Ray Gould has always been about discipline. Whether it was as an assistant coach on the football field or working with some top flight wrestlers in a program that Dan Jacob had built, he has always demanded the best out of his athletes. So, it should be no surprise that his Coral Springs football team is an impressive 5-1, heading into this week‘s game.

Coral Springs Football

What Gould and the Colts have done has changed the perception of the area’s football programs. First it was Douglas, which made a solid run last year, upsetting Boyd Anderson in the first round of the playoffs, and now the Colts, which have long searched for a team identity on the football field.

The Colts, who began the season with an expected 41-0 loss to Coconut Creek, used the second game against Monarch to rebound and gain confidence. That confidence paved the way for a 29-0 win, but also opened the doors for wins over Coral Springs Charter (21-6), Cooper City (30-6), Taravella (23-21) and last week’s big win against McArthur, where the Colts won 30-14.

The win over the Mustangs, the fifth straight for the Colts, was enough for Gould to be named Miami Dolphins Coach of the Week, and helped to shine the spotlight on a program that has been looking for a way to make a solid statement in the district.

“The only game we need to concern ourselves with now is Douglas,” Gould said. “Yes, we are playing a lot better as a team, and players are stepping up each week. But if we don’t win this week, we are back in the same position we were six weeks ago.”

A win against the Eagles will not only give the Colts a 6-1 mark, which is quite impressive, but with power Deerfield remaining on Nov. 7, a victory could signal a post season playoff appearance, which have been very rare for this school.

Coral Springs has a tremendous mix of veteran players and youngsters who have added speed and athletic ability to the mix. That is a combination that the Colts have been missing throughout the years. Add in the fact that the local youth leagues have been getting better and have been sending this program athletes is something else worth being excited about.

While there are many seniors who have stepped up to make a solid contribution, the talent is coming from every class, and that’s something that Gould and the Colts understand will carry this program for years to come.

“When I took over two year ago, it was with making this a program in mind,” Gould said. “Anyone can get together a one-year fix and then return to being average. I want this to be a program that is in the playoff mix every year.”

The senior class includes running back John Harris, receiver/tight end John Chiari, standout kicker Carlos Romero, tight end/linebacker Richard Lucas, defensive back/receiver Lamar Palmer, defensive backs Gayron Styles and Stanley Chouloute.

Other seniors who have provided leadership and experience include linebacker Harris Pickholtz, and two-way linemen Karl Desir, Bobby Sullivan, John Kramer and versatile Nick Stevens, who Gould also has the opportunity to work with on the wrestling mat.

There are several juniors who have also made a major contribution this year. Quarterback Steven Garitty is solid. So are defensive back Jean Charlot and running back Junior Paige.

Freshmen Hartridge Baldwin (running back/defensive back) and linebacker Alex “Fish” Martinez represent the future of this program as well.

NEXT WEEK: District games will tell the story - across Broward County.

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).