It’s been nearly three weeks since the Miramar Patriots did what many thought they couldn’t accomplish.

As the Christmas presents have been opened and the new year begins, the story that many have been talking about, non-stop, is the job that head coach Damon Cogdell and his football did in capturing the 6A state title with an impressive 42-20 win over DeLand.

As quarterback Ryan Williams finally had his moment in the sun, which resulted in a 254 yard, five touchdown performance, the Patriots ended the year with a 14-1 record and the right to say that they were indeed the top 6A program in the state.

What more can you say about this team that hasn’t already filled several volumes of newspapers and internet websites? I have been fortunate to have been there since the beginning, and I mean the very beginning when this football program played its first game in 1970 against West Palm Beach North Shore.

During the years, the Patriots struggled for identity, often falling short to Miami-Dade County schools. This year, after losing to national power St. Thomas, this program never looked back. They beat Miami Central in the region finals and set the scene for the school’s second ever state championship in any sport.

Ironically, the first Miramar state title came three years ago when Cogdell guided the girls’ flag football team to a state crown.

While some across the state want to believe that this championship came overnight, the reality is that it was built slowly, putting the defense in place, and then adding coaches to expand the offense.

Williams set state championships record with five touchdowns and highest completion percentage at .857 going 18 of 21 for 254 yards. Three of his touchdowns went to senior wide receiver Ivan McCartney

Williams, who is on his way to Eastern Michigan University, is truly the surprise story of the year. After playing in relative obscurity the past few years at Plantation‘s American Heritage, he stepped in for one of the best quarterbacks in Broward County history and didn‘t skip a beat.

“You never replace a player like Eugene Smith,” Williams said. “You just hope to come in and make enough plays to win.”

Williams made a splash last summer during 7-on-7 tournaments and then fit right in with an offense that not only highlighted McCartney, but other receivers such as Rashad Gholston, Malcolm Lewis, Dante Chambers and McArthur transfer Denzel McCullum, who helped to carry the team down the stretch. The offense was also about running backs Jeremiah Hicks, D’Vontis Arnold, Mark Rucker and Jamal Roye.

The offensive line also paved the way with Leeward Brown, Torrance Smith, Glen Jackson, Mackenzie Placide, Clevon Davis, Steve Heriveaux, Jordan Burdi, Adrian Huslin, Chris Pettaway and Kevin Gonzalez.

The Miramar defense held DeLand to 200 yards of offense, 164 coming on the ground. This is a defense that received plenty of attention throughout the year. Take away the 20 points by DeLand, 14 against Central and 31 in the loss to St. Thomas and this unit yielded just 37 points, which included six shutouts.

The defense, which was led by senior linebacker Jamaal Bass, who injured in the state title game, also included linemen Julian Francis, Derrick Connor, Derion Pittman, Kevin Brown, Jordan Burdi, Jermaine Archer, Sir Christian Gordon and Shakeem Jefferson.

While Bass was the leader, other linebackers such as Markies Hall, Dominick Bryan, Andre Hibbert, Stephen Blissett and Mark Rucker came up big as well. The secondary was impressive as well with Keondrick Lyn, Rohan Fenton, Tracey Howard, Sylval Taylor, Trevon Griffin and Derius Silas making a lasting impression.

“This was a team effort all the way,” said Cogdell. “It was also about our assistant coaches as well.”

Okay coach, those assistant coaches were vital and all should be mentioned. Chris Perkins, Jarrod Madison, Nixon Stewart, Tyrell Conyers, A.J. Scott, Herbert Hammond, Devon Chandler, Artis Warthen, Kelsey Harold, Arnold Wilkins, Aston Scaccia, Kenny Faster, Fitzler Dorisca, Antwan Scott, Avery Hicks, Eugene Spence, Avery Washington, Willie Taylor, Emmitte Griffin, Costello Guyton, Jarod Rucker and Richard Williams.

Congratulations Miramar Patriots - 2009 6A state football champions!

You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at FloridaKids1@hotmail.com. He can also be heard every Thursday night (9-10) on the Miami Dolphins High School Gridiron Report on WQAM (560 AM).