few seasons, and jump out to an early lead while Miramar tries to settle in and find a rhythm.

Miramar Patriots (0-0, 0-0 District 12-8A)

The Miramar Patriots have always played for Pride, but that mantra seems to be even stronger this year.

Last season, the Patriots couldn't find any consistency, earning the District runner-up spot in the last week of the season, and struggling to a 7-5 finish. While most teams would love to have a 7-5 season that included a playoff run, but Miramar isn't most teams. This is a program that has grown into one of the best in Florida, and anything short of contention for a State Championship is, in anyone's estimation, a failure.

But, that is in the past. This year brings a renewed focus and energy, and the Patriots will try to turn that focus and energy into on-field success.

Head Coach Damon Cogdell also serves as Defensive Coordinator of one of the best defenses in the State of Florida: the Darkside defense. This year's Darkside will be led by the back 7 (linebackers and defensive backs). For the linebackers, seniors Ryan Samuels, Kaywon Davis and David Lee figure to log most of the snaps, with junior Danzel King being the primary backup. There could also be occasions that see the Patriots using a 3-4 alignment where all of those players (as well as others) seeing time together.

In the secondary, there are many talented players. Led by senior Andre Godfrey and juniors Tyrek Cole, Jeff Hill Jr., and Josmar Diaz-Martinez, this unit is full of lockdown players who will make life difficult for opposing offenses.

On the Defensive line, senior Alex Trotman and junior William Crumpton will use quickness, agility, and technique to get to the quarterback. Other players on all levels of the defense will make names for themselves throughout the course of the season. 

As for the offense, it is no secret that last season was a struggle. In 6 of the 12 games, the offense scored 14 or fewer points, much to the chagrin of players, coaches, and fans alike. For a team as athletically talented as last year's Patriots were, that lack of production was puzzling, to say the least.

Enter new offensive Co-ordinator Travis Taylor. He joins the Miramar staff after spending time at Boyd Anderson, and brings a new spin to the spread offense. I can't tell you everything that I've seen in practice, but suffice it to say that you'll see some things you already know and love (multiple formations, multiple receivers on the field at a time), and some thing that are a bit different.

At the Quarterback position, seniors Gernald Hawkins and Nick Jeanty both have the talent to start and be very effective players. Hawkins, a dual threat player, can make plays with his arm or legs with equal success. Jeanty, a prototypical pocket passer, is most comfortable throwing the ball, but will run sporadically. The offense has unique packages for both players in addition to its base/staple plays. It will be interesting to see which player has won the starting job for the opener.

To say there is an embarrassment of talent at Running Back would be a gross understatement. Seniors Khalil Lewis, Eric Pittman, and Cameron Rigby all figure to play prominent roles, while junior Alex Anderson may be the most physically talented player of this group. There shouldn't be a play where the running back is tired. All of these players can play and make a big impact in games.

At receiver, seniors Kwasim West and Tyler Williams lead an impressive group. Junior Kahlil Lewis (no relation to the running back of the same name) might be the most coveted recruit of this group with his combination of size, speed, and skill. Watch out for manchild sophmore Kevin Purlette. He was a featured target in the summer 7-on-7 circuit, and continues to make plays in practice. He will make an impact through this season.

On the line, seniors Stewart Boyd, Yodny Cajuste, Damone Thompson and junior Leeward Brown are tasked with protecting the quarterbacks, and opening holes for the running backs. This group once again won the OLine challenge at the Dolphins 7-on-7 tournament, and will be integral to Miramar's offensive success this year.

For the Patriots, this season comes down to 2 things: can the offense consistently score points, and is this team going to be disciplined enough to eliminate the mental mistakes that plagued them a year ago?

While I don't have South Plantation's full roster (it is a new season afterall), I can't see the Paladins having much of a chance against the Patriots. A running clock in the 4th quarter wouldn't surprise me at all.

Why Miramar might win:
The Darkside defense comes out fast and strong, forces turnovers, and stifles the rebuilding South Plantation offense.

The offense finds its stride and replicates the chunk plays (20+ yards) and points that Everglades was able to achieve against South Plantation in the kickoff classic.

What to watch for:

South Plantation
Who are the playmakers?
Can the defense shore up the holes that were present last week?
Is there any home-field magic?

Miramar
Does the Darkside defense control the game?
Which QB runs the offense most effectively?
Which RB has the standout game?
Can the Patriots eliminate the mental errors (turnovers, penalties) that curtailed their 2012 season?

Kickoff for the 2013 season will be at 7pm on Friday night. For address information and customizable directions to South Plantation for the game, CLICK THIS LINK

Summer is over, and football season is BACK.

Is it time for kickoff yet?

Until Next Time,


Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Regular Season Grades - Offense

People always ask me: “Underwood, what do you think about (insert player/position/scheme/playcall here)?” So, to answer everybody’s questions, here is your first installment of my Regular Season Grades.

Today, we’re starting with the Offense.

Here goes:

Quarterbacks – C+

After transferring from Archbishop McCarthy, Nick Jeanty won the job as starting QB and came out with a powerful statement on his first drive as a Patriot, leading the team down the field against National #1 Bradenton Manatee, capping the drive with a touchdown pass to Sean Avant. Apart from that, Jeanty’s play has been up and down. His completion percentage is strong (66.5%) and he has shown a good arm, and confidence in the pocket. He’s been the victim of some drops at key moments, but has also thrown into coverage a bit too often, resulting in 12 interceptions on the year. Jeanty appears to be either holding back, or being held back by the coaches (I’m not sure which one it is). Jeanty can still be a great player, but to do that the turnovers need to be cut down.

Gernald Hawkins has played some good football. When faced with starting defenses, the Junior struggled mightily, although he did progress as the season wore on. Late in the year against Western and Flanagan, Hawkins came into the games ready to throw, and throw deep. He connected on touchdowns each of the last 2 weeks, and showed that, when given time, he can be an effective player.

Joseph Testamark and Demari Simpkin did a good job running the scout and JV teams, respectively. Testamark has a live arm and good athleticism. Simpkin took over for Testamark/Hawkins and led the JV team to their 3^rd consecutive undefeated season.

Running Backs – A

Alex Lee came onto the scene this year as a man possessed. He opened the year with 133 yards on just 11 carries against Bradenton Manatee and didn’t stop there. The highlight game for him was the win against St. Thomas Aquinas, where he had 148 yards and 3 touchdowns. Lee’s spotlight season was cut short with a knee injury in game 6 at Boyd Anderson.

Cameron Rigby has added an element of shiftiness that was missing from the backfield after Trevon Rolle decided to leave the program. A polished receiver and dynamic returner, Rigby’s talents were frequently on display in many areas of the game. I would like to see him dance a bit less and get up the field, but that’s a minor gripe for a player of Rigby’s caliber.

Embodying the feast or famine nature of this season is junior RB Eric Pittman. Known to his teammates as E, Pittman’s lackadaisical punt return with premature celebration cost us the Cypress Bay game. But, Pittman did not let that mental lapse define his season, and he came back to rush for 227 yards and 4 TDs over the crucial season ending games against Western and Flanagan. Pittman has shown that he is a special player, and could possibly be the best RB on the roster. Which is saying something with the talent we have in the backfield.

Khalil Lewis put his toughness and blazing track speed on display repeatedly this season. The junior RB found great success the past 2 seasons on JV, and continued to excel on the Varsity level. He didn’t get as many carries as I’m sure he would have liked, but it’s tough to balance 6 quality players at 1 position. He’ll see his role increase next season for sure.

Alex Anderson had an interesting season. Too big/good to be on JV, but stuck behind 4 other players on Varsity. Anderson, who looks like a grown man standing 6’1” 212lbs and with a full beard as a SOPHOMORE, ran like Adrian Peterson when he got on the field, leaving defenders on the ground in the wake of his path. He ran for over 100 yards in very limited time, but he will definitely be a key player in near future. Just watch.

When the spread offense needed some more bulk, FB Malik Mapps came in to open holes and lead the way for the 5 RBs on the team. His contribution to the team goes further than stats, and his willingness to do the “dirty work” allowed for the skill players to find space and put points on the board.

Wide Receivers – B

Sean Avant was clearly the headliner of this group. He led the team in catches and receiving yards, and made tough catches over the middle when the offense needed them most. His leaping touchdown grab in the opener against Bradenton Manatee showed the elite ability he possesses.

Apart from Avant, the passing game was spread between a host of other playmakers. Tanares Robinson, Geonte Smith, Delano Whitehead, Khalil Webster, Alex Lee and Cameron Rigby all had 10+ catches. Add in Tyler Williams and Kwasim west, and you have a receiving corps that can put many different players on the field without any drop in production.

Drops were a particular scourge in losses to Northeast and Boyd Anderson. This wasn’t the only thing that contributed to those losses, but they didn’t help the team either. There were also times when receivers ran wrong routes or quit on their routes (didn't run them full out to the end). Both areas kept this unit from being more successful and dynamic.

On the season, 17 different players caught passes for the Patriots. This wasn’t the same explosive offensive season that we’ve had over the past 6 years, but there is still a wealth of quality talent at the receiver position.

Offensive Line – B

The play of the line mirrored that of the team this season. When they played well, they were GREAT. When they struggled, it was terrible.

Center/Guard Mike Miranda was the only returning starter to this unit, and he led admirably. His in line run blocking was the catalyst for the running game many times this season. He struggled at times with his shotgun snaps, which hurt the offense. He will probably move to guard full time at the next level.

Leeward Brown and Delvin Arnold played well at guard. Brown, a Sophomore, could be one of the top college prospects to ever come out of Miramar. Arnold eats up defenders as he drives in run blocking situations. Both struggled at times in pass protection, but they both improved over the course of the season.

Tackles Daniel McGhie and Damone Thomson struggled against quick pass rushers, particularly in the games against Northeast and Boyd Anderson. They played very strong games against Cypress Bay, Bradenton Manatee and St. Thomas Aquinas. Consistency is the only thing keeping this pair from being 

great. Overall, their play was solid if unspectacular. Definitely nothing to be ashamed about.

Stewart Boyd was a capable player who freely rotated at both Center and Guard. He will be a key to the success of this team in the future.

DTs Ja'Quan Smith and Telvin Arnold pulled a bit of double duty, playing on offense when the line was thinned out due to injuries later on in the season. They added a nasty streak and very good strength up front, and their additions, though intermittent, paid big dividends for the offense.

Overall Grade: C+

This season saw the offense struggle at times, and look like a well oiled machine at others. It’s taken some adjusting to find the strengths of this year’s team, mainly running the ball and timely ball control passing.

I lamented the struggles of this unit throughout the season, but also celebrated its successes. An average season from this unit was still good enough when it needed to be to earn a spot in the playoffs. Tailoring the offense to the talents of this year’s team has taken some time, but I think that the late season performance and production is more indicative of this team’s abilities than the early season struggles.

2012 Game #1 Recap - at Bradenton Manatee

The 2012 season opener featured the Miramar Patriots taking a trip to Bradenton to take on the Manatee Hurricanes on Labor Day Weekend.  After a hard fought first half, Manatee exploded in the 2^nd half for 35 points, and a 41-6 victory.

While the final score may seem like this game was a blowout, the contest was actually much closer than the score may have indicated. Let’s take a look at what happened:

Bradenton Manatee:

Cord Sandberg played a good game. He’s not an explosive player who just does things you can’t comprehend (think Duke Johnson last year). What he is is a very good player, with above average skills across the board, and a phenomenal understanding of his abilities and the Manatee offense.

Sandberg’s performance was not flawless, however. He had 3 fumbles in the  game. He was ruled down on the last 2 (both recovered by Miramar) by what can only be classified as questionable calls.

Throughout the game Sandberg operated the Manatee offense with controlled excellence, making all the right reads in the option running game and the controlled passing game. And, in the end, he led his team to victory. Can’t ask for much more than that.

RB/WR Anthony Lauro was billed as the other top offensive playmaker for Manatee. He had a solid game and showcased good skills, but he wasn’t the player who really hurt the Patriots.

RB Trevon Walters made a name for himself based off his stellar performance. He ran for nearly 100 yards, showed good hands as a receiver (his wheel routes were positively destructive), and scored 2 touchdowns, 1 rushing and 1 receiving. Only a Junior, Walters is sure to garner many accolades and college attention. It was he, not Sandberg, who was the difference marker for the Hurricanes.

Apart from Sandberg, Lauro, and Walters on offense, the Manatee Defense made timely stops, and caused turnovers when they had the chance. Free Safety Willie Smith had 2 interceptions, and provided solid coverage in the secondary. The linebackers and defensive backs played solidly throughout the game, but left plenty of open space for Miramar Running Backs (more on this later).

The vaunted Manatee Defensive Line played well at times. Marquis Dawsey had a solid if unspectacular game. Derrick Calloway had ½ a sack, and made a few plays behind the line. DeMarcus Christmas had a sack, and disrupted a couple inside running plays. But nothing they did can compare to the game that Blake Keller had.

Keller, a 3 star recruit committed to UCF, was the best player on the field. He blocked 2 punts (returning the 2^nd for a touchdown), had 2.5 sacks, 8 tackles (4 for loss), and provided constant pressure when the Patriots looked to pass. Without a doubt, he was the MVP of this game. His big plays, especially the blocked punts, turned the momentum of the game, and gave Manatee short fields, which they converted into touchdowns in the 2^nd half.

Lastly, the wrinkles employed by Coach Joe Kinnan and his staff were great. Particularly, sending an outside receiver deep down the field, and replacing that open space on the field with Walters (and Lauro a couple of times) was something that gave Manatee an advantage on the edge of the Patriot defense. That one strategic move made the rest of the Manatee playbook come alive, and enabled them to put points on the board quickly, and repeatedly, in the second half of the game.

Miramar:

Even in the face of defeat, there were some bright spots for Miramar. The running game, led by Alex Lee and Cameron Rigby, continually gashed the Manatee defense. Lee finished with 133 yards on just 13 carries, and showcased his top level speed. Rigby had somewhere in the neighborhood of 85 yards, and routinely made guys miss with his open-field shiftiness.  Rigby was about 2 steps away from breaking a long touchdown in the first quarter, but stumbled as he crossed the Manatee 45. Huge opportunity missed there.

Alex Lee running away from Manatee's Derrick Calloway

In the past, Miramar has employed a running game we named “Thunder and Lightning”. This year, it’s more like Lightning-squared. And, when you add in Khalil Lewis and Alex Anderson,  you have a formidable group of running backs who will pose problems for every opponent Miramar faces this season.

Nick Jeanty started strong in his Patriot debut. He opened the game 5/5, and hit Sean Avant with a perfectly thrown fade for Miramar’s only touchdown on the opening drive of the game. After that strong start, Jeanty wasn’t as successful as he or the team, would have hoped. He threw 3 interceptions on the day, but let’s look at them each individually:

1. The first one was an under-thrown ball where his receiver, Tyler Williams, was open by 3 steps up the sideline. If properly thrown, Williams walks into the end zone. Since the ball was short, the defender was able to get a hand on it, and it was intercepted on the deflection.
2. The second one was a desperation heave on the last play of the first half, kind of a throw and pray play. No bearing on the outcome. Almost like a punt.
3. The third one came on a play with a low snap. Jeanty did well to get the ball off the ground, and throw cleanly. He threw to a spot, based on his pre-snap read, and didn’t see that the DBs all jumped their coverages once the ball was on the ground. Yes, he threw it, but the snap played heavily into that last pick.

Overall, I liked the poise and pocket presence I saw from Jeanty. He displayed good arm strength, and even overthrew a couple of open receivers. He showed flashes of greatness early, and also areas where he can improve. Let’s see what he does from here on out.

Gernald Hawkins got some quality work in this game, playing 3 complete drives. He was not able to put points on the board, but neither was Jeanty after the first drive of the game. Hawkins only completed one pass, a short completion to Khalil Webster. He showed good athleticism, and a live arm. I still like Jeanty as our starter, but am confident that Hawkins can be a valued asset to this team.

Wide receivers didn’t get to show too much in this game, as our passing attack is clearly still under construction. I did like what I saw from Sean Avant, who scored the only touchdown of the day for the Patriots. Additionally, Tyler Williams ran good routes and was open a few times (including on the first interception), and Dellano Whitehead also found open space in the Manatee defense. Overall, this group wasn’t really able to showcase their many talents, but they should be able to bounce back as this season progresses.

The offensive line was an ever-shifting unit, with 9 players getting snaps on the day. Guard Delvin Arnold missed a few series while icing an ankle, and others were shifted in his absence. Also, Mike Miranda and Devaughn Thomas had their struggles with shotgun snaps, especially in the second half. It’s hard to run our offense, or any offense, if you can’t get the quarterback-center exchange cleanly. This is something that will need to be worked on and fixed in practice.

Moving to defense, there were 4 players who really stood out for their stellar play: Linebackers Jermaine Grace, Ryan Samuels, and Sanka Harris, and Defensive End Shawn Stephens.

Grace, a 4 star recruit and the only returning starter on the Dark Side defense, played a great game. He had 11 tackles, 2 for loss, and was all over the field. He was a constant presence on defense, and will continue to be the leader of the team.

Samuels and Harris are both new starters, but played like veterans.  Samuels had 12 tackles, and Harris had 8, along with multiple pressures to Cord Sandberg, Manatee’s QB. While they had positives, Samuels and Harris were the particular victims exploited the aforementioned wheel route adjustment from the Manatee offense. Their run defense is incredible, but their pass coverage is not to the level where they, or the coaches, would like it to be.

Stephens supplied constant pressure from the edge, and was very disciplined when faced with the option game. He had some hard tackles, and was very consistent. I liked what I saw from the 6'1" Senior.

Up front, Telvin Arnold, Ja’Quan Smith, and Darius Young played well on the inside of the defensive line. They were able to get penetration and disrupt the Manatee offense early on. In the second half, they, like many, were unable to maintain their high level of play.

Andre Godfrey and D’Kambui Greaves played alright in the secondary. They blew a couple coverages, but weren’t hurt by them thanks to a dropped touchdown pass. Coaches told them they need to be leaders in the secondary, especially with the youth at corner. While they weren’t 100% lockdown, I liked what I saw from the G-unit (Godfrey and Greaves) at safety.

At corner, Terence Gaskins played a good game, while he was out there. Gaskins provided solid coverage, good speed, and recovered a Manatee Fumble in the 2^nd quarter. Gaskins was hurt on the play, unintentionally kicked in the mouth by a Manatee player during the scramble to recover the fumble. He stayed in Bradenton overnight before being able to have minor oral surgery. Administration and Coaches told me he’ll be fine, and should be returning to Miramar Monday or Tuesday. As for how long his injuries might keep him out, I have no new information as of the writing of this article.

The other corners, Darren Wilcox, Tyrek Cole, and Jeff Hill played average at best. Wilcox got caught peeking in the backfield and was beat for a 52 yard touchdown on the first play of the 4^th quarter. Cole, who replaced Gaskins after his injury, played well, only allowing 2 completions to his side. He also came up to make a couple tackles in run support. Hill got good reps in the game, and should continue to play a large role this year.

And now, the pink elephant in the room.

Special Teams.

When you miss an extra point, and have 2 punts blocked, and 2 more ALMOST blocked, there are obviously problems. I know there are a lot of new players on the special teams units, but I would like to see more starters playing in this vital 3^rd phase of the game.

Little details, single plays/calls/non-calls in a game like this, against a top opponent, can turn the tide of the game. In this game, there was 1 call that I look to as being THE MOMENT the game turned from being a tough, tightly contested game into Manatee’s favor.

Tied as 6 to start the 2^nd half, Manatee was facing 3^rd and 6 on their own 45. Sanka Harris tackled Trevon Walters  for a short gain, and was called for a personal foul for a “late hit”, although he was already bringing Walters to the ground before crossing the sideline. That call allowed Manatee’s offense to stay on the field, and that drive resulted in the first touchdown Manatee scored on the day.

While that call was not the reason Manatee won, or Miramar lost, it was a huge turning point in the game. 

Take that for what you will.

Where do we go from here?

Last year, when I started this blog, we won every game until the State Championship game. I wrote recaps for all games but the State Championship game. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it with all the emotions I felt. 

But now, after a loss, we have to look at what we can do to change the game, and return to the winning side of things.

1. Address special teams. 1 missed Extra point. 1 Kickoff out of bounds. 2 blocked punts. 2 more punts that were THISCLOSE to being blocked. This MUST be priority #1 for Coach Cogdell and the staff.
2. Center-Quarterback exchange. Under center, we’re fine. Shotgun or Pistol formations? Not so much. Can’t run offense if you can’t start the play properly.
3. Consistency and execution. Jermaine Grace said it best when interviewed by Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald: “We’re a first- and second-quarter team right now. We have to focus on learning how to finish all four quarters.”  Couldn’t have said it better myself.
4. Stay with the Run Game. Look. We have 5 quality running backs (Alex Lee, Cameron Rigby, Khalil Lewis, Alex Anderson, and #32 E [don’t know his full name….they just call him E]). 6 if you count FB Malik Mapps. Our running game gashed Manatee’s defense time and time again. Running the ball has many ancillary benefits for the team. What's that mean? RUN. THE. BALL.
5. Stop cheating on Defense. Every team has tendencies that you can start to identify. If you OVERREACT (or cheat) to stop something, that leaves you vulnerable for a counter or constraint play (plays that are designed to work when the defense cheats). We got caught cheating on the last 3 Manatee touchdowns. I think that says it all.

Obviously, nobody likes to lose. It highlights your errors, and puts pressure on your team to recover. Manatee is the first team to score 40+ points against the Patriots since DeSoto (TX) in the 2010 season opener, a game Miramar lost on the road 42-41. 

This game is very similar to games we've played recently vs. St. Thomas Aquinas. Once you make a mistake, the opposition is deadly at making you play. If you spoke to me about the game, then you know that's what I'd been saying for the longest time. And, true to form, we made mistakes and Manatee made us pay. 

I know the final score is ugly. I know that there are a lot of people (Miramar fans, Miramar haters, and journalists) who are writing us off, and have only negative things to say. Multiple journalists (who shall remain nameless) made snarky comments to what I'm about to say: 

This game was not as lopsided as the score indicated. 

After that personal foul call which led to Manatee's first touchdown, every single Miramar mistake ended with the same 2 words: Touchdown Manatee. They only drove the field on our defense 2 times. They hit a long pass when the DB was caught cheating. They had multiple short fields to drive for points. When you put it together, this game was really only a few plays from being a very different one than it ended up being.

Overall, there were positives and negatives. And while we may be left looking at all the negatives (of which, there are plenty), I believe that with a little focused attention in the 5 areas I outlined above, we'll be just fine.

Those are my (long-winded) thoughts. What are yours?

Until Next Time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

2012 Kickoff Classic Recap - McArthur

The Miramar Patriots began a new season on Friday night by taking on the McArthur Mustangs in the 2012 Kickoff Classic. The Patriots were victorious 28-0 on the night, and the performance provided plenty of fodder for me to talk about.

So, let’s get to the recap:

McArthur

The Mustangs moved the ball very well early on. Running back Cameron Johnson ran with good vision and impressive power. The line blocked well, and created space for Johnson to gash the Miramar Defense. 

Johnson’s power running created an opportunity in the play-action passing game, but McArthur couldn’t capitalize.  WR Onis Marte dropped a pass in the end zone when he was open by a solid 20 yards. That was a key play in the game, as the Mustangs couldn’t muster any points on that possession, or any other all night long.

McArthur’s struggles on offense really started under center. The Mustangs used 2 freshmen as their Quarterbacks, and neither one was able to add a positive element to the offense.  Starter Kato Nelson was able to complete a few short hitches early, and also had the throw into the endzone that was dropped. Other than that, the quarterback play was fairly pedestrian.

On Defense, Linebacker Jeremy Benjamin stood out for his solid play. The 6’1 senior made plays all over the field all night long as he rotated between inside and outside linebacker. Benjamin had at least 9 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 tipped passes by my unofficial count. His play will be key for the Mustangs to be successful this season.

McArthur’s team features a few former Miramar Patriots, including the aforementioned Cameron Johnson, DB Nehemiah Ali, and CB/K Malik Wisdom. All 3 played major roles in this game for the Mustangs, and figure to continue to do so through the entire season.

McArthur had hopes of beating Miramar in this game. Unfortunately for them, their effort and execution were not good enough to make that dream a reality.

Miramar

The Patriots took their time getting into the flow of this game. The Defense started out shaky, allowing McArthur to march down the field, and had a wide open touchdown pass dropped against them. After that early adversity, the Darkside Defense started to live up to its name, and reputation.

Jermaine Grace is better than ever. He had 6 tackles (2 for loss), a sack, and a deflected pass all in the first half. His ability to switch from run defense to pass coverage to blitzing on any play make him a terror for any offense he faces. McArthur tried to chip him with a tight end or pull a lineman his way, but Grace was able to shed those blocks easily and make plays. I'm interested in seeing him continue this type of performance through the season.

In addition to Grace, Ryan Samuels and Sanka Harris played pretty well on the first team. Samuels can be more consistent in pass coverage, and Harris needs to control his emotions as he can be too hyper on the field at times. Kaywon Davis, Mike Shivers, and Julian Lowe provided solid performance on the second unit, along with a few players who played both DE and LB.

Up front, a host of Patriots proved they will be valuable contributors during the season. Alex Trotman had 3 sacks, and provided relentless pressure off the edge. Shawn Stephens did well against the run, and also power slammed a running back on a tackle. Darius Young and Telvin Arnold were stout and physical on the interior of the line. Adding depth and a physical presence was David Lee, who had a few highlights in his time on the field.  Add Damone Thompson and Damarious Graham to this group, and you can see why the coaches are so excited about what this defense can do.

In the secondary, the safety tandem of D’Kambui Greaves and Andre Godfrey Jr. played very well.  Greaves jumped an underneath route, which opened up the endzone for that one pass McArthur dropped that was a sure touchdown. Outside of that one play, he provided good and steady coverage in the secondary.

Behind them, Deonta Fair, Marquino Martin and Dante Campbell all showed they can be big time players. At Corner, Terrence Gaskin had a very strong performance. Darren Wilcox played well, but didn’t really impact the game satistically.

The much celebrated sophomore CB duo of Tyrek Cole and Jeffery Hill played decently in their first varsity action. Cole was the better tackler of the two, and Hill provided better pass coverage. I like the confidence of both players, and I really believe they will be a major reason why the defense limits opposing offenses this season.

On offense, the thing everybody is talking about is the competition to be the starting Quarterback. After this game, I believe we now have a definitive answer. Junior Nick Jeanty started the game, and played to a high level. His stats, 111/19 for 124yards with 1 TD and 0 INTs, weren’t eye popping, but when you consider that he only played a half of football, they make a bit more sense. Jeanty had to deal with a bit of pressure, and some low snaps, but seemed to keep a cool demeanor on the field. His last second heave to the endzone in the 2^nd quarter was dropped by a wide open Kwasim West, which would have added to his stats.

Gernald Hawkins played the majority of the snaps in the second half. His play was frantic and every play seemed rushed. He missed a few open receivers, most notably sophomore Khalil Lewis who was all alone down the right hash mark. Hawkins was eventually able to lead a touchdown drive that was based around the running game, but overall his performance was not as effective or dynamic and Jeanty’s.

Freshman Demari Simpkin, who will be the JV quarterback this year, also played about 8 plays in the game. He has a decent frame at 5’9”, and figures to grow into his body over the next few years. He is just starting to be exposed to the Miramar version of the spread offense, and he will have plenty of opportunities to hone his craft at the JV level.

The receivers were alright, but not spectacular. Junior Tanares Robinson caught the only touchdown of the day. Kwasim West, who dropped a touchdown to end the first half, had a couple tough catches in the 3^rd quarter. Khalil Webster had a touchdown that was called back by penalty. Geonte Smith was open in the same on a couple plays that went to another receiver. He would have scored each time had he gotten the ball. Tyler Williams had 2 catches and some nice moves in the open field. Khalil Lewis had a nice catch, and was overthrown on that one pass I already mentioned. Dellano Whitehead had a catch with some nice YAC. Last, but not least, Sean Avant had 3 catches, and showed the good hands that he has earned a reputation for having. Overall, I’d call the performance of this group decent, but there is room for improvement.

The running backs were OUTSTANDING in this game. Alex Lee led the charge at the beginning. Most people think of him only as a speed back. He showed in this game that he’s a part of the #WeightRoomGang by running through defenders, and refusing to let the first hit bring him down. His added strength is going to help him perform this season, and hopefully (for him) earn scholarship offers from a few more colleges.

Cameron Rigby showed why he’s such a highly touted player. He had 2 long touchdowns (each 65+ yards) called back by penalty, but that didn’t stop him. On one drive, he had back to back runs of 38 and 52 yards. He is also the primary punt and kickoff returner, roles which let him showcase his playmaking ability in open space. His impact on this team may be even more than some people anticipated. I’m very, VERY anxious to see what he can do this season.

Khalil Lewis (same name as the receiver, but no relation) showed that he has continued his progression after being the JV MVP last year, and earning a call-up to the varsity team for the last 4 regular season games and the playoffs. He ran hard, made decisive cuts, and showed good speed once he hit the second level of the defense. Lewis runs best when he goes north and south without dancing. He has learned to make that his style of running, and his game has jumped to another level because of it.

3 running backs into the recap, and I still haven’t gotten to the most impressive one. Alex Anderson ran like a man possessed. The 6’1” 210lb sophomore showed that he is a top level player whose physical style will be a great compliment to the slashing cutback style Lee, Rigby and Lewis employ. Anderson, who at his size still runs a 4.4 in the 40, came into the game and ran for 60 yards on limited carries. Anderson has the potential to be the best offensive player to ever come through Miramar. Yes, including Geno Smith. That’s the level of talent this kid possesses. Watch out for #23. Trust me.

The offensive line was average at best. Mike Miranda struggles with the shotgun snap showed up again. Those low snaps break the offensive rhythm and put the Patriots in long down and distance situations. Additionally, this group had at least 5 holding penalties, and 3 false starts.

That’s the bad.

Now for the good. 

The line provided ample time for all 3 quarterbacks to throw the ball. They also gave the 4 running backs plenty of space to operate. Through this season, consistency will be the key. If the line can find it, the Patriots will undoubtedly be successful. If they can’t, the team will struggle. It’s that simple.

Lastly, the kicking game is in solid shape with not 1, but 2 quality kickers. Replacing Malik Wisdom who transferred to McArthur are sophomore David Campbell and junior Michael Allinder. Campbell, a soccer style kicker, has the stronger leg of the 2, and has made kicks as deep as 47 yards in practice so far. 

Allinder, a straight-on kicker, is a bit more accurate but his leg isn’t as strong. Both players made kicks in this game, and both did very well on their kickoffs. This will be an area of strength unlike any year in the recent past for the Patriots.

Overall, I would grade this performance as a C/C+; Passing, but not exactly where we want to be. There are a lot of good things going on with this team, and quite a few that need improving. If the coaches can get this team to buy into the system, and get rid of the miscues and penalties, this season will be very satisfactory to Miramar Patriot fans.

That’s it for now. Enjoy your bonus 3-day weekend, Patriots.

Until Next Time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports