High School Sports Blog

Stranahan hires alum Willie Hill as new football coach

Courtesy of Miami Herald writer Concepcion Ledezma

Stranahan has announced the hiring of former Dragon Willie Hill as its
new head coach on Thursday.
   A former standout as a defensive back and track star at Stranahan, the
31-year-old Hill hopes revive a struggling program which is coming off an
3-7 season.
   "This was an opportunity I couldn't pass up, and I had others," said
Hill, who will be moving from Clewiston and will be on the Stranahan
faculty as a graphic photo shop teacher and head the STEM program (dual
enrollment).
   "My wife (Erin) and brother are Dragons, I come from a long line of
Stranahan graduates. I don't see our program as struggling, as much as just
having some down years. While I plan to keep most of the assistants, I am
targeting some assistants positions to fill in with guys with college
experience"
   He plans to add his brother Renaldo, also a former Dragon standout,
among his coaching staff.
   After graduating from Stranahan, where he played alongside Asante
Samuels, Hill went on to letter at Central Michigan University as a
standout receiver and track athlete while earning a degree in graphic
design.

New Central football coach Roland Smith excited about opportunity to return to sidelines

Roland Smith called me back this morning to talk about his new job coaching the defending state champion Miami Central football team.

The Rockets officially hired Smith Wednesday to replace Telly Lockette, who was hired to be the running backs coach at the University of South Florida in March.

Smith returns to coaching high school football in Miami-Dade County after six seasons away. Smith had been teaching at North Miami Middle School.

"I’m very excited for this opportunity and grateful to Miami Central for offering it to me," said Smith in a phone interview Thursday morning. "I’ve got a lot of energy and I’m excited to get back and help these guys try to win another state title and excel on the national level."

Smith guided his alma mater Northwestern to a state championship and a perfect 15-0 season in 2006. Smith was then removed along with the majority of his coaching staff at the time by former Dade schools superintendent Rudy Crew in the wake of the scandal involving former Bulls running back Antwain Easterling.

Smith and his coaches were cleared of all wrongdoing in the matter in the ensuing months.

During his six seasons as Northwestern’s coach, Smith led the Bulls to a 69-13 record (best of any team during that span), a state title, a state runner-up finish in 2001, and state semifinal appearances in 2002 and 2005.

Smith had been rumored to be in the running for a few premier coaching vacancies in recent years, including Northwestern and Booker T. Washington, before they hired their current coaches.

"I didn’t want to rush into just any situation," Smith said. "When Central contacted me I was at the Youth Fair with my son, and I was excited they had me in mind. I told them I needed a little time to think about it. The great thing is I get to coach again with a lot of guys that coached with me in the past and have done an excellent job here [at Central]. I’m so proud and happy to get a chance to coach with them again."

Smith takes over a Central program that ranks among the nation’s best, having won two Class 6A state championships in the past three seasons under Lockette, who guided the Rockets to a 60-10 record in five seasons.

Smith said he was set to meet with his new team Thursday afternoon.

Central has advanced to three consecutive state finals and have not lost to a Dade opponent since 2008.

In hopes of making it three championships in four years, the Rockets will take on a challenging schedule this coming season that includes a trip to New Jersey to take on national powerhouse Don Bosco Prep and games against defending Class 4A state champion Booker T. Washington, Class 3A champion Davie University School, Plantation American Heritage, Norland, Northwestern, Carol City, Homestead and Coral Reef.

Miami Northwestern-St. Thomas Aquinas to play in football in 2013

            For years, fans have asked, “Who would win if Northwestern and St. Thomas Aquinas played each other?”

            They’ll get an answer this fall.

           Northwestern and St. Thomas Aquinas agreed this week to play their mutual season-opener at Sun Life Stadium on the weekend of August 29-31. The date will be finalized once the schedules for the University of Miami and the Miami Dolphins are released.

            "It's pretty much all set, we're just working out a few of the details now," Northwestern athletic director Andre Williams told The Miami Herald Thursday morning.

    The two programs have combined for 11 state championships and three national titles. St. Thomas Aquinas won its seventh state crown this past season winning the Class 7A championship and won national titles in 2008 and 2010.

Northwestern went 9-3 last season reaching the Class 6A regional semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Central.

            Northwestern has won four (1995, 1998, 2006, 2007) including a national championship in 2007.

National Signing Day: St. Thomas Aquinas DL Joey Bosa

Here's a National Signing Day interview with St. Thomas Aquinas DL Joey Bosa.

Video courtesy of Herald writer Christina De Nicola

 

National Signing Day: Southridge DBs Jamal Carter and Lamar Robbins

Here's a National Signing Day interview with Southridge DB Jamal Carter, who signed with UM, and Southridge DB Lamar Robbins, who signed with USF.

Video courtesy of Herald writer David Furones

 

National Signing Day: Miramar LB Jermaine Grace

Here's an interview with Miramar linebacker Jermaine Grace after he signed with UM.

Video courtesy of Herald writer David Furones.

 

AP Florida Class 3A All-State football team

The Associated Press Florida Class 3A All-State Team as chosen by newspaper editors and reporters.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB-Sean White, 6-3 200, Jr., Hollywood Chaminade

RB-Greg Bryant, 5-11 205, Sr. Delray Beach American Heritage

RB-Jordan Scarlett, 6-0 195, So., Davie University

RB-Lloyd Hylton, 5-10 185, Sr., Orlando First Academy

WR-Jordan Cunningham, 6-3 175, Sr., Davie University

WR-Jordan White, 5-9 170, Sr., Lakeland Christian

OL-Ira Denson, 6-4 320, Sr., Madison County

OL-Cory Martinez, 6-4 305, Jr., Tampa Catholic

OL-Josh Peters, 6-3 305, Jr. Orlando First Academy

OL-Jace Banfell, 6-3 290, Sr., Pensacola Catholic

OL-Tristan Brown, 6-4 285, Sr., Ocala Trinity

UT-Marcus Davis, 5-11 190, Sr., Delray Beach American Heritage 

K-Greg Joseph, 6-1 195, Sr., Delray Beach American Heritage

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL-Nick Internicola, 6-4 225, Sr., Davie University

DL-Jordan Adderley, 6-1 245, Sr., Clearwater Central Catholic

DL-Kyle Lay, 6-2 230., Sr., Pensacola Catholic

DL-Brandon Crawford, 6-2 235, Sr., Madison County

LB-Skai Moore, 6-2 215, Sr., Davie University

LB-Delvin Purifoy, 6-2 230, Jr., Pensacola Catholic

LB-Jake Giordano, 6-1 230, Sr., Delray Beach American Heritage

LB-Colton Plante, 6-1 220, Sr., Orlando First Academy

DB-Nick Washington, 6-1 190, Sr., Jacksonville Trinity

DB-Mike Stevenson, 6-1 190, Sr., Clearwater Central Catholic

DB-Devin McCalebb, 5-9 170, Sr., Fort Meade

UT-Sheddrick Williams, 6-0 180, Sr., Madison County

P-Jason Coste, 5-11 175, Sr., Tallahassee Florida High

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB-Mike White, 6-3 195, Sr., Davie University

RB-Keon Bruton, 5-9 190, Sr., Madison County

RB-Khari Lewis, 5-11 185, Sr. Tallahassee Florida High

RB-Ben Deluzio, 6-2 185, Sr., Orlando First Academy

WR-Isaiah Ford, 6-2 175, Jr., Jacksonville Trinity

WR-Dionte Taylor, 6-0 175, Sr., Davie University

OL-Roderick Johnson, 6-6 318, Sr., Delray Beach American Heritage

OL-Kabarris Harkless, 6-5 260, Jr. Jacksonville Trinity

OL-Jordan Budwig, 6-5 320, Sr., Davie University

OL-Danny Munoz, 6-4 310, Sr., Hollywood Chaminade

OL-Maquedius Bain, 6-5 300, Sr., Davie University

UT-Travis Rudolph, 6-1 182, Jr., West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman 

K-Peter Gilligan, 6-1 180, Sr. Jacksonville Providence

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL-Ryan Collins, 6-3 245, Sr., Melbourne Holy Trinity

DL-Brandon Boyce, 6-0 240, So., Davie University

DL-Giancarlo Bennardo, 5-11 245, Sr., Delray Beach American Heritage

DL-Elivisi Halapio, 6-3 238, Jr., St Petersburg Catholic

LB-Cecil Cherry, 6-3 245, So., Frostproof

LB-Tevin Floyd, 6-1 230, Sr., Tallahasee Florida High

LB-T.J. Harrell, 6-0 205, Jr., Tampa Catholic

LB-Kellen Snyder, 6-2 212, Jr., Fort White

DB-Xavier Swinton, 6-1 200, Sr. Delray Beach American Heritage

DB-Wesley Smith, 5-11 180, Sr., Davie University

DB-Jamonte Jones, 5-11 180, Sr., Ocala Trinity

UT-Trey Larry, 5-11 175, Sr., Clearwater Central Catholic 

P-Paul Schumacher, 5-9 170, Jr., West Palm Beach King's Academy

HONORABLE MENTION

QB Cody Henry, 6-2 190, Jr. Pensacola Catholic; QB Christian Alexander, 6-3 205, So., Lakeland Christian; QB David Heinkle, 6-2 175, Sr. Williston; QB D.J. McKnight, 6-0 180, Sr., Madison County; RB Matt Henderson, 5-9 170, So., Jacksonville Episcopal; RB Devonte Clark, 5-9 180, Sr., Fort Meade; RB McKenna Johnson, 5-11 190, Jr., North Palm Beach Benjamin; WR Jaleel Green, 6-1 190, Sr., Jacksonville Providence; WR Damien Strange, 6-0 175 Sr., Williston; TE Matt Burke, 6-6 215, Sr., West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman; TE Jonathan Pavlov, 6-5 230, Sr. North Palm Beach Benjamin; UT Will Jeanlys, 6-2 180, Jr., Boca Raton Pope John Paul; UT Timothy Irvin, 5-9 175, So., Miami Westminster; UT Justin Motlow, 5-9 180, Jr., Tampa Catholic; UT Deonshay Wells, 5-9 170, Jr., Madison County; DT Gage Smith, 5-11 205, Sr., Ocala Trinity; LB Evan Harvey, 6-2 223, Sr., Delray Beach American Heritage; LB Tre Watson 6-3 210 Jr., Tampa Catholic; LB Ethan Thompson, 5-11 185, Jr., Clearwater Central Catholic; LB Bobby Martin, 6-1 200, So., Maitland Orangewood Christian; LB Cody Schooley, 6-0 230, Sr., Davie University; UT Edwin Thomas, 5-9 170, Jr., Fort Pierce John Carroll; UT Michael Mulberry, 6-0 170, Sr., Fort White; UT Demardre Patterson, 5-11 190, Jr., Sarasota Cardinal Mooney; DB Jalen Battle, 6-3 175, Sr., Davie University.

AP Florida Class 4A All-State football team

The Associated Press Florida Class 4A All-State Team as chosen by newspaper editors and reporters.

CLASS 4A

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB-Treon Harris 6-0 185, Jr., Miami Washington

RB-Derrick Henry, 6-3 240, Sr., Yulee

RB-Tarean Folston, 5-10 195, Sr., Cocoa

RB-Bo Ellis, 5-8 185, Sr. Miami Gulliver Prep

WR-Janorris Cunningham, 5-10 170, Sr., Havana East Gadsden

WR-Tyrian Taylor, 5-10 170,  Sr., Orlando Jones

OL-Denver Kirkland, 6-5 330, Sr., Miami  Washington

OL-Chance Edwards, 6-5 340, Sr., Bushnell South Sumter

OL-Nick Ortiz, 6-3 280, Sr., Yulee

OL-Jordi Dalmau, 6-3 280, Sr., Miami Gulliver Prep

OL-Treyvon Johnson, 5-11 245, Sr., Cocoa

UT-Kermit Whitfield, 5-9 170, Sr., Orlando Jones 

K-Alejandro Cardenas, 5-9 170, Jr., Miami LaSalle

 

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL-Gregory Smith, 6-2 225, Sr., Havana East Gadsden

DL-Darien Williston, 6-3 240, Sr., Bushnell South Sumter

DL-Michael Cassidy, 6-2 265, Jr., Jacksonville Bolles

DL-Chad Thomas, 6-4 230, Jr., Miami Washington

LB-Matthew Thomas, 6-3 220, Sr., Miami Washington

LB-Kyle Deiner, 6-0 215, Sr., Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest

LB-Anthony Walker, 6-1 210, Sr., Miami Monsignor Pace

LB-Anthony Gordon, 6-2 225, Sr., Fort Myers Dunbar

DB-Darren Parker, 6-1 175, Sr., Miami Washington

DB-Tajze Battle, 5-11 165, Jr., Fort Myers Dunbar

DB-Keanu Neal, 6-0 205, Sr., Bushnell South Sumter

UT-Shawun Lurry, 5-10 180, Jr., Riviera Beach Inlet Grove 

P-Dalton Murph, 5-11 185, Jr., Callahan West Nassau

 

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB-David Dessent, 6-4 245, Sr., Cocoa Beach

RB-Antwan Lee, 5-10 180, Sr. Cocoa

RB-Arterrious Mitchell, 6-1 185, Sr., Jacksonville Bolles

RB-Virthavious Robinson, 5-9 180, Sr., Clewiston

WR-Nicholas Norris, 5-10 170, Sr., Miami Washington

WR-Boone Lewis, 6-2 200, Sr., Cocoa Beach

OL-Ander Botkin, 6-6 280, Sr., Marianna

OL-Jack Dobrie, 5-10 280, Sr., Yulee

OL-Derrick Kelly, 6-5 265, Jr., Havana East Gadsden

OL-Miguel Perera, 6-1 290, Sr., Clewiston

OL-Freddie Booth-Lloyd, 6-4 295, Jr., Cocoa

UT-Franklin Labady, 5-8 160, Jr., Miami Edison 

K-Harris Stolzenberg, 5-7 148, Sr., Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest

 

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL-Deonte Barnett, 6-3 215, Sr., Cocoa

DL-Eric Mayes, 6-5 265, Sr., Sarasota Booker

DL-Michael Miller, 6-4 240, Sr., Orlando  Jones

DL-Landon Stokes, 6-4 245, Sr., Orlando Lake Highland Prep

LB-Kyle Tanner, 6-0 195, Jr., Marianna

LB-Demerious Sweeting, 6-0  175, Sr., Cocoa

LB-Luke Kellschmidt, 6-2 190, Jr., Perry Taylor County

LB-Brycen Gagnon, 6-0 215, Jr., Yulee

DB-Michael Johnson, 6-0 175, Sr., Miami Washington

DB-Nigel Patten, 5-9 170, Jr., Miami Washington

DB-Kyle Francis, 5-8 155, Sr., Havana East Gadsden

UT-B.J. Simpson, 6-0 190, Sr. Orlando Lake Highland Prep 

P-Gianluca Heatherly, 6-0 210, Sr., Jacksonville Bolles

 

HONORABLE MENTION

QB Treveze Robinson, 6-2 180, Sr., Havana East Gadsden; QB Jacquez Young-Battle, 6-1 160, Sr., Orlando Jones; QB Bobby LaRocca, 5-10 175, Sr., Mount Dora; QB Marvin Zanders, 6-1 175, Jr., Jacksonville Raines; UT Daniel Cobb, 5-10 165, So., Fort Myers Dunbar; QB Colby Peters, 6-0 205, Sr., Jacksonville Bolles; RB Alex Gonzales, 5-9 175, Sr., Keystone Heights; FB Jason Ray, 5-8 200, Sr., Yulee; RB Krondis Larry, 5-9 170, Jr., Miami Washington; RB D'Von Ballard, 5-9 180, Sr., Miami Washington; RB Marlon Mack, 5-9 175, Jr., Sarasota Booker; WR Lamar Parker, 5-10 175 Jr., Miami Washington; WR Kenny Dinkins, 6-0 175, Jr., Starke Bradford; WR Moral Stephens, 6-3 205, Jr., Perry Taylor County; UT Jerrell Reynolds, 5-9 180, Sr., Havana East Gadsden; RB Dexter Carter Jr., 6-0 170, So., Jacksonville Bolles; DL Brandon Curtis, 6-3 220, Sr., Bushnell South Sumter; LB Zane Cruze, 6-0 200, Jr., Yulee; DB Nigel Tribune, 5-11 170, Sr., Jacksonville Raines; DB Kenneth Maxwell, 6-0 180, Sr., Bushnell South Sumter; DL Calvin McLeod, 6-2 215, Sr., Miami LaSalle; UT Kalvin Cline, 6-4 220, Sr., Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest; DB Jamual Vickers, 6-2 180, Sr. Havana East Gadsden.

The FHSAA's tentative football realignment as it affects South Florida

Here's how the new football districts that include South Florida teams would look like if they stay the same. Schools can appeal the FHSAA to move until January 18th of course so expect these to change a bit.

DISTRICT 11-8A: Coral Springs; Coral Glades; Deerfield Beach; Parkland Douglas; Coconut Creek Monarch; Sunrise Piper; South Plantation; Coral Springs Taravella.

DISTRICT 12-8A: Cooper City; Weston Cypress Bay; Miramar Everglades; Pembroke Pines Flanagan; Hollywood McArthur; Miramar; Davie Western.

DISTRICT 13-8A: Miami Dr. Krop; Hialeah; Hialeah Gardens; Miami Beach; North Miami.

DISTRICT 14-8A: Miami Columbus; Coral Gables; Miami High; Miami Coral Park.

DISTRICT 15-8A: Miami Braddock; Miami Ferguson; Southwest Miami; Miami Varela.

DISTRICT 16-8A: Coral Reef; Miami Killian; Miami Palmetto; South Dade.

DISTRICT 14-7A: Pompano Beach Blanche Ely; Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson; Fort Lauderdale; Oakland Park Northeast.

DISTRICT 15-7A: Hollywood Hills; Davie Nova; Plantation; South Broward; Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.

DISTRICT 16-7A: Hialeah American; Homestead; Miami Springs; Miami Central; Miami Sunset; Miami Southridge; North Miami Beach; Reagan-Doral; South Miami; Westland Hialeah.

DISTRICT 15-6A: Boynton Beach; Coconut Creek; Fort Lauderdale Dillard; Pembroke Pines Charter; Fort Lauderdale Stranahan.

DISTRICT 16-6A: Miami Belen Jesuit; Miami Goleman; Hialeah Miami Lakes; Miami Carol City; Miami Norland; Miami Northwestern.

DISTRICT 16-5A: Plantation American Heritage; Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy; Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons; Hallandale; Key West; Miami Jackson; Pompano Beach; Riviera Beach Suncoast.

DISTRICT 7-4A: Belle Glade Glades Central; Riviera Beach Inlet Grove; Coconut Creek North Broward Prep; Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest; Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy; Fort Lauderdale University School.

DISTRICT 8-4A: Pinecrest Gulliver Prep; Homestead Keys Gate Charter; Miami Monsignor Pace; Miami Booker T. Washington.

DISTRICT 8-3A: Miami Archbishop Carroll; Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian; Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna; Miami Westminster Christian.

DISTRICT 7-2A: Boca Raton Christian; Coral Springs Christian; Belle Glade Glades Day; Pompano Beach Highlands Christian; Jupiter Christian; West Palm Beach Summit Christian; Delray Beach Village Academy.

DISTRICT 8-2A: Florida City Barrington Christian; Hialeah Champagnat Catholic; Miami Dade Christian.

INDEPENDENTS: Miami Archbishop Curley; Tavernier Coral Shores; Coral Springs Charter; Miami Doral Academy; Miami Florida Christian; North Miami Beach Hillel; Miami Immaculata-La Salle; Marathon; Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy; Miami Country Day; North Miami Mourning; Miami Northwest Christian; Palmetto Bay Palmer Trinity; Princeton Christian; Miami Ransom Everglades; Fort Lauderdale South Florida HEAT; Pembroke Pines West Broward; Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy; Deerfield Beach Zion Lutheran.

Former Dade stars excelling nationally

A few notes on some former athletes from Dade doing well on the national scene.

FOOTBALL

            Former Columbus receiver Erik Lora’s record-setting season at Eastern Illinois University was recognized nationally this week. Lora set the FCS single-season record for receptions in a season with 136 catches for 1,664 yards. Lora led the FCS in both categories as his 1,664 yards receiving was the fourth best single season total in FCS history.

Lora was the only Ohio Valley Conference player chosen to the team finishing fourth in the balloting for this year's Walter Payton Award after earning OVC Offensive Player of the Year honors. He opened the season with seven straight 100-yard receiving games which ties for the best FCS total since 2000. 

WATER POLO

            Former Ransom Everglades water polo standout Michael Rosenthal added his name to USC’s national championship tradition this past week. Rosenthal had three goals in the Trojans’ 11-10 national title win against UCLA that clinched their fifth consecutive national championship. Rosenthal, a senior, finished with 31 goals.

VOLLEYBALL

Former Westminster Christian standout Rebecca Acevedo, a sophomore at Palm Beach Atlantic University was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II All-America team. Acevedo, an All-Dade first team selection in high school, was selected as honorable mention after posting 1,405 assists, 177 digs, 58 kills, 49 service aces and 40 total blocks this season.s