Spring Roundup: Northwestern Still A Factor In Dade
SFHSSports: Twitter | Facebook
Last week, after the Austin 34 referee's scrimmage at Tamiami Park, there were a number of football programs who attended and made a name for themselves early in the spring. This week, we look at some more programs around South Florida who have also been making strides. Teams who didn't make it out to the second week of spring scrimmages.
THE BULLS ARE BACK IN THE MIX
When Max Edwards took over the Northwestern Bulls last year, there was a feeling that things would turn around. After all, here was the coach who helped build and shape Miami Central into what the Rockets have become today, so it was only natural.
As we are now in the middle of the spring – with more practices and games coming up over the next two weeks, Northwestern remains a program that not only has the talent they have long been known for, but this is a team that could push hard for that elusive playoff spot.
With outstanding coaches and the always optimistic Bulls Nation standing behind the famed blue and gold, this is a program that now has the confidence to push the Rockets, Carol City and Norland for that elusive playoff spot.
The defense is definitely where this team achieves success first this coming year. Standout linebacker Billy Joseph gets much of the attention, and he should be getting it. This Class of 2018 linebacker is not alone. The Bulls are stacked up front with Kevon Washington, Demetrius Mays and Nakendrick Haley, and very solid at linebacker with Travon Brooks, Demetrius Taylor, Derrick Nicholson and Schneider Jonassaint.
While this team has long delivered in the secondary, this year will show the results of producing five top-flight defensive backs over the past two seasons. Taurus Dotson is solid. So are Tyquan Hart, Sharod Oliver, Ben Garland and others will attempt to give this team an edge.
Offensively, everything revolves around Class of 2018 quarterback Chatarius "Tutu" Atwell. Perhaps the most impressive all-around quarterback in South Florida, here is a player who moves the chains, has much-improved arm strength and has total leadership of the unit.
In addition, the receiving corps will be as good as you find – with rising seniors Maceo Matthews, Andre Adams, talented Al-Malik Moore, Rory Livingston and versatile Justin Hill leading the way.
The problem for the Bulls will be up front – where they are big, but very inexperienced – and that will make things tougher for a running game that wants to feature standout Kai Hill, converted linebacker Robbie Robinson and Kiaryn Davis.
Special teams will not be a problem with 2017 standout Kelvin Flores giving this program a huge edge.
While the Bulls are a team on the rise, there are certainly not alone this spring. Here is a look at some of the other programs to watch in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
AMERICAN: This four-time defending district champion is now facing life with a new coach and a roster that was hit hard by graduation and with several transfers heading out, but first-year head coach Joe Morgan knows that while the talent is young, he is in the perfect district to mature and come together.
AMERICAN HERITAGE: This has been the destination for college coaches for the past decades – as elite players continue to make the Patriots one of the best in the state. The two-time Class 5A state champs make a coaching change with Pat Surtain stepping in for Mike Rumph, but the roster is as loaded up as you will find. This spring has watched no less than 15 prospects receive major offers. This is indeed a team that will make some noise in 2016.
BLANCHE ELY: If you have followed high school football in south Florida, nobody has to tell you about how impressive the athletes are that come to compete for the Tigers, but the past few seasons has watched things drop off and this once-proud program has struggled to win five games. As veteran head coach Carl Wilburn has come in to get things moving once again. This is indeed a work in progress.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON: For the four-time defending Class 4A state champs, this is a spring that is all about keeping this train rolling as Tim "Ice" Harris returns to Overtown to add to the talent on the field and coaching staff that has been in place for years. Harris reunites with Earl Tillman, who led the team to a state title last year. Gifted athletes all over the field will certainly give the Tornadoes a huge advantage as they are once again the early favorites to win it all.
CENTRAL: Like their rivals from Overtown, the Rockets are also four-time defending state champions who had to hold off a serious rally from Carol City last year, and will certainly expect the same again in 2016. Plenty of holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but the talent is in place and that coaching is still making positives happen. The Rockets continue to grab the national attention and churn out crazy good prospects.
CHAMINADE-MADONNA: Other than traditional power, St. Thomas Aquinas, this has easily been the most active recruiting hotbed this spring – with as many as 17 prospects already receiving division-I offers as head coach Jason Milgrom looks toward his second season with plenty of optimism and confidence for being solid on both sides of the ball. Big time program in the making, once again.
CORAL GLADES: After years of helping other programs and prospects get better, Christian Baldwin is hoping to do much of the same with the Jaguars as he comes in and gives this team a major lift with quality prospects coming in to make a difference. Key players have stepped up this spring and have given this team plenty to look forward to.
CORAL SPRINGS: It wasn't that long ago that the Colts were in the playoff mix, and despite watching programs such as Monarch, Piper and Deerfield enjoy success in the district over the past few years, second-year head coach Vinny Ziccardi has put in the work to help this team turn the corner. Plenty of potential that has started to surface this spring.
CORAL SPRINGS CHARTER: After 19 wins the past two season, including an unbeaten campaign in 2015, the Panthers are ready to make another run as they say goodbye to head coach Adam Miller, who has moved on to the next level and welcomed former FIU standout Matt Garris, who is very optimistic about the coming year.
CYPRESS BAY: Just four years removed from the Class 8A state finals and veteran head coach Mark Guandolo continues to rebuild a team that has had plenty of talent, but with so many options open to athletes these days, the Lightning once again use this spring to find prospects to fill holes and compete in one of the top districts around.
DOUGLAS: Easily one of the best-coached teams in South Florida, the Eagles have really put together a solid football team under veteran head coach Willis May. As college coaches have come through this spring, they have found plenty of talent that is well coached and ready to make that move in a very competitive district. Keep your eye on this impressive program again in 2016.
EDISON: The program that has been feeding so many other local schools with talent for decades is now beginning to keep many of those quality area football players home, and this team is looking to show the district how far they have come this season. This spring has been about getting everyone on the same page – also adding new coaches to a staff that is turning the corner under head coach Napoleon Joseph.
EVERGLADES: The one thing about veteran head coach Art Taylor is he will always have an advantage when it comes to coaching. Whether it's been at Miami Sunset, Chaminade, Deerfield Beach, Zion Lutheran, Cooper City or with his current position, he has always gotten the most out of his players. This spring, he welcomes back some quality athletes.
GULLIVER PREP: As head coach Earl Sims and his Raiders say goodbye to one of the most talented classes the school has had, the door has been open so far this may for other athletes to step up and make an impact. Plenty of athletes are ready to keep this tradition rolling.
HALLANDALE: The moment that Benedict Hyppolite took over the Chargers this spring, he went to work, using the many skills learned while playing and coaching at Booker T. Washington and Miami Edison. This is someone who only knows one way to coach football. And while this team looks to get back to the playoffs – plenty of work will need to be done, looking for solid replacements for this past year's record-setting program.
HOLLYWOOD HILLS: Another of the teams in that competitive 7A district, the Spartans will once again look to senior leadership to keep them in the race this season. The offseason has watched veteran head coach Al Lang and his team search for those prospects that will give this program a lift. The athletes are in place, but now the work begins to put them on the same page.
MIAMI BEACH: The Hi-Tides continue this spring to look for those athletes who can help this program compete in a district that is challenging and loaded with quality athletes. Head coach Aaron Harris does have the players, but to get more of them to contribute the rest of the spring and into the offseason has long been the objective.
MONSIGNOR PACE: You have to hand it to veteran head coach Joe Zaccheo who returned last year to get the Spartans back in the mix, and battle national power Booker T. Washington, Edison, Gulliver Prep and Keys Gate Charter in a competitive district. A solid roster with big-time playmakers has kept this program in the spotlight.
NOVA: Last year the Titans accomplished something they had done in 20 years – win a district title. Year No. 2 for head coach Kevin Huntley may not be as easy – with district teams all improving – this will be another huge test for a program that still has the athletes to compete.
SOUTH BROWARD: For those who have followed the Bulldogs through the years, you know that this program has enjoyed success with top players and solid coaching. In his second year at his alma mater, Devon Georgia has really picked things up – and as the summer approaches – this could be the team, like Nova last year, that pulls off that surprise.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS: Nothing has changed this spring. The objective, every year at this time, is to compete for a national championship and to trot out some of the best football talents you will find anywhere in the nation. Head coach Roger Harriott and his deep and talented program may have the most complete team the Raiders have ever had – from top to bottom – and they will have ample time to prove it in 2016.
SOUTH PLANTATION: First-year head coach Dominic Anderson comes aboard to find some talent and playmakers, but like many schools in south Florida, the key word in the offseason and this spring has been rebuilding and getting some new faces ready for a stiff run in a competitive district.
SOUTHWEST MIAMI: For over 40 years, this is a program that failed to win many games – let alone the district title, but things have changed – and while the competition is fierce, head coach Tim Neal has the Eagles flying with several quality athletes.
TARAVELLA: The Trojans have been in good hands over the past six years with veteran Dan Marguriet running the show. But now Charles Hafley takes over a program that has talent and the bodies to compete. What Hafley, who was a standout at Blanche Ely and Clemson, brings to the table is experience and the knowledge how to coach and teach. He had been a vital cog the past few years as an assistant at Douglas.
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL: Head coach Daniel Luque and his staff work as hard as any year round. With so many holes to fill, the objective for the Sharks is to stay in the playoff mix with new faces dotting the lineup on both sides of the ball. Solid coaching will continue to keep this team in the spotlight.
WEST BROWARD: After the school's first ever state playoff appearance, the Bobcats have enjoyed a very productive spring – with new head coach Monte Dillworth getting the team stronger and building for another run in Class 7A. This is a team that has the talent to truly make another run.
