High School Sports Blog

Meet UM Class of 2012 signees on Feb. 2

If you are a Miami Hurricane football fan, Thursday night, Feb. 2 is a must attend event.

With the dust settling from Wednesday's National Signing, many of the UM Class of 2012 will be introduced to the fans the next night when WQAM (560 AM) Radio, South Florida High School Sports (sfhighschoolsports.com) and Bokampers spacious new Miramar Sports Bar & Grill location, will play host to an evening to remember.

From 7-10 p.m., University of Miami signees such as Duke Johnson, Malcolm Lewis, Deon Bush, Vernon Davis, Herb Waters and others in a class that is top 10 in the country, will join a special recruiting show with Josh Darrow and Larry Blustein.

Throughout the three hours, there will be plenty of food, beverages and fun as fans have the opportunity to meet their new players and family members who will also be on hand.

As part of the Hurricane Hotline and sfhighschoolsports.com/Maroone High School Gridiron Report, the three hours will be filled with UM and recruiting talk with special guests.

The new Bokampers is located at 15500 Southwest 29th St., Miramar, FL 33027 (754) 400-8558.

Counting down to National Signing Day

Recruiting takes center stage this Wednesday night as the Maroone High School Gridiron Report counts down toward Feb. 1 with a trio of guests that will help you prepare for National Signing Day.

Joining Larry Blustein between 9-10 on WQAM (560 AM) will be Linda Doyle from Arena Advertising and Marketing, Josh Darrow, Managing Editor of the very popular South Florida High School Sports (http://sfhighschoolsports.com/) website and Charles Fishbein of Elite Scouting Services.

YEARLY EVENT
The 4th annual South Florida High School Football Signing Day TV Special and Celebration will take place on February 1st at Dave & Buster’s Hollywood. This Celebration Show starts at 5:30pm and the LIVE TV show airs on NBC6 at 7:00pm. The event is hosted by Joe Rose and Adam Kuperstein.

This event is FREE for ALL senior football players in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County, along with coaching staffs, Athletic Directors, Player’s families and friends are invited to be a part of the TV show and celebration at Dave & Buster’s Hollywood. Last year the event was billed as “The largest gathering of high school recruits ever in South Florida.”

Doyle and her staff have worked very hard to make this a quality event.

IT'S ABOUT RECRUITING
One of the "new kids on the block" when it comes to covering high school sports in the region is SouthFloridaHighSchoolSports.com. With a heavy emphasis on football, this is a website that has been a huge addition.

With games and video interviews along with BLOGS and player information, the website has been recognized as one of the main sources for year-round high school sports information.

Darrow has developed the website into a tool that is used by college coaches, high school coaches, parents and players.

On Thursday, Feb. 2 from 7-10 p.m. Bokampers in Miramar is the place to be for a LIVE radio show, devoted to the Miami Hurricanes and other South Florida recruits.

UM signees and their families will join other Hurricane fans for the event.

FINAL DECISION?
Over the next week or so, there will be many questions asked of athletes who are ready to sign on that dotted line as part of the Class of 2012.

Nobody knows more what it's like this time of year than Fishbein. He has watched many signing days, and understands what's at stake.

How did Miami do? What about FSU or Florida? Check out to see what Fishbein thinks of those classes.

Can't listen to the show live on www.wqam.com, you can check it out http://sfhighschoolsports.com/

Southridge hires Lamont Green as new football coach

 

Lamont Green led South Miami’s football team to its first playoff victory in nearly a quarter century this past season.

Starting next week, Green will start working on returning his alma mater, Southridge, to state championship status.

Green, a former All-American linebacker at Southridge and standout at Florida State University, told The Miami Herald Friday morning he has been hired as Southridge’s new football coach.

"I always knew one day I’d be back [at Southridge]," Green said. "I didn’t think it would happen this fast though. The opportunity was there and I couldn’t pass it up."

Green takes over for Patrick Burrows, who stepped down last month to pursue an administrative position in Miami-Dade County. Burrows led the Spartans to a pair of district championships in the past three seasons and a berth in the Class 8A regional finals last season.

Green is hoping to continue to elevating Southridge to the championship status it enjoyed in the early 1990s when it won a pair of state championships under Don Soldinger.

"We have some outstanding players at that school, and if we can keep them disciplined they can be very successful," Green said. I’m going to try to bring an offense that is more conducive to the explosive athletes that are there.

"But my mentality has always been tough defense. You hit a team hard on the field and get their attention. If we can do those things, the wins will pile up from there."

Green led South Miami to a 9-3 record this season in his first season as a high school head coach in Dade. The Cobras made their first playoff appearance in six seasons, and won a playoff game for the first time since 1987. South Miami had won only three games combined over the prior three seasons.

Green said his two assistant coaches this past season – offensive coordinator Charles Rackley and offensive line coach William Campbell – will join him at Southridge. Green said he will meet the team Tuesday.

"I enjoyed my time at South Miami and I appreciate the opportunity, but Southridge is where my heart has always been," Green said. "I couldn’t wait and watch someone else get the job and then who knows when it would have ever been open again. I had to come back."

 

Brown, Fortner, Field on radio Tuesday

The Maroone High School Gridiron Report starts the countdown to National Signing Day on Tuesday night from 9-10 on WQAM (560 AM) as Larry Blustein hosts a number of local newsmakers.

With recent all-star games taking place, giving athletes another chance to attract that coveted college scholarship, two South Florida quarterbacks who used the post season to their advantage.

In addition, one of the most appealing and prestigious jobs in the nation was filled last week. The Northwestern Bulls may have landed a real surprise!

BROWN IN CONTROL
When the season began, Otis Brown was just another name on head coach Joe Redmond's Stranahan roster. He had limited playing experience at the high school level, but his story points to this being a real hidden gem.

A standout with the Fort Lauderdale Hurricanes in one of South Florida's most competitive youth leagues, Taylor headed to high school as a prospect to watch. But heart problems, forcing him to sit out his sophomore year, and never given the chance as a junior at Boyd Anderson, this 6-2, 195-pound athlete headed to Stranahan.

In one season, Brown is attempting to do what takes many three full years. But his talent level and potential could have him playing on Sundays!

In the all-star game, he was 9 of 14 with a rushing TD.

AT THE CONTROLS
Garrett Fortner came into this season with the task of bringing the Christopher Columbus football program to a place where it had not been in nearly 30 years - a state title game.

While this gifted prospect didn't achieve the goal - falling one game short - he did turn heads with leadership qualities and the ability to stand toe-to-toe with any passer in Miami-Dade County.

As most know, the Explorer offense was built around a solid running game. But what many did not understand is how valuable having Fortner add balance with a passing game, really was.

His post season appearances have given him the opportunity to impress - with different schemes than he was used to at Columbus.

In the Miami Dolphins Dade vs. Broward game at Sun Life Stadium, Fortner had the opportunity to watch his stock rise, once again.

BACK IN TOWN
As a football player, Steven Field was a hard worker with the heart of a prospect and a mind of a coach. He had the rare combination that would drive him toward talent - raising the bar at every stop.

Whether it was at Central, Deerfield Beach, Glades Central or at his positions at the collegiate level - which included the University of Miami - Field has coached, taught and set examples with his work ethic and ability to get athletes placed in college.

What Northwestern gets in Field is someone who knows the game - from every aspect. He will outwork everyone. He also has the network of college coaches - big and small - to place his players!

Out of the area and want to listen? www.wqam.com or archived at http://sfhighschoolsports.com/

Russell, Durante and Ferguson on radio

The final all-star game of the 2011-12 high school football season will take center stage as the Maroone High School Gridiron Report moves to Thursday night (9-10) this week.

Larry Blustein will talk about the Miami Dolphins/Under Armour Dade vs. Broward football game with Twan Russell of the Dolphins - as well as participants in the game - Johnnie Durante (Dr. Michael Krop) and Flanagan standout receiver Justin Ferguson.

The second annual game will be played on Friday night (7:30) at Sun Life Stadium, and will be the last chance for a number of athletes who are looking to sign a scholarship with a college on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Russell, a one-time standout at St. Thomas Aquinas, University of Miami and in the NFL, has worked extremely hard to put the best product on the field. The selection of the area's top performers gives this game a chance to be one of the most prospect rich event that is held anywhere.

Russell has the opportunity, along with his staff, to see many of these quality athletes year round - through the many programs the Dolphins host within the community.

While many athletes will be using the game to attract an offer, there are others participating who go into this contest with county pride at stake.

Durante, a 6-0, 185-pound safety, recently committed to stay home and play for FIU. This quality football player pretty much flew beneath the radar screen much of the season.

A defensive back standout, Durante is also a special teams prospect who can turn a game around with a kick or punt return.

The heralded Ferguson will cap off quite a high school career. The 6-2, 210-pounder who is headed to Notre Dame gave the Falcons a true game-changer with speed, strength and tremendous size.

Like Durante, Ferguson will use Friday night's game as a pride contest. Dade vs. Broward is perhaps the most prospect-rich game there is.

Check out the show live on WQAM (560 AM), www.wqam.com or archived at http://sfhighschoolsports.com