Blu's Blog: The Season Moves Along Too Quickly For Some
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Coaches, players and fans have waited since last December for this season to arrive.
And while many hours have gone into perfecting the craft of football – from games, practices, camps and combines – time starts slipping away.
Believe it or not, this past week was the third of the season, already. For those still hunting that elusive college scholarship, you are finding that every game and exposure opportunity becomes more and more valuable to every.
Because of so many opportunities during the offseason to grab the attention, many believe that the season is a just an enhancement to what college coaches have been watching throughout the year. As limited as the college coach/student-athlete exposure may be, there are plenty of opportunities during the course of a year to showcase skills to these decision makers.
Ask any high school coach, player or parent and will tell you that even though there is spring and other times during the year where colleges can watch and evaluate, there is still the season. And as we have found, those 12 weeks move quicker than most imagine.
For those who already have plenty of college interest, this is a time to enjoy.
The athletes without any future plans, it is indeed getting serious.
Plenty of games with several prospects took place this past week, and once again, we were on hand to take it all in.
JACKSON STUNS NATIONALLY-RATED BTW, AGAIN
For the second straight year, the Jackson Generals came into their meeting with longtime rival Booker T. Washington as heavy underdogs.
Parlaying turnovers and a first half downpour that made it tough to pass, hold onto the ball or see; the 1-1 Generals once again stunned perhaps its closest rival 12-9 Saturday night – sending shockwaves across the state – and even the country.
It was a huge upset as Tornadoes head coach Tim "Ice" Harris and his team had been ranked in the top 10 nationally.
Winning her first game as head coach, Lakatriona Brunson made that initial victory a huge one as her Generals played sound defensively and used an offense that clicked on a few big plays.
"Could not be prouder of these young men and this coaching staff for coming up big against a national power like this," she said. "We took what they gave us on offense, and made some big plays defensively."
Despite the dropped balls and mistakes all night, the 2-1 Tornadoes never gave up, taking a 9-6 lead with 2:00 left in the game, but a strong defensive stand gave the Generals the ball back – and a win that was heard across the country.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and his kids as well as former Booker T. Washington and UM standout Brandon Harris (Ice Harris' son), were also on hand to watch this "neighborhood" matchup.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT
2018 – Jaquan Beaver, DE
2018 – Quayvon Beckford, WR
2017 – Richard Dames, DB
2017 – Rishard Dames, DB
2017 – Teaki Fuller, OL
2017 – Derek Geter, DL
2018 – Robert Hicks, DE
2018 – Detron Holloway, DB
2018 – Antquan Kinsey, LB
2017 – Brian Livingston, WR
2019 – Dontae Lucas, OL
2017 – Dedrick Mackey, S
2018 – Rodney Monpremier, OL
2017 – Craig Nelson, RB
2017 – Willa Pierre, OL
2019 – Daniel Richardson, QB
2019 – Gregory Riddick, DB
2017 – Kadeem Telfort, OL
2017 – Guy Thomas, DE
2018 – Anthony Turner, DL
2018 – Tyquan Thornton, WR
JACKSON PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT
2018 – Derius Alexander, DB
2017 – Keiron Broussard, RB/WR
2017 – Lacedrick Brunson, LB
2018 – Jacob Cato, OL
2018 – Terrance Craig, QB
2018 – Gabriel Dunn, WR
2017 – Renaldo Flowers, DL
2017 – Steven Fleurimond, WR
2017 – Jovanny Gonzalez, LB
2020 – Edgar Harris, OL
2018 – Jamarie Harrison, WR
2017 – Israel Jackson, LB
2019 – Javas Jackson, LB/S
2018 – Anthony Lloyd, DB
2017 – Robert Lloyd, OL
2017 – Eric Mateo, DE
2018 – Devontae McCrare, OL/DL
2017 – Donte Morris, OL/DL
2017 – Nakia Robinson, RB
2017 – Gregory Smith, OL/DL
2019 – Terrell Thomas, RB
2017 – Devon Washington, WR
UNBEATEN CARDINAL GIBBONS ROLLS ALONG
After the first two weeks of the season, first-year head coach Matt Dubuc and his football team was among the highest scoring in Florida – and the defense hadn't given up a point.
That combination set up quite a matchup with state and nationally-rated Chaminade-Madonna.
From the start of the game, the Chiefs showed that they indeed belonged in the conversation as a program that is among the best in South Florida – and they went out and proved it, stunning the Lions and their home crowd in a 28-21 thriller.
As many "experts" gave the Chiefs no chance to win this non-district game, big plays and solid defense against some major playmakers proved that this will be a program to watch throughout the year – as they look to overtake Plantation American Heritage in a district that also features Coconut Creek, Hallandale, Stranahan and a Miami Jackson team they play this week, and are coming off a major upset over national power Miami Booker T. Washington.
"I knew that this team had a great chance of accomplishing some big things this year," said Dubuc. "We have a long way to go, but this is a tremendous start for a young team with players taking a leadership role for the first time."
CARDINAL GIBBONS PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT
2017 – Eric Andreassen, DL
2017 – Kamal Armstead, DB
2017 – Hunter Astle, DL
2018 – Donnell Bennett, Jr., LB
2018 – Trey Bennett, OL
2017 – James Bostic III, WR
2018 – Griffin Cerra, PK
2019 – Rashon Crooks, DL
2018 – Lavontae Decius, WR
2018 – Tavontae Decius, WR
2019 – John Dunmore, WR
2017 – Kenneth Findley, LB
2017 – Adam Fox, OL
2018 – Tommy Hankey, OL
2018 – Ronald Hardge, DB
2017 – Randall Haynie, DB
2017 – Daniel Larose, WR
2017 – Milan Lemon, RB
2017 – Diashun Moss, DB
2018 – Jordan Riggins, RB
2018 – Ryan Saddler, LB
2018 – Carlos Sandy, WR
2019 – Nikolas Scalzo, QB
2019 – Nico Scheesley, LB
2017 – Dave Small, RB/LB
2017 – Kevin Sullivan, DL
2019 – Jamari Williams, OL
2018 – Ray Wincko III, OL
2018 – Maxwell Worship, DB
CHAMINADE-MADONNA PROSPECT WATCH
2017 – Joshua Ali, WR
2017 – Stephen Jean-Baptiste, OL
2017 – Hunter Bucknam, LB
2017 – Marlon Cardoza, OLB
2017 – Henry Columbi, QB
2019 – Te'Cory Couch, WR
2019 – Ernest Felder, OLB
2018 – Davoan Hawkins, DE
2017 – Julius Ianella, OL
2017 – A.J. Jancosko, OL
2017 – Anthony Johnson, DB
2018 – Tarique Livingston, OL
2018 – Corey Prince, DL
2017 – Bradley Royes, DB
2018 – Shaun Shivers, RB
2017 – Cody Watson, LB
2018 – Keondre White, RB
2017 – Chris Whittaker, DE
2018 – C.J. Williams, LB
2018 – Xavier Williams, WR
SOUTH BOWARD STILL LOOK FOR THE RIGHT FORMULA
There is no secret that second-year head coach Devon Georgia and his South Broward Bulldogs have truly revamped the roster from last year, but after last Friday's narrow 28-26 win over Fort Lauderdale, and a huge meeting with district foe McArthur coming up, things need to be worked on.
Parlaying big plays with a solid defense when needed, the Bulldogs (3-0) pulled the game out – but this week will be one that all players will have to buy into.
"Too many breakdowns in key situations," Georgia said. "Everyone can see how much talent we have out on the field, but we have to cut back on mistakes that have stopped up from playing to our full potential."
The Flying Ls would never go away – and head coach Richard Dunbar knows that this much-improved team has a solid chance of getting into the playoffs this season.
FORT LAUDERDALE PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT
2017 – Tyler Boyd, WR
2017 – Allan Bratton, WR
2017 – Dakaari Bray, LB
2017 – Kewann Calloway, Jr., DB
2018 – Deshawn Charmant, WR
2018 – Alonzo Clark, WR
2017 – Eugene Davis, QB
2017 – Anton Dehart, DB
2018 – Jacquez Dillard, DL
2019 – Cortez Gethers, Athlete
2017 – Ronald Gibbons III, WR
2017 – Brente Hampton, RB
2017 – Lamar Murphy, OL
2018 – Kenneth Pinkney, Athlete
2017 – Derek Rousso, DB
2017 – Marquan Rutherford, DL
2017 – Amari Smith, Athlete
2019 – Emmanuel Villatoro, DL
2017 – Oneal Washington, DB
2017 – Darryl Weaver III, LB
2017 – Torri Young, OL/DL
SOUTH BROWARD PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT
2018 – Destra Benoit, WR/DB
2017 – Jordan Carty, OL
2019 – Caprece Coleman, DE
2018 – Jeremiah Coleman, RB
2019 – Allen Crawford, Athlete
2017 – Dorian Hall, Athlete
2018 – Akeem Hayes, WR
2017 – Joshua Hernandez, DT
2017 – Jeffrey Lubin, DB
2017 – Josiah Mack, RB
2017 – Tylique McGowan, DL
2019 – John Moran, OL
2017 – Demethry Neeley, LB
2017 – Timothy Nelson, WR
2020 – Jerrold Pough, DB
2017 – Dennis Robinson, WR/S
2019 – Tyrese Smith, QB
2017 – Antavious Tarver, DB
2017 – Tramain Williams, DB/WR
GOLEMAN RACES TOWARD ELUSIVE PLAYOFF SPOT
Three weeks ago, when the Goleman Gators opened the 2016 season against Davie Western, head coach Ariel Cribeiro felt that this would be the season that this program started to turn the corner.
Competing in a district that offered eight opponents, Cribeiro and his program understood that key losses would end up putting this team in a tough spot.
After last Thursday's convincing win over district foe Mourning High, the Gators are now doing what they have to – win games. While there is a long way to go and district opponents such as Mater Academy, Doral Academy and Ronald Reagan loom as major obstacles, this program is 2-0 in conference play and feels more confident than ever.
"We have a young team, but one that has worked very hard to make progress, Cribeiro pointed out. "We have to cut back on those mistakes that have cost us in the past. When you are not a deep team, you cannot give your opponent any advantage. I am proud of these young men, but we have a long way to go."
BARBARA GOLEMAN PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT
2019 – Jorge Baez, LB
2019 – Kamal Barnes, DL
2018 – John Correa, RB
2017 – Gianni De La Vega, OL/DL
2017 – Juan Fernandez, DL/OL
2017 – Greg Fuertes, OL/DL
2018 – Johnathan Gallumette, WR/DB
2017 – James Gonzalez, OL/DL
2020 – Anthony Hernandez, DB
2018 – Derrick Hall, RB
2017 – Bradley Hill, OL
2018 – Kalonji Hill, RB
2017 – Kawori Myers, TE
2017 – C.J. Noralus, DL
2019 – Zamareeh Odoms, OL/DL
2017 – Claudius Pubien, DB/RB
2018 – Bryan Reinstrom, DE/TE
2019 – Miles Smith, WR/DB
2017 – Joe "Pepe" Valdiva, LB/RB
2018 – Brayan Vergara, LB
2019 – Christopher Vidal, LB/QB
2017 – John Wright, LB
MOURNING PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT
2018 – Wendy Celestin, LB/RB
2017 – Carlens Coutard, DL/OL
2018 – Justin Days, Athlete
2018 – Nicholas Days, DB
2018 – Prosley Dorcely, LB
2019 – Ruben Dorvil, LB
2017 – Ikanes Eugene, OL/DL
2018 – Isaac Francois, OL/DL
2019 – Marquise Gray, OL/DL
2018 – Craig Green, WR
2020 – Shawn Guerrier, DB
2017 – Bryce Heyward, LB
2017 – Djuno Jean, DB
2018 – Stanley Jean, WR
2019 – Danny Pierre-Louis, QB
2019 – Denzel Pierre-Louis, WR/DB
2018 – Brandon McKenna, DL/OL
2020 – Taurean Medina, RB
2019 – Budell Noel, DL/OL
2018 – Guerrrado Toussaint, WR
