Regular Season Grades - Offense

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

Today, we’re starting with the Offense.

Here goes:

Quarterbacks – C+

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

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

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

Running Backs – A

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wide Receivers – B

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

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

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

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

Offensive Line – B

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Grade: C+

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

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

2012 Kickoff Classic Recap - McArthur

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

So, let’s get to the recap:

McArthur

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

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

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

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

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

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

Miramar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s the bad.

Now for the good. 

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

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

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

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

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

Until Next Time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

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

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