Bradenton, May 3, 2018 – With the offseason in full commencement, Head Coach Yusuf Shakir and his Manatee Hurricanes’ are wasting no time progressing with their program coming off a 5-4 2017 season. Going back to the basics and preaching fundamentals along with his developed ‘Four Quarter’ program are the consistent key focuses Coach Shakir is pushing his team towards to have a successful 2018 year, with the help of his loyal returning D1 players and young standouts.
“We have a good spring training going right now, weight room starting off great so no complaints from me, these kids have been working and playing hard. Our Speed & Conditioning program class with the weight program is how we’re continuing to develop, trying to see what we can improve and just focusing on techniques; we’re not worrying about any other opponent right now, just us as a team playing together on a better, consistent basis,” Yusuf exclaims.
“As far as Stand-outs and progression go, I’m more focusing on the team overall but we have a ton of talent across the board, a lot of returning D1 recruits receiving offers as well. 6’1” 185 pound RB Irone Jackson has over 30 offers, can play everywhere, he’s going to be a sophomore for us.”
In the secondary “we have 6’2” 170-pound Senior CB and FS, Frank Waiters, the Clermont twins Malcolm and Malik are returning seniors, 6’ 205-pound senior Brandon Dossey and talented junior Justin Porter at Linebacker.
The offensive line is young, but experienced. “On our O-line we have, 6’5” 265-pound Guard, Charles Armstrong and 6’2” 255-pound Guard Derek Maurice, two sophomore D1 recruits, our two senior starters, Center Omar Lagarde, 6’4” 275-pounder Carter Sysak plays both sides and Quinten Rome at D-tackle, another sophomore.”
The backfield should be fun to watch. “…Next year is Napoleon Harris, he’s currently going to the State Championship for track, a transfer from Charlotte High, at QB Anthony Squitieri, and our Kicker Axel is a junior now- he received some D1 offers; so we got some well-rounded guys playing for us this upcoming season.”
Coach Shakir further states, “We’ll continue to get stronger as a team in the offseason with our Four Quarter Program, the first quarter is January-April, the second is spring ball, we have summer development as the third quarter, and the fourth quarter is two-a-day practices and preseason camp. These are all things that have to go successfully to carry out a successful season.”
Vaughan Sixbury, BCP Contributor