BREAKING
NEWS
Senior Day vs. Senior Play
Please don't go, Jason Fox.
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Javarris James will play his last game in Miami today at noon.
Two quarterbacks, both alike in dignity, in fair Miami at the Northwestern Boys and Girls Club: The older, twice-All Dade one got little attention from a Larry Coker-led Miami staff that would choose minor league baseball-bound Daniel Stegall instead and struggle on with Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman. The younger had more than his share of attention, and now finds himself virtually alone in the position and holding the keys of success and failure in his injured right hand.
Though Thaddeus Lewis is gunning for Duke's first win over Miami today in his last chance as a senior, and Jacory Harris is trying to regain his footing after an interception-plagued month, make no mistake: the two are good friends, and whatever happens on the field has no bearing on their mutual respect for one another.
"There's no trash talking, just love," said Lewis, whose numbers at Duke best all Miami QBs but Ken Dorsey. "I told him I want to get with him in the off-season and teach him some of the things I've learned. Playing quarterback at this level isn't easy. It's all about decision making. You have to learn a lot from your mistakes. I know where he's at right now.
"Jacory is a good guy. No matter what, I always want to see him do good."
So, of course, do Miami's seniors, who will play their final game in their 2nd home at noon, under their 2nd head coach, 4th defensive coordinator, and 3rd or 4th offensive coordinator, depending on how long they've played. Whatever you can say about the class' accomplishments in light of their promise, it's been a bumpy ride for these guys: Dedrick Epps languished in Pat Nix's patented Tight End, Who? offense and bloomed this year under Mark Whipple. Jason Fox has been the hero of the offensive line for years and will be sorely, sorely missed. Javarris James showed so much promise and then himself to be made of glass. Eric Moncur was strong and steady until injuries turned into nightmares. Chavez Grant, AJ Trump, Matt Pipho survived all the turmoil and lived to see a better day, even one with three losses destroying the team's hopes at a BCS Bowl. The list goes on; there's a lot of memories in the mix, a lot to be proud of, and something still to play for.
"To win,'' said Chavez Grant. "Point blank. Period. That was our goal coming in.
"I wish we could have gone to the national championship. I'd like to play Florida again. But we're focusing on these next two weeks and whatever the NCAA brings us.''
It will first bring Lewis and Duke's passing game, which has proved to be something of a challenge for Miami. In 2006, the Canes eked out a 20-15 win; in 2007 it took a late defensive stand to take the game at 24-14. Last year Duke put up 31 points, and it took Harris' heroic performance taking on Robert Marve's halftime deficit to get the Hurricanes to 41 and the W column.
With so much to play for, Miami ought to come out strong and handle a one-dimensional Duke. But with the Hurricanes resembling a hospital ward as much as a football team, and a sophomore quarterback still learning on the go, the only thing guaranteed is the post-game hug between two childhood friends.
Posted Saturday, Nov 21, 2009 - 10:18 AM EST
