bigcroz
Junior Member
Go STAGS!!
Posts: 356
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Post by bigcroz on Dec 30, 2009 7:59:05 GMT -6
Just read this article that talks about an 8th grade kid in Fla. b eing the leading rusher for his varsity team? How do they do this?
It would be easy to call Sony Michel just another high school hot shot - what with him rushing for 1,285 yards and 18 touchdowns while leading Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage to a 9-3 record.
But you can't: Sony Michel is only in middle school.
That's right, the leading rusher in football crazy Broward County was an eight-grader. Next month, he'll be on display at the second annual Football University Youth All-American bowl, Jan. 10 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Sony Michel may be the best 8th-grade football player in the country.
"We feel that, hands down Sony, is the best eighth-grader in the country right now," FBU National Youth Director Erik Richards said.
It would be hard to argue.
Michel, 5-11, 187 and clearly still growing at age 14, has the speed to go with his size. He already has been timed at 4.47 in the 40. He uses his size and speed on every play.
"He doesn't run scared," Allen Michel, his older brother and guardian, said. "When he hits a hole, he hits it full blast."
Michel's coming out party came in his fourth game, when he ran for a season-high 281 yards against North Broward Prep. Michel got stronger as the season wore on, going on 150 yards in five of American Heritage's final six games.
And while American Heritage is a Class 2A school, Michel didn't struggle against the top teams. He rushed for 92 yards and a TD in his team's quarterfinal playoff loss to Glades Central, No. 72 in the final RivalsHigh Top 100.
"A lot of people didn't expect me to do things like this, but I really fought for it," Michel said.
He says he copies the style of Vikings star Adrian Peterson, whose poster is on his bedroom wall at home.
Those closest to him say the comparison holds true on and off the field. In the mold of Peterson, Michel prefers workouts to walkthroughs, even on the day of a game.
"(Peterson) goes hard every play and never takes plays off," his brother said. "(Sony) prides himself on it, running hard every play."
His play astounds observers.
"Everyone walks away saying the same thing, 'The kid can't be 14,'" Richards said.
Michel was the seventh-leading rusher in Florida last season - but he says he already has put that in the past.
"Most people want to reach the top, but I want to keep that goal," Michel said. "I want to leave a legacy. Like none of this happened, I'm gonna do it all over again."
If he can do it four more years, he may challenge Peterson's legacy as one of the all-time great high school running backs.
"I really think that Michel has that type of potential," Richards said. "If he continues to work hard, the sky is really the limit for him."
But first things first. The next big step for Michel will be graduation ... from middle school.
Free-lance reporter James Pallitto contributed to this story
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Post by superpower on Dec 30, 2009 9:02:47 GMT -6
I am surprised by this. I am pretty sure here in Kansas that the state association requires a player to be enrolled in a member high school in order to be eligible for high school competition. Does Florida not have a similar requirement?
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rocket1
Sophomore Member
Posts: 146
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Post by rocket1 on Dec 30, 2009 9:08:14 GMT -6
I know in a number of states, if the MS and HS are on the same campus or in the same building, MS kids can participate in varsity athletics. This could be the case in FL.
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Post by coachd5085 on Dec 30, 2009 9:13:26 GMT -6
Just read this article that talks about an 8th grade kid in Fla. b eing the leading rusher for his varsity team? How do they do this? It would be easy to call Sony Michel just another high school hot shot - what with him rushing for 1,285 yards and 18 touchdowns while leading Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage to a 9-3 record. But you can't: Sony Michel is only in middle school. That's right, the leading rusher in football crazy Broward County was an eight-grader. Next month, he'll be on display at the second annual Football University Youth All-American bowl, Jan. 10 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Sony Michel may be the best 8th-grade football player in the country. "We feel that, hands down Sony, is the best eighth-grader in the country right now," FBU National Youth Director Erik Richards said. It would be hard to argue. Michel, 5-11, 187 and clearly still growing at age 14, has the speed to go with his size. He already has been timed at 4.47 in the 40. He uses his size and speed on every play. "He doesn't run scared," Allen Michel, his older brother and guardian, said. "When he hits a hole, he hits it full blast." Michel's coming out party came in his fourth game, when he ran for a season-high 281 yards against North Broward Prep. Michel got stronger as the season wore on, going on 150 yards in five of American Heritage's final six games. And while American Heritage is a Class 2A school, Michel didn't struggle against the top teams. He rushed for 92 yards and a TD in his team's quarterfinal playoff loss to Glades Central, No. 72 in the final RivalsHigh Top 100. "A lot of people didn't expect me to do things like this, but I really fought for it," Michel said. He says he copies the style of Vikings star Adrian Peterson, whose poster is on his bedroom wall at home. Those closest to him say the comparison holds true on and off the field. In the mold of Peterson, Michel prefers workouts to walkthroughs, even on the day of a game. "(Peterson) goes hard every play and never takes plays off," his brother said. "(Sony) prides himself on it, running hard every play." His play astounds observers. "Everyone walks away saying the same thing, 'The kid can't be 14,'" Richards said. Michel was the seventh-leading rusher in Florida last season - but he says he already has put that in the past. "Most people want to reach the top, but I want to keep that goal," Michel said. "I want to leave a legacy. Like none of this happened, I'm gonna do it all over again." If he can do it four more years, he may challenge Peterson's legacy as one of the all-time great high school running backs. "I really think that Michel has that type of potential," Richards said. "If he continues to work hard, the sky is really the limit for him." But first things first. The next big step for Michel will be graduation ... from middle school. Free-lance reporter James Pallitto contributed to this story In Louisiana, there are some smaller public schools that are "connected"...might be 7-12th grade or whatever. They are allowed to play in those situations. Definitely an early maturer her but still older than the average student. I would be interested to see his Birthday. He might be on the cusp of 15..which is frosh/soph age for most. |
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Post by mattharris75 on Dec 30, 2009 9:25:31 GMT -6
In Alabama I believe the rules are you can have up to 6 years of varsity competition. I believe that applies whether or not you are on campus. I know I've seen several cases in basketball where a kid at a feeder school was playing at the local high school.
Some years ago my wife played varsity basketball as an 8th grader.
In fact, we have an 8th grade kid on our varsity basketball team, although he is on campus in this case. (He's going to be a stud in football too, probably will start both ways as a freshman. 6'3" 190 lbs and growing, and he can fly.)
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Post by jrarick on Dec 30, 2009 9:36:19 GMT -6
As far as I know ... In Michigan in order for an 8th grader to be eligible he needs to 15 before Septermber 1st. In other words, he will be too old too play in his senior year. Any athlete turning 19 before Sept 1st is ineligible in Michigan. This allows for 8th graders to be eligible to participate in high school sports and still only get 8 semesters of eligibility. Jack Rarick Holt Football www.coachsvideoassistant.com |
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Post by superpower on Dec 30, 2009 9:56:51 GMT -6
In fact, we have an 8th grade kid on our varsity basketball team, although he is on campus in this case. (He's going to be a stud in football too, probably will start both ways as a freshman. 6'3" 190 lbs and growing, and he can fly.) Any chances that this kid's parents need a job? I am certain that we can find employment for them. ;D |
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Post by mattharris75 on Dec 30, 2009 10:01:47 GMT -6
In fact, we have an 8th grade kid on our varsity basketball team, although he is on campus in this case. (He's going to be a stud in football too, probably will start both ways as a freshman. 6'3" 190 lbs and growing, and he can fly.) Any chances that this kid's parents need a job? I am certain that we can find employment for them. ;D Hah! Thankfully not!  I'm fired up about coaching this kid. For a small program like we have, he has the potential to be a real program changer. Has a phenomenal attitude and work ethic. And what's also nice is he has a brother in 6th grade and a brother in 4th grade who look like they're going to follow in his footsteps. |
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Post by airraider on Dec 30, 2009 10:29:30 GMT -6
A kid here in Louisiana set the record for the longest TD in state championship history this year.. with a 95 yard reception to go along with a 58 yard td and an interception.. he is a freshmen.. but only 14..
I dont really pay much attention to the grade.. its the age.. have seen people where people tout a freshmen and come to find out he is 16..
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2009 10:30:59 GMT -6
That kid is amazing, 4.4 speed only in 8th grade
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Post by airraider on Dec 30, 2009 10:37:30 GMT -6
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Post by jackedup on Dec 30, 2009 11:09:07 GMT -6
The video would be great except for the language of the music.
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Post by brophy on Dec 30, 2009 11:36:50 GMT -6
Lane Kiffin recruiting violation in 3....2....
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Post by airraider on Dec 30, 2009 12:08:19 GMT -6
The video would be great except for the language of the music. I should have figured as much.. this computer has a bad sound card.. so I couldnt hear the audio before posting.. |
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bigcroz
Junior Member
Go STAGS!!
Posts: 356
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Post by bigcroz on Dec 30, 2009 13:54:15 GMT -6
wish I could get some of my Sr's to hit the hole like that....full speed all the time
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Post by cnunley on Dec 30, 2009 14:05:36 GMT -6
Lane Kiffin recruiting violation in 3....2.... Hey now, Im a vols fan, I take offense to that....ahh hell, who am I kidding. |
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Post by coachdjenkins on Dec 30, 2009 14:44:25 GMT -6
Our running back who is just completed his sophomore season started for us during the 8th grade. He finished with about 600 yards rushing. He finished his sophomore season with 135 carries and 1300+ yards. Already getting offers from SEC schools. He is the right age as well. Louisiana is thinking about closing the current loophole, of being on the same campus. Proposal to have 8th graders count for enrollment if they play varsity athletics.
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Post by mariner42 on Dec 30, 2009 15:17:31 GMT -6
I think his speed might be the most amazing thing about him. A 4.47 40 at 14 is just unbelievable. He's old for his grade, but not 'held back old'. Hope his body holds up and he keeps a good head, I'm interested to see how this turns out.
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Post by bigdog2003 on Dec 30, 2009 15:35:18 GMT -6
Our 8th grade running back had the talent and size and speed to play varsity but can't here. As a 7th grader people thought he was a 10th grader. Rushed for I don't know how many yards in 7th grade, all I know is we would give him the ball and he was gone, but had 225 in one game this season as an 8th grader. We play 8 minute quarters with a running clock. The varsity coaches are waiting on him. He also has been clocked throwing a baseball 89 mph off of a regulation mound during AAU baseball. Never been held back.
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Post by outlawjoseywales on Dec 30, 2009 17:39:02 GMT -6
In small classifications it's not unusual to have 8th graders playing. In our first year of our program we had a 7th grade starting defensive tackle.
In small schools in Florida we have K-12 schools.
That being said, there is a vote coming this year by the FHSAA to disallow anyone except for 9-12 playing varsity ball.
This will hurt a number of small programs. We have 7-12th graders on the roster and use the younger ages for development.
They might get in a game once of twice a year when the score is way out of hand.
This year, I had 1/2 a dozen 7th and 8th graders.
They practice with the upper-grades but have their own coach. They practice along with the varsity in drills but never scrimmage against the upper-grades.
We are careful to never let them get paired up with the varsity players though.
We would have a middle school team if we had enough kids.
BTW, I've seen 8th grade kids that are really good like this on other teams.
OJW
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Post by airraider on Dec 30, 2009 23:24:08 GMT -6
Our running back who is just completed his sophomore season started for us during the 8th grade. He finished with about 600 yards rushing. He finished his sophomore season with 135 carries and 1300+ yards. Already getting offers from SEC schools. He is the right age as well. Louisiana is thinking about closing the current loophole, of being on the same campus. Proposal to have 8th graders count for enrollment if they play varsity athletics. That stuff will never pass coach.. or at least it better not.. I sure voted against it in the feeler poll.. |
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Post by coachbdud on Dec 31, 2009 1:28:35 GMT -6
last season our stud sophomore QB had to sit out the first 6 games because he was still 14. Here doesnt matter what grade you are in, you cant play var football til you are 15.
SO it amazes me in other states an 8th grader can play varsity football but a sophomore cant here...until he turns 15
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Post by coachinghopeful on Dec 31, 2009 3:47:54 GMT -6
A kid here in Louisiana set the record for the longest TD in state championship history this year.. with a 95 yard reception to go along with a 58 yard td and an interception.. he is a freshmen.. but only 14.. I dont really pay much attention to the grade.. its the age.. have seen people where people tout a freshmen and come to find out he is 16.. This is a very good point. A few years back the local media and fans were going crazy over a freshman who was starting at the huge local HS and running all over everyone. People just kept raving about how incredible it was for a freshman to be doing that at that level. Then the newspaper mentioned the kid celebrated his 16th birthday with a big win over their arch rival. He's still a great back... but they had seniors on the squad who were about the same age as this kid. Hell, I was barely 16 at the start of my junior year... At 14 (and possibly almost 15) I think the fact that the kid is in the 8th grade loses a bit of luster. That's the same age as a freshman or sophomore. It's still impressive, just not AS impressive. I remember a few years back when Dennis Johnson played for Kentucky and the media constantly raved about how he'd started on varsity as a 5th grader. IIRC the state governing body stepped in and banned the practice shortly thereafter. Turned out his dad was his overzealous HS coach and the kid was getting KILLED out there by much older players... |
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Post by coachinghopeful on Dec 31, 2009 3:49:23 GMT -6
Lane Kiffin recruiting violation in 3....2.... Oh come on. Those strippers were clearly giving the kid lap dances of their own free will and totally independent of the coaching staff...  |
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Post by 19delta on Dec 31, 2009 9:59:42 GMT -6
I dont really pay much attention to the grade.. its the age.. have seen people where people tout a freshmen and come to find out he is 16.. Yep. I coached 7th grade basketball a couple of years ago and we had a kid who was just amazing...big, fast, tough, could jump through the gym...literally a man amongst boys out there. Found out later that he was 15 years old. Kid had been retained 2 or 3 times previously. No wonder the games looked like this when we put him in: |
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Post by morris on Dec 31, 2009 10:07:15 GMT -6
In KY you can not play varsity Football unless you are a freshman. You can play Frosh or JV as an 8th grader but no varsity snaps. We have the same rule for soccer but all other sports 8th graders and below can play varsity. It has nothing to d with your age past if you turn 19 before Aug 1st you can not play.
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Post by coachguy83 on Dec 31, 2009 10:51:50 GMT -6
In Illinois K-8 and 9-12 are governed by two seperate bodies. So you must be in at least the 9th grade to play Varsity sports. Heck I wanted to play the frosh team here in town with my 7th and 8th graders and I couldn't even get that to happen.
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nels85
Freshmen Member
Posts: 70
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Post by nels85 on Dec 31, 2009 13:24:42 GMT -6
His speed is amazing, especially considering how much wasted motion he still has in his running form. If I was the parents of this kid i would be getting some private instruction from a big-time track coach somewhere to teach him how to run tighter. Then the sky's the limit on his speed. Interesting kid. We shall see....
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Post by mrflorida06 on Dec 31, 2009 16:22:30 GMT -6
Florida Public Schools aren't allowed to use 8th graders until the spring where they can practice but cannot play in the Spring Game unless its an intra-squad scrimmage. However, the Private Schools in Florida are allowed to use middle school players as long as the school is a K-12 or a Junior-High and High School combination. It is not a fair level of competition but what can you do?
Sony is definitely a special talent but he has been playing like that for many seasons but at the little league level. He is currently at American Heritage but look for St. Thomas Aquinas, former National Champions, to make a push for him very very soon.
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Post by fbdoc on Dec 31, 2009 19:17:38 GMT -6
Mrflorida you beat me to it. If not St. Thomas, then Gulliver Prep
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