MHS Lifting Draft

After years of watching Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay tell me what to expect from the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars on NFL Draft weekend, I come to you today as the prophet for the latest phenomenon in the Milton High School football program. Yes, that's right, the MHS Wildcats are hosting a weight lifting draft. The brainchild of MHS quarterbacks coach and fitness guru John Turrissi, the draft will be among eight of our football seniors. Each of the eight senior general managers will draft a team of six lifters and will compete all summer in lifting and plyometric workouts. Points are awarded on individual attendance and performance as well as bonus points for total team dedication. The draft will be held on Wednesday and no, ESPN will not be on hand to cover the event this year. But when you think of the wasted hours of poker, billiards and Woody Paige on ESPN, maybe this event will get some love sometime in the next few years. Today I will give you a breakdown of the GM's and what needs they will bring to Wednesday's draft. Tomorrow there will be a full mock draft and Thursday morning I will give a recap of the draft as well as some grades. Here are the captains: Shad Sommers, OL/DL Shad is a beast in the weightroom. With hair that would make Sideshow Bob jealous and a physique that makes one remember Don Muracco's glory days, Shad's strength and speed give his club a huge advantage. Shad can lift for power and for a man of his size (6'2, 275) he runs an impressive 4.9 seconds in the 40 yard dash. Look for Shad to seek out fellow lineman Maduka Nwanekezi and Daejon Simpson in early rounds. Adding speed will be a priority in later rounds. Zack Breslin, WR/DB Breslin is one of Milton's most dedicated lifters. Often coming early or staying late during baseball season, Zack gets his work in whenever possible. Adding some strength will be a key. Don't be surprised if Zack makes a calculated risk and goes after a senior offensive lineman or two in the middle rounds. Phil Clark's name has been tossed around in some circles but I sense Breslin has taken a liking to Chris "Thriller" Collier. Paul Connor, FB Milton's top rusher and the state champion in the 400 yard dash, Connor is finally developing into a weightroom threat. Paul's numbers have improved and a summer spent in the hellfires of the MHS weightroom will make him tough to tackle in the fall. Like Breslin, Connor needs to add strength to his team. I noticed Connor scouting some sophomore cornerbacks at the combine so watch out for a late round selection of Darner Alteon or Cullen Cockrell. Eric Menchi, QB When you look up commitment in the dictionary, you will find two pictures. One will be of MHS defensive line coach Brian Mackinaw as he struggles fiercely in a padded room, the other will be of Menchi doing extra sets on a Friday, long after most of his teammates have called it a night. No less an expert than Bill Parcells once said, "You are what you are." Well, Eric Menchi is a worker and if I was being drafted, I'd want to be on this young man's squad. Sophomore linebacker "Coach" Rasheed Wells would be a perfect fit early and if he could add cornerback Ricmyr St. Cyr, Team Menchi could be an early favorite. Doug Graham, QB Graham is the Jim Druckenmiller of the MHS squad. The quarterback is stronger than most lineman, which is either an indication of Doug's strength or the weakness of most of our line. Or, maybe, it's both. Either way, look for Graham to take a midseason look at adding current rookie free agent Kevin Graham, his younger brother. His scouts have also been seen on the trail of a player simply known as "THE POOCH" and lineman Alex Rush. Jack Brown, TE/LB "Brownie" is a three year starter on defense for Milton and has serious potential to have a break out summer on the bench press and squat rack. The personal favorite of coaches Mackinaw and Jack Raymer, Brown has a lot of pressure on his young shoulders. A possible sleeper pick for Brown is Max Opara,a powerful and fast halfback. Brown was seen negotiating with Opara's agent, Randy Omoregie, over chocolate chip cookies in the cafeteria late last week. Tom Carten, OL/DL T-Cart is a warrior in the weightroom who usually does his best work without sleeves. Any player drafted by Carten better be committed to improving or there will be hell to pay. Keep an eye on Carten possibly moving up to nab Tyler "T-Bone" Dynan. Peter Tufts is another pick that makes sense for Carten. Coleman Durgin, OL/LB Picking last will be Coleman Durgin who like Menchi, Carten and Sommers, is as dedicated to improving his strength and speed as anyone who has put on a Wildcat uniform in the last five years. Picking at the end of round one and top of round two, Durgin will be able to make strength/speed selections, building up some necessary depth. Jake Feeney, James Walker and Simon Doktor would all benefit from a year under Durgin's guidance.