Modest progress as Bethune moves MSSH football program forward

 

OPINION

 

TURNING IT AROUND: Darryel Bethune had a lot to put back together when he took the Springs coaching job last January. Pictured here congratulating his kids following a season-opening win over Westland Hialeah, Bethune saw his team drop its next eight games to finish 1-8.
TURNING IT AROUND: Darryel Bethune had a lot to put back together when he took the Springs coaching job last January. Pictured here congratulating his kids following a season-opening win over Westland Hialeah, Bethune saw his team drop its next eight games to finish 1-8.
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River Cities Gazette

    After suffering nine straight running clocks in 2011, the Norland game would be the only such instance for the Hawks in 2012.

    On top of that came not only competitive games but some close ones as well. Perhaps Springs’ best performance all year came on Oct. 19 when they took on district favorite and eventual district champion American at Milander.

    Led by a great defensive effort, the Hawks went toe-to-toe with the Patriots and took a 0-0 tie into the last quarter before eventually dropping a 7-0 decision.

    Some felt a disappointing loss to  Reagan (35-20) was a game that should have been won. But perhaps some should know that Reagan, as an independent, turned in its best season (9-1) in the program’s history.

    Bethune managed to get some kids in, especially on the defensive side of the ball including a gem in defensive end Ja Re’ Tolbert, who will be a legitimate Division I prospect as a senior next season. And, at least it would appear on the surface, things are going in the right direction again.

    Of course after last season, was there anywhere to go but up?

    Not that it’s all bouquets for Bethune.

    Sideline management and organization (my specialty, folks, as a member of the coaching staff at Monsignor Pace) left plenty to be desired.

    An awful decision at the end of the Miami High game likely cost them the game and there were way too many instances of too many kids out on the field — one time coming out of a timeout, costing Springs a crucial penalty.

    Those things need to get cleaned up and Bethune understands that. And, bottom line, no matter what anyone says about effort and being competitive, wins are wins and losses are losses. Thus one-win seasons down the road aren’t going to get it done, either.

    Next up for Springs will be the state’s every-other-year reclassification shuffle in late January. It’s an important event as it will go a long way in determining exactly who the Hawks will wind up with in their district for the 2013 season and how they might be able to fill in their entire schedule. One can only hope in Hawkland that there will be more winnable games.

 

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GOING LOW: Miami Springs Senior High School golfers Luke Llaneras (left) and Pat Perez show off their scores in front of the scoreboard a few weeks ago when they finished one/two at a South Florida Junior PGA Challenge Tour event at Atlantis Country Club in West Palm Beach.

    Miami Springs golfers Llaneras and Perez, top two finishers at Junior PGA tour event

    Miami Springs Senior High School golfers Luke Llaneras and Pat Perez turned in quite a performance a few weeks ago when they finished first and second, respectively in the South Florida PGA Challenge Tour event for junior golfers and will compete in the U.S. Amateur qualifier on June 1-2 in Lake Worth.

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Bronze Award recipients working on their scrapbook, which will be on public display this week: (from left) Jade Jagessar, Faith Aguila, Lindsey Saladrigas, Jade Leon, Sarah Gorland and Mattie Colón.

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    Miami Springs Girl Scout Troop 594 has six Girl Scouts who are earning the prestigious Bronze Award. The girls traveled back in time and around the world without stepping a foot out of Miami Springs or Virginia Gardens and the community has the opportunity to join the adventure and be inspired through the girls’ project.

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GENERATIONS: From left, Rachael Cali, Lori Andre and Anne Grimm were some of the “Daughters of all Ages” who attended the annual event on Saturday, May 11 at Grace Lutheran Church.

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    Holding true to a 34-year tradition, a special event took place at Grace Lutheran Church on Saturday night, May 11 when the annual Daughters of All Ages Banquet was held with the theater production of “Anything Goes" as the theme.

Miami Herald

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