Playoff Game Recap - Regional Quarterfinal at South Plantation

After a long, intense, and interesting regular season, the Miramar Patriots began the Road to Orlando by travelling to face the South Plantation Paladins.

This was a rematch of the Regional Quarterfinal from last year. Last year, the Patriots demolished the Paladins 38-0. This year, the game was tightly contested, and very contentious at times. In the end, Miramar advanced with a 3-0 victory.

• You can read the Miami Herald recap by Manny Navarro here
• You can read the Sun-Sentinel recap here

Let's take a look at some of the key factors from this game:

South Plantation:

• Much has been made of the talents of senior RB Alex Collins. In this game Collins, Broward County's leading rusher, was contained and shut down by the Darkside defense. Collins, who sustained a shoulder injury last week (which I saw him get wrapped before the game), was unable to shake Miramar LB Jermaine Grace, who shadowed him all over the field. Collins grew frustrated to the point that he earned a personal foul penalty for grabbing Grace's facemask after the LB pushed Collins out of bounds. Collins, beaten and bruised, left the game for good due to a wrist injury (which I'm pretty sure occurred on the personal foul play) in the 4th quarter. He only played 3 snaps in the 2nd half. Collins ended the game with 9 carries for 13 yards, and 1 catch for -1 yard.
• Recent FSU Commit QB John Franklin was pressured and ran for his life most of the game. The senior was sacked by the Miramar Defense 7 times, pressured many others, and pretty well contained  on the night. He finished 6/17 for 42 yards passing and 1 interception. Much had been made about his progression since we saw him play last year. His performance on the night did not bear that to be true.
• The South Plantation defense played some good football. After allowing the Patriots into the red zone 6 times, they only allowed 1 field goal on the night. They played quick, smart, strong football, and should be applauded for their effort. They kept their team in the game, and kept this from being a much larger margin of victory for the Patriots.
• Overall, South Plantation just didn't have enough talent to win this game. Their star players, Collins and Franklin, were held in check, and without them playing amazing games, the Paladins weren't able to make much happen against the Patriots.

Miramar:

• Any recap of this game has to start by talking about the Darkside Defense. This group played outstanding football, and limited the Paladins to 83 total yards and 7 first downs on the night. Collins and Franklin were unable to shake the defense, and the Paladins were held scoreless for the 2nd time in 3 games. It was also the 2nd shutout for the Patriots on the year, and the 3rd time they held an opposing offense scoreless (Northeast's scores came on defensive returns). Great job by the Darkside!
• Leading the defense were Seniors Jermaine Grace, Sanka Harris, Ja'Quan Smith, and Junior Ryan Samuels. Grace and Smith had 8 tackles each, while Harris and Samuels had 7 tackles a piece. They were physical , ferocious, and determined not to let South Plantation find space for their players to operate.
• The defense sacked South Plantation quarterbacks 8 times. Ja'Quan Smith led the team with 3 sacks, while Alex Trotman and Shawn Stephens had 2 each. David Lee had 1 sack on the night.
• Andre Godfrey Jr. had a great interception, which he returned 34 yards. That's his 2nd pick in the last 2 games, and clear evidence that he's elevating his level of play at the perfect time of the year.
• There were a couple HUGE hits in this game, most notably delivered by Jermaine Grace, Telvin Arnold, and Tyrek Cole. I want to see more of that, gentlemen.
• Against our offense, South Plantation clearly had 1 goal: Don't let Eric Pittman get loose. They upped their intensity every time #4 came on the field, and it showed in their performance. Pittman, who had rushed for 227 yards and 5 touchdowns in the last 2 regular season games, found little room to operate, and was held to just 35 yards on 18 carries. He also dropped a pass on the game's opening play that, if caught, would have gone for a touchdown. I'm anxious to see how he bounces back next week.
• Nick Jeanty started hot, going 6/9 in the first half. His seam route pass to Tanares Robinson almost went for a touchdown, but Robinson was caught by the back of his jersey. Jeanty showed good touch, and nice velocity on his throws through the game. He struggled in the 2nd half after the rain started. I'd still like to see more decisive throws from him.
• Jeanty showed something that he hasn't very much this season: an ability to run. He kept the ball on the read option a few times, and stepped up out of pressure to find good yardage available. This might  prove to be a valuable weapon for the offense in the future.
• Wide receivers only got 6 receptions, but we only called about 16 passing plays on the night. With Jeanty running on a couple, the opportunities outside weren't many. There are still elite playmakers at this position, and they will make an impact for this team before long.
• Kicking has been an up and down proposition for the Patriots this season. Michael Allinder's 25 yard field goal, the only scoring in the game, was a pure kick and would have been good from 45 yards. I liked his confidence in taking and making that kick. His performance will be needed throughout the playoffs.

An Underwood Rant:

I hate to do this, but I can't let this slide anymore: the referees clearly have an agenda against Miramar. 

In this game, where BOTH teams were getting chippy, hitting after the whistle, and talking back and forth, the crew only cited Miramar for fouls. Miramar had 17 penalites. South Plantation had 5 (3 of which were false starts). 

This cannot continue. 

Over the years, the referees have repeatedly looked at Miramar as the only team who has infractions. There have been many games in the past and this year where the difference in the penalties for us versus the opponent is 4 to 1 or 5 to 1. The ONLY game where you could argue that we got the benefit of calls in the last 5 years would be this year's game against St. Thomas Aquinas. 

Let me be clear: I'm not asking for extra calls. I'm not asking for the referees to give us an advantage. I'm asking that they STOP giving the opponent the extra advantage, and call the game fairly. Offsides is offsides. I have no problem with that. But when you have a 5 yard penalty, then talk as a group of officials, and all of a sudden change that to 2 personal fouls, something has to be said. 

In short, Referees need to stop playing for the other team, and go back to being impartial arbitrators of the game action. Because, when it comes to Miramar games, they're playing for the opponent.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours?

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.

Regular Season Recap - 2012 Football

The 2012 football season has been a story of 2 teams for the Patriots. One team was a schizophrenic bunch of undisciplined players who struggled against teams who should have been no match for the Patriots. The other was a talented, precise machine that defeated some of the top teams in Broward County.

Following 3 consecutive District Championships, as well as the 2009 6A State Championship and an appearance in the 2011 8A State Championship game, the Patriots came into the season with one of the most complete résumés in the State. After losing 43 seniors off the 2011 team, this year’s version, rife with young talent, looked to continue to add to the legacy of Miramar Football.

The season has had its ups and downs. Tempering wins over St. Thomas Aquinas and rival Everglades were tough losses to teams who were heavy underdogs (Northeast and Boyd Anderson), a loss to the Nation’s #1 team that spiraled out of control (Brandenton Manatee) and a gut wrenching loss to our most hated rival (Cypress Bay).

Even with an up and down season that didn’t see consecutive wins or losses until the last 3 weeks of the year, the Patriots managed to earn a 6^th consecutive playoff berth, this time as District Runner-up. The Road back to Orlando starts with a trip to play South Plantation (more on this game to come).

Here are the results for the games this year:
Week 1 – L 41-6 at Bradenton Manatee RECAP ARTICLE
Week 2 – W 42-20 vs Ely RECAP ARTICLE
Week 3 – L 13-5 at Northeast  RECAP ARTICLE
Week 4 – W 48-3 at West Broward RECAP ARTICLE
Week 5 – L 17-13 vs Cypress Bay RECAP ARTICLE
Week 6 – W 27-24 (2OT) vs St. Thomas Aquinas
Week 7 – L 13-6 at Boyd Anderson
Week 8 – W 34-6 vs Everglades – Mayor’s Cup AND Homecoming
Week 9 – W 27-0 vs Western
Week 10 – W 35-16 at Flanagan – Senior Night 

Regular Season Final Team Statistics

Regular Season record – 6-4 (4-1 District 12-8A, District Runner-up)
Total Score – Miramar 243 Opponents 153

Until Next Time,


Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Point/Counterpoint - Cypress Bay vs. Miramar

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Point/Counterpoint.

Instead of hearing from me (which you do enough of anyways), I brought in 2 student journalists to state their case for why each team, Cypress Bay or Miramar, will win Friday’s key game in District 12-8A. I left their arguments in their original form, so that the passion was not lost by my editing.

So, without further ado, let’s get to the arguments.

Why Cypress Bay will win

by Jake Marsh

            Cypress Bay vs. Miramar. A rivalry in district 12-8A that has plenty of its own history. This Friday, a new chapter will be written at Miramar’s own gridiron, as the Lightning and Patriots will clash yet again.

            At the end of the day, I think the final result will have to strongly deal with who overhauls in the matchup between the Lightning’s offense in its effort to take down four-star linebacker Jermaine Grace. With the way Cypress Bay running back Matt Dayes has been playing lately, (averaging 5.8 yards per carry) I believe he has the physical ability and confidence to run over Grace and the Patriots’ defensive line. The Lightning’s offense line, led by center Jason Rae, will be able to refrain Grace from attacking quarterback Jaranta Lewis into as much pressure as he can get. However, Lewis MUST step it up and have a huge game. This is a statement game for the Lightning. It could decide whether or not they have the ability to become legitimate contenders for both a district and state championship. Lewis hasn’t totally been on top of his game lately, and that’s why I think he is due for a big one this Friday. We all know that his favorite target is Alex Montgomery, a 6’1’’ receiver headed to Wake Forest in the fall. This will be the game where both of them break out and the primary reason that Cypress Bay will prevail victorious.

            On the other side of the ball, linebacker Nico Marley along with the rest of the Lightning defense will have interrupt the consistency of the Patriots’ offense. Unlike Cypress Bay’s run-heavy offense with Dayes and Josh Kaiser, Miramar head coach Damon Cogdell seems to balance it out either on the ground or in the air with quarterback Nick Jeanty. Marley and the rest of the defense will be able to stop the rushing attack of both Alex Lee and Cameron Rigby, who each have three rushing touchdowns on the year. Senior cornerback Boaz Joseph will hold Patriots wide receiver Sean Avant from having a monumental game. Joseph, who is being looked at by 20+ schools, definitely has the ability to shut down Avant, Geonte Smith, and the rest of the Miramar receiving core.

            Both the Patriots (2-2, 1-0) and the Lightning (3-1, 1-0) have similar offensive numbers as a whole. Between the two teams, there is only a two point difference in total points scored through four games. In the end, Cypress Bay and head coach Mark Guandolo will get its revenge on the team that beat them twice and eliminated them just a year ago. It will be a total team effort, and players on both side of the ball will equally contribute to the victory.

FINAL SCORE: Cypress Bay 26, Miramar 24

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jake Marsh is a Junior at Cypress Bay, and is one of the students who runs the Cypress Bay Athletics Twitter account (@CB_Athletics). You can follow Jake there, or at his personal Twitter, @JakeMarsh18.

Why Miramar will win
By Nash Williams

          In no disrespect to Cypress Bay or their opponents, Cypress Bay has played only one "quality" opponent this year. That of course being St. Thomas Aquinas. In that game the Lightning had lots of trouble getting their offense rolling. How will the famed Darkside defense of Miramar match up. To get a better understanding we'll do a position by position breakdown.

          The defensive line HAS to get to Cypress Bay QB Jaranta Lewis. Lewis is a dual-threat QB who can make plays with his legs, already totaling for 178 rushing yards and 4 rushing TD's. If he is hurried the passing game slowly starts to shut down making the offense more one-dimensional.

          If the passing game is shut down then the Lighting may have to rely on North Carolina State commit and starting RB Matt Dayes. Miramar star LB Jermaine "Country" Grace and defensive beast Ryan Samuels, who are known for their sideline to sideline ability,  have combined for 57 tackles on the year will be key in helping shutdown the running attack.

        The playmakers of the Miramar secondary, the G-Unit (Andre Godfrey and D'Kambui Greaves) have been ball hawking this season. I think Miramar Coach Damon Cogdell will make the right calls to stop the talented Cypress Bay WR Alex Montgomery who has racked up 338 receiving yards on the season.

        But In my opinion the offense is what will lead to Miramar to a victory Friday night. The Miramar Patriots have a rushing attack like none other in Broward. They have accumulated 745 yards on the ground. They even gained 194 rushing yards against one of the top defenses in the country the Manatee Hurricanes.

       I've seen the Cypress Bay defense in action this season. The defensive line has some questions. So coach Cogdell will look for his offensive line to open up some big holes. But once you get past the front four the defense is stout. The linebackers and secondary are all athletic. When Miramar is running the ball they average 5.5 yards a rush, getting chunks of yards at a time. With the weak defensive line of Cypress Bay I think that sort of success will continue.

      But when it comes to the little things, statistically Miramar has the advantage. By little things I mean the penalties. When I saw Cypress Bay play Deerfield Beach in Week 1 I watched them claw to a 29-6 victory. They could have won that game by a much larger margin had they stopped bad mistakes, late hits, holding, block in the back. Things that are unnecessary.  Miramar has 27 penalties compared to Cypress Bay's 30.

    With all of these components I think Miramar has the recipe for success, and I predict the Patriots will come away with a 28-24 victory.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nash Williams is a Freshman at Zion Lutheran School, and a contributor to a variety of Sports Websites. You can follow him on Twitter @Nashwilliams1.


Special thanks to Jake Marsh and Nash Williams for being our guest contributors this week.

Those are THEIR thoughts. 

What are yours?


Until Next Time,


Jake Marsh, Cypress Bay Athletics
Nash Williams, Freelance Contributor


Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Game Preview - vs. Cypress Bay

District play continues this week, as the Football season hits its halfway point. Teams are starting to find their identity, and build their resumes for the playoffs. Also, as the season continues, Rivalry Games will be coming pretty frequently now.

And for the first major Rivalry Game in District 12-8A, I present to you the teams who have won this District (or any District they’ve been members of) for the past 6 years. Two teams who have a long history of fierce competition in many sports, but most of all Football.

Cypress Bay.

Miramar.

Only one can win. Let’s look at the teams:

Cypress Bay Lightning (3-1, 1-0 District 128A)

Cypress Bay has always been a tough team to play. Led by Coach Mark Guandolo, a veteran whose teams won multiple State Championships when he was at Chaminade-Madonna, the Lightning are a tough, disciplined, and opportunistic team who can present problems for their opponent in all 3 phases (Offense, Defense, Special Teams) of the game.

This year, Coach Guandolo got rid of the only offensive attack he’s ever used: the Wing-T, and replaced it with a hybrid I-Formation/Spread offense.  This has opened up the field for the Cypress Bay skill position players, and made the game a little more interesting for players and fans alike.

The offense is led by Senior QB Jaranta Lewis. Lewis, a 3 year starter, has pressured defenses for years with his dual threat (running and passing) abilities. Lewis has had a strong start to the year, but the passing game took a step backwards last week vs. Flanagan. Cypress Bay could only muster 59 yards passing on the night, and looked out of sync. Lewis will need a big game throwing the ball for the Lightning to be successful.

Lewis’ #1 target is Senior WR Alex Montgomery. Already committed to Wake Forest, Montgomery  is a large target (6’2”, 208lbs) who has become the headliner at receiver for Cypress Bay. His numbers are already impressive, with 12 catches for 338yards (28.2 yards per catch) and 2 touchdowns. He is one of the top skill position players in the District, and his production will be integral to the success that the offense will be able to enjoy.

The third leg of the triangle that is the Cypress Bay offense is Senior RB Matt Dayes. Another 3 year starter (along with Lewis and Montgomery), Dayes looks to add to his impressive resume at the expense of the Patriot defense. Dayes’ numbers are also impressive through 4 games (376 yards, 4 td), and that production on the ground has been the centerpiece of the efficient and effective Cypress Bay offense.

Complimenting Dayes is Senior RB Josh Kaiser, who seems to have a penchant for scoring long touchdowns. Last year, I remember reading recaps of games seeing Kaiser as having scored from 70+ yards multiple times. Already this year, he’s scored long touchdowns against St. Thomas Aquinas and South Broward. He doesn’t get many touches, but don’t let that fool you. Kaiser is a player. Watch out for him.

The offensive line is one of the best units in the State. Led by Senior C Jason Rae, the Lightning look to create lanes for their skill players to succeed in space.  The offense around them may have changed, but the offensive line, and their hard nosed mentality, remain the same.

The Defense is stingy, and full of solid players. WR Alex Montgomery pulls double duty as the starting Free Safety, and RB Maquese Dudley-Gordon is another 2-way star. Linebacker Nico Marley, grandson of Reggae music legend Bob, and CB Boaz Joseph are Division 1 recruits with multiple offers. The Defensive Line is largely unproven, and will face the uneviable task of containing the potent Miramar running game.

The defense is allowing an average of 17.75 points per game, but that stat is slightly misleading. Apart from St. Thomas score 43 points against them, Cypress Bay has not allowed more than 12 points to any opponent this season. They will need to have another good night, playing fast and hitting hard, to stop the Patriots and emerge victorious.

Why Cypress Bay Might Win:

We’ll get to that later.

Miramar Patriots (2-2, 1-0 District 12-8A)

The Miramar Patriots got back in the win column last week, defeating West Broward 48-3. That game, our first in the District this year, featured a solid effort in all 3 phases of the game. For more reaction to that game, check my Game Recap here: http://miramarsports.blogspot.com/2012/09/2012-game-recap-4-west-broward.html

The Patriots still need to find a consistent rhythm and identity on offense. They are averaging 335.5 yards of total offense and 25.25 points per game. Lackluster scoring performances against Bradenton Manatee and Northeast were balanced against high scoring games against Ely and West Broward. Miramar will need to find a way to play like the latter games, not the former.

Leading the passing attack is Junior QB Nick Jeanty, who has completed 71.8% of his passes, for 559 yards, with 4 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Jeanty has been very effective completing short passes, and deadly in the screen game (3 of his 4 touchdowns have come on screens). I would still like to see him stretch the field vertically a bit more, but when you’re completing nearly 3 out of every 4 passes, you have to be pleased with that efficiency out of the QB.

The running attack is the heart and soul of the offense. Averaging 186.25 yards a game, and with 6 solid players who contribute, Miramar has shifted to a ground and pound team overnight, after years of spread football with 30+ passes a game. The coaching staff has made it a point to control the line of scrimmage and dominate the running game. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Patriots eclipse 200 yards rushing in this game. This figures to be one of the focal points to the offensive gameplan.

The Lightning Squared backfield of Alex Lee and Cameron Rigby has combined for 488 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns through the first 4 games of the season. They are each adept at finding holes and using their speed and shake to leave linemen and linebackers grasping for air in the secondary. Both will need to bring their “A” games to Branca Stadium on Friday night.

Other players who figure to see time in the backfield for the Patriots are Juniors Khalil Lewis and Eric Pittman, Sophomore Alex Anderson, and Senior Malik Mapps as both the FB and single back.

The Receivers have done a good job so far this year, and many of them have contributed to the team’s success offensively. 11 different players have caught passes to this point of the season (although I don’t expect OT Damone Thompson to have any more catches this year). With a 10.14 yards per catch average, this group is nearly a guaranteed first down every time they get the ball. They, like their QB Jeanty, are looking for a breakout game.

Leading the 11 players who have caught a pass are Senior Sean Avant and Junior Geonte Smith. Also contributing to the passing attack are Tanares Robinson, Delano Whitehead, Khalil Webster and Kwasim West. With all that talent at receiver, it’s mildly surprising that 3 of the 4 touchdown catches have gone to running backs, with the Alexes (Anderson and Lee) and Cameron Rigby each having one.

The Darkside Defense has been one of the best in the State for years, and they look to build on their already impressive track record this season. They shut down Bradenton Manatee for the better part of 3 quarters, stifled Ely for most of the night, held Northeast to -17 yards of total offense, and outside of 2 Keenan Thompson runs from the Wildcat, completely shut down West Broward. This unit is full of playmakers, and they figure to bring their normal championship caliber effort .

Special teams, like offense, would like to have a strong game this week. There are many players who are fighting for playing time, and they might catch the eyes of their coaches with a solid play or 2 in the 3^rd phase of the game.

Lastly, no current Miramar player has EVER lost to Cypress Bay. Not on JV. Not on Varsity. I’m sure they don’t want the game on Friday to be their first experience tasting defeat at the hands of the Lightning. The whole team, to a man, will have to give his absolute best effort for the Patriots to extend the 6 game winning streak (including JV) against the rival Lightning.

Why Miramar might win:

Again, we’ll get to that later.

What to Watch for:

Cypress Bay

-----

Miramar

-----

Wondering where the “Why (insert team here) might win” section went? Well, I left that analysis up to 2 student journalists. One representing Cypress Bay, and one representing Miramar. For their analysis, and picks to win, check out the special feature “Point/Counterpoint” right here: http://miramarsports.blogspot.com/2012/09/pointcounterpoint-cypress-bay-vs-miramar.html

Until Next time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

2012 Game Recap #4 - @ West Broward

After an uneven start to the season, the Miramar Patriots got back on the winning side of things, defeating West Broward 48-3 in the first District game for both teams.

Without any further ado, let’s get to what happened

West Broward

It was clear from the start at the Bobcats were outmatched in this game. The team, buoyed with hope after Miramar’s loss to Northeast, came in with good intensity and hoped to pull off a major upset. Unfortunately for them, that would not happen on this night.

It was clear early on that West Broward just didn’t have the athletes to match up with the Patriots, and the hopes for a miracle upset were quickly dashed. Miramar sprinted out to a big halftime lead, and never looked back.

For the Bobcats, there were only a couple of players who stood out as positives for coach Chris Wagner. First of all, Senior WR/DB Keenan Thompson was clearly their best player. The 6’1” speedster wasn’t able to get the ball when he was split wide, so Wagner moved him to QB in a sort of Wildcat formation. It was here that Thompson found his success.

On his first snap at QB, Thompson found a seam on the right side of the offensive line, and raced down the sideline for a 68 yard gain. He showed vision, quickness, and speed, and would have scored if not for a great effort by Darren Wilcox to track him down. Thompson fumbled on the next play, and the one credible scoring chance went by the wayside for West Broward.

Junior K/P Anthony McGill was a busy man on this evening. He punted 8 times, and made a 25 yard field goal, which proved to be the only points the Bobcats would score. He has a decent leg, and very good technique. He should be proud of his effort from this game.

Senior QB Brandan Stedfelt did not have the game he hoped for. Completing less than 40% of his passes, Stedfelt was constantly harassed by the Miramar defense. He did display a decent arm on a couple downfield throws, but his accuracy (perhaps a result of the pressure he was facing) was less than stellar.

The West Broward defense played hard, but they could not stand up to the physicality, or speed, of the Patriots.

Overall, this team will have some hard times ahead as they continue to build towards being a competitive team in a very tough district and classification. Coach Wagner seems to have a plan, and hopefully he’ll have the time needed to continue the slow ascent to respectability.

Miramar

Miramar, looking to rebound after a tough loss at Northeast, came out with a vengeance, and left no doubt from the first snap of the game as to who the better team was.

The Patriots started out by going back to basics: running the ball with great success. The first 2 plays of the game were runs by Alex Lee that went for 21 and 48 yards, the second of which went for a touchdown. Lee would finish the game with 5 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown in just 1 half of work.

Adding in to the rushing attack were Cameron Rigby (20 yards and a TD), Eric Pittman (44 yards and a TD), Nick Jeanty (25 yards and a TD), Gernald Hawkins (14 yards and a TD), and Khalil Lewis (5 yards and a TD). All told, Miramar rushed 27 times for 196 yards (7.26 per carry) and 6 touchdowns.  Pretty efficient if you ask me.

The Quarterback play was solid complimenting the rushing attack. Nick Jeanty was 11/14 for 139 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions, and Gernald Hawkins was 2/3 for 35 yards. The overall numbers (combined QB efficiency rating of 181.86) were decent, but there is still room for improvement. The intermediate and vertical passing games are not fully polished yet, but they should continue to improve over time.

8 players caught passes on the night. Delano Whitehead (2/47 yards) made a nice move up the sideline on a quick screen that went for a big game, and Cameron Rigby (2/12 yards) had the only receiving touchdown, an 8 yarder midway through the 3^rd quarter.

On defense, the Darkside continued their strong play that has become standard operating procedure. Start players Jermain Grace and Telvin Arnold played so few snaps on the night that their white #2 and #53 jerseys were crisp and clean, even after a game played at the sloppy, muddy atrocity known as Everglades field.

Leading the way in their place were Junior LBs Kaywon Davis and Ryan Samuels, and Senior DL Ja’Quan Smith and Darius Young. Davis ended the game with 7 tackles (4 solo, 3 assist), a forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. His best play was the defender trifecta: a solo tackle in space, forced fumble on a strip, and fumble recovery. The only thing that could have added to that play would have been a return for a touchdown, but it was still a great effort.

Samuels, the starting Middle Linebacker, had 5 tackles (2 solo, 3 assist) along with 2 tackles for loss. His steady play against opposing running games has been one of the keys to the success of the defense, and we should continue to see good things from him as we continue through this season.

Smith dominated the line of scrimmage all game long. His stats (6 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 QB pressures, and a forced fumble) are even more impressive when you consider he played only a little more than 1 half of football. He was an absolute terror on the interior of the defense, and his continued dominance will be a key as the Patriots move towards the meat of their schedule.

Teaming with Smith was Darius Young, whose stats (6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 QB pressure) were nearly as impressive. He must have taken a 5 hour energy before the game, because his motor was running on a level that we haven’t seen before. He was motivated and disciplined, and played a major role in stifling the West Broward offense. This performance is one he should be proud of.

In the secondary, Darren Wilcox made the most out of the few plays that he was involved with. He showed remarkable acceleration and recovery speed in chasing down Keenan Thompson late in the 2^nd quarter. Needing to make up some 25 yards, Wilcox turned on the jets and chased him down at the 4 yard line, saving a touchdown. Tackles aren’t ordinarily the highlight plays for cornerbacks, but this was no ordinary tackle.

The G-Unit of DKambui Greaves and Andre Godfrey had another strong game from their Safety positions. Greaves (3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and a forced fumble) was disciplined in his pursuit, and consistent in his tackling. It was he who forced Keenan Thompson to fumble on the play after Wilcox ran him down at the 4. Very nice play from #11.

Godfrey was arguably the defensive MVP of this game. He had 7 tackles (3 solo, 4 assist), 1 tackle for loss, and a sack. He hit anything that moved in his area, and hit it hard. After this performance, I think he’s primed for a signature game. Outstanding job.

Special teams were solid all around. Kick and punt returners seemed to find open lanes, and coverage units allowed minimum yardage against them. Shawn Stephens added in the Special Teams play of the day: a blocked punt that Kaywon Davis recovered and returned to the 5 yard line. It was a great move for Stephens to get by his blocker and block the kick, and hopefully something he, or another Patriot, can replicate in future games.

Overall, this was the most complete game that we have played this year, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. On the heels of the loss to Northeast, and before key games against Cypress Bay and St. Thomas Aquinas, the Patriots needed an effort such as this to steady their season, and give us momentum as we go to face our toughest opponents.

Co-Players of the Week

• Kaywon Davis - 7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumbles recovered
• Ja'Quan Smith - 6 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 3 QB pressures

Where do we go from here? - Review

Let’s look at how we did with the issues to address for this game.

Issues to address:

1. Offensive gameplans and efficiency: Grade: A-. We controlled the game from the very outset, and had very few issues. There were a couple of things (missed receiver down the seam, false starts, holding penalties) that we could clean up to get an A or A+, but this was a much better showing from the offense.
2. Quarterback-Center exchange. Grade: A. Only 1 bad exchange, and that was more on the QB missing the ball than on the Center not getting it there.
3. Details. Grade: B+. While penalties remain our biggest issue, the majority of the other issues were effectively addressed.
4. Protect the ball. Grade: B+. 1 turnover on the aforementioned QB-Center exchange. I would like to see 0 turnovers, but this was a great improvement.

Looking Ahead

Up next are 2 tough opponents: Cypress Bay and St. Thomas Aquinas. These are teams with whom we have a long history, and who both have an axe to grind after losing to the Patriots last season. There will be plenty of time for analysis and previewing both games, but suffice it to say that the next 2 weeks will go a long way to determining just how far this Miramar team can go.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours?

Until Next Time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports 

New Adidas Jerseys unveiled

I know I'm a little late with this update, but hey, it's summer.

Anyways, in case you hadn't heard, your Miramar Patriots have picked up a sponsorship from Adidas. This means that they have designed new gear for the upcoming football season. Helmets, Jerseys, Gloves (which are my favorite detail piece). The whole 9 yards. I like them, and I think you will too.

Here they are:

Get ready Patriots. Your team is going to be styling this year!!

Until Next Time,


Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

QB Competition Breakdown

For the past 7 years, the Quarterback position for the Miramar Patriots has been one of the most high profile positions in all of High School Football.

Geno Smith, 2005-08

Beginning with Parade magazine All-American Geno Smith, this group has been incredibly productive over the better part of the last decade. Smith led his team deep into the playoffs for 4 years, culminating in the first Regional Championship in school history, and a berth in the 2008 Class State Semi-Final, where the Patriots lost to Miami Northwestern.

Ryan Williams, 2009

After transferring from American Heritage, Ryan Williams built on that success and guided the team to the 2009 Class 6A championship. In the title game, Williams had a record breaking performance, where he shattered previous marks set by players you may have heard of: former Wake Forest QB Riley Skinner and Florida Gators 2 time National Champion and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.

Camren Hudge, 2010-11

Following those prototypical QBs for the previous 5 seasons, Miramar went in another direction the last 2 years. Undersized at 5’9”, but possessing a big arm and huge heart, Camren Hudge took the reigns under center for the Patriots, and led the team to a 22-4 record. Hudge led the team to the 2011 Class 8A State Championship game, where his team was defeated by Tampa Plant.

Now, with those former Miramar QBs all having moved on to the FBS (Division 1A) college ranks at West Virginia, University of Miami, and Florida Atlantic, the Patriots are in search of the next player who can continue to guide this program into the upper esceleon of State and National powers.

This year, there are 3 players who are competing to be the next Miramar Quarterback. Let’s meet the candidates (in alphabetical order) and look at their strengths and weaknesses:

#18 Gernald Hawkins, Sophomore, 5’10” 175lbs

Hawkins is the only returning player at this position. He’s already played some good games in Branca Stadium, both as the JV starter and the Varsity backup.

Strengths

• Prior knowledge of the system with his 2 years in this version of the Spread Offense.
• Very athletic, and can use his running ability as a weapon in the Read Option game
• Has been around the program, and understands the Patriot Way
• A proven winner, having led the JV team to a 11-1 record over the last 2 seasons, including their first undefeated season this past year.

Weaknesses

• Like Cam Hudge, less than prototypical size for the position
• Not very consistent throwing the ball
• Struggles to read the defense
• Tends to panic and run if first option is covered on a pass play

#12 Nick Jeanty, Sophomore, 6’2” 180lbs

Jeanty has starting experience from his time at Archbishop McCarthy, earning a reputation as one of the next great South Florida quarterbacks. No Miramar player has worn #12 since Geno Smith wore the Red, White, and Blue. That could change with Jeanty on campus.

Strengths

• Great height for the position. Looks the part.
• Good feel for the rush in the pocket. 
• Has a good on-field relationship with 2 receivers who will see lots of snaps (Kwasim West and Tyler Williams)
• Previous starting Varsity experience, so he understands what it takes to compete at the highest level
• Throws a beautiful ball up the sidelines

Weaknesses

• A bit on the thin side. Needs to add size to his frame
• New to this system, so he can be confused by his reads at times
• Not as accurate on intermediate and crossing routes as he is on sideline throws
• Not fleet afoot. Needs good protection to be effective

#14 Lee “Bud” Martin, Sophomore,  6’1” 210lbs

Another player with experience playing for a top program after being at St. Thomas for the last 2 years. He's the biggest of the players at this position, and uses his size well on the field.

Strengths

• Tough, Physical approach to the game from his days at Linebacker as a youth
• Very strong arm, can make all the throws in any offense
• Surprising overall athleticism. A good dual threat player, who runs with power when outside the pocket.
• Very upbeat demeanor. Seems to have connected with all of his teammates

Weaknesses

• Accuracy needs to improve  to take advantage of his arm strength in this offense
• Can be overly emotional on the field at times
• Tends to fall in love with chasing the big play, sometimes missing other more effective options
• Only player in competition for QB job who has never taken a Varsity level snap.

Handicapping the competition

As Spring Practice ends, and summer workouts begin, I don’t anticipate hearing anything official on a decision on this position from the coaching staff until the week of the Norland game in August.

The motivation for this is simple: push each player to work their hardest to improve, which will add depth and quality at this position, no matter who ends up winning the job heading into the season.

In my opinion, Nick Jeanty has the inside track for this job after a strong showing this spring. He has shown good accuracy, and is advancing in his knowledge of the system. Bud Martin would be my #2 right now. His arm strength and fiery demeanor lend themselves well to this team, and this offense. Gernald Hawkins is a nice player, but I just don’t think that he has the arm strength or consistency throwing the ball to make up for his lacking ideal size for a Quarterback.

Obviously, it’s early, and each player has a long time to develop their skills and prove to the coaches that they should be the next player at the controls of the potent Miramar offensive attack. 

Those are my thoughts. What are yours?

Until Next Time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Spring Game Recap

Spring football is a time for every team to work on fundamentals, install new intricacies to their offensive and defensive systems, and start the process of finding the players who will hopefully lead them to glory in the Fall.

For Miramar, the hard work that was done this spring culminated in the annual Red-Blue intrasquad scrimmage. In the end, the Blue Team beat the Red Squad 36-24. Let’s take a look at what happened:

Red Squad Recap

For the Red Squad, this game was a little uneven. The offense was all or nothing in the first half: 4 3-and-outs, and 1 touchdown. The offense just seemed to be slightly out of rhythm, which can partially be attributed to the enthusiastic defense of the Blue team.

On offense, the Red Squad running backs were the stars of the game. The 5 backs who saw time in the game all ran hard, displaying a wide array of skills. Juniors Alex Lee and Malik Mapps started finding space on the last drive of the first half, and should continue to play key roles into the fall. Sophomores  Trevon Rolle and Cameron Rigby showed good speed, balance, and vision to find open spaces in the defense. Lastly, Darrel Swanson ran very hard in his limited touches as he tried to catch the eye of the offensive coaches. His grit, toughness, and speed stood out in the last few possessions of the game.

The receivers played a decent game. Junior Khalil Webster led the team with 5 catches, and was a huge mismatch, using his 6’4” frame on seam and crossing routes all game long. Junior Sean Avant didn’t get too much work, but definitely made an impact with his limited opportunities. His leaping 40 yard touchdown late in the first half gave his team life, and showed why he’s considered one of the top receivers in Florida. Sophomores Tanares Robinson and Delano Whitehead showed their speed and athleticism, and Freshman Shelby Vertus showed very nice technique and potential in the second half of the game.

The offensive line had their struggles to start, but starting playing very well after a 2^nd Red Squad timeout. While this unit is still working to find the right combination, they have the size and toughness to once again be known as one of the top units in the state.

As with any team, the battle at Quarterback is the headline story. For even more info on this battle, check back later for a full breakdown. As far as the Spring Game is concerned, the Red team can only be mildly pleased with the play from this crucial position. Sophomore Gernald Hawkins started the game, and failed to move the team across midfield in the first 3 drives. After fellow Sophomore Lee “Bud” Martin came into the game, the offense started to have some life. His 40 yard touchdown pass to Sean Avant late in the first half was one of the highlights of the game, and displayed impressive arm strength.

On Defense, 3 players stood out to my eyes in the bell tower: Michael Shivers, Sanka Harris, and Deonta Fair. Shivers and Harris, both linebackers, played with speed and skill, and made life for the Blue team offense difficult. Both players ended the game with 5 tackles by my unofficial count, and will provide quality depth at this position. Fair, a Sophomore Safety, provided solid coverage in the secondary, and had one of the 2 interceptions in this game. His combination of size and speed will be a welcome sight in the secondary this upcoming season.

Blue Team recap

Coming into this game as the “underdogs” to the offensively loaded Red Squad, the Blue Team played with a chip on their shoulder, and came out fast and ended even faster to prove that they were the better team on Thursday night.

Starting with the defense, the front 7 provided constant pressure to the Red Squad offense, stuffing running lanes, and forcing quick decisions from the Quarterbacks. Sophomore DE Anthony Barrow showed a good motor, and impressive strength in his first game action since a knee injury at the end of his Freshman year. Juniors Darius Young and Jaquan Smith also had solid performances on the defensive line.

Linebackers Damarious Graham and Kaywon Davis, both Sophomores, played very well in the spring game. Both were terrors from sideline to sideline, and showed good technique when forced with containing a Red Squad skill player in the open field. Graham finished with 7 tackles, and Davis with 5. If this is a true preview to the production they will be able to provide this fall, the Darkside defense will once again be one of the best units in the State. Adding solid play to this group were Anton Whatley, Shawn Stephens, Alex Trotman, and Wenly Geffrard, who recorded an interception on the last play of the game to seal the win for the Blue Team.

In the secondary, Juniors Terrence Gaskin and Darren Wilcox played well, and will face the unenviable task of replacing Tracy Howard at cornerback. Freshman Tyrek [Ty-reek] Cole has good size (5’11” 170), and played a nice game on the outside and has a chance to earn significant playing time in the fall.

Moving to the offense, the skill position players worked as a complete unit to sprint out to an early lead, and then put the game away after the Red Squad tied it up late in the second half. Many different receivers had good games, including Sophomores Malcolm Anderson, Kwasim West, and Tyler Williams all showed great hands and above average speed. West was the leading receiver with 5 catches and 105 yards in the game, highlighted by a 46 yard touchdown grab to give the Blue Team an early lead.  Freshmen Keygon Dunnings and Khalil Lewis also had a nice outings in this game, each ending with 3 receptions on the night.

All was not well with the receivers, however. Sophomore Geonte Smith dropped 3 passes in the game, and did not seem comfortable at all. Smith, the younger brother of Miramar Alumni and West Virginia Quarterback Geno Smith, will need to improve his performance, or risk losing playing time to the other members of a stacked receiving corps.

The running backs played very well for the Blue Team. Sophomore Khalil Lewis (not to be confused with the Freshman receiver of the same name) played well, and Freshmen Jason Narcisse and Alex Anderson showed they will push hard for playing time among a group of 8 talented backs.

The Blue Team Quarterbacks did a great job of moving the offense and making big plays when they were available. Sophomore Nick Jeanty showed why he is such a highly touted player. Save for an overthrown interception, he was very accurate and made smart decisions with the football. His touchdown throw to Kwasim West up the right sideline was a thing of beauty, and could be something we seen often in the fall.

Freshman Malik Atkins had a nice game in the second half. He showed decent athleticism and a live arm, and could be a nice player down the road.

Injuries

While there were no injuries to players during the spring game, physical maladies did keep a couple players out of the game completely.

The biggest name on the team, Junior Linebacker Jermaine “Country” Grace, was held out of spring practice entirely after injuring his left hamstring at the Orlando Nike training camp back in March. Obviously, his presence was missed and his impact in the game would have been palpable. In the end, the coaches and training staff agreed that it is more important to get him healthy for an entire season.

Junior Defensive Back D’Kambui Greaves was also held out of the game due to a concussion suffered earlier in the spring. This 6’1” 200lb athlete has the potential to be an impact player in the secondary. I anticipate him turning heads and opening eyes as soon as fall practice starts.

In the end, both teams performed well, with both impressive plays and room for improvement. Many wondered where the production would come from after losing 38 players in the 2012 graduating class. The Red-Blue game was the first glimpse of the talent that is still on this team, and should have given all Patriot fans optimism as this team prepares for a tough and grueling schedule this season.

Be sure to check back on Memorial day for the QB Competition breakdown. It will be your full guide to knowing the players who are competing to be the starter, their strengths and weaknesses, and my thoughts on where the competition stands right now.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours?

Until Next Time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Signing Day Recap

The drama of Signing day is now behind us. Let's take a look at what all transpired:

Media outlets from all over the country came out to Miramar for our signing day ceremony. With no fewer than 10 TV cameras, and countless flip cams as well, each player got to experience signing day as the star of the show.

A short list of the media outlets in attendance today: ESPNU, Rivals.com, Scout.com, CBS 4, NBC 6, WSVN Channel 7, BECON television, The Associated Press, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald, Maxpreps.com, FLalligatoralley.com, and Canesport.com. And that's just off the top of my head.

All told, Miramar had 14 players sign college scholarships, with 3 more players letting us know where they would be continuing their academic pursuits. Here's the list:

Athletic Scholarship Athletes

1. Safety Kiwan Cottle - Northwood University
2. Defensive End/Linebacker Michael Fleurinvil - Northwood University
3. Offensive Lineman Daniel Lennon - Florida A&M University
4. Wide Receiver Reginald Lennon - Florida A&M University
5. Running Back D'Vontis Arnold - West Virginia University
6. Wide Receiver Devonte Mathis - West Virginia University
7. Quarterback Camren Hudge - University of Delaware
8. Defensive Tackle Willie Paisley - Southern University
9. Linebacker Brian Williams - Georgia State University
10. Defensive End/Linebacker Trevon Coley - Florida Atlantic University
11. Offensive Lineman Kevin Gonzalez - Howard University
12. Offensive Lineman Clevonne Davis - North Carolina Central University
13. Wide Receiver Malcolm Lewis - University of Miami
14. Cornerback Tracy Howard - University of Miami

Academic Committments

1. Kazir Tyson - Nova Southeastern University
2. Marquel Jones - University of Central Florida
3. Trey Cogdello - Morehouse College

In addition to the above listed student-athletes, 12 more Patriots participated in the signing day ceremony, and informed the crowd that they were undecided in their selection process. 

The most obvious of these were players I spoke about in the Signing Day Primer, part 1: Marrell Jackson and Mark Rucker. Jackson, who visited UCLA last weekend, will take official visits to Hawai'i and Kentucky in upcoming weeks. Rucker, whose recruiting struggles were detailed in the Sun-Sentinel a week ago, is still sending highlight tapes, and anxiously awaiting an offer. 

The big story, before the BIG STORY, was that several players either flipped commitments, or went from undecided to selecting a school. D'Vontis Arnold, who as recently as Sunday was headed to Bethune Cookman, got his offer from West Virginia on Tuesday morning, and flipped his commitment then. Trevon Coley, who was undecided as of Monday when I wrote the first recruiting article, got his offer from Florida Atlantic late Monday night, and committed on the spot.

And then, there was Tracy Howard. 

The media was out in full force to chronicle his every move, hanging on his every word, waiting for him to make known his college destination. When Geno Smith and Ivan McCartney made their decisions, there was coverage, and media members were present. But the circus surrounding Tracy Howard's announcement was something never before seen at Miramar High School.

In the end, after waiting at the podium for nearly 5 minutes for ESPNU to begin their live broadcast, Tracy Howard answered questions from Dari Nowkah, and then said the words that would delight one fan base, and disappoint another:

I will be spending the next 3 to 4 years furthering my education, and my athletic abilities, at the University of Miami!

A surprise for some, but not to me. As I said in yesterday's Tracy Howard Extravaganza, I thought he would end up choosing UM, and my prediction came true shortly after 10:00AM today.

Signing Day 2012 was a fantastic day for the players, their families, the Miramar Football team, and most of all, for all Miramar Patriots.

It was an absolutely electric environment, and all in attendance (or watching on ESPNU) were treated to a first class event.

The players must move on and prove themselves at the next level.

If their high school careers are any indication, that shouldn't be a problem.


Until Next Time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Signing Day Primer, Part 2: the Tracy Howard Extravaganza

And now, for the article I know you have been anxiously waiting for: the Tracy Howard Extravaganza. In this article, I’m going to look at 3 things: 

1. Tracy Howard, the Player, 
2. Tracy’s 3 finalists, 
3. Predicting his choice.
    

So, let's get to it.

Part 1: Tracy Howard, the player

Tracy Howard is a dynamic player, who has the ability to impact games in a number of areas. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Measurables

Howard is your prototypical cornerback from a physical standpoint. He is solidly built at 5’11’’ and 180 pounds. Having been in the weight room with the team for most of the summer, I saw the hours that Howard (along with friends Malcolm Lewis and Marrell Jackson) put in to add size and strength.

Howard has added about 15 pounds of muscle in the last year, while not losing any of his lateral quickness, or straight line speed. He has very good quickness, and average straight line speed. He is a little top heavy, and could stand to add some weight in his lower body.

Howard’s physicality lets him get a good jam on receivers on the line, but larger players (tight ends, bigger power backs) hold the advantage against him when it comes to holding the point of attack or moving upfield.

Run Support/Tackling

Howard is a willing and capable tackler in run support, and open field situations. He was credited with more than 50 tackles this past season, most of which came against the run. He may not be the most physically imposing hitter, but he usually succeeds in getting the ball carrier to the ground.

Howard has a tendency to tackle low, and could be susceptible to missed tackles against top level juke and hurdle moves at the next level.

Blitzing

While Howard was rarely deployed in this fashion, he seemed to have a knack for it. It’s unusual for Corners to blitz, but they will do it from time to time. With the success of players such as Tyrann Mathieu (the Honey Badger) at LSU and Pompano Beach Ely alumni Patrick Peterson with the Arizona Cardinals, Howard may see an increase in the amount of time he is asked to blitz from the edge.

Howard’s timing on blitzes could be better, and it would improve with more reps in this area. This is one of the many ways Howard can impact games, but this is not his strong suit.

Coverage

While run support and blitzing may not be Tracy Howard’s strong suit, coverage most definitely is. Howard uses immaculate technique, good strength, and great instincts to virtually eliminate whichever receiver he is covering.

Howard’s cover skills have been on display since his sophomore year, when he emerged as a starter on the eventual State Champion Patriots. Working opposite a slew of eventual FBS (Division 1 for most of you) receivers Malcolm Lewis, Ivan McCartney, Stedman Bailey, Terrance Gourdine, and Dante Chambers in practice tested Howard’s mettle, and also made him work harder to refine his technique.

In man-to-man situations, Howard uses his strength to jam receivers on the line, and redirect them from their intended routes. He rarely allows for separation, and will challenge any throw that comes his way. Howard ended the season with 10 interceptions, the vast majority of which came in man-to-man coverage situations.

In zone situations, Howard uses good instincts to read route combinations, and is always aware to keep receivers in front of him. Obviously as a cornerback, Howard is one of the last lines of defense for his team. He takes great care to ensure that receivers do not get behind him in position to exploit the scheme in place.

Tracy has great ball skills from his days as a receiver. He was so good at receiver that I openly questioned the decision to put him at cornerback when he moved up to Varsity for his sophomore year. It’s amazing how wrong I was about that one!

Regardless of the situation (man or zone), Howard has incredible instincts, and breaks on the ball in the air very well. Howard doesn’t take too many chances going for interceptions, but when he does, he is successful more often than not. Additionally, Howard has average to slightly above average speed for his position, which allows him to remain in close range of all but the fastest receivers.

For those still unsure of Howard’s prowess in coverage, I will leave you with the most telling statistic I could possibly offer: in the course of a 15 game season, depending on whose statistics you rely on, opposing offenses completed between 6 and 9 passes to receivers covered by Howard all season. Contrast that against the 10 interceptions he came away with, and Howard actually caught more passes than the receivers he was charged with covering.

It is production like that which has made Tracy Howard the number 1 cornerback prospect in the country.  

Part 2: Evaluating his 3 finalists

Starting as soon as he was eligible (the first day of school of his Junior year), Tracy Howard started getting scholarship offers from just about every school in the country. I once joked that “every school whose coach is currently breathing has offered Tracy a scholarship.” While that may have been slight exaggeration for the purposes of comedic effect, it wasn’t far off from the truth.

Tracy has received mail from more than 80 schools, and scholarship offers from more than 30, according to numerous recruiting sites. With all of that attention, it’s no wonder that it has taken him to this point, the day before Signing Day, to narrow down his many options.

And now that he has done so, let’s look at his 3 finalists, in alphabetical order:

Florida State University

The Seminoles have a long tradition of excellence at the Cornerback position. Starting with Hall of Famer Deion Sanders (aka Primetime), and also including Terrell Buckley, Bryant McFadden, and Greg Reid, the Seminoles have a long and storied tradition of excellence in the defensive secondary. They have played in 3 National Championship games in the last 15 years, and are consistently a threat to put together a Championship Worthy season. With more than 15 starters returning next season, the Noles look to maintain their momentum, and remind us all of the days when Bobby Bowden’s boys were the baddest team around.

Pros

• History of excellence at Cornerback
• Veteran team that should challenge for the ACC Championship
• Best returning team among his finalists
• Great coaching from both position coach and defensive coordinator
• Coach Stoops has molded some of the best NFL talent ever, including Ed Reed, Sean Taylor, Antrel Rolle, and others while at UM in the early part of the 2000s, and Greg Reid and Lamarcus Joyner in his time at FSU
• Dynamic defensive system that allows players to play to their strengths

Cons

• Party atmosphere in Tallahassee (which Tracy noted in an interview with Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald)
• Furthest school from South Florida
• Might only contribute sparingly as a freshman
• Seem to have fallen behind over the course of the past month

University of Florida

The Gators have had incredible success in the past 15 years. With 3 National Championships, there are few schools that can claim their level of success. UF has also been a top talent producer, having put many players into the NFL. Their history at the cornerback position is strong, but not as impressive as FSU’s. Joe Haden (Browns) is probably the best corner they have produced in the last decade (unless you want to count Janoris Jenkins, whose story is yet to be completed).

Pros

• Very advantageous depth chart
• Plays in the premier league for College Football: the SEC
• Great coaching at all levels of the team (Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Position Coach)
• Would DEFINITELY play as a freshman
• Pro style defense translates well to the next level

Cons

• Only mild success in Coach Muschamp’s first year. Could be a trend that continues
• Coaches seem to leave UF often, and that instability could affect Howard’s decision
• Only a few South Florida players on the team

University of Miami

Few schools, if any, can match the Hurricanes when it comes to putting players in the league. This past season, 26 out of 32 NFL teams had a Miami Hurricane player on their roster. While the group of Canes in the  NFL is notably missing one position (Quarterback), it is heavy on guys who starred on Defense while in Coral Gables. Ed Reed. Antrel Rolle. Kenny Phillips. Ray Lewis. DJ Williams. Jonathan Vilma. Philip Buchanan. Mike Rumph. The late Sean Taylor. All these players were first round draft picks, evidence of the tradition of excellence that the Hurricanes have established.

Pros

• Closest school to home (SunLife stadium is only 3 square miles from Miramar High School)
• Very advantageous depth chart (only 2 scholarship cornerbacks on the roster at the time this article is being written)
• Rising star in the coaching profession in Al Golden
• Lots of South Florida players on the roster, including Randy “Duke” Johnson (Norland), Deon Bush (Columbus), and Malcolm Lewis (Miramar), all of whom are close friends with Howard.
• Long tradition of Hurricanes excelling in the NFL.

Cons

• Looming sanctions for NCAA violations in the Nevin Shapiro case
• Mediocre performance in an average league since joining the ACC
• Has never appeared in ACC Championship Game
• Last season of National Prominence was 2009
• Coral Gables could be too close to home

Part 3: Signing Day Prediction

There have been many articles written about Tracy Howard and his recruitment. Here are a couple for your perusal:

• Tracy Howard giving hometown Canes a shot by Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald
• Nation's Top Cornerback talks recruiting by Derek Tyson of ESPN's GatorNation
• Tracy Howard staying in Florida by Bud Elliot of SBNation.com
• U.S. Army All-American Tracy Howard remains humble by William Wilkerson of ESPN's Recruiting Nation
• Tracy Howard leaves Twitter to Mom by Derek Tyson

In a previous article on this very blog (Ask Me Anything, #2) I said that Tracy would choose between 2 schools. I was right about that part. I was wrong about the schools he would choose from.

In that article, I said it would come down to Florida and Florida State, for a variety of reasons. I also said that there was a chance that Miami could creep up into the discussion. As it happened, Miami has entered into the discussion, and Florida State appears to have dropped out.

In my mind, Tracy's Signing Day decision comes down to 2 schools: The University of Florida and the University of Miami.

I have debated this prediction in my head for the last week. Obviously, when picking one side, the other will feel slighted. That's just part of the prediction business.

Florida has shown a lot of attention to Tracy from day 1. They sent coaches to at least 6 games and more than 10 practices this past season, for the sole purpose of trying to get Howard to Gainesville. He has been one of their top priorities, and their dedication in his recruitment shows that.

The Gators even went so far as to send 4 coaches to the 8A State Championship game for the sole purpose of recruiting Howard. The coaches sat with his mother in the stands, and were treated to a typical Tracy Howard performance: 4 tackles, 1 pass broken up, 1 interception. It was the type of performance we have seen many times over the last 3 years, and solidified to the Gators that they were chasing after the right player for their team.

Miami has taken a very different approach to recruiting Howard. They were one of the first schools to offer him, but then they seemed to play it slow, not coming to games or practices as often as other schools, like UF and FSU. It wasn't until recently, within the last month, that the Canes have turned up the heat on Howard, calling and visiting him as frequently as the rules would allow.

Adding into the recruiting process for the Hurricanes are 3 of Howard's close friends: Deon Bush, Duke Johnson, and Malcolm Lewis. All three of these players are committed to UM, and are trying their hardest to get their good friend Tracy Howard to join them.

Howard and Lewis are best friends, and can routinely be found together walking the halls of Miramar High School. Having spoken to the pair together, it is clear that Malcolm is doing his best Bobby Bowden/Nick Saban/(insert awesome recruiter here) impression to try and get Tracy to join him on campus down in Coral Gables.

With all of that being considered, I have no doubt that Tracy will be successful regardless of his chosen destination. He has a singular focus on excellence, and his work ethic is among the best that I have ever seen.

So now we come to the question at hand: where do I think Tracy Howard will sign?

My head has been saying Florida for a long time. But...there's just this feeling in my gut that UM has played this perfectly. I can't pinpoint where my gut feeling is coming from, but I've had enough conversations with people, and seen enough circumstantial evidence to go with my gut.

There's nothing left for me to do but actually say it.

Tracy Howard will be signing with the Miami Hurricanes.

Want to find out for yourself? Be sure to tune in to ESPNU's Signing Day coverage, which will be broadcasting Tracy's announcement live at 9:50AM.

So tune in and see for yourself.

The Tracy Howard Extravaganza article has come to an end. The real-life media circus is just beginning.


Until Next Time,


Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports