When some football fans in Florida hear about the state of Idaho, the last thing that comes to mind is football. But Mike Virden is changing the way many view a state known more for producing potatoes than defensive backs and linebackers.
Virden left a highly successful football program at Meridian High in Idaho, in a state where he was a quarterback at Boise State University, to head to South Florida to take over Douglas. While many felt that someone from Idaho had no chance to compete and win in the football capitol of the world, others said just give him time.
Having watched football throughout the country, I am not blind to the fact that there are quality programs all over. That’s why when I heard that a coach from Idaho was coming to Florida, I was excited to see what would happen when discipline met a lot of talent!
For the past two weeks, I had the chance to watch the Eagles, and as I left the stadium both times, I felt that South Florida does indeed have another tremendous coach who knows how to relate to his players and gets the most out of each and everyone.
What Virden has done is bring a more discipline approach to coaching the game. His players are respectful and they compete very hard.
Don’t get me wrong, Douglas has always had talent. From the first year the school opened, the Eagles have bee able to compete against some of the top teams in the state, but what Virden and his coaching staff have done is bring a different attitude to the team along with a transfer quarterback who may be the most underexposed in Broward County.
While he has always been very productive, senior quarterback David Noshay (6-1, 190) has been in the spotlight this year because the North Broward Prep transfer has the speed and arm strength to be a player who can dominate, and he has!
Noshay does the little things it takes to win, and he and his teammates have bought into what Virden and his staff have brought from Idaho.
Even in the loss to No. 2 rated 6A power Deerfield, Noshay gave his team a lead, and then continued to add the pressure before losing a close district game. Then, last week against Fort Lauderdale, he was back leading the team to a convincing win. Noshay was 16 for 25 for 235 yards and two touchdowns in a 47-13 win.
While some players opted to leave the program or not play this season, it has turned out to be a huge mistake. This learning process, from a coach who has been able to teach the finer points of the game, is something that has gone a long way in changing Douglas back into a competitor.
When the season began, many picked the team to finish last in the district. As they play Coral Springs this Friday night, the Eagles are 4-2, and have a very good chance of winning the rest of its games.
As Noshay moves this team, you are quickly reminded that he is not the only player on the team. The Eagles have several key players who have also made this season very productive, already. Players such as running backs Alex Crew and Brett Smith, and receiver Chris Robinson.
There are also John Wallace, kicker Bobby Pina, Evans Calixte, Jordan Levin, Guennadi Marseille and Jake Zaklka, who have also made positive things happen.
BCAA FOOTBALL BANTER:
* It took over 40 years, but the Dillard Panthers finally won a HOME game. Dillard celebrated its centennial with homecoming festivities and its first varsity football game at the Panthers' on-campus field since 1966. When Reginald Whitfield hit 6-foot-7 tight end Bo Reliford for a touchdown in the closing seconds, the Panthers (4-3, 3-0) defeated Monarch 14-12!
* Quarterback Alex Greaner scored the winning touchdown when he went scored from 1 yard out with 1:41 left in the game to complete the Lightning's rally and a 24-21 win over Hollywood Hills. Safety Ryan Schwartzberg swatted away a Hail Mary pass in the end zone to secure the win. Cypress Bay overcame a 21-10 deficit with nine minutes left in the game to rally for the victory.
* Deerfield Beach kicker Dieago Ramos, who missed two kicks earlier, booted the game-winning 19-yard field goal as time expired to secure a 43-41 victory over the visiting No. 2 5A St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders, the Bucks' third victory in the series in the past four seasons. Among the other players to step up for Deerfield Beach included junior quarterback Denard Robinson, receiver Joshua Philpart, versatile Rodney Harrell and Jerral Stewart, and talented sophomore running back Cassius McDowell.
* Coconut Creek quarterback Tirrell Rennie led the offense with 106 rushing yards on 11 carries, including a 25-yard touchdown, as the Cougars cruised past the rebuilding Stranahan Dragons 35-6. The defense was also impressive for the Cougars as defensive end Jonas Celian and Nathaniel Estes combined to score early in the game.
* Even with defending national champion head coach Urban Meyer on hand watching, Ely still took care of business in a major way against Coral Glades. Senior Patrick Johnson, one of the nation’s elite athletes, put on a show with a punt return for a score. Michael Carter also gave the Gators’ top man something to think about as he picked off his sixth pass and brought it back for his fourth TD of the young season.
Want to know more about high school football? Check Larry Blustein’s weekly evaluations at www.floridafb.com. He also is part of the Dolphin Gridiron Radio Show each Thursday night (9-10) on WQAM-AM (560 AM). You can also reach him via E-Mail at Floridakids1@hotmail.com.
