MESSAGE TO DADE'S ALL-STAR PLAYERS: KEEP STUDYING
Miami Herald, The (FL) - Wednesday, January 5, 2000
Author: STEPHEN F. HOLDER, sholder@herald.com
Members of the Nike Miami-Dade All-Star football team received a straightforward message Tuesday from guys that make their living playing the game: you probably won't make it to the NFL.
That was what Dolphins Lamar Thomas, Sam Madison and John Bock tried to convey to the county's best high school players in a short session before Tuesday's practice at Monsignor Pace High. Friday, the team will square off against Broward's best in the third annual Nike Dade-Broward All-Star game.
Instead of relying on football, the players told their younger counterparts to make education their priority.
``If you're lucky, one of you will make the pros and maybe four of you will make it to a training camp,'' offensive lineman Bock told the group of about 50 players and coaches. ``That's why you have to take care of your education. Sooner or later you're going to have to go out and get a job and make some money.''
It can be difficult work convincing talented young men that they may not be talented enough.
Said receiver Thomas: ``For most of you here, it's been pretty easy so far. I remember when I was in high school, I would say, `Just throw the ball up and I'll go get it.' But with each arena you move to, the game gets tougher for you. You're going to have to work and you're going to have to study like you never have before.''
After talking to the players, Madison, Thomas and Bock took to the field for a brief skills clinic with the players and a couple dozen youth football players in elementary and middle school. Madison, an All-Pro cornerback, was busy showing defensive backs the secrets of playing that difficult position. Thomas was helping receivers with route-running techniques, and Bock taught some of the blocking tricks of his trade.
After the clinic, it was back to preparation for Friday's game (7 p.m., Traz Powell Stadium). Miami-Dade and Broward have split the previous two contests, but this season Dade again will host the game and is looking for a good showing. Each player has a different reason for playing.
``I have got to win this game. The last game I played in left a bad taste in my mouth,'' Southridge running back Curtis Cannon said. The Spartans lost, 21-14, to Tallahassee Lincoln in the Class 6A state final last month.
For Jackson offensive lineman Maurice Smith, it's personal. His mother died of a stroke Sunday, but he is determined to compete in the game. ``I'm out here on just my will alone. This is just something I have to do.''
Class 1A All-State
Miami-Dade County had three representatives on the Class 1A All-State football team released Tuesday by the Florida Sports Writers Association. They were Florida Christian's Gaby Hernandez (OL) and David Grubbs (DB) and Northwest Christian's Willie Walker (LB).
FIRST TEAM
Offense - OL: Brennis Smith (Vernon); Bryan Bailey (Fort Meade); Gaby Hernandez (Miami Florida Christian); Kevin Collie (Tallahassee Florida High); Ronald Simmons (Crescent City); QB: Warren Butler (Monticello Jefferson County); RB: Chris Fletcher (Bristol Liberty County); Derico Nelson (Fort Meade); WR: Maurice Daniels (Vernon); Dexter Gant (Port St. Joe); Glen Gillins (Hawthorne); K/P: Will Rhody (North Palm Beach Benjamin); Utility: James Holman (Belle Glade Glades Day).
Defense - DL: Josh Kannel (Belle Glade Glades Day); Omar Platt (Tallahassee Florida High); Walter Curry (Crescent City); LB: Trevor Harris (St. Petersburg Shorecrest); Johnny Todd (Gainesville P.K. Yonge); Charlie Myers (Tallahassee North Florida Christian); Willie Walker (Miami Northwest Christian); DB: Chad Clark (Fort Meade); David Grubbs (Miami Florida Christian); Claudius Osei (Tallahassee North Florida Christian); Adam Hatcher (Blountstown); KR: Joe B. Williams (Gainesville P.K. Yonge); Utility: Kerry Webb (Baker).
SECOND TEAM
Offense (Miami-Dade players only): OL: Hector Azor (Miami Dade Christian); K: Gui Cancio-Bell (Miami Westminster Christian). Defense (Miami-Dade players only): No Miami-Dade county players were listed.
HONORABLE MENTION
Miami Dade players only: Roy Altman (QB, Miami Country Day); Mike Alexis (RB, Miami Northwest Christian); Travis Glasford (RB, Miami Westminster Christian); Chad Konchak (WR, Miami Country Day).
That was what Dolphins Lamar Thomas, Sam Madison and John Bock tried to convey to the county's best high school players in a short session before Tuesday's practice at Monsignor Pace High. Friday, the team will square off against Broward's best in the third annual Nike Dade-Broward All-Star game.
Instead of relying on football, the players told their younger counterparts to make education their priority.
``If you're lucky, one of you will make the pros and maybe four of you will make it to a training camp,'' offensive lineman Bock told the group of about 50 players and coaches. ``That's why you have to take care of your education. Sooner or later you're going to have to go out and get a job and make some money.''
It can be difficult work convincing talented young men that they may not be talented enough.
Said receiver Thomas: ``For most of you here, it's been pretty easy so far. I remember when I was in high school, I would say, `Just throw the ball up and I'll go get it.' But with each arena you move to, the game gets tougher for you. You're going to have to work and you're going to have to study like you never have before.''
After talking to the players, Madison, Thomas and Bock took to the field for a brief skills clinic with the players and a couple dozen youth football players in elementary and middle school. Madison, an All-Pro cornerback, was busy showing defensive backs the secrets of playing that difficult position. Thomas was helping receivers with route-running techniques, and Bock taught some of the blocking tricks of his trade.
After the clinic, it was back to preparation for Friday's game (7 p.m., Traz Powell Stadium). Miami-Dade and Broward have split the previous two contests, but this season Dade again will host the game and is looking for a good showing. Each player has a different reason for playing.
``I have got to win this game. The last game I played in left a bad taste in my mouth,'' Southridge running back Curtis Cannon said. The Spartans lost, 21-14, to Tallahassee Lincoln in the Class 6A state final last month.
For Jackson offensive lineman Maurice Smith, it's personal. His mother died of a stroke Sunday, but he is determined to compete in the game. ``I'm out here on just my will alone. This is just something I have to do.''
Class 1A All-State
Miami-Dade County had three representatives on the Class 1A All-State football team released Tuesday by the Florida Sports Writers Association. They were Florida Christian's Gaby Hernandez (OL) and David Grubbs (DB) and Northwest Christian's Willie Walker (LB).
FIRST TEAM
Offense - OL: Brennis Smith (Vernon); Bryan Bailey (Fort Meade); Gaby Hernandez (Miami Florida Christian); Kevin Collie (Tallahassee Florida High); Ronald Simmons (Crescent City); QB: Warren Butler (Monticello Jefferson County); RB: Chris Fletcher (Bristol Liberty County); Derico Nelson (Fort Meade); WR: Maurice Daniels (Vernon); Dexter Gant (Port St. Joe); Glen Gillins (Hawthorne); K/P: Will Rhody (North Palm Beach Benjamin); Utility: James Holman (Belle Glade Glades Day).
Defense - DL: Josh Kannel (Belle Glade Glades Day); Omar Platt (Tallahassee Florida High); Walter Curry (Crescent City); LB: Trevor Harris (St. Petersburg Shorecrest); Johnny Todd (Gainesville P.K. Yonge); Charlie Myers (Tallahassee North Florida Christian); Willie Walker (Miami Northwest Christian); DB: Chad Clark (Fort Meade); David Grubbs (Miami Florida Christian); Claudius Osei (Tallahassee North Florida Christian); Adam Hatcher (Blountstown); KR: Joe B. Williams (Gainesville P.K. Yonge); Utility: Kerry Webb (Baker).
SECOND TEAM
Offense (Miami-Dade players only): OL: Hector Azor (Miami Dade Christian); K: Gui Cancio-Bell (Miami Westminster Christian). Defense (Miami-Dade players only): No Miami-Dade county players were listed.
HONORABLE MENTION
Miami Dade players only: Roy Altman (QB, Miami Country Day); Mike Alexis (RB, Miami Northwest Christian); Travis Glasford (RB, Miami Westminster Christian); Chad Konchak (WR, Miami Country Day).
Memo: HIGH SCHOOLS / FOOTBALL
No comments:
Post a Comment