High School Sports Blog

HERALD SPOTLIGHT: Deon Bush

Having the opportunity to watch many of the athletes in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties when they begin playing football at the youth football level, the Miami Herald will shine the spotlight on many athletes during the spring and summer.

With the chance to see the athletes away from the football field as well, we can bring you up close and personal with some of the top prospects in the nation - right here in our own backyard.

PLAYER: Deon Bush
YEAR: 2012
SCHOOL: Christopher Columbus
CITY: Miami
POSITION: S/CB
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 180
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH: Chris Merritt

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Like most of the gifted football players in this region, here is an athlete who has actually been on the radar screen since the ninth grade, when he emerged as a prospect for the future.

Heads into the 2010 season as a national recruit for the future and one of the top 25 players for the upcoming class that is simply loaded with athletic ability.

The younger brother of former Explorer and current Purdue University receiver Gary Bush, Deon had a tremendous sophomore season that was followed by a productive spring and summer where he was part of the South Florida Express national championship 7-on-7 team.

Despite missing a few games last season, he still managed to register two interceptions and come up with nearly 50 tackles on a team that once again captured the district title.

Colleges are already on this quality talent who is expected to have a breakout junior season!

HERALD STATEWIDE INFORMATION
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Varner Named to Biletnikoff Watch List

Duke University junior Donovan Varner has been named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List, which was announced this week by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club.  The award is presented annually to the top wide receiver in the nation.

Varner, a Miami Gulliver Prep product, earned first team all-conference honors in 2009 after leading the ACC in receptions (65), receptions per game (5.42) and receiving yards per game (87.2) while ranking second in both receiving yards (1,047) and touchdown catches (8).  On Duke's single-season charts, his totals rank fifth in receiving yards, tied for fifth in receptions, tied for seventh in touchdown catches and 13th in yards per reception (16.11).

Varner's five 100-yard receiving games in 2009 came against N.C. State (7-154), Maryland (8-120), Virginia (7-113), Miami (8-165) and Wake Forest (11-174) to match the school's third-highest single-season total in that category.

A total of 51 players were named to the 2010 Watch List.

Previous winners of the award include Bobby Engram (Penn State; 1994), Terry Glenn (Ohio State; 1995), Marcus Harris (Wyoming; 1996), Randy Moss (Marshall; 1997), Troy Edwards (Louisiana Tech; 1998), Troy Walters (Stanford; 1999), Antonio Bryant (Pittsburgh; 2000), Josh Reed (LSU; 2001), Charles Rogers (Michigan State; 2002), Larry Fitzgerald (Pittsburgh; 2003), Braylon Edwards (Michigan; 2004), Mike Hass (Oregon State; 2005), Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech; 2006), Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech; 2007 & 2008) and Golden Tate (Notre Dame; 2009).

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., (TQC Foundation), the creator and sponsor of the Biletnikoff Award (presented annually to the nation's outstanding college football receiver), is an independent, charitable organization founded in 1994.

HERALD SPOTLIGHT: Avery Johnson

Having the opportunity to watch many of the athletes in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties when they begin playing football at the youth football level, the Miami Herald will shine the spotlight on many athletes during the spring and summer.

With the chance to see the athletes away from the football field as well, we can bring you up close and personal with some of the top prospects in the nation - right here in our own backyard.

PLAYER: Avery Johnson
YEAR: 2012
SCHOOL: Blanche Ely
CITY: Pompano Beach
POSITION: WR
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 185
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH: Rodney Gray

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Every once in a while, you find an athlete, who develops at a very early age, showing major college promise five to six years before ever reach that level.

While his brother (Patrick Peterson) is one of the best football players in the country from his defensive back position at LSU, Johnson is one of the up-and-coming players who has already been viewed as a national recruit.

One of the fastest receivers in the country, this is a junior who is years beyond the rest in the class. A two-way performer who not only dominates on the offensive side of the ball, but also dazzles as a safety in the secondary.

Having watched him play for the past seven years, dating back to his youth football days, this is easily one of the most talented football prospects that we have watched in a long time. Was chosen by Friday Night Football Magazine – Florida as the second best prospect in the class, heading into the season.

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HERALD SPOTLIGHT: Manny Sicre

Having the opportunity to watch many of the athletes in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties when they begin playing football at the youth football level, the Miami Herald will shine the spotlight on many athletes during the spring and summer.

With the chance to see the athletes away from the football field as well, we can bring you up close and personal with some of the top prospects in the nation - right here in our own backyard.

PLAYER: Manny Sicre
YEAR: 2011
SCHOOL: Belen Jesuit
CITY: Miami
POSITION: RB
HEIGHT: 5-10
WEIGHT: 172
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH: Richard Stuart

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: In a city that produces more than its share of talented running backs, here is yet another athlete who has been making an impact for two seasons now on a team that truly fits his style.

An elusive, quick back who has produced for the Wolverines with a hard running style that allows him to find holes, get through them and make things happen.

Having watched him perform a number of times, this is a talented athlete who does as much for a team as anyone when healthy. Split time with fellow backs Sergio Fernandez-Soto and Imani Davis, leading the team with over 700 yards on the ground.

With his work on the football field as well as his impressive classroom skills, colleges and universities throughout the country have already put Sicre on a list that will provide a college scholarship next year at this time.

This is a huge year as he will have plenty of opportunities to lead this program to a second straight district title!

HERALD STATEWIDE INFORMATION
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VIDEO: Belen coach Rich Stuart

VIDEO: Media Day in Broward

More videos...

HERALD SPOTLIGHT: Courtney Hall

Having the opportunity to watch many of the athletes in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties when they begin playing football at the youth football level, the Miami Herald will shine the spotlight on many athletes during the spring and summer.

With the chance to see the athletes away from the football field as well, we can bring you up close and personal with some of the top prospects in the nation - right here in our own backyard.

PLAYER: Courtney Hall
YEAR: 2011
SCHOOL: Blanche Ely
CITY: Pompano Beach
POSITION: DB
HEIGHT: 5-10.5
WEIGHT: 170
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH: Rodney Gray

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: One of the top prospects in a secondary that has the chance to be very special in 2010.

One of the top defensive back prospects who can play either cornerback or string safety, where his physical play really comes to the front.

The leader on a unit that could be one of the best in Broward County this season, his ability to make plays, using speed and the ability to read the play, are huge when colleges have been looking at one of the next top-flight prospects that this school has produced through the years.

Has been a catalyst for this team throughout the spring and summer as he relishes the opportunity to be the leader. Will also play receiver for the Tigers this season.

HERALD STATEWIDE INFORMATION
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HERALD SPOTLIGHT: Caylin McBeth

Having the opportunity to watch many of the athletes in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties when they begin playing football at the youth football level, the Miami Herald will shine the spotlight on many athletes during the spring and summer.

With the chance to see the athletes away from the football field as well, we can bring you up close and personal with some of the top prospects in the nation - right here in our own backyard.

PLAYER: Caylin McBeth
YEAR: 2011
SCHOOL: American
CITY: Hialeah
POSITION: WR
HEIGHT: 5-9
WEIGHT: 170
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH: Chance Benton

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: One of the many athletes in South Florida that used their impressive speed to open the door and then have made the most of every opportunity.

Following this quality athletes since his sophomore season, it's easy to see why several schools have been impressed at not only his speed, but his skill level on the football field.

Caught 25 balls for over 300 yards a year ago, and now with a team that has some very quick and impressive athletes, look for him to pick up his game as colleges will be watching home very closely this fall.

Was yet another member of the 7-on-7 national champion South Florida Express, where he turned plenty of heads all summer long. This is a football player to keep an eye on!

HERALD STATEWIDE INFORMATION
Statewide Information

Shazier, Burrows and DeMoney on radio

It's all about high school football this week as the 2010 season officially started on Monday with practices filling football fields across the state.

The High School Gridiron Report brings you the latest information on the teams, players and coaches as Larry Blustein and Kevin Rogers welcome Plantation defensive end/linebacker Ryan Shazier, Miami Southridge head coach Patrick Burrows and Jamie DeMoney from PrepNation.com to Wednesday night's show from 9-10 on WQAM (560 am).

SHAZIER IS A GATOR
Shazier, one of the top football players in the state, who committed to the University of Florida earlier this summer, finished his junior season with 87 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, two fumbles caused, two fumbles recovered (one for a touchdown) and one blocked kick. Second Team All State for 6A classification. First Team All Broward County DL by Miami Herald.

In the summer, the 6-2, 200-pounder was part of the South Florida Express, which captured the national 7-on-7 Badger national tournament in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

BURROWS BACK FOR MORE
Last season, his first at traditional power Southridge, Burrows guided the Spartans to an unbeaten season, sending a number of quality player to college, including the first two ever from Miami-Dade County to Big-12 power Texas Tech.

Burrows, a former Miami Killian standout who also turned Southwest Miami's program around, has already sent defensive backs Andrew Johnson and Gerrod Holliman to the SEC. Both committed earlier this summer to attend Ole Miss.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL POLL
DeMoney begins his second decade compiling the World Features Syndicate/Associated Press National Prep Poll. He has covered high school sports and recruiting for more than 15 years and compiled the National Prep Poll since 1999. DeMoney has also compiled high school football and basketball rankings for Sporting News, School Sports, and RISE.

The pre-season PrepNation.com poll lists South Florida teams Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer (No. 6), St. Thomas Aquinas (No. 7), Miami Central (No. 29), Miami Northwestern (No. 34) and Glades Central (No. 95).

You can follow the high school BLOG as well as listen to live and archived programming on www.wqam.com.

VIDEO: Media Day at The Herald (Part 3)

Time for another series of video interviews from our media day. 

In this installment, Belen linebacker and University of Miami recruit Nick Menocal, Columbus receiver Tacoi Sumler (Oregon commitment), Booker T. Washington defensive tackle Elkino Watson, Norland running back Duke Johnson (Jr.), Central running back Devonta Freeman (Florida State commitment) and Ferguson running back Steven Braddy (Jr.).

MEDIA DAY PART 2: Hialeah running back Jerron Seymour, Pace defensive back Jabari Gorman, Jackson safety Robensen Therezie, Gulliver running back Cedric Walker, Southridge cornerback Andrew Johnson and safety Gerrod Holliman.

MEDIA DAY PART 1: Northwestern receiver Eli Rogers and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Columbus defensive end Anthony Rabasa, Krop linebacker Marvin Jean, American defensive end GodsPower Offor and Archbishop Carroll linebacker Jake Garabedian.