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

Ask Me Anything Volume 2, Number 1

After a long and relaxing summer vacation, we're back to business here at the Miramar Sports Blog. I've been active on twitter, and posted a couple articles, but now, we're cranking back up to full-time Miramar Sports news. 

And, in that vein, here's the first article of the school year: Ask Me Anything, the Miramar Sports mailbag. Here we go:

Q: Who is going to be the Starting QB? –  From Kennetha @_HeadVsHeart_

Miramar Sports (MS): As I said in the QB Competition breakdown from the spring, Nick Jeanty looks like the frontrunner for the position. Through the first week of fall practice, I still have him in the lead to be the starter. (Note: Bud Martin is no longer a Miramar Patriot. He transferred to Dillard early this summer)

Both Jeanty and Gernald Hawkins have had their ups and downs, but overall, I just like the way the offense looks better with Jeanty out there, so I’m sticking with him as my pick.

Q: Who is the breakout Patriot that nobody is talking about? – From Shawn @ShawnFace

MS: I asked this same question to Jermaine Grace, Alex Lee and Mike Miranda for the Captains Corner feature (which debuts on Tuesday). I won’t give you any of the players the captains mentioned. You’ll have to read their article for that. But, here are 3 players that have stood out to me through the first week of fall practice:

• Junior Running Back Cameron Rigby – Apart from having the best name on the team, Rigby has been an absolute terror on the field. His playmaking ability has shown itself repeatedly in both the 1-on-1’s and 7-on-7 segments of practice. He will definitely be contributing heavily on offense this year, as well as on special teams as a punt returner.
• Junior Wide Receiver Tyler Williams – Williams burst onto the scene last year with his touchdown catch against Palm Beach Gardens in the Regional Semi-Final. He has used that day as the starting point to a great summer, and wonderful first week of practice. During every practice segment you can see Williams making plays. His all-around technique is very good, and his speed makes him a challenge for the defense on every snap.
• Sophomore Cornerback Jeffery Hill – One half of the super sophomore corner combo with Tyrek Cole, Hill has consistently played solid defense in practice. He had a pick-6 on the 2^nd throw of the fall in 7-on-7, and has displayed very good technique. Obviously, being able to watch Tracy Howard hone his craft last year has helped Hill, and he looks primed to be a solid player this season.

Q: What is the biggest overall challenge for this year’s team? – From Adam @Akosnitzky

MS: Easy: youth. Having only 5 returning starters on this year’s team means that there are a lot of players who will need to step into larger roles for the Patriots to maintain the level of success that we have had over the past 5 seasons. It’s never easy when you rely heavily on sophomores and juniors, and harnessing that young talent is a challenge the coaches will have to face throughout this season.

Q: Who is the one team you wish was on the schedule this year that’s not? – From George @Sportsnut_

MS: I’ll do you better. Here's my top 3 "I wish they were on the schedule" games:

1. The University School. Everybody is talking about how good they are, and I would like to see what we could do against them.
2. Miami Central. The only time we’ve played them in school history, the State Semi-Final in 2009, was an epic game. Central is loaded once again, has 2 All-American level Running Backs, and I’m sure they would relish the chance to avenge that loss. That would be a great game, and I wish it were real, instead of a fantasy in my mind.
3. Miami Booker T. Washington. Everybody says they're the best team around. I feel that Miramar is the best team around. Let's settle this on the field, and not in a message board.

Q: What game are you looking forward to OTHER THAN Bradenton Manatee, St. Thomas, and Cypress Bay? – From George @Sportsnut_

MS: Outside of “the big 3” games of the year, I’m very anxious to play Everglades. I’ve heard the whispers that they have been talking noise about beating the Patriots for the first time in 6 years, and win the district as well. This neighborhood rivalry has been very heated over the last few seasons, and I don’t see that changing this year.

Q: Who is going to step up and be the all-star #1 Wide Receiver? – From Nicole @Sweetchoc85

MS: I can always count on Nicole to ask me about the Receivers.

There is no easy answer, since we have 12 players who will see time at receiver this year. During practice, the offense subs them out in groups of 4, so there is a lot of talent at this position.

The easy answer is Sean Avant. He’s the leading returning receiver, was a starter on last year’s State Runner-up team, and figures to have a big season as a senior. But, since I don’t like easy answers, I’ll look another way.

My pick for the #1 receiver this year is Junior Kwasim West. He’s tall and thin, but runs great routes, has good hands, and above average speed. He will probably see his role increase dramatically from last year, and could emerge as the top target for whoever wins the job as starting Quarterback.

Q: Do you think  West Virginia will win the Big12 in their first year in the conference? – From WVNation @WVNation

MS: I think they have a great chance to be special. The offense will obviously have to carry them, and with Geno Smith, Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, and Ivan McCartney, that shouldn’t be a problem. The defense is one of the stronger units in the conference as well, so I think the Mountaineers have a good chance to make some noise.

You should respect every team on the schedule. That being said, to me, they have 2 big challenges on the schedule:

1. The first challenge is the back-to-back trips to Texas in October to play Texas and Texas Tech. Those are longer trips, and that travel could play a role in the team not being fully in sync at gametime.
2. The second challenge is a late season trip to Iowa State. The Cyclones are a decent team who obviously gets hype for big games. They ended Oklahoma State’s run to the BCS Championship game last year, and would love nothing more than to do the same thing to a highly ranked West Virginia team this year.

Q: Based off their performances at MHS, how would you rank the past QBs: Cam Hudge, Ryan Williams, and Geno Smith? – From George @Sportsnut_

MS: Ok, here goes:

• Geno Smith – Took the Patriots from being good to great. Had a State Championship season ruined in 2007 after a questionable brawl vs Flanagan. He did things I’d never seen before from a HS player.  He was 2 time first team All-State, a Parade magazine All-American, Elite 11 MVP, took Miramar to our first State Semi-Final, and set the stage for our continued success. He has to be #1 on the list. 

Here’s a story for you:
In the middle of the 2008 season, Coach Cogdell held a 6am practice on Thursday before the Piper game. A few players were late and were suspended for the first half of the game, including Geno and Stedman Bailey. On the first play of the second half, Geno and Stedman checked to a double move (pump and go), and hooked up for a 76 yard touchdown. As soon as he threw the ball, Geno started walking off the field with his arms up in the typical “make some noise” stance. When I saw that, I knew he was a special player.

• Ryan Williams – His only season at Miramar started slowly but ended in fine fashion. Struggles vs. Monsignor Pace in the opener were repeated mid-season vs. St. Thomas Aquinas. But, apart from those 2 games, he progressed every week of the year. His performance in the playoffs was outstanding. He beat Miami Central with a 56 yard bomb to then-sophomore Malcolm Lewis, and shattered records in the State Championship game vs. DeLand. Many people say he finished the job that Geno started, but I look at his accomplishments on their own. If he had another year as a Patriot, he could have been #1 on this list. Still, 2nd behind Geno Smith isn't too shabby.
• Cam Hudge – He played on Varsity for 4 years, backing up the other 2 players on this list as a Freshman and Sophomore, respectively. Hudge saw some game action, and showed plenty of promise, including a huge arm in his 5’9” frame. Hudge added a running threat that neither Smith nor Williams had. Hudge led the team to the second State Championship game in school history, and, while that game ended in a loss, his impact over his 2 years as starter cannot be understated.

As a bonus, here's a video of that famous Williams to Lewis play from 2009. (And yes, it's called Patriot Missile. So fitting.)

Q: Favorite Miramar athletic memory BESIDES winning the 2009 6A State Championship in football? – From George @Sportsnut_

MS: Funny story: I wasn’t at the 2009 State Championship game. A close friend of mine got married that day, and I was a groomsman in his wedding. So, my connection to that day is not the same as most other Patriots’.

Anyways, my favorite Miramar Sports memory would have to be beating St. Thomas Aquinas in football last year. We’ve had some good games against them (although the final score might not indicate it), and I really felt that we had a great chance to dethrone the Raiders as the kings of Broward County. After some, ahem, QUESTIONABLE calls let St. Thomas hang around, coming through with that blocked field goal, then goal line stand to win the game, and give us the first win against St. Thomas in forever, the elation of running around the field victorious was absolutely amazing.

Since this is my article, I’ll add another one: Beating Central to get to the 2009 State Championship game. I won’t wax poetic about this one. But if you were there, you know the emotion that was in that stadium that night. Powerful stuff, man.

Q: Early prediction on where Jermaine Grace will play his college football? – From almost everybody who I’ve spoken to since last signing day

Before I answer this one, let me give you a disclaimer: The following response represents MY OWN INDIVIDUAL THOUGHTS. Now that that’s out of the way…

I think the University of Miami is the clear leader at this point. The coaches would like to see Country add more size to his frame, but I don’t think they will risk missing out on his completely. Apart from that, he lists Tennessee as a finalist, and notes that Florida State has been in heavy contact with him.

In the end, my feeling is this is Miami’s race to lose. For a bit more on Jermaine’s recruiting, check out an interview I did for CanesInSight.com last week. The link is here: http://canesinsight.com/content.php?412-Jermaine-Grace-talks-Recruiting

That's it for this edition of Ask Me Anything. Welcome back, Patriots.

Until Next Time,


Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Ask Me Anything Volume 1, Number 2

Ok folks, it’s time for the latest installment of Ask Me Anything. So, without further ado, let’s get to your questions:

Q: Where do you think Tracy Howard is going to go to college? – from Nicole @Sweetchoc85

Miramar Sports (MS): Before I answer this one, let me give you a disclaimer: The following response represents MY OWN INDIVIDUAL THOUGHTS. I have not talked with Tracy about his recruiting. I have not talked with his mother or father about his recruiting. I have not spoken to ANYONE about his recruiting. These are MY thoughts, that I have come up with based upon my own PERSONAL PERCEPTION. They are only that, and nothing more.

Whew.
Ok.

Woo-sah.

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s my answer: I personally think that the decision will come down to Florida and Florida State. Both schools have a long history of putting DBs in the league, and have been recruiting Tracy the hardest. They’ve been at the most games and practices that I have seen. They have sent multiple coaches, even coaches who coach OFFENSIVE POSITIONS to make it clear how important he is to each school’s incoming class. For me, I see him staying in-state, over leaving the State for LSU, Alabama, or USC.

Now, COULD HE go to one of those other schools, or Miami (his other finalist)? Sure. Of course he could. Howard has offers from every team in the country with a coach who breathes air. But, in my own PERSONAL estimation, I think it comes down to Florida and Florida State.

Q: Do you feel that Malcolm Lewis should be the first option on a pass play? Why or Why not? – From @sweetchoc85

MS: No, I don’t think he should always be the first option. We are blessed at Miramar to have a wealth of talented athletes at Wide Receiver who can impact the game and make plays. Devonte Mathis, Sean Avant, Charleston Jenkins, Reggie Lennon, Tanares Robinson, Delano Whitehead, Kwasim West, and Geno Smith (the brother) are all top level players, and each of them brings superior talent to the offense.

With all of those options, including the top 4 who will most likely get Division 1 scholarships, I can’t say that Lewis should always be the first option on a pass play. He is an amazing talent, runs great routes, has good hands, and is lightning in a bottle, and goes from 0 to top speed in 3 steps. His talent is so great that he can make plays even if he isn’t the primary option on a play. Additionally, but spreading the ball to all of the playmakers we have on the team, it gives those other players more confidence (which can only help them play even better) and also gives the defense many more things to concentrate on. Since defenses cannot focus solely on Lewis, he should be (and has been) able to do more with the touches that he does get during a game.

Q: Do you think Sean Avant is underrated? – from @sweetchoc85

MS: Yes.

He might not be the fastest receiver on the team (coaches and players call him “4-7” for his mediocre 40 yard dash time), he runs incredibly crisp routes, creates separation from his defender, and catches just about everything thrown his way. When he’s gotten opportunities, he’s made plays all year long (see: his big game against St. Thomas Aquinas). He’s got good size, and has the heart to go over the middle. He is a polished player, and would definitely have more star quality if not for Lewis and Mathis being on the same team.

Q: Will the band again play quietly when the opponent is in the huddle then blare music when they are ready to snap the ball? – from Adam @akosnitzky

MS: The unwritten rule in Broward County is that the Band for any school can freely play when their team is on defense. This has been followed by all bands and their directors for years. Every school is different, and plays their music in the manner that their director sees fit. That being said, I do not foresee the Band changing anything about their performance during games.

Q: Do you think star recruits get favorable calls? – from @akosnitzky

MS: No, I don’t. Officials do their best to fairly officiate every game that is played. Now, I have personally said that I disagree with calls many times over the course of this year, and my life. But, I don’t believe that any particular player gets a free pass from the referees. Some players are just really good at the game, and have learned how NOT to commit a foul or infraction. *Kanye Shrug*

Q: Palm Beach Gardens has 1 receiver [Frank Brown]. What will Miramar do if and when they see Columbus or Southridge, who both have multiple weapons in the passing game? – from @akosnitzky

MS: The Darkside defense is the best in the State. There are star players at every level of the defense (line, linebacker, and secondary), and these players are well prepared to handle any offensive attack that they face. I believe they will welcome the challenge that a team with multiple receiving threats would present, and do their best to showcase that Tracy Howard isn’t the only player who can lock down his receiver and make plays when faced with a potent passing game.

Quick unofficial tally: Marrell Jackson has 12 interceptions, Tracy Howard has 7, Anthony Hamilton has 3, Denzel Trowers and Terrell Hill each have 1. That’s 24 interceptions from the defensive backs ALONE. Add in Jermaine Grace’s 4 interceptions and Mark Rucker’s 2 interceptions, and Kameron Capers’ 2 interceptions from the linebacker position, and that’s 33 interceptions on the year.

Let me say that again: 33 interceptions on the year.

I believe we’ll be ready for a passing attack.

Q: Malcolm Lewis and Tracy Howard get the most attention on the team. Which area do you feel is being ignored and deserves some love? – from @akosnitzky

MS: There are a couple groups I think are due for a bit more attention: the big guys in the trenches, offensive and defensive lines, and the linebackers. The offensive line, Seniors Gerald Toussaint, Daniel Lennon, Clevonne Davis, Kevin Gonzalez, and junior Mike Miranda, is really playing amazing football. They allow the time and space needed for the skill position players to flourish, and that is a luxury that most teams do not have.

The defensive line got some love from me in my Game Recap article after the South Plantation game. They have about 11 players who rotate into the game, and all of them are capable of making plays. Having Trevon Coley and Willie Paisley occupying a lot of attention from the opposing offense has allowed other players to impact games, and they are definitely working under the radar as far as attention is concerned.

The Linebackers are the last group who should get more attention than they do. Jermaine Grace is a superstar, but has only recently gotten media attention. Kameron Capers, Mark Rucker, and Brian Williams have all made big plays this season, and routinely disrupt the offense. They play a multifaceted game, equally playing in run support and pass coverage. Their contributions cannot be understated.

Q: With Tracy Howard getting so much attention, what can you tell us about the other DBs on the team? – from @akosnitzky

Here goes:

• #10 Marrell Jackson – 6’2’’ Senior Free Safety. Leads all of South Florida with 12 interceptions on the year. Has made big plays all season long, and is a leader in the secondary. His size allows him to be a physical presence in the middle of the field, and his ball skills allow him to catch interceptions that lesser players might otherwise drop. A bit weak in man to man coverage situations, but he can improve on that skill over time. Very under the radar as a college prospect, and whatever team signs him will have gotten a steal on a great player.
• #33 Anthony Hamilton – 5’11’ Senior Strong Safety/Nickel Back. Hamilton is one of the stronger defensive backs that you’ll find. He can overpower most receivers, and uses his physicality to his advantage. Missed time with a dislocated elbow after the Northeast game, and is just coming back to play at his full potential. Strong in run support and a sure tackler.
• #19 Denzel Trowers – 5’9’’ Senior Cornerback. Rotates freely with Terrell Hill. Very quick player. Pretty good in coverage, but can get beat deep at times. A capable tackler, but that’s not his strong suit. Can suffer when faced with defending taller players. Very good with his hands, and has deflected 4 passes that ended up being intercepted by one of his teammates. More solid than spectacular.
• #21 Terrell Hilll – 5’8’’ Senior Cornerback. The other half of the “Cornerback on the side of the field opposite Tracy Howard” tandem with Trowers. A good technician in coverage with above average speed. Has the heart to step up and make tackles when he needs to. Knows the game, and is comfortable with his role in the defense.
• #22 Terrance Gaskin – 5’9’’ Junior Cornerback. Has played some snaps this year, and done well. Looks to be a solid starting player on the defense in his senior season.

Q: Which players play other sports or do other clubs/activities in the school? – from @akosnitzky

MS: Miramar High School has 12 varsity sports and over 35 clubs and activities for its students to be involved in. With that many options, there is bound to be some crossover from multiple students, including athletes. Here are some of the ones that I’m aware of:

• About 20 players are on the Track team, including Malcolm Lewis, Tracy Howard, Trevon Coley, Jermaine Grace, Alex Lee, Tanares Robinson, and Khalil Lewis.
• Michal Moyse was in the Sports Information Director’s club when I was in charge of it the last 2 years.
• Sanka Harris is on the wrestling team.
• Kevin Gonzalez is a Section Leader in Chorus, and a member of the most advanced performing groups: Concert Choir and Varsity Singers. He’s also a member of the National Honor Society.
• Trevon Coley, Clevonne Davis and Kevin Gonzalez are all members of the Future Educators of America Club.
• Ryan Samuels is in the International Baccalaureate Magnet Program.

And I’m sure there’s more, but those are the ones that I know of off the top of my head.

Q: 2 part question: How valuable do you think 7-on-7 tournaments during the off season are for teams? And, what do the linemen do while the skill position players play 7-on-7? – from Steven @sr6813

MS: I think the 7-on-7 tournaments are very valuable for teams, especially with new quarterbacks. It allows for them to work with their receivers to get their timing down, and also exposes them to the pressure of reading different defensive coverages. The tournaments give players a chance to practice against live competition, and work to refine their technique.

While the skill position players are engaged in 7-on-7, the linemen usually attend line camps. Most schools take their whole line so they can get the feel of playing together. These camps have group instruction and individual work sessions, which are usually highlighted by the 1 on 1 Offensive Line vs. Defensive Line drills.

So, both groups of players, trench players and skill players, have the opportunity to work together over the summer, and build the foundations for success when the season rolls around in the Fall.

That's it for this week's edition of Ask Me Anything. Be sure you check back later for more articles.

Until Next time,


Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Ask Me Anything, Volume 1, Number 1

For weeks, I’ve been fielding your questions on Twitter, and in person, about a wide variety of subjects. Unfortunately, 140 characters isn’t always enough room for me to give full answers. So, I’m taking a stab at a “mailbag” column, which will hopefully give you answers to some questions that you have, and give me a little more room to explain my thinking.  

So, here goes:

Q: Which do you like most: writing sports columns, teaching a chorus class, or being a game announcer/commentator? – from Nicole @Sweetchoc85

Miramar Sports (MS): Guess we’re not going to get started with any easy questions in this edition of Ask Me Anything. I love writing articles for this blog. It gives me an outlet for all this sports knowledge that I have rattling around in my head. Announcing/commentating, whether it’s in the stadium or on TV (and there will be more of that coming up again this year, so stay tuned) is challenging, but a lot of fun. I have learned more about that in the past 2 years than I thought I ever would. I really love the opportunity to share my voice with sports fans, and work with outstanding people.

All of that being said, NOTHING that I’m doing professionally right now compares to standing in front of my choir. There is something about for working together towards crafting a powerful musical performance that cannot be matched by writing or announcing. It’s about the connection with the students, and the music, and working together to tell the story of a song through beautiful music. That is why I get up in the morning. That is what I believe I was put on this earth to do. And that, more than anything else, gives me the most personal satisfaction out of anything I could possibly be doing.

Q: Have you seen the first 2 Rocky movies? Or studied the history of the first 2 Ali-Frazier fights? – from Adam @askosnitzky

MS: Of course I’ve seen the first 2 Rocky movies!! What sports fan hasn’t? As for the Ali-Frazier fights, I’ve seen them, and done a bit of reading about them, but haven’t “studied the history” in the way that you mean it.

After asking for clarification, I understand your underlying question: have you seen how the underdog-champion dynamic has played out in the past, with the favorite winning the first bout, and the underdog gaining redemption in the next matchup. Here’s my thoughts on that, and if it can happen again, with Cypress Bay winning on Friday:

Is it hard to beat a person/team that you’ve already beaten in a given season? Yes, of course. I do not, however, think that anything is a given. I know that Cypress Bay is probably the underdog this week, and is looking to be the spoiler to Miramar’s (to this point) perfect season. Yes, the underdog won the re-match in the Rocky movies and in the Ali-Frazier bouts. But, there are many examples in history where the favorite continues to defeat their opponent: the Patriots over the Jets in the playoffs, the Pistons over the Bulls in the late 80s, the Bulls over the Pistons in the early 90s, the Bulls over the Knicks in the early-mid 90s, Steelers over the Ravens since forever, and the list goes on and on.

For this, I believe you could write whatever story you would like: the underdog overcoming the champion, or the champion continuing to dominate the underdog. As to which of those scenarios I believe will happen…you’ll just have to wait and see for yourself on Friday.

Q: Do you think that it was a good choice for Malcolm Lewis to commit to the University of Miami? Why or why not? – from Tra’Neka @Plain_Jane113

MS: Honestly, yes I do. Malcolm is a player with immense talent, and plays a position where he could have the ability to change the game at UM. If Malcolm believes that he has an opportunity to help the team win, and feels that the University of Miami is the right place for him academically, socially, and athletically, then I think he’s made a sound decision.

Q: Who is going to step up next year to fill the shoes of the big 3 (Malcolm Lewis, Devonte Mathis, and Tracy Howard)? – from Danielle @DanielleLynESPN

MS: I don’t believe any player can replace those guys on a 1-to-1 level. But, there are a bunch of players who have the ability to be the next breakout stars. Here are a few names for you:

• WR Sean Avant – Already putting up numbers and making big plays as a Junior, he should be the top target for whoever wins the battle to be the next Miramar QB.
• WR Tanares Robinson – Playing a lot of snaps as a Sophomore on a State Championship caliber team, Robinson offers a completely different type of receiver from the ones we’ve had in the past. He’s shorter than his predecessors at 5’8’’, but his shiftiness and straight line speed will present challenges for opposing defenses for the next 2 years.
• RBs Alex Lee, Trevon Rolle, and Khalil Lewis – any of these 3 players could be a superstar. Lee and Rolle are already making plays on the Varsity level, and Lewis was absolutely a man among boys at the JV level this past season. All 3 are all talented, hungry players, and should work together to form a running attack that will ease the workload for whoever inherits the starting Quarterback job.
• LB Jermaine Grace – Any discussion about the future of Miramar Football has to include the player nicknamed Country. He is in the top 3 on the team in tackles, has 3 interceptions, and has blocked 2 field goal attempts this year. Simply put, he is a do-it-all player, and will surely be the foundation of the Darkside Defense in his Senior Year.
• LB Wesley St. Ange – Already on Varsity as a Sophomore, coaches say that he is possibly the hardest hitter on the team. Get used to seeing this name a LOT in the future.
• CB Jeffery Hill –Displayed a propensity for making plays at the JV level. Has the speed, tenacity, and ball skills to continue to be a top level defender at the Varsity level .

Qa: Are you concerned about a Thanksgiving hangover?
Qb: Are you thinking about last year’s playoff game vs. Northeast this week? – From @Akosnitzky

MS: No. That’s in the past. Cypress Bay has our undivided attention, and we are focused on bringing our A game on Friday.

Q: What happened during the first half of last week’s game? Should we expect to see a performance like that again? – From DJ @DJ_0o

MS: Last week, I believe the 2 week layoff had us come out a bit slow on offense (as I said in my game recap article). The sloppy field made the ball a bit slippery and also helped derail a couple of our signature plays. I would like to think that we have worked out the kinks in our performance from the last game, and last 2 of the regular season. But I’ve said that before and been wrong. I just hope I’m right this time.

Q: Would you ever consider becoming a Football coach? – from @Sweetchoc85

MS: No. I understand the game, and can tell you what I see. But the intricate technical aspects are something that I don’t have a good knowledge of since I never played the game (except on PlayStation).

Basketball and Baseball, however, are a different story. Those were my sports of choice (played 3 years Varsity Basketball in HS, and Baseball since I can remember walking), and I would definitely love to coach one or both of those sports in the future. I think it would be fun. It’s funny: Coach Kelly actually plays the style of basketball that I personally prefer: uptempo on offense, and pressure all day on defense.

SHAMELESS PLUG: Want to know more about Coach Kelly’s system, and what he thinks about this year’s team? Then check out my Basketball Season Preview article next Monday. It’s really good.

Q: Are you prepared to face a more balanced attack than you saw last week? – from @Akosnitzky

MS: South Plantation presented a unique challenge, with 1 superstar player and a largely unassuming supporting cast. Cypress Bay also presents a unique challenge: a Wing-T team with very good athletes and the ability to score points. I believe we will be prepared for this opponent, and the different offensive looks that they will try to employ. That being said, I still anticipate a good game.

SHAMELESS PLUG #2: If you want more detail on what I think leading up to this game, check out my Game Preview Article that will come out on Thursday.

Q: Do you feel all the pressure is on Miramar this week? - @Akosnitzky

MS: Not so much pressure as attention. The Patriots are in an enviable position: District Champions hosting a second round playoff game. Don’t believe this position is enviable? I believe there are plenty of teams around South Florida who are cleaning out their lockers and wondering which game to attend on Friday who would agree with my stance on this one.

Q: Can you name every coach and their function with the team? – @Akosnitzky

MS: Yes, I can. But, that would take away some of the mystery of the “group of at least 20 coaches, which almost seems like 1 coach per player”, as someone once put it this season.

That's it for the first edition of Ask Me Anything, the column. Want your question answered? Send them in on twitter (@MiramarSports) or email: miramarsports@gmail.com. I'll take questions until Midnight every Sunday.

And be sure you check back tomorrow and Thursday for articles previewing the Miramar-Cypress Bay playoff game.

Until Next Time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports