There was a time, well, almost every year, when talking about some of the top teams in the BCAA, the name Deerfield Beach, came up.
It only figured since the program has had immense success over the past two decades, which includes a number of district titles and a state championship appearance as well.
The Bucks have always been stacked with the athletes, and while not all the teams have been state title contenders, there has always been an abundance of talent available from the superb youth league programs that feed the school.
While the Bucks have been looking for that right combination - on and off the field - a coaching change was made after last season when Allen Jackson was brought in from Monarch to take over a community school that has tradition and is simply not used to losing.
What Jackson represents is someone who knows the area, the kids who attend schools in this region, and the knowledge, from being at Coconut Creek as well, to return the pride to this school.
Even after the Bucks’ 13-0 win over Cardinal Gibbons in the spring classic, Jackson understands that his work has just begun.
The 2011 version of Deerfield Beach football will be a balance of youth and veteran leadership. Rising senior players who have the experience and talent to help the younger athletes.
“This is going to be a young team, but one that could turn the corner early because of all the athletes we have,” Jackson pointed out. “We all like what we saw this spring, and told the young men that they need to keep the intensity up high.”
That Class of 2012 starts with gifted lineman Gary Collins (6-2, 322). But also includes athletes Tyrell McCall (5-9, 171) and Wayne Storr (5-9, 183), quarterback Kevin Bush (6-4, 187), receiver Peter Martin (6-3, 177) and lineman Treston Nesbitt (6-0, 212).
There is also defensive lineman Shamel Williams (6-2, 233), who is considered to be a player to watch as well.
The Class of 2013 is also going to be where this team starts to turn the corner with defensive backs Shawn Primus (6-1, 165), Ka’Wan Pete (5-8, 170), receiver Jason Tony (5-10, 173), talented running back Anthony “A-Train” Thompson (6-1, 190) and lineman Trirez Gunn (6-3, 270)
Even the Class of 2014 has some talented performers as well with running back Brandon Powell (5-8, 172) and the much talked about Royus Amos, a 6-4, 270-pound lineman.
There is also Class of 2015 rising star lineman Nick Mark-Renaud, who is already 6-6!
“There is little doubt that we have the talent,” said Jackson. “Now, what we need to do is word very hard in the summer. That’s what will make the difference.”
TYLER DRAKE GETS AN INVITE
Tyler Drake, a 6-foot, 187-pound junior linebacker from St. Thomas Aquinas High School, will be among nearly 200 high school football players from 32 states taking part in USA Football’s 2012 U.S. Under-19 National Team Trials on May 28-30 at Lassiter High School in Marietta, Ga.
Players will compete for roster spots on Team USA, which will face a World Team comprised of high school-aged players spanning four continents next February.
Drake, with a 4.1 GPA, is gaining the attention of several Ivy League universities. He registered 21 tackles for loss last season, including eight sacks.
The three-day National Trials in suburban Atlanta will include individual position drills, one-on-one and seven-on-seven situations. In addition to the opportunity to be selected for Team USA, USA Football will provide parents and athletes a variety of off-the-field developmental sessions. Speakers will address leadership and character-development topics as well as a seminar to help families manage the college recruiting process.
USA Football employs skill development, evaluation and competition to assess National Trials athletes. Each player receives a written evaluation by USA Football’s U-19 National Team scouts, all of whom have playing or scouting experience on the NFL or college level.
You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at Floridakids1@hotmail.com. Blustein is the co-host of the High School Gridiron Show each Wednesday night from 9-10 on WQAM (560 AM) or www.wqam.com.
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