With camps, combines and 7-on-7s finished for another year, it's time to get down to the business of football, and the Maroone High School Gridiron Report helps you get in the mood this week with an outstanding show.
Larry Blustein gets the summer practices kicked off with a trio of outstanding coaches. Joining the show this Thursday night between 9-10 are University of Miami head coach Al Golden, Northeast High head coach Donnell Bennett and Miami Christopher Columbus head coach Chris Merritt.
THE GOLDEN ERA BEGINS
From the moment he accepted the job at Miami, Golden has been impressive.
From an exceptional 2011 recruiting class that he and his staff put together in under three weeks - to a summer camp series that was certainly the talk of South Florida, the former Penn State standout has been well received by high school coaches, players and fans.
With coaching experience in the Atlantic Coast Conference at Boston College and Virginia as well as at his alma mater and most recently, turning Temple University around, Golden, 42, has a proven track record of building and maintaining programs.
Golden's ties to the Northeast - especially in his home state of New Jersey - will help the Hurricanes get back into a fertile recruiting area that helped this team flourish in the 90s.
TAKING THIS JOB SERIOUS
Bennett played running back in the National Football League for 8 years with Kansas City and Washington, and while he enjoyed plenty of success after leaving the University of Miami, this Cardinal Gibbons High School graduate has found something else that he has a passion for - coaching!
After last year's thrilling loss to Cypress Bay in the final second of the regional semifinals, Bennett and his Northeast Hurricanes have the talent and confidence to once again make a solid run to Orlando.
COULD THIS BE THE YEAR?
If you happen to be a Christopher Columbus football fan, you understand that no matter how talented the Explorers have been over the years, getting to play for a state championship has always been met with major obstacles.
This season, moving up to 8A, many who follow the game, believe that Coach Merritt and his team have as much talent as the school has ever had.
With quality seniors, juniors and gifted sophomores and freshmen, this is a program that is deep with athletes.
You can catch the show live via the internet at www.wqam.com. Miss the show? You can download the archives at http://sfhighschoolsports.com.
