FORMER AMERICAN

STANDOUT DIES

American High lost one of its notable football alumni this week when former defensive standout Michael Minus was killed in a highway accident late Monday. Minus, 27, was driving on Interstate 75 near mile marker 31 when his tractor-trailer drifted off the road, overturned and ended up in marshy water, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Minus played for the Patriots from 1995-1999. Minus earned first-team All-Dade honors as a senior and went then played for the University of South Florida.

''I'll always remember Mike for the great person he was more than the football player,'' American athletic director Pat Iacono said. ``He was one of those kids that never gave you trouble and was good to those around him.''

BIVINS BETTER AFTER

SCARY NECK INJURY

American junior receiver Antonio Bivins has been given a clean bill of health.

Bivins sustained what appeared to be a serious neck injury during last Saturday's game against Coral Reef. He was airlifted to Jackson Memorial's Ryder Trauma Center, but Iacono said he was released Sunday morning after tests did not reveal serious injury.

Iacono said Bivins had what amounted to a bruised neck.

''We were very grateful to the paramedics and all the doctors involved,'' Iacono said. ``They handled the situation with care, and, thankfully, he's OK.''

CORAL REEF FOOTBALL

GETS BACK ON TRACK

Fans of Coral Reef's football team haven't had much to get excited about for a while.

The Barracudas have won only six games in four years. But Coral Reef might be turning things around sooner than expected.

With its 33-13 victory against Ferguson on Thursday, Coral Reef is 2-0, exceeding its win total from last season.

Coral Reef coach Chevas Clements calls the trio of junior running back Daniel Monroe, senior fullback Phillip Hopper and senior running back Zack Day, the team's ''three-headed monster.'' The trio has totaled 487 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns combined for the two games.

The Barracudas' schedule gets tougher in the next two weeks as they take on Braddock and South Dade. Both teams made the playoffs last season.

-- ANDRE C.

FERNANDEZ

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