Football is just a game in most households, but at the Mallary residence, it's a way of life. For Gulliver senior running back prospect Darian Mallary, football is a bond between him and his father.

Mallary, whose father, Lorian, was the starting quarterback on the 1991 Miami Southridge team that won the state title, says he and his father have formed a special connection through football.

''I've watched all of [his] highlight tapes, I probably messed a couple of them up from watching them so much,'' Mallary said. 'He was a very good player, but he always tells me, `don't be like me, be better than me,' so that's what I'm doing.''

A three-year starter for the Raiders, the 5-7, 180-pound Mallary turned heads last season with his 815 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on just 80 carries, an average of more than 10 yards a carry.

RECEIVING ABILITY

Mallary also displayed his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield as he hauled in 10 receptions for 210 yards and three touchdowns.

Mallary's junior season performance was enough for him to gain scholarship offers from Ole Miss, Central Florida and Indiana.

Other schools such as Michigan, Michigan State and Miami have shown much interest but haven't made official offers.

Aside from all of the pearls of wisdom Mallary has received from his father, he also gets extra guidance from former Southridge coach Don Soldinger.

Mallary says Soldinger, who coached his father, is a frequent visitor to their home.

''[Soldinger] told me about a lot of things, especially college recruiting stuff,'' Mallary said. ``He's been telling me to make sure that when I do choose what college I'm going to go to, make sure that I'm making the best decision for myself and not to let anything pressure or change my decision.''

Mallary, who confirmed that UM was still high on his list of choices, said Soldinger advised him take other things into consideration.

''[Soldinger] told me not to pick a school based on their history,'' Mallary said. ``And I need to find the best situation for me as a both a student and a football player.''

MAKING IMPROVEMENTS

Mallary entered into this summer clocking a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash, and lifting a 315-pound max bench press, but says he still working to improve on both of those.

''Everyday we're out here trying to get better at everything,'' Mallary said. ``We run extra drills and push ourselves in the weight room to get ready for the season. The coaches even have us doing mental drills to learn how to push through being tired. Our mind has to be just as strong as the rest of our body. We don't want anyone to be better than us.''

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