Miami Jackson football excels in 7-on-7 event

As spring gives way to summer, talk is heating up about South Florida’s top football programs for the 2011 season.

Although some of the elite teams in the region have been promoted during the spring and early summer, there is one program that continues to get overlooked. Even in the face of graduation and some key transfers leaving, Miami Jackson had an opportunity to show what it was made of Saturday at Central Park in Plantation.

Even though Jackson staked its claim as one of the top teams at the Miami Dolphins Academy 7-on-7, it was an all-day effort in which the program scored nearly at will.

The victory for coach Nigel Dunn’s team was enough to send it to Cleveland later this month, representing the Dolphins in the NFL 7-on-7 championships.

“This is 7-on-7,” said Dunn, who was not on the sidelines last Saturday because he was out of town. “But we have so many quality players, and probably more importantly, coaches who are teaching them to do things the right way.”

Even though his team lost heavily to graduation, especially on the offensive line, Dunn remains optimistic that Jackson can use players such as class of 2014 quarterback Quinton Flowers, who just might be one of the best run/pass performers in the nation. Flowers, his brother Nathaniel, a senior, and Willie Quinn helped this team score 60 points against established 7-on-7 programs such as Jupiter Christian, and even get 52 in the championship game against West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman, coached by former Hurricanes great Steve Walsh.

Although a lot was expected of Jackson last year, it fell short, losing out to Miami Booker T. Washington in districts and Belen Jesuit in the first round of the playoffs. The season had not gone as many had hoped.

Last weekend, a young Jackson team that rolled through the 63 others programs that took part in the event. Seniors such as standout receiver Deandre Jasper, Nathaniel Flowers, Quinn, linebacker Brandon Phillips, Antwan Jenkins, four year starter James Jackson (defensive lineman), linemen Joe Jones and Alex Cruz-Smith, versatile Canard Brown and Allen Singleton will be expected provide leadership.

“We have a lot of young players,” Quinton Flowers said. “But those younger players are also very talented.”

Flowers is not the only standout Jackson has for the future, including class of 2013 players such as Keano Calixte, defensive backs Devondre Powell, Christopher Hall, running back Vincent Hall, and twins Trevon and Tryon Garnett. In addition to Flowers, 2014 prospects Demetrius Rice and James Alexander also have been impressive.

Miami Dolphins 2011 Summer Camp

Boys and girls, ages 6-14, can participate in an interactive, week-long football experience featuring appearances by former Miami Dolphins’ players. The camp focuses on football training, teamwork building and the importance of education. The goal of the Miami Dolphins Football Camp is for the children to develop skills that will help them succeed on and off the field.

Girls, ages 5-14, learn from the pros! In a non-competitive environment, these little ladies will learn dances and cheers, and attend etiquette and glamor classes taught by both current and former Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders.

JUNE 27- JULY 1

Miami Dolphins Training Facility • Davie, Fla. • $400.00

Football Camp Includes: 
 Under Armour Football Jersey • Autographs and appearances by former Miami Dolphins players • Lunch • 2 tickets for camp BBQ on Friday

Cheer Camp Includes: Camp shirt and shorts • Pom poms • Autographs from Cheerleaders and Alumni Cheerleaders • Lunch • 2 tickets for camp BBQ on Friday • Learn dance technique and combinations • Learn cheer routines and jumps • Etiquette classes • Camp photo shoot

JULY 11-15

Estero High School • Estero, Fla. • $250.00

Football Camp Includes: Under Armour Football Jersey • Autographs and appearances by former Miami Dolphins players

Cheer Camp Includes: Camp shirt and shorts • Pom poms • Autographs from Cheerleaders and Alumni Cheerleaders • Learn dance technique and combinations • Learn cheer routines and jumps • Etiquette classes • Camp photo shoot

JULY 18-22

Jupiter High School • Jupiter, Fla. • $250.00

Football Camp Includes: Under Armour Football Jersey • Autographs and appearances by former Miami Dolphins players

Cheer Camp Includes: Camp shirt and shorts • Pom poms • Autographs from Cheerleaders and Alumni Cheerleaders • Learn dance technique and combinations • Learn cheer routines and jumps • Etiquette classes • Camp photo shoot

For more information Contact : Twan Russell, Director of Youth and Community Programs – (305) 943-7272

Source:

Miami Dolphins Official Page

www.MiamiDolphins.