The Homestead Bronco’s are under a new coaching staff for the first time in seven years. Although the season has not yet officially started, I would dare to say a significant change for the better may already be notable. Now under direction of former Miami Southridge coach Patrick Burrows, the Bronco’s have re-motivated themselves and (as I believe) are ready for their South Florida High School Sports season opener game against Cypress Bay.
The Bronco’s practiced with a keen sense of urgency in all the drills they carried out. Energy emitted from both athletes and coaches as the day progressed. The time clock is approaching a little over a week before this new Homestead squad suits up for their first showdown of the season.
As anybody who’s played in the south Florida football system knows, the closest a team can get to game-time scenarios is during the 11-on-11 full padded drills; it was in these drills that Homestead showcased their talents and proved most impressive to the naked eye.
Nothing on the field caught my attention as much as the run defense. The majority of runs ended in little to no gain and the defensive line seemed to always know their place. Overpowering defensive attacks from the front men almost always stopped the back with the ball dead in his tracks.
Few players got the oppurtunity to advance the ball past the line, and when they did– they were met with a textbook tackle from the Bronco’s secondary. The defensive scheme is definitely a strong point in this team and although the individual athletes carry talents of their own, the improvement I sensed is a product of the coaching staff actually “coaching” the right way from the wrong way.
Homestead is a part of the most difficult district in the state, however if the dedication and hard work continues they may certainly be a contendor for the title.
PLAYERS TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS SEASON:
-Offense-
2014 WR Ermon Lane (#1)
2015 RB Johnny Hankin (#4)
2015 QB Maurice “Hardtime” Alexander (#3)
2014 WR Mario Mezier (#8)
-Defense-
2014 LB Anthony Wint (#34)
2013 S Edward “Gucci” Berry (#2)
2013 C Jason Bodie (#11)
2013 DL Dantae Johnson (#22)
