When Dameon Jones was given the job at his alma mater, the 27-year-old football coach knew that things would not be easy, putting the pieces back together.

Hallandale High, which had long been a program known for producing competitive teams, had fallen on tough times losing 25 of 26 games. While a number of coaches had failed to get things back on track, it took Jones, a former running back, to start the ball rolling.

When the Chargers beat Miami Jackson in a key district game last week, it not only gave this surprising Hallandale team a 2-0 mark in district play, but a 5-1 overall mark, making this team one of the best success stories in the state.

What Jones did after coming over from South Broward, where he served as the Offensive Coordinator for one season, was to establish something that the team would be proud to be a part of. That meant his coaching staff would be one that had ties to the community or the school.

“I brought back former players and people who were respected in the community,” Jones said. “It was important to get people in here with a sense of community and school pride.”

What Jones did next raised a few eyebrows from coaches and players. He found out what students belonged in the Hallandale High district, and who were not attending other schools for one program or another. When he had the list of names that were supposed to be attending the school, he sprung into action.

“The one thing that really bothered me is seeing students go to a school where they don’t belong,” Jones said. “I have never found it fun to coach against kids who belong at your school. That was a huge change around here.”

Long recognized as an area that produced impressive athletes, Hallandale Beach and the surrounding areas were not funneling the marquee athletes into the local high school. That began to change.

Jones also added former players, who had been coaching local youth programs, to the mix. The pride of being a part of this school was something that truly began to take over.

“Having people I was comfortable with, those who understood that Hallandale has always done well, were the people we wanted in place here,” said Jones. “It’s so vital to have coaches in place who have the same perspective as I do.”

When he beat Coral Springs in the spring and in the fall in kickoff classics, there were some who were hesitant to buy into the turnaround. When the Chargers lost to then unbeaten Cooper City, those same people were even more reluctant to heap praise on this team. But with five quality wins, including two victories in a district that still has Miami Booker T. Washington in the mix, things are looking a whole lot better.

While some of the players who were part of the 0-8 team last year, remain, it’s the young kids, like running backs Michael Anderson and Courtney Clark, Jr., who have been picking things up. Anderson is one of the top backs in the BCAA this year, and Clark, whose father, Courtney Sr., was a standout for the Chargers back in the 80s, has been making things happen on both sides of the ball.

The senior class, which has suffered through some tough year, has also made things happen this season. Athletes such as quarterback Alex Bailey, receiver Frankie Hammond, Jr. and safety Andy Sainvil.

Bailey is one of the leading passers, and Sainvil has been a leader on defense as a safety, but it’s Hammond, who recently received an offer from the University of Miami, who has been getting plenty of attention. Hammond, a 6-10 high jumper and 4.3 (40) speedster is one of the athletes everyone has their eye on.

Other football players who have been instrumental in this amazing turnaround include seniors Jeffrey Johnson, Jr (receiver) and athlete Toney Davis; juniors Greg Smith (defensive end), Roderick Lott (linebacker), Rayquan Jones (running back), and A‘Kevis Anderson, who is regarded as one of the top safety prospects in the state; sophomores Rashad Gaitor (linebacker) and Roderick Powell (defensive lineman), and freshman quarterback Imonni Carswell, who has been one of the top youth football players in the area for a number of years.

“I can’t say enough about the progress we have made,” said Jones. “We told the young men if they work hard, get good grades and attend everything we do, things will turnaround.”

Part of the turnaround this program is making will see Hallandale on the road more during the summer. Thanks to one-time Hallandale High standout and Tampa Bay Bucs No. 1 draft pick, Davin Joseph, this team will be able to attend the same camps and combines that all the top schools head to each year.

“If it were only a money issue that prevented this program from reaching that elite level, that is hurdle that we are about to jump,” said Jones. “I cannot say enough about what Davin has done to help his alma mater get things back on track. To me, that is a special man who will never forget where he comes from.”

BCAA BANTER:
* St. Thomas Aquinas had seven players score as the host Raiders beat the Cooper City Cowboys, 56-7,  for the second consecutive year in a District 16-5A matchup. Jeremiah Harden led the way for the Raiders (5-0, 2-0) with 169 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns on runs of 13 and 59 yards. The Raiders gained 332 yards rushing against the Cowboys (3-2, 0-2)…

* Senior quarterback Martin Ukpai ran for 152 yards and scored a TD in Fort Lauderdale‘s 25-0 district win against Nova. Senior tight end Andra Smith caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Ukpai to put Fort Lauderdale (2-3, 1-1) up 19-0 in the first quarter…

* Sophomore Cassius McDowell helped Deerfield overcome a 14-0 deficit with two catches, one a 42-yarder before halftime in a 21-17 district win over a much-improved Douglas squad. With Deerfield Beach trailing 17-15, McDowell got the go-ahead touchdown on a 4-yard run late in the third quarter…

* Demar Dorsey had two interceptions, including one in the end zone to seal the win with 45 seconds to play as Boyd Anderson came up with a key 20-14 district win against South Plantation. Tony Hughes also scored for the Cobras.

 

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.