Inside The Huddle: Red Raiders Advances to 1A State Semifinal fueled by Trio' Brown, Hines &
In only its second year of girls’ flag football, Miami Edison’s program (14-1, 4-0) has captured back-to-back district championships and the Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC) title, simply making them a force to be reckoned with.
HEAD COACH - Vincent Hall
Miami Edison director of athletics. Made the perfect hire for the Lady Red Raiders flag football head coach. Vincent Hall, a former first-team all-county selection at wide receiver for Miami Edison and a 5-time United States Flag & Touch Football League (USFTL) national champion, is a proven winner, as an athlete and coach. Hall also won titles with Atlanta Falcons RB Devonte Freeman and USF's stellar QB Quinton Flowers.
The Red Raiders coaching staff (Pictured above) is a class of its own. Head coach Vincent Hall and coordinators Harold Jacobs (offensive) and Mikey Sheehan (defensive) including assistants Ken Simmons (quality control), Herb Herring (special teams) and Jackie Kalass (team manager) has won ten national championships, in both flag and organized football.
The Red Raiders roster, is headlined by the trio QB Jaquala Brown, RB Irenna Hines (both 2-time first team All-Dade selections) and WR Brittney Julius, a Player of the Year candidate. The group as of today, has collaborated for approximately 79 touchdowns and just under 5,000 yards from scrimmage.
Second-year starting QB/DB Jaquala Brown, has engineered the Red Raiders success, outscoring opponents, 353-25 this season. The dual-threat gunslinger, has tossed 23 touchdowns and ran for 7 additional scores, fueling an offense that's averaging 23.5 points per game as well as, 8 ints (two returned for touchdowns) at linebacker. Not to mention, scored a 24 composite score on her ACT.
"Brown, is like having another coach on the field. While most playmakers just execute the play, she looks for strengths and weaknesses as well.", said Hall.
Red Raiders star running back Irenna Hines (facebook page) dedicated the regional semifinal victory, 6-0 over Pembroke Pines Charter, to her offensive coordinator Harold Jacobs. Pictured below.
Offensive coordinator Harold Jacobs, three-time Pop Warner Div.1 National Champion, in my opinion, is the next offensive mind in South Florida, for both flag and organized football. Jacobs certainly utilizes his talent.
The Red Raiders' quarterbacks -- Jaquala Brown and (QB/DB) Tatyana Fremont, is lighting up the scoreboard. Both QB's have tossed a minimum of 20 touchdown passes this season. And here's a note -- four skilled athletes on offense (Brittney Julius, Pierre Nikesha, Destiny Doughty, Chakeria Cooper) has accounted for at least 10 receiving touchdowns. Now, that's an offense, that spreads the wealth.
On the ground, RB/DB Irenna Hines rushed for 1,320 yards and 21 touchdowns. She contributed in the passing game as well, catching 6 touchdowns for 515 yards and added two additional scores (pick six) on defense, a long with her seven interceptions.
The "Player of the Year" candidate WR/DB Brittney Julius (Pictured above), has made an in-stant impact on both sides of the ball for the Red Raiders.
A large part due to college football wide receivers Jovan Durant (West Virginia), Tommy Shuler, Deandre Jasper and Fredson Salomon (Western Illinois), who all contributed their time and helping her improve her game.
Julius, who's entering her second year overall in team sports, is dominating this season. She's putting up video game-like statistics at wide receiver and defensive back. On offense, she's responsible for 22 receiving touchdowns and on defense, an eye-popping 23 interceptions, including over 1,300 all-purpose yards.
Slot receiver/linebacker -- Destiny Doughty, a two-time 2nd team All-Dade selection, is described by her offensive coordinator as "clutch". On third downs, the smart and reliable wide out, displayed great hands and placement on the field. Continuing to keep drives alive during crunch time moments.
The Red Raiders' defensive coordinator Mikey Sheehan, is no stranger when it comes to winning. Sheehan, a member of the Florida Fire 7v7 National Championship team, has a stingy, fast and aggressive defense. Sheehan has delivered 21 shutouts the past two seasons within 27 games. That's unheard now-a-days in football, especially in flag football.
Two-sport star, WR/Rusher Nikesha Pierre recorded a team-high 35 sacks, using her sprinter speed 11.8/100m (fastest time in district). The pass rush doesn't stop there, as WR/FS Chakeria Cooper made her presence known with 25 sacks. These two young ladies are the key to the success on defense. Their combined 60 sacks, is why the Red Raiders defense has over 60 interceptions and (over ten returned for scores) as stated, multiple shutouts.
Linebacker Serena Johnson has constantly delivered multiple big plays and her quick decision-making in space, only makes scoring on the Red Raiders more challenging.
1st season schedule and results - Left Pictured
2nd season schedule and results - Right Pictured
The Red Raiders are the stars of their school. Make sure to come and support the Red Raiders vs. Jenson Beach 10 a.m. on Friday, at Citizens Field in Gainesville, FL.
