Keith Franklin stands in the south end zone at Curtis Park in Miami, prior to Dillard's spring game against defending 4A state champion Booker T. Washington. As his team heads on the field for the first quarter, he reminds them what happened last year in this game.

Franklin is one of those coaches who never needs to be reminded that discipline wins football games. Cut back on mistakes and execute and you win – it's that simple.

On this night, his team didn't do the things needed to overtake a powerhouse like St. Thomas, which continues to build a winning program. The Panthers lost to the Tornadoes, 28-12, scoring on an interception and a blocked kick. Far from what Franklin and his team expected. But this is spring, and the next few months will be crucial to the maturity of this program.

"We didn't do what we had worked all spring on," Franklin said. "Is there reason to panic, no! Things will change. There is far too much talent on this field for us to lose games like this."

Franklin is right. He happens to have one of the ultimate weapons in senior running back Trabis Ward, who dazzled Broward County with his running skills a year ago. At 5-9 and 200 pounds, Ward has been on college's watch list for two years, and now that he is going to be a senior, the stakes are raised.

"I'm not taking that loss to Booker T. Washington as something to be concerned about," said Ward. "Like coach Franklin said, this is too good a team to lose many games this year. We just need to play together and cut back on the mistakes that hurt us in Miami."

With schools such as Florida, South Carolina, Penn State and Notre Dame showing interest in Ward, he knows that having great coaching will only help him get better. Helping Ward every day at practice is perhaps the best Dillard back of all-time. Someone who knows what's expected from the coaching staff and a community that has never gotten used to losing. Lorenzo White's success at Dillard, Michigan St. and with the Houston Oilers is something that has been beneficial in not only having a great career, but it has been helpful in teaching backs like Ward.

"I see a lot of myself in Trabis," White said. "The kid is so talented. He is one of those rare backs who can do so many things to help a team win."

As the Panthers make a run at trying to derail St. Thomas Aquinas and others who may serve as an obstacle this coming season, the 2009 class will be a place that needs to step up and take a leadership role.

Offensively, receivers James Pinckney (6-2, 175), Josh Shannon (6-2, 180), quarterback Akeem Parks (6-0, 166), who comes in from Hollywood Hills, and lineman Carlton Falconer (6-4, 240) are quality athletes.

Defensively, linebackers Clarence Doe (6-0, 240) and Justin Floyd (6-0, 230) are very talented. So are safeties Jarrett Dieudonne (6-1, 190) and Travis Ward, a 6-1, 170-pounder who has been mistaken for teammate Trabis Ward plenty during the spring, and cornerbacks Eric Sparks (5-11, 179), Darryl Armstrong (6-1, 170) and Rico Williams (5-8, 170).

Offensive tackles Sir Reginald Moore (6-3, 265) and Quinton Roland (6-3, 330) lead a very impressive 2010 class that also includes running back Marquis Drayton (6-0, 195), impressive linebacker Desmond Bozeman (6-2, 240), South Carolina transfer tackle L'mont Glenn (5-11, 270).

Even 2011 is impressive with running backs Jazz Moss (5-9, 160), who will get some quality carries, Otis Wright Jr., a promising 5-11, 165-pounder, and fullback Talmadge McCloud (6-0, 230).
 
NEXT WEEK: We'll continue to spend the summer at camps and 7-on-7 events across the region.

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).