Thanks to a reader tip we’ve learned that the Spanish River High School football team, the Sharks, won their first game this year. Our reader tells us this is their first win since 2011, and sent us this photo, below:
The Sharks defeated Pope John Paul II High School by the score of 32-13. We were also able to track down a celebration video:
The Sharks’ next game is against West Boca rival Olympic Heights with new coach Berger.
You can see more photos from the game (400 of them) on their Facebook photo album for the game.
We do not have any statistics from the game yet, but will add them below if they come in.
Category: Sports
Olympic Heights Gets Coach Berger
Olympic Heights High School has a new football coach in Ray Berger. Berger was kind enough to speak with us on the phone today.
He’s been involved in football for many years, including coaching at Spanish River for a few years and several years at Santaluces in Lantana. Most recently he’s been working with disabled kids at Spanish River as their “Crisis Intervention” teacher. In the past he’s coached several successful athletes including Vince Wilfork at Santaluces, now a star defensive tackle for the New England Patriots.
The main thing we picked up from Coach Berger is fun: He used the word a lot. “Every kid would want to play for me. It’s all about fun.”
He feels high school coaches here don’t face the same pressures we see at the college level. “No one takes care of the kids like I take care of them. I don’t treat them like a piece of meat. I want them to have fun.”
His short term goals are to get ready for practice, which starts Monday, and get kids back out to football.
We asked about what kind of systems he expects to run, such as a 3-4 vs. a 4-3 on defense. His answer was simple: “Run an offense fitting the talents we have. I coach to what I have.” He said the same about defense.
He’s made some progress on assistant coaches. He wasn’t ready to release the entire staff but his offensive coordinator will be Andrew Immler, who played for Berger at Spanish River.
He’s 21 years old and is finishing up at FAU. Berger says there’s a trend in athletics of working young assistant coaches. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is probably the best example of that we can think of. Immler was also a West Boca Dragons head coach and board member.
Dick Hopkins will be defensive coordinator. He was the defensive backs coach for FAU under Howard Schnellenberger.
Lynn University Volleyball Camp
The Lynn University Volleyball team is hosting a volleyball camp on August 2nd. The camp is broken down into 3 groups: Beginning and Intermediate, Advanced Setter and Attacker, and Advanced Defense and Liberos. Kids in grades 4 through 9 (beginning and intermediate) will learn basic techniques and skills for all positions. The camp is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and costs $75. Lunch is included.
The sessions for Advanced Setter and Advanced Defense are for those in grades 8 through 12. The Advanced Setter/Attacker Camp is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and costs $40. The Defense Camp is from 1 to 3 p.m. and costs $40. Players are welcome to stay for both sessions and may order lunch.
For more information or questions, contact Assistant Coach Adam Milewski at [email protected] or 561-237-7229.
Lynn University Basketball Camp
Lynn University is offering “Date Nights” on August 1st and 2nd. From 6 to 9 p.m., girls and boys aged 5-12 can learn basketball drills and skills and work on their FUNdamentals. They will also participate in games and competitions. Camp takes place at the de Hoenle Sports and Cultural Center.
Cost is $60 for one night or $100 for two nights. Parents can reserve a spot by registering online. For more information or questions, call Coach Tom Spencer at 561-237-7150 or email him at TSpencer @lynn.edu
Go Fish!
The Daggerwing Nature Center is offering two more Fishing Fridays this summer. The dates are July 25th and August 8th from 1o to 11:30 a.m. Kids ages 8-15 are welcome to try their hand at freshwater fishing.
Classes include fishing pole basics, casting tips, freshwater fish identification and fish habits. The Nature Center provides all fishing supplies but participants should bring sunscreen, a water bottle and closed-toe shoes or water shoes. The fee is $10 per child per class.
Space is limited to 10 per class so please preregister by calling 561-629-8760. You can also visit the Daggerwing Nature Center to register. Daggerwing Nature Center is located in South County Regional Park.