South Florida High School Round-Up: Kickoff Classics

South Florida High School Round-Up: Kickoff Classics

Peter Ariz
Peter Ariz
While none of the games this week count for the records, it is still an important step for teams' early season progress.


Miramar 28-0 over McArthur
(Analysis courtesy of Cameron Underwood)

"1. Jermaine Grace is better than ever. He had 6 tackles (2 for loss), a sack, and a deflected pass all in the first half. His ability to switch from run defense to pass coverage to blitzing on any play make him a terror for any offense he faces. McArthur tried to chip him with a tight end or pull a lineman his way, but Grace was able to shed those blocks easily and make plays. I'm interested in seeing him continue this type of performance through the season.

2. Running Backs were the stars of the offense for both teams. McArthur's Cameron Johnson (c/o 2014, 6'1" 195lbs), and Miramar's Alex Lee (c/o 2013, 5'11" 180lbs, 4.46 40), Cameron Rigby (c/o 2014, 5'8" 177lbs), Khalil Lewis (c/o 2014, 5'10" 185lbs), and Alex Anderson (c/o 2015, 6'1", 210lbs, 4.4 40) all ran hard, and made their fair share of plays. Anderson and Johnson used their physicality to punish defenders. Lee, Rigby, and Lewis all showed they have added power after a summer in the weight room, and that power complimented their blazing speed well. All 5 are BCS level recruits. In my opinion, Alex Anderson is going to end up being the best out of all of them. Canes need to have an eye on him.

3. Miramar Quarterback Nick Jeanty (c/o 2014, 6'2" 185lbs) had a nice game, going 11/19 for roughly 155 yards and a touchdown in his Patriot debut. Jeanty, who seems to have won the starting job over Gernald Hawkins after transferring from Archbishop McCarthy, suffered a couple drops, including one in the end zone on the last play of the first half. He has all the physical tools you look for in a signal caller. He should really open some eyes around the State this season.

4. McArthur Linebacker Jeremy Benjamin (c/o 2013, 6'1" 195) had a solid game. Unofficially he tallied 9 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 passes defended while playing the whole game. He also shifted from MLB to OLB, to DE on the night, showing his versatility. He's a mid-level FBS recruit, and should get looks from plenty of schools.

5. Along the defensive lines, standouts were Miramar DE Alex Trotman (c/o 2014, 5'10" 185lbs), DE/LB Shawn Stephens (c/o 2013, 6'1" 220), DT Telvin Arnold (c/o 2013, 6'2" 305lbs), and DT Darius Young (c/o 2013, 5'11" 270lbs), and McArthur DT Anthony Nieves (c/o 2014) and Terrell Jones (c/o 2013).

6. Both teams used this game to work on their staples (plays they will use frequently during the season), and see how young players react in new roles. I think both teams gained a lot of information and valuable experience, and will grow from this experience to have very good seasons."

Read more here: http://canesinsight.com/content.php?467-Quick-Reaction-Miramar-vs-McArthur-kickoff-classic

Columbus 24-6 over Northeast
(Analysis Courtesy of Tito Benach)

"-Columbus still has a dominant defense. Despite losing Three All Dade Defensive Linemen last year, Columbus' Defense is still powerful. They held WR Stacy Coley to one catch and also shut down the Northeast running game.

-2013 DB Adrian Campell had a interception that sparked momentum for Columbus to take the lead. 2015 Safety Calvin Brewton was ejected early in the game for a Unsportsman Conduct Penalty (Remember these are preseason rules, once you get an unsportsmanlike conduct you are ejected. I can vouch for Calvin saying the call was horrendous)

-Columbus lost RB Brandon Radlciff and many weren't sure is 2014 RB Oshton Armstrong could fill that three headed monster again. I can honestly say Columbus still has a three headed monster at running back position, he has the perfect set of speed, power and agility. Both Lorenzo Woodley (2013) and Daryl Chestnut (2013) each found the end zone once.

-2015 QB Tucker Beirne looked solid in his first performance in south Florida. Beirne didn't get many opportunities to throw the ball, but when he did he was accurate and fast. Beirne only threw one touchdown in his opening game but in his first appearance against south Florida it was a good one.

- 2013 WR Stacy Coley was a complete non-factor the majority of the game. Despite a late thirty yard wildcat run, He looked like a deer in headlights. Only accounted for one catch and was out of the game.

-Northeast in general looks like a very lost team, they are young and undisciplined but have potential.

Overall, The signs Columbus showed tonight were good despite not having all their players. Columbus' real test will be next Friday against the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders"

Read more here: http://canesinsight.com/content.php?466-Columbus-Vs-Northeast-Analysis
Also read Tito's thoughts on Stacy Coley here: http://canesinsight.com/showthread.php?26105-Stacy-Coley-Observations

Cypress Bay 17-10 over Homestead
Cypress Bay RB Matt Dayes had a great performance and Ermon Lane scored a TD.

Watch Highlights Here: http://sfhighschoolsports.com/videos/all/kick-classic-highlights-homestead-vs-cypress-bay

American Heritage Plantation 25-17 over Coral Reef
Sony Michel scored in his return from an ACL tear.

Watch Highlights Here: http://sfhighschoolsports.com/videos/all/kick-classic-highlights-american-heritage-vs-coral-reef

Central 15-7 over Dwyer (Yearby TD put Dwyer in the lead)
Central struggled with the West Palm Beach powerhouse, but got the W.

Belen Jesuit-Tampa Jesuit (cancelled)
Game got rained out, but we were still able to catch up with Miami Commit, Travis Johnson and 2014 LB target Vincent Jackson.
[video=youtube;MFrscnFbi1E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFrscnFbi1E[/video]

Jackson interview: http://canesinsight.com/content.php?465-2014-LB-Target-Loves-Miami

Booker T 32-6 over Miami Northwestern
-Booker T beat "The West" easily by a score of 32-6. It was Stephen Field's first game as head coach of the Bulls and there is definitely work that needs to be done. The talent drop off between the last few years and now for MNW is drastic. It is obvious that the talent just isn't there like the past. On the other hand, the Tornadoes look like a force to be reckoned with this year.

-The most impressive player of the night was none other than Matthew Thomas. He played up to everything he is supposed to be and more. The number one thing that sticks out about him is his versatility. He was lining up in every which way including from the middle linebacker spot, outside linebacker, stand-up end, he put his hand on the ground, and even played a couple snaps at defensive tackle and stunted to the outside. He had about 3 sacks by my count and also had a forced fumble. He was also effective dropping back into pass coverage. It would be catastrophic to see him end up anywhere other than Miami. He is that good.

-Another player that stood out was 2014 DL Chad Thomas. Thomas lined up inside as well as outside, but looks like a pure DE at the next level. He is extremely quick off the ball and has a great frame. He was in the backfield all night long and definitely looks like a high-level prospect.

-Denver Kirkland looked out of shape quite frankly, but that can be corrected once he gets to the next level. It's hard to teach his size, but he needs work with technique as well. There were multiple times early in the game where he had his hands on his hips and was on one knee in the huddle. Not a huge concern, but something to monitor.

-2014 CB Nigel Patten was very impressive on the night. While he isn't the tallest, he has a solid build with track speed and can cover. He was one-on-one with FSU commit JoJo Robinson all night, but had him blanketed and Robinson didn't have a catch all night.

-I really like 2014 ATH Treon Harris. Harris threw 3 TDs on the night and also made plays with his feet as well. He has deceptive athleticism and just finds ways to make plays. He is a kid that Miami has to take.

-Miami commit Artie Burns was playing safety and receiver on the night. At safety, he made a huge hit on a Booker T receiver. There was one instance where he could have made a play on the ball but tripped and Booker T scored on the play. He had a long kick return out to the Booker T 30 yard line. On offense, he made a couple nice catches, which showed his athletic ability.

Watch Highlights Here: http://sfhighschoolsports.com/videos/all/highlights-northwestern-vs-booker-t

St. Thomas 30-7 over Dillard
STA got the win before the showdown with Columbus next Friday at SunLife Stadium.

Watch Highlights Here: http://sfhighschoolsports.com/videos/all/dillard-vs-st-thomas

Hallandale 28-14 over Ely
Hallandale beat Ely 28-14, but the biggest piece of information from the game comes from the performance of 2014 Safety Jon Jackson, whose highlights were posted on the board a few weeks ago.

Jackson had 2 pick 6's last night and is a prospect that everybody should keep an eye on. He is very new to the game and has great size. Look for him to blow up this year.

Ely's Rashard Robinson (LSU Commit) had a pick 6 as well. He needs to add weight and is a legitimate 6'2 who can run and cover.

Carol City 21-7 over Norland
The Chiefs beat the Vikings in the Miami Gardens Mayor Cup. Carol City is looking to rebound from a 4-6 season last year.

Watch Highlights Here: http://sfhighschoolsports.com/videos/all/carol-city-vs-norland

Taravella 31-26 over Chaminade
Watch Highlights Here: http://sfhighschoolsports.com/videos/all/chaminade-vs-taravella
 

Comments (5)

Who is #21 from cypress bay? Like the way he runs.
 
any interest from either side? Might be worth keeping tabs if Collins bolts
 
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When does Jamal Carter's team play, anxious to see how he develops as a safety.
 
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