With spring practice season coming to a close, high schools are gearing up for another exciting season of football.
Every school ends the spring with the same record and the same goal of winning the state title. The hope is that all of the hard work put in during these months of practice turns into great play and, most importantly, wins in the fall. The truth of the matter is that we end spring practice with more questions than answers, more expectations than realities.
Which schools will be competing for the state title? Who will be the next great running back (like Lamar Miller or Jaamal Berry) to come out of the area? Is there another quarterback like Teddy Bridgewater among the ranks? How about a Derrick Thomas or Sean Taylor on defense?
Although we will have to wait until December to know the answers to these questions, we can tell you what we expect from each school in the area and which players you should be looking out for when you attend games this season.
CORAL REEF
Coach: Chevas Clements
Coach: Chevas Clements
District: 8A
2012 Record: 6-4
2012 Signature Win:
Miami Southridge High School, 28-19
Returning Stars: Nicodem Pierre QB, Jacob McCrary WR, Marcus Leslie DB, Sterling Shippy NG, Joe Suarez DE
Newcomers: Harvey Clayton Jr. DB, Michael Ricardo OL, Adrian Reid OL, Jawon Hamilton RB
Preview: The Coral Reef Barracudas have high hopes for this upcoming season. With 10 returning starters on defense and star quarterback Nicodem Pierre running the offense, the Barracudas expect to be competing for the state title at the conclusion of the 2013 season
KILLIAN
Coach: Cory Johnson
District: 8A
2012 Record: 10-2
2012 Signature Win:
Christopher Columbus High School, 21-17
Returning Stars: Matt Colominas DE, Jakari Bolton OL, Trumane Washington DB, Anthony Olibencia WR, Bruce Davis LB, Jaquan Johnson DB, ArmandoMartinez FB, Tadam James RB, Bryan Maderos LB
Newcomers: Jordan Herrera RB, Nick Adams WR, Jamaal Burgess RB
Preview: The Killian Cougars look to duplicate the success they enjoyed last season. This will be no easy task after losing 22 seniors, all starters or strong contributors. Expect Armando Martinez and Tadam James to give Killian a strong running game, while Jermaine Washington, Matt Colaminas and Bryan Maderos will lead a stout defense. As always, the goal for the Cougars is to make a run at the state title.
PALMETTO
Coach: Matt Dixon
District: 8A
2012 Record: 3-7
2012 Signature Win:
Coral Gables High School, 24-14
Top
Returning Players: Mikal Smith LB,Matt Coll QB, DaSean Cannon WR, Jeremy Greenidge DL, Jerron Rollins WR
Top Newcomers: Johnny Scharlengne WR, Willie Brown LB
Preview: While the Panthers only have a small group of seniors on the roster this season, the team centers around six senior leaders: Mikal Smith, Matt Coll, DaSean Cannon, Jeremy Greenidge, Christopher Winkler and Daniel Suarez. If the Panthers can stay healthy and overcome their youth, they have a shot to compete for the district title in 2013.
GULLIVER PREP
Coach: Earl Sims
District: 4A
2012 Record: 6-6
2012 Signature Win:
Monsignor Pace High School, 21-20
Top Returning Players: Cornelius Floyd ATH, Raymond Edwards OL/DL, Jowan Watson QB, Antonio Sotolongo S
Top Newcomers: Brandon Shuman ATH, Charles Callender DE/OL, Walker Gautier WR, Mo HassanQB, C.J. Hassan RB
Preview: Although they made a strong run in the district playoffs, making it to the second round of the tournament, the Raiders ended last season unsatisfied. If the Raiders can shore up the offensive line and handle the loss of a strong senior class, the team – full of talented athletes — has a great opportunity to build on the great Gulliver Football tradition and improve from a year ago.
PALMER TRINITY
Coach: Darin DiBello
District: (Independent Conference)
Gulf Atlantic Football Conference
2012 Record: 1-7
2012 Signature Win:
Princeton Christian, 46-0
Returning Stars: Daniel Chumbley QB, Jonathan Sourber OL, Andy Beauperthy LB, Blake Miller FB
Newcomers: Blake Rubin RB, Dustin Phillip TE, Matt Lewis RB, Chad SeratteWR, Dylan DiBello QB
Preview: With a new head coach (Darin DiBello) and a new conference (Gulf Atlantic Football Conference), the Palmer Trinity Falcons look to turn things around this season. As a team filled with freshmen and sophomores, the Falcons will use a strong passing game to compete for a division title and build for the future.
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN
Coach: Sedrick Irvin
District: 3A
2012 Record: 6-4
2012 Signature Win:
Archbishop Coleman Carroll High
School, 70-14
Returning Stars: Hunter Boyett QB, Tim Irvin ATH, Chris Barbota OL, JordanCronkrite ATH, Jimmy Armstrong LB, Matthew Lynch OL, Chris Mantega OL/DL
Newcomers: Dylan Charlton LB, Albert DelSol WR/DB, Brian Vazquez DE
Preview: Coming into his fourth season as head coach, Sedrick Irvin will finally have a team of players that he has coached for their entire high school careers. Expect the Warriors to be a disciplined football team with enough fight and experience to win many games.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
Coach: Chris Merritt
District: 8A
2012 Record: 9-5
2012 Signature Win:
Miami Killian High
School in District Playoffs,
36-19
Returning Stars: Tucker Beirne QB, Nick McBeath OLB, Oshton Armstrong RB, Nick Garcia OLB, Zack Marti OL, Jose Alvarado TE, Sasha Kelsey WR
Newcomers: Amir Rasul RB, Andres Levy DL
Preview: Having won the district championship 10 out of the past 12 seasons, the Columbus Explorers have high expectations for their football team every season and this year will be no exception. With a well-balanced offense centered around QB Tucker Beirne, the Explorers are looking to win another district title and compete for the state championship.
RANSOM EVERGLADES
Coach: Joseph Mancuso
District: (Independent Conference)
Southeast Football Conference
2012 Record: 6-5
2012 Signature Win:
Miami Country Day High School, 49-27
Returning Stars: Tyler Martin FB/LB, Eddie Garcia-Montes QB, Rodrigo Poma OL/DL, Cedric Joseph WR/DB
Newcomers: Ani Lovett RB/LB, SeanBecker OL/DL, Bennet Sanders LB/OL
Preview: After tying for fourth place and missing the playoffs because of a tiebreaker in their first season in the Southeast Football Conference, the Ransom Everglades Raiders are looking to take the next step and make the conference playoffs in 2013. Behind QB Eddie Garcia-Montes in his second year as a starter and FB Tyler Martin in his fourth year as a starter, the Raiders have a great chance to make a run in the playoffs.
Justin Hesser is a native of Miami and has been involved in local sports for more than 20 years. He has an MBA with a specialization in sports administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in business. He may be contacted by addressing email to jzhess88@gmail.com.
