According to new head coach Nick Martinez, Dade Christian’s football team draws a comparison to the 2006 and 2012 units.
And he should know since he played on both of those teams.
The 2006 team went undefeated in the regular season before losing in the state semifinal, and the 2012 squad was two quarters away from winning the state championship, the team’s best accomplishment in years.
“This team has the skills, passion, leadership and the togetherness we had in 2006 and 2012,” said Martinez, who replaces his former coach and mentor Mike Sonneborn. “They’ve also got that vibe we had that helped carry us that far.”
Martinez’s expectations for his team is winning the state championship following a 6-4 season that ended in the first round of the playoffs last year.
“This team now can put us over the hump,” said Martinez, who was an assistant coach under Sonneborn last year.
The Crusaders’ preseason match up with North Broward Prep last month gave Martinez a good look at the team he has assembled that includes eight returning starters on each side of the football.
"The game went well for us and we got the opportunity to see what we are made of entering the regular season," he said.
Martinez and his offensive coaches were equally impressed with sophomore quarterback Alec Carr, as the 5-10 and 215-pound nimble athlete has been picked to lead the offense over several upperclassmen.
“The kid is extremely gifted and extremely intelligent,” Martinez said.
The Crusaders’ backfield features three running backs who also play on the defensive side of the football.
Led by 5-11, 210-pound senior Tim Mcintosh, who also plays safety, Martinez calls his group the “Running Committee” along with 5-5, 155-pound freshmen Michael Hunt and 5-4, 190-pound junior John Wright.
Martinez said he is also high on 6-0, 175-pound junior linebacker Raymond Moore. “He has size and speed,” Martinez said.
Following a breakout college career at Eastern Illinois as a defensive back, Martinez said initially he didn’t see coaching in his future until he returned to his alma mater where he became an assistant coach.
“Coaching was not always something I wanted to do, but coaching under Sonneborn I saw me doing this some day,” Martinez said. “The experience, so far, has been awesome besides replacing him.”
The Crusaders players are optimistic about the season and they value their coach’s leadership.
“We look real good and better than what we expected,” said Moore.
Jordan Coley, a 5-9, 166-pound junior player, said he likes what he sees.
“The team is real positive,” he said. “Overall, it looks good on offense, defense and special teams.”