Vandals prepare for season under guidance of Coach Johnson

Fil Butierez/ Arizona Silver Belt This year’s Miami Vandal varsity football team lines up for a picture after a rainy practice last week. Head coach this year is Jeremy Johnson. He is assisted by John McGill, Jose Pinedo, Levi Shaffer, Sean Loyd, Freddy Chism, Chris Goss and Bill Johnson. Miami will scrimmage at home on Aug. 17. The first regular season home game is Aug. 31.

Miami — The Miami Vandals have taken to the field these past few weeks, preparing for the upcoming season. The boys have been working incredibly hard to further their already impressive skills, despite the inclement weather recently and the always difficult first days of school. Coached by Jeremy Johnson of the Globe/Miami area, the boys are undoubtably looking pretty tough and prepared already. The Silver Belt was able to get in a few words with some of the players and Coach Johnson last week after a hard, rainy practice and the gentlemen couldn’t be more optimistic.

“We’re looking really good this year,” says junior Dennis Hull, “especially in comparison to last year. Our defense is amazing at this point and pretty much every guy out here is making great strides.”

Teammate and senior this year Shane Melcher said: “I’ve been here since freshman year and I’ve seen firsthand this team’s growth and our potential to be great. I’m really sad that it’s my last year, but I’m gonna do my best to make it last and make it the best one yet.”

The Vandals are coached by Jeremy Johnson, a long-time resident of the area and teacher at Miami High School. Joining Coach Johnson are John McGill, Jose Pinedo, Levi Shaffer, Sean Loyd, Freddy Chism, Chris Goss and Bill Johnson. Under the guidance of such great mentors and with their confident attitudes the boys are sure to see one great season.

“We’re looking forward to getting back to the basics,” says Coach Johnson. “We’re focusing on some pretty well utilized plays and I know the boys are going to buckle down and do their best when our scrimmage rolls around on the 17th of this month. We will be teammates for four years, but we will be brothers for life. We are trying to teach these young men that no matter what life or the game of football throws at them, they can overcome it if they stick together.”

The boys will be playing a scrimmage at home on Aug. 17 against Eloy at 6 p.m. in the evening; their first official home game is Aug. 31 against Tanque Verde.

Good luck this season, Vandals!