For as long as he can remember, Griffin Goins has been around football. You can say that it has been in his blood since the day he was born.
Goins comes from a true football family where his brother, father, cousins and uncles have played and coached for decades. He also happens to be the grandson of one of Miami-Dade's coaching legends, Buddy Goins, who guided Miami Springs for decades, and he is still considered one of the true coaching icons.
While the Goins family has always been all about discipline and an unmatched work ethic, it's Griffin who might end up being the most successful when all is said and done. This is a football player who is not the product of just watching and learning the past four five years. This is someone who has understood and respected the game for a lifetime.
What this rising Hollywood Hills senior fullback/linebacker represents is a throwback football player. Someone who will put his nose in the action for all four quarters and never ask to come out of the game. What coach Al Lang is getting in this 6-2, 240-pounder is a big-time football player.
"The way I approach the game is the only way I know how," Goins said. "I have been taught that what you put in is definitely what you get out."
This is something that didn't happen overnight. Even though he was an underclassmen the past two years — as a starter for the Spartans — Goins was among the top tacklers and definitely a prospect who was being overlooked. Longtime coach Scott Barnwell had started talking about his potential before he was in the ninth grade. Others on the team and those who played against him have also been impressed.
"That kid never came off the field when we played them," said South Broward veteran coach Allen Held. "He ran the ball, blocked and made plays on defense. I would say that he's a top prospect."
Rated as a top 25 pre-spring Broward County and top 50 south Florida athlete by The Miami Herald, Goins continues to work harder and climb to a place where he is satisfied.
"I have always imagined that I would play high school football and then go to college and do the same," Goins said. "This is what I was put on this earth to do. Play this sport that continues to give back so much to me and my family."
With one of the most demanding offseason programs that many have watched, Goins is hard at work lifting, running and going over football plays as well as watching film on what he and his team can improve on.
"The past three years have been great, and we have all worked hard," Goins pointed out. "But to get to that next level, you have to continue putting in the work, and that's something that I have always done."
Booker T. talented
By now, everyone is well aware of the talent the Booker T. Washington squad has coming back for 2012 after a 4A runner-up position last year. All understand that the Class of 2013 with players such as Matthew Thomas, Denver Kirkland and Michael Johnson will be able to matchup with anyone. But what the younger players - the athletes who did so much during a banner 2011 season?
The Tornadoes are simply loaded. In the Class of 2014, you have quality athletes such as Treon Harris, (QB, 5-11, 180),Chad Thomas (DE, 6-4, 215), Deltron Hopkins (WR, 5-8, 165), Krondis Larry (RB, 5-5, 150) and receiver Lamar Parker (5-9, 175). The rising junior class also includes Brandon Boyd (FS, 5-11, 165), Jordan Ingram (DT, 6-0, 260), Terrawn McPhee (WR, 5-8, 155), Nigel Patten (DB, 5-10, 175) and linebacker Tevin Evans, OLB, 6-1, 200, Miami Booker T. Washington.
The Class of 2015, this rising sophomores, will also be impressive with as many as eight playing a key role. Among this in the class will be Shaquery Wilson (WR, 6-2, 185), Vaquan Small (WR, 6-3, 175), Ben Triola (OT, 6-3, 285), Dionte Lynch (OG, 6-3, 280), Terry Jefferson (LB, 5-10, 180), Catravis Hudson (RB/DB, 5-10, 165) and Tyrone Robinson (OLB/DE, 6-0, 180).
We are always looking to help promote our area recruits for the current classes of 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. All you have to do is send a DVD and information about the athlete to: Larry Blustein, P.O. Box 3181, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009.
To comment, email floridakids1@aol.com. Follow Larry on Twitter at twitter.com/larryblustein.
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