The Coconut Creek Cougars are rebuilding their program as their players get noticed

One of the top rising programs in the state of Florida right now is the Coconut Creek high school Cougars.

Led by head coach Kareem Reid, the Cougars have been under a total program makeover. 

The self-titled 'Creek Boyz' are on a mission to win a district title. To accomplish that goal, coach Reid says that his team has to have a championship off-season.

"I tell the kids all the time that there are four phases to every football season. The first quarter would be the winter conditioning program. The second quarter is spring football. Right now we are in the third quarter, which is summer conditioning. We have to win the third quarter. We can do that with a great effort in the weight room and at our 7-on-7's that we participate in," said Reid.

The 'Creek Boyz' just returned from a two-week long college road trip as part of their big off-season that took them all over the country as they visited schools such as Cincinatti, Tennessee, Auburn, and Louisville among others.

The road trip was very successful as some of the Cougars top players picked up multiple new offers. 

"Yeah the road trip was very productive and efficient. We picked up new offers at every school we went to. It was something we set out on the road to accomplish as a team," said Reid.

I spoke with some of the top Cougar players that went on this road trip and asked them what they saw and what they liked.

2016 wide receiver Binjimen Victor: "It was a great experience for us. We got to see about nine different schools I think. We camped at four schools and every school we went to was just fun. We got to see a lot at these schools like their campus, their facilities, and how they run their program. Camping at Auburn and Tennessee was awesome. It was just a great experience."

2016 cornerback Trayvon Mullen: "It was a good road trip I thought. We got to see different things and different colleges and how they work their program. We got to see and meet different players. Got to watch my position players and see their different techniques. We got to see a bunch of different schools like Cincinnati, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Auburn so it was just great to go out and experience all of that."

2016 running back James Charles (below): "The trip was amazing. Being that that was my first time ever leaving Florida it just made it all that much more special. We got to see a lot of nice schools with nice facilities. Tennessee, Cincinnati, and Auburn all really stuck out. Going up and seeing all of those schools was just so nice. At Tenneesse, their indoor facility is amazing, their weight room was also real nice and their rebuilding something over there."

2016 cornerback Malek Young (below): "The road trip was a lot of fun. It was great to go out with all my boys and show what we can do. I had the most fun at Tennessee probably because they showed us everything they have and I really like the way they play."

Victor, Mullen and Young all have offers from the likes of Miami, Tennessee, Auburn, and other national powers. Come their senior season they wiill be some of the most sought after prospects in the country. 

Along with Charles and a slew of other role players, the 'Creek Boyz' will make some noise in the state this year.

- Nash Williams

Twitter: @NashSports

Email: NashWSports@gmail.com

Strike 7-on-7 recap and top performers

On Saturday, over 20 teams from around south Florida took over Cypress Park in Coral Springs to take part in the Strike Athletics 7-on-7.

 On four fields of play, teams and players alike got the chance to improve on everything from their route-running, play-calling, and everything in between. I will highlight some of the top performers in this post. Unfortunately, lightning cut the day so short so there was not a new champion, however, you could have made a case for any of the final eight teams to win the tournament. 

 Reminder: I only cover Broward and Miami-Dade.

 Class of 2015 top performers: 

2015 Hollywood Hills WR Edward Aldred: Aldred, who is currently waiting for his first offer is physically imposing. Standing in at 6-foot-4, Aldred easily can go up and get the ball. Going up and getting the ball out of the air is easy for him. He can beat you across the middle of the field or can go up and make a play in the end zone if need be. This is a player who is definitely in need of his first offer. 

2015 American Heritage S Tyler Gordon: This is the first time I got to watch Gordon play, but with two interceptions in a crucial pool play game, and another in a bracket play game against Carol City, Gordon exploded onto the scene. His energy and swagger that he brought to the field helped lead his team to some big wins. Gordon has nice instincts and is not afraid to go up and make a play on the ball.

 

2015 Booker T. Washington WR Vaquan Smalls: Smalls, who stands in around 6-foot-2, has good speed and reaches the ball at its highest point like a good receiver should. His cuts on his routes are great for separating himself from opposing defensive backs. He looks the ball in well and has soft hands. Smalls will make some college program happy in the near future.

2015 Carol City DB Rashad Fenton: Fenton can play cornerback if his team needs him to, but at the collegiate level, Fenton will play free safety. His strengths are his rangy play, quick instincts, and great vertical. Fenton says his biggest offers include, South Carolina, UCF, and Miami. Fenton also added that he would like to commit before the season starts so he can focus on helping his team out and not be worried about the pressures of recruiting.

2015 Westminster Christian RB Jordan Cronkrite: The current Miami Hurricanes commit lined up at wide receiver and played some safety throughout the day. Cronkrite displayed a great burst off the line and fantastic speed. Linebackers and defensive backs were no match for Cronkirte as he was juking and cutting all over the field. Cronkrite is already built like a college running back and will compete for playing time very quickly in Coral Gables.

Class of 2016 top performers:

2016 Coconut Creek WR Binjimen Victor: Another 6-foot-4 stud out of Broward county right here. Victor just concluded a large college tour with his coaches and teammates and was picking up new offers from the likes of Auburn, Tennessee, etc. Victor carried that success into the Strike 7-on-7 and could not be locked down by any defensive back he faced. Jump ball? No problem. Post route in the middle of the field? Easy catch. Five yards and out? Victor was catching every thing in his area code. He will be a top level national recruit come National Signing Day 2016.

2016 Coconut Creek CB Trayvon Mullen: Mullen also went on that college tour with his Coconut Creek teammates like Victor did and also was dominating the competiton on Saturday. The trend of big corners is here to stay, no doubt about that. Mullen, who stands in at 6-foot-2, has good hips, instincts and is physical. However, the cornerbacks were not allowed to press so we did not get to see that element of Mullen's game but just about everything that came his way was batted down or intercepted thanks to Mullen's good height and vertical leap.

2016 Carol City QB Stephen "Buckshot" Calvert: I know I talk about this top-flight prospect a lot, but what Calvert did on Saturday was very impressive. Calvert picked apart Booker T Washington's defense while leading his team to a 20-18 win in pool play. Calvert did what most team's for some reason do no understand. You can only beat the Tornadoes with quick short slants and passes to the flats. Calvert engineered three straight drives to lead the Chiefs to a big victory and overall number one seed for bracket play.

Class of 2017 top performers:

2017 Coconut Creek WR Emmanuel Greene: Imagine the nastiest juke you've ever seen. Now imagine three of those on one play! In his first game of the morning, Greene embarrassed three defenders and made them look silly as they watched Greene trot into the end zone. Greene has real nice soft hands and plays big for his 5-foot-9 frame. A lot of schools have offered Greene early on in his recruiting process, and many more will also throw their hat in the ring.

2017 Miami Northwestern WR Ben Garland: Garland, who starred on junior varsity during his freshman year, was one of the most productive receivers at the whole tournament. Garland stands in aat 6-foot-3 and still has a lot of weight he could put on his young frame. Garland was beating teams a variety of ways but mainly across the middle of the field. Garland would "box-out" opposing defensive backs like a basketball player and would go up and make a play. Soon to be a star.

Other top performers: 2016 Coral Springs Charter WR Calvin Jackson Jr., 2016 Booker T. Washington WR Darius Scott, 2015 Westminster Christian DB Tobias Moss, 2015 Coral Springs Charter WR Garrison Swain, 2016 Coconut Creek RB James Charles, 2016 American Heritage LB Bradley Clement.

Carol City head coach Aubrey Hill using the summer to take his team to the next level

In his first year as head coach of his alma mater, Aubrey Hill led the Carol City Chiefs back to the playoffs for the first time in four years. 

Now, heading into his second summer as the school's head coach, Hill is ready to take his team to the next level. Hill is aiming to win the school's first playoff game in 11 years. It is hard to imagine how a school with such a storied football program has gone 11 years without a playoff win, but Hill is ready for the task and says it all starts in the summer time.

"It's great that it's a long summer and that's when we go and do 7-on-7's, lift, run and we have all those team chemistry things that we work on. We're trying to take it one day at a time, one week at a time, and one 7-on-7 at a time," said Hill. "And in the midst of all that, our guys are finding time to visit universities and colleges."

After a big spring game win against North Miami Beach, where rising class of 2016 quarterback, Stephen "Buckshot" Calvert, threw for six touchdowns, the Chiefs have reason to be excited. 

But coach Hill insists that they do not let one game get to their heads and they have to keep putting in the necessary work for success in the fall.

"All these workouts and camps we go to are necessary building blocks. These will lead you to your overall team goals and your overall individual goals as a person," Hill said.

While his team is focused on getting ready to take the field in August, he and his coaching staff are also keeping tabs on their player's academia.

"We're pushing all of our guys and making sure all of our guys are good as far as high school graduation and SAT/ACT scores we are just doing everything we can and a lot of that happens in the summer time because we have a lot more time on her hands," said Hill.

However when the team takes the field in August, Hill believes the team will be ready after a very productive summer.

"We have a really good mix of seniors, but we do have a relatively young team and we are just excited about their maturation, their growth, and just the whole process throughout the season. We're just going to take the whole thing one game at a time," said Hill.

The Chiefs have a slew of impact players, but some you will be seeing play on Saturdays includes, 2015 wide receiver Leon Brown, 2016 quarterback Stephen "Buckshot" Calvert, 2016 athlete Stevie Newbold, and 2015 defensive back Rashad Fenton.

Playing in one of the most competitive districts in the state, Carol City will benefit from Hill's knowledge and leadership as they try to once again reach the postseason.

- Nash Williams

Twitter: @NashSports

Email: NashWSports@gmail.com

2015 Champaganat Catholic duo talk recruiting and senior season

After winning the 2A state championship last season, the Champagnat Catholic Lions and head coach Mike Tunsil are trying to recreate the magic they had last year.

They are planning to do that through senior leadership with guys like wide receiver Steven Claude and linebacker Doyle Grimes. Grimes recently transferred to Champagnat from South Dade High.

"This year as a team captain, it's my responsibility to make sure (our team) is in the weight room everyday and during conditioning that everyone is giving it their all," said Claude. "I've got make sure we go back and win another (state title).

"I am just working on my craft everyday and helping the team as much as I can to make it back to the state championship game," Grimes added. 

While they are both focused on leading Champagnat to back-to-back state titles, they are both also focused on where they are going to be playing their college football. 

Claude (below), who stands in at 6-foot-1, 184-pounds, says his biggest offers heading into his senior season are, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Duke, and Utah. 

While he doesn't have a top 3 or any major favorites, UCF, Vanderbilt, and West Virginia are recruiting him the hardest and that he plans to play his college ball outside the state of Florida. He also noted that he would like to commit before the regular season starts. 

Just like Claude, Grimes also wants to commit before the regular season starts.

Grimes currently holds offers from schools such as West Virginia, Syracuse, Marshall, amongst others.

"I'm really just looking for a place where I feel like I'm at home and where the coaches show me a lot of love," said Grimes

Standing in at six-foot-two, 200-pounds, Grimes is physically imposing and has room to add 15-20 pounds on his frame. 

On the field, Claude and Grimes can not be stopped, and off the field they are encouraging their teammates to have the same mindset. 

FIU picks up two south Florida commits on Friday

For 2015 Booker T. Washington quarterback Maurice Alexander, and 2015 Columbus High wide receiver Austin Maloney, there was no need to wait.

Both Alexander and Maloney decided to verbaly commit to Florida International University Friday night. But why did they both pull the trigger so quickly when both only have one offer each?

"FIU has just always been the school that showed me the most love. During spring I would always talk to them and it really just felt right," said Alexander.

Alexander was offered Thursday night and then committed to Ron Turner's program 24 hours later.

He announced his commitment on Twitter late Friday night with this tweet: 

Maloney said he really felt the same way about the FIU program as he was offered early last week, and then committed a few days later.

"It just felt like the best place for me," Maloney said. "After talking to my parents and my head coach (Chris Merrit) I decided to commit. FIU has always shown interest in me. More than any other school definitely."

Interestingly enough, Maurice Alexander and Austin Maloney played on the same 7-on-7 travel team during the winter and spring with the South Florda Express. Maloney says playing with Alexander was a great experience.

"Maurice is really great. We played together with the Express and it's awesome that we are both committed to FIU. He was also throwing me routes at (Ron Turner Football Camp) this past week. We have just created a lot of chemistry through those sorts of things," said Maloney.

Maloney (below), who stands in at 5-foot-11, 179-pounds, is looking forward to potentially playing with Alexander on the next level. 

Alexander recently transferred from Homestead to Booker T. Washington and has big shoes to fill as he tries to replace current Florida Gator quarterback Treon Harris.

"I don't see it as pressure. I see it as an opportunity to make a name for myself and really prove how great I can be," said Alexander.

Regardless of whether or not they both end up at FIU, they both will enjoy great success in their senior season and on the collegiate level in another year. 

- Nash Williams

Twitter: @NashSports

Email: NashWSports@gmail.com 

Welcome to Nash's Notebook

Nash's Notebook? Sure it is a little cheesy but I promise, the content will however be a lot better.

In Nash's Notebook I will mainly cover high school football and recruiting in south Florida, but the topics may vary from time to time, so bare with me as I explore my writing interests. 

For the past two years I have been covering football in the whole state, but now I will focus in on the talent hotbed that is south Florida.

I hope that everybody enjoys what I bring to the table and that I can make this your go-to spot for updates in the crazy world of south Florida high school football.

- Nash Williams

  NashWSports@gmail.com

  Twitter: @NashSports