Ask Me Anything Volume 2, Number 2

Another week, another edition of Ask Me Anything. Without any further ado, let's get it poppin'.

Q: Who is the next star coming from Miramar to WVU? – From Logan @LQMcDonald

Miramar Sports (MS): This is tough, because recruiting is based upon the roster needs of the University more than the availability of talent. That being said, I think the main candidates are offensive players. Here's a short list for you:

1. Junior WR Kwasim West - A smooth tactician on the field, he wears #3 for Miramar just like Stedman Bailey used to. I could see him following the path of many former Miramar Stars up to Morgantown.
2. Senior OL Mike Miranda - Has the size and technique to be a productive player on the offensive line. Under the radar prospect has the interest of a few schools, but no big time offers yet. That will change, believe me.
3. Senior WR Sean Avant - I'm not going to list all the players who have chosen to go to Morgantown recently (you can find that information in my Eersnation.com feature), but Avant would be a good addition.
4. Junior RB Cameron Rigby - Big time talent in the same mold of Andrew Buie and Dustin Garrison. An elite playmaker in the open field. Would be lethal in Dana Holgorsen's Air Raid Spread Offense as both a receiver and runner.

Q: Who is likely to be the starting running back this season? – From Nicole @Sweetchoc85

MS: Senior Alex Lee is going to start. That much we know. 

However, there are no less than 6 players who will all see time in the backfield this season. The coaching staff has a real challenge to find time for all these talented players, while also putting them in situations to be successful, as each player has unique talents.

Who are all 6 of these players? You'll have to wait until the game preview article on Thursday for that information.

Q: Who is going to fill the void left by Tracy Howard at Cornerback? – From Nicole @Sweetchoc85

MS: Look at Nicole asking 2 questions about positions and neither one was about Wide Receiver. This is a record!

Anyway, there are 4 players who will contribute at Corner this season. 2 Seniors and 2 Sophomores. They are:

1. Senior Darren Wilcox - A shorter player a 5'9", he has very good skills and decent speed.
2. Senior Terrence Gaskin - Also 5'9", Gaskin likes to be a bit more physical than Wilcox.
3. Sophomore Jeffery Hill - ALSO 5'9", Hill led the JV team with 6 interceptions as a freshman, and has shown elite coverage abilities already. Could work his way into the starting lineup before the end of the year.
4. Sophomore Tyrek Cole - Pronounced Ty-reke, Cole stands 5'11", and has been called "the next Tracy Howard" by his coaches and teammates. Has the most potential out of this group, and could very well find himself starting before too long.

Q: Do you feel the team is physically ready for their first game? – From Nicole @Sweetchoc85

MS: This summer, I dedicated myself to improving my physical fitness. To do that, I went to Xtreme Competition Fitness to train with Miramar Strength and Conditioning coach Gary Sanchez. While I was getting back in shape, I saw some Miramar players come by the gym and do the same.

When I say that I saw some amazing physical feats, I mean it. I talked with Coach G, and he had very positive comments about the overall physical progression of the players. 

"This team is MORE athletic than last year. No question" Sanchez said. "We have a lot of guys who have gotten bigger, faster, and stronger. Almost every player set a personal record in at least 6 different training activities this summer. I'm not coaching a position anymore, so all I have to worry about is the condition of these players. And trust me, they're in top physical condition."

I think that's a pretty good answer, if you ask me (which you already did).

Q: How’s the Offensive Line looking?  - From Nicole @Sweetchoc85

MS: The O-Line is looking really good. Still have room for improvement, but the early returns are very promising. 

This group won the Lineman challenge at 2 different 7-on-7s this summer, and will look to be the foundation for an explosive offensive attack this season. Should be one of the strongest parts of our team.

Q: Last year in Ask Me Anything, you talked about players who played multiple sports. What’s that list looking like this year? – From George @Sportsnut_

MS: There are a couple of multiple sport athletes on the team this year. 

Javonte Forbes was tired of college recruiters asking him what position he played, only to tell them he only played Basketball, so this season he joins the team as a Defensive End. He'll also be one of the Starting Forwards on the Basketball team as he heads into his 3rd season on Varsity.

There are a LOT of guys who also compete on the Track and Field team, including Alex Lee, Khalil Lewis, Khalil Lewis (yes, there are 2 of them), Sean Avant, Jermaine Grace, and D'Kambui Greaves.

Sanka Harris and Darius Young are members of the Wrestling team when not on the gridiron.

And there's probably more. But, suffice it to say that we have a lot of multi-talented athletes here at Miramar.

Q: What position do you think will be the strongest overall for the Football team? – From George @Sportsnut_

MS: I think there are 2 positions that will be the strongest.

1. Wide Receivers - there are 13 players who will see time this season. When you run 4 and 5 wide as we are apt to do, this is an advantage. I've said that if I were the Offensive Coordinator any player who runs a deep route (post, seam, or fly) would come immediately off of the field in favor of a replacement. Having all fresh receivers on each play, and those receivers having the skill level that is present in this group, will give the offense an advantage throughout this season.
2. Running Backs - Again, 6 high level players will see the field at this position this season. The battle for playing time is fierce, and that can only happen when all the players have the talent to produce on the field. Defenses are going to HATE our running game this year. Mark my words.

Q: What are your expectations for the Football team this year? – From Scotty @Scotty_VansMan

MS: I always have high expectations. Coach Cogdell and the coaching staff have proven that they are able to produce amazing talent, and guide them to victory more often than not.

The Patriots have a 85% winning percentage in the last 3 years (starting with the 2009 State Championship season).  While "the experts" may think that Miramar will have a down season (I've heard 7-5 mentioned as a possible record), I think that reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated (shouts out to Mark Twain for that one). 

In short, I expect AT LEAST 8 wins in the regular season, and a deep run in the playoffs. Or, exactly what we've done in each of the last 5 seasons.

Q: Who has the tougher road back to the State Championship game: Miramar or Plant? – From Bo @BoPuckett

MS: This is the most interesting question I think I've ever gotten in Ask Me Anything. Let me set the stage before I answer.

Bo Puckett is the Defensive Backs coach at Tampa Plant. He started following me during the playoffs last year, and we had some...ahem...heated debates. So, to get a question from the enemy is an interesting proposition for me. I've had it before (a few Cypress Bay fans chimed in last year), but this one is kind of different.

Anyways, I think that Miramar has a slightly tougher road back to Orlando. I say that for these reasons: 

1. Plant returns more of their offensive core. Led by OL Richy Klepal and RB Wesley Bullock, the Panthers have much more returning experience on this side of the ball.
2. The Darkside defense lost 10 starters from last season. That's everybody not named Jermaine Grace. The losses of Tracy Howard, Marrell Jackson, Mark Rucker, Trevon Coley, and Willie Paisley are huge, and the team needs to find which group of players will replace all the experience that is now scattered across college campuses all over the Southeastern United States.
3. I'm going to address the pink elephant in the room: South Florida football is better than Tampa Area football OVERALL. I know, Plant won last year. So did Armwood. Well...not according to the FHSAA. But, my point is there is more of a chance that a Cypress Bay or Columbus or Southridge will pop up and have a championship level season than any Tampa area team will do the same at the 8A classification.

So, who has the tougher road back? Miramar does.

You had questions. I gave you answers.

But, those are just my thoughts.

What are yours?

Until Next Time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports