Flanagan player deals with disorder

SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY

Flanagan defensive back Richard J. Smith's football days nearly were scuttled as a young boy.

Smith, a senior, was diagnosed with Von Willebrand disease as a youth, a hereditary bleeding disorder that affects about 1 percent of the world's population.

''I [bled] very easily if [there was] any contact,'' Smith said of his childhood. ``At first, my mom was kind of skeptical about putting me into football. She just realized that's what every boy in the family was doing, football. She just stuck me into football . . . and we took it from there.''

The condition caused nervous tension for the family.

''My first game, I was pretty nervous,'' Smith said. ``That was the first time I ever got so nervous. But I did all right.''

SURPRISE TEAM

Everglades' victory against Hallandale to open the regular season Thursday night was a surprise to some.

But Gators coach Josh Shaprio told his players to expect success. Despite three turnovers and six penalties for 49 yards, Everglades kept Hallandale's high-octane offense in check in a 14-12 victory.

''One of my coaches asked me in the offseason what kind of team do you want Everglades to be?'' Shapiro said. 'I said, `Hard-working and disciplined.' I don't know if we're that disciplined yet because of the penalties and some of the turnovers, but one thing that we do -- and the kids will tell you -- we work day in and day out. In the summer, in practice, I never send them home early. If it rains, we wait. We're going to work, work, work. It showed on the field.''

ARIOLA PASSES

Sam Ariola, who was a starting right end for South Broward in 1958 and 1959, died in late August after heart complications.

Ariola, who went on to a successful rodeo career, is survived by his wife, Jayne, and three children.

Ariola, who caught 19 passes in 1958, helped spring Alan Wright for a 99-yard run -- the longest in state history.

Thursday night, Hallandale nearly matched the record when Korvic Neat scored on a 98-yard pass from Victor Marc.

-- BOB EMANUEL JR.

 

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