Allen Jackson’s move from Monarch down the road to Coconut Creek this year has meant a lot to a Cougar program that has made some major strides on the football field the past few years.

With a tremendous feeder program and a number of quality players returning, this is a team that figured to be in the district race right up until the end. But if Jackson and this program is to make a big splash on the gridiron, and make it to the playoffs, will have to come in a district that features Dillard, Northeast, Stranahan and Ely, and all have proven that they can play - at a high level.

The one thing about Coconut Creek that every football program has long recognized is the Cougars are physical, quick and very talented, and while the new coach comes in with plenty of positive credentials, getting his new team on the right page may be his biggest problem.

“We have some quality athletes on this team,” Jackson said before a recent non district loss at much improved Cardinal Gibbons. ‘We just need to come out play hard every game. That will be the difference between making the playoffs and being left behind.”

While the Cougars do have some quality youngsters on this year’s squad, it’s mostly a senior-dominated class that features 28 players who have gained valuable experience.

The senior class boasts standouts such as punter/kicker Rafael Walisiewiez, running backs Justin Williams and Darrell Wiggins, receivers Wesley Jean and Eric Rawls, tight end Nate Stampley, and quarterbacks Maurice Scott and Eric Wallace. There are also linemen George Narcisse, Walter Campello and Nixon Philus.

Jordan Fowler

Defensively, the Class of 2009 has linebackers Verg Virgens, Jordan Fowler (also a tight end), Brandon Dixon, Kareem Steward and Stefan Ramgwlam, defensive backs Junior Dumassais, Clinton Eskridge, David Nicolas, Anthony Cooper and Jonathan Chunn, and linemen Jonas Celian, Wolfson Romain, Steve Simeon, Nate Estes and Broc McKinnis.

“We have the talent to compete,” said Williams, who is regarded as one of the top running backs in the BCAA. “We just need to cut down on our mistakes.”

While the senior class has paved the way, it’s the juniors - the Class of 2010 that figures to make an impression as well. Players such as receivers Eric Demps, Jason Mayberry, Elcadeau and Jerrod Fain, defensive backs Breyon Battle and Gertiny Boulay, linebackers Fabrice Louis, Bethony Dorestil and Chris Blackmon, defensive end Claude Fergile, offensive linemen James St. Charles, Olson Norcius, Lherisson Lewis, William Wright and Shawn Henderson have continue to add to the mix of youth and veteran leadership.

Even the sophomore class has athletes such as running back Marquis White, defensive end Tashawn Carpenter and safety Kadeem Hunt, who have already started to establish themselves as players to keep an eye on.

“We have a solid group of coaches who have worked very hard to give this team an edge,” Jackson said. “As long as we continue to get leadership and keep the mistakes at a minimum, we’ll be right in there until the end.”

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).