Coach Perry Schneider arrived at Taravella 4 years ago after a successful run at Deerfield Beach High School where in 2002 his team lost in the 6-A state semi finals. Taravella had been the doormat of Broward County in football, reaching the playoffs only twice in the school’s history, 1986 and 1995.  In his first year at Taravella, Schneider led the varsity squad to the playoffs for only the third time in school history.  However, the key to building a quality program for future years was based on putting a program together revolving around 31 freshmen. The key to success was creating a year round football program. Coach Schneider found that the students strengths were based on three factors, one, they were successful in the classroom, two, they were hardworking and competitive on the practice field, and three, they were good in the weight room. The freshmen played on the J.V. football team their first year and did not win a game. The weight program kicked in during the off-season and as 10th graders the 31 students played again on the J.V. team.  The team was 5-2, and came close to being undefeated.

Following their sophomore season, the weight and conditioning program continued. The 31 students continued to excel turning some heads at the Nike and LRS combines during the Bench Press segment. As juniors they played varsity and played a tough schedule facing seven BCAA playoff teams including Ely, Deerfield, Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, and Coconut Creek. The varsity Trojans finished the season with a 3-7 record and gained respect from most of their opponents as a team that would battle you for all 48 minutes. The students continued their emphasis with the weight program in their third off-season. At the Nike Combine they dominated the weight room having the most players achieve at least 20 reps at 185 pounds, with Brian Lobello leading the way with 31; the most at that site. The LRS combine, which was held at Florida Atlantic in late April, was dominated by Taravella again. Taravella had 8 players going over 20 reps at 185 pounds and again Brian Lobello lead the county with 48. The other strength of the 31 was their academic excellence.  The winner of the prestigious Brian Piccolo award, which is given to the top scholar athlete in the county, was Eric Kornhauser in 2005. All 31 students took their SAT exams as juniors with 13 of them scoring between 1100-1400 and the composite grade point average is over 3.0.

This year’s football team started with an impressive win over Coral Glades, 17-6, and a heartbreaking loss to Piper. The Trojans were losing 25-0 at halftime and stormed back with four touchdowns in the second half to take a 26-25 lead with three minutes left in the game only to lose on a last second 31-yard field goal by Piper. In their third game, the Trojans played a red  hot South Plantation team, losing 38-13.  The Trojans are optimistic that they will be in the hunt for the district championship and a shot at a playoff berth by season’s end. Many of the Trojans also have aspirations to go to college and play football, and many are being looked at by a wide variety of colleges from the Ivy League to the Big East. These young men are true student athletes and their hard work on and off the field will pay off in the long run making the 2005 Trojans a Success.