In the history of Miami's Westminster Christian School, there have been hundreds of baseball scouts who have roamed the campus to get a look at future stars such as Alex Rodriguez and Doug Mientkiewicz, who starred for the Warriors back in 1992-93. But when it comes to football, it hasn't been a place where recruiters have flocked to -- until now.

With an empty field across from where the football field sits, there are images of the hit movie Field of Dreams that come to mind while watching the 2009 edition of Warrior football. Not just because of the impressive talent on the field, but that coaching staff that could easily rival some of the best in South Florida.

Led by veteran coach Joe Mira, Westminster's coaching staff reads like a roster of teachers who have given more than 100 combined years to this sport, and all have landed on this campus in southeastern Miami-Dade County.

Mira, a former University of Miami standout player, and the brother of fabled UM quarterback George Mira, has done well at stops along the way such as Miami High, Southridge, Palmetto, Dr. Michael Krop and South Miami.

His assistant coaches such as Don Drinkhahn, Carlos Cespedes and Willie Cannon have touched the lives of thousands of youngsters throughout the years. Drinkhahn coached in parts of four decades at South Dade, Cespedes, regarded as one of the elite offensive line coaches, has been at Mira's side for the past two plus decades -- while Cannon has been everywhere from Southridge to Coral Reef.

``You don't draw up a coaching staff like this,'' said Mira, who took the Westminster position after longtime friend Steve Johnson moved on to Columbus. ``Along with a few younger kids, we have put together a staff that not only has a lot of old school coaching skills, but also relate to the kids of today.''

This coaching staff, along with a few new faces has thrust the Warriors into the spotlight among 1A schools in south Florida, and or the first time in school history, players such as senior Kyle Dodds and UCF commit Perry Meiklejohn, are talking about having a legitimate chance to be in Orlando in December.

IN THE MIX OF THINGS

While Dade Christian, Parkway Academy, Delray American Heritage and state-rated powerhouse Fort Meade will still have plenty to say about which team ends up playing for the 1A state title, at least Westminster Christian is finally in the conversation.

``I have been here since the third grade and never felt that we could finally be on the map as a program capable of playing for a state title,'' said the 5-11, 205-pound Dodds, who plays linebacker, running and even some quarterback. ``Last year, we went 7-3 as an independent, but never had that feeling we could make a serious run.''

For Meiklejohn, the 6-3, 320-pound offensive tackle, a chance to make a serious run is everything he had hoped for when coming over from Coral Reef two years. This impressive line prospect made his commitment to UCF in the spring, and now with more talent than the school has ever had on the football field, there is a strong feeling that this could be one special year.

``It all starts with a tremendous coaching staff,'' Meiklejohn said. ``Then, you add the kind of talent we have over the past two years and you have something impressive. The feeling since we started working in the spring is that this could be a very good year for this school -- all the way around.''

This is a program that will do it with some holdovers from last year, which include senior linemen Julian Lefort and Aaron Agra Sanchez, receivers John Antonelli and William Currie, linebacker Danny Reyes, Doral Academy linebacker/running back standout transfer Nathaniel Berry, and Coral Reef transfer Sean Jenkins, who just might be the top safety prospect in Miami-Dade County this year.

Jenkins, a 5-11, 185-pounder, brings in speed, strength and plenty of athleticism. After competing for the Barracudas in the spring, he made the move over to Westminster Christian for his senior year.

``This is a quality football player and a tremendous young man,'' said Drinkhahn, who coached Antrel Rolle of the Arizona Cardinals. ``I have been around plenty of quality athletes in my time, and I will tell you, he is as good as you get at this level. Colleges may have missed out on him the first time around, but in the fall, he will receive some big time offers.''

IMPRESSIVE JUNIOR CLASS

The junior class is also quite impressive with running back Jameel Middlebrooks leading the way along with kicker Dillon Dadesky, and Killian transfer Preston Fuller, a 6-3, 260-pound offensive/defensive lineman who could emerge as one of the best players in the Class of 2011. There is also receiver/defensive back Christian Ossorio and Palmetto running back/defensive back transfer Jeremy Williams.

Middlebrooks is the real deal. The cousin of Arizona Cardinals' standout Anquan Boldin, he could end up being one of the elite backs in the class.

``It's players like Middlebrooks, Berry and Fuller that people just don't know much about,'' Mira said. ``Until you watch them play and blend in with the rest of this team, you have no idea how impressive they are.''

The sophomore class is equally as impressive with quarterback David Thompson easily being one of the elite players at the position in the state. The 6-1, 190-pounder throws a tremendous ball, which explains why he is considered one of the top right field prospects nationally on the baseball field.

``David is going to be John Elway,'' Mira said. ``By the time he's a senior, he will be 6-3, 220 and will be in demand as a football player and a baseball player.''

Offensive linemen Darrion Cannon and Nathan Pritchett, and tight end Steve Smith are also Class of 2012 prospects as well.

The underclass parade continues for the Warriors with ninth graders Nick Kuntz (offensive guard), receiver Sean Pillsbury and free safety Antonio Washington. There is also Class of 2014 quarterback Hunter Boyett, who just happens to be one of the top eighth graders in the nation.

Boyett was singled out for his throwing at an Underclass Combine in Georgia, which pushed him into the spotlight.

``When you have young men making a difference in the 8th grade, there is indeed something special about your program,'' Mira said. ``While we tried hard to remain a secret, I think that is pretty much out of the bag, now!''

While nobody is proclaiming the Warriors 1A state champions, it is quite refreshing that much of the talk these days in Pinecrest is centered around football.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RECRUITS

Don't forget that we are always looking to help expose our area recruits for the current Class of 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. All you have to do is send a DVD and information about the athlete to: Larry Blustein, P.O. Box 3181, Hallandale Beach, Fl. 33009.

Larry Blustein is co-host of the Miami Dolphins Gridiron Show every Thursday evening from 7-8 on WQAM (560 AM). Have a comment? E-mail lblustein@MiamiHerald.com.