Story
Post Top 25 countdown: No. 10 Atlantic
Monday, August 20, 2012
by
Jeff Greer
The Atlantic Eagles have all the speed, power and talent necessary to make a serious playoff run and maybe even contend for a state championship this fall.
Sound familiar? To any local high school football fan, it should. No area school has produced more tantalizing talent that hasn't translated to wins in recent years than Atlantic, an always-intimidating team on paper that has come so close to the glory it always appears primed for.
The Eagles should win lots of games. They should host playoff contests. They should compete with the American Heritages, Dwyers and Glades Centrals of the high school football world for state championships and the glory that comes with them.
"Should" just doesn't have the best track record: Atlantic's won 10 playoff games since its last trip to state, which came in 1978. Changing that was Chris Bean's goal the first day he reclaimed the head coaching job in 2010 after a five-year hiatus, and that hasn't changed this fall.
"It's a mental process," said Bean, whose team was 6-4 last year after starting 5-1. "That mentality, that you'll fight for your brother, is what you need to be successful. If you've got some Is and some mes, it can break down the fabric of your team."
There are still plenty of standouts, namely 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive tackle Keith Bryant, who's verbally committed to Miami, and menacing defensive back and return man Brisly Estime.
There's also muscle-packed running back Tevin Spells, talent-oozing receiver Adly Enoicy, fast-improving defensive end Todney Evans, impressive quarterback transfer Jay Mentecky, speedy athlete Fritz Narcisse and a host of other kids who warrant mention in any college recruiter's notepad.
"We have those utility guys who have that MacGyver mentality about football," Bean said. "We have a lot of that now, so we keep asking, 'How can we use this guy on offense or defense, or that guy, or that guy?' It's a good problem to have."
Yet last year's team had the same buzz about it, only to go scoreless in back-to-back district-deciding games against Dwyer and Royal Palm Beach. So turning "should" into "did" once again becomes the foremost challenge for Bean's squad, with its oh-so-teasing talent up and down the roster.
"Expectations are high," Bean said. "They are every year. Football is unpredictable. It takes one or two plays to change your whole season. Hopefully everyone stays healthy, both physically and mentally, and we can produce that brotherhood that we need to win as a group."
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User Comments:
Atl Fan commented on August 20, 2012 at 7:39 p.m.: report abuse
Everyone knows the only piece to the puzzle missing has been a big time coach! WHEN WE GET READY TO RUN WITH THE BIG DOGS MAYBE SOMEONE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN!
@Atl Fan commented on August 20, 2012 at 9:22 p.m.: report abuse
You had the chance to hire Bueno when he left from down there. Could have extended your hand to Socha when he left. Could have hired Snead when he came back. Could have hired Fleury when he left Newman. Atlantic principals dont care about football. Hire a real coach not a home town hangout. I refuse to give money to program anymore because of football issue. Hire Bueno he is the most proven. If not him one of the others.
Formerplayer commented on August 20, 2012 at 10:17 p.m.: report abuse
I hate when people like Atl Fan get on here and go to talking crazy like this them coaches at Atlantic are doing a great job they have help many of us to get into school and most important they have thought us how to become better men Bueno, Snead, or Fleury could never understand were most of the kids that play on this team come from most of us from the hood and the coaches that we have now can relate to us and know what its takes to help us stop talking bout the coaches you dont know what your talking about
Its like this commented on August 21, 2012 at 12:33 a.m.: report abuse
It's like this when u r a General wen its time to go to battle u got to have a game plan u have to b able to lead yur troops to victory by staying true to yur game plan now as we all no nothing seem to go according to yur plan it this were the problem come in at,u have to b able to make the right adjustment to become victorious,so now some have told him that u have to play yur best player both way to b sucessful in high skool football with the Athletes I've seen come thru that program any coach will b lke a hog in mud.I think coach Bean is a great guy n coach but if u want to b successful in high school football u have to no how to able to out smart someone their team is to predictable,if u have watch this team over the years thing haven't change u can't come out throwing the ball u have to set those plays up but if that the game plan u will loss every time I'm jst saying its time to wise up,evening if u read the wright up about their team u hear the same thing every year its time to get some one in that job to take these kids to that next level n I don't think Coach bean is the man to do it,I jst think he put to much trust in his sergeants which I stated in the begining he have to lead his troops to victory.I've been watching coach bean in his frist term wth ATL n haven't to much change I jst don't think he don't have that head coach quality with the player this coach have had year after year doing his time am sure he have ask him self wat I'm doing wrong now it sound lke he have figure it out u have to play yur best player both way its high school.so I'm hoping u guys can do some great things this year but it jst need someone to make the right adjustment at the right time jst don't have the it.....I hope someone really look into this program because in Palm Beach County at have been the most unachieve program in this county!!!!
ATLFan commented on August 21, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.: report abuse
I agree that we need a new, strong head coach but Bueno and Socha? They aren't great coaches. They're great recruiters and we don't need to recruit. We need structure, discipline and coaches who truly understand the game.
The Mind Is A Terrible Thing Thing To Waste. commented on August 21, 2012 at 8:59 a.m.: report abuse
Alarming, appalling, awful... Our school system has produced such an ineffective literate lack of refinement. God bless us all, the downfall of America is slapping us in the face, yet, we do nothing.
pbman commented on August 21, 2012 at 10:08 a.m.: report abuse
Atl has produced a LSU grad and a NFL player recently. Think the school is fine on exposure and opportunity. They do need to finish better but there is more to that then Coach B. Delray is a very athletically gifted community but for some reason cannot turn that to success when it matters.
TSt Thomas crushed one of there best teans but the St. Thomas program is a whole different level. That is no lobger the case so have to get this reputation put to bed now.
iknow commented on August 21, 2012 at 4:37 p.m.: report abuse
Yeah it is Bean but also themost of the rest of a lousy staff. The defense has one front. Coordinator cannt coach his position let alone others. Lb havent been coached in 2 years. Believe this coordinator thinks he can call stunts from press box after o has broken huddle?????? No wonder why things are not excecuted!!!!! Despite this defense does good why???? Look at the kids they are super!!!! Bean is a joke!!! All d coaches a joke it is a shame. Great article that is the truth!!!!!
RPB Says commented on August 21, 2012 at 5:32 p.m.: report abuse
If you want discipline come to RPB!!!
No Doubt! commented on August 21, 2012 at 7:44 p.m.: report abuse
Bueno wins multiple State titles with the talent at ATL. Say what you want but the guy runs a tight program and the man can coach. Yes he has good coaches on his staff but who wouldn't want to coach with a proven winner. Make no mistake he runs the show and makes the decisions.
hilltopper man commented on August 22, 2012 at 10:15 a.m.: report abuse
coach bean is a man of god and thats all that matters in the long run you people can say what u want he stands by his coaches and kids and teach them how to play football and become men of god some of u dont even have a relationship with god but he has a big one with the man above so be for u talk about win and loses he already won the game in heaven so u better ask him how did he do that!
PB county Fan commented on August 22, 2012 at 1:07 p.m.: report abuse
I'm usually the level headed, don't bash anyone because there are always more sides to the story that you don't know about... But the fact that Atlantic puts out the kind of players that it does and then schools like Park Vista are ranked above them is kind of sad.... Hope one day they will get it fixed!
sick of bean?? commented on August 22, 2012 at 4:35 p.m.: report abuse
If you're sick of Bean, then please leave the school and or stop claiming you're ATL fans. Coach Bean is an EAGLE! ATL football players and coaches do not need negative people and negative comments. He's one of the best coaches these kids have ever been around. It's disgusting that you blame coaches who are out there doing everything they can for this team. The coaches are working hard and so are the players. They are all happy to be on this team and they love their coaches. If you have a kid that's not, then take him out,.nobody will stop you. God bless them all and keep them safe this season! Let's go EAGLES!
PBMAN commented on August 22, 2012 at 5:25 p.m.: report abuse
Like I said, Atlantic is in Delray and Delray as a community is long standing in superb athletes but lack the ability for whatever it is to finish good.
There are many reasons, obviously since the community is suffered so long it is not just the Coach, and yes Bean is a good man and a great Coach and Mentor in his community.
That being said, ATL no more St. Thomas, no more excuses. Do your thang this year and put all this to rest.
@ matt and jeff commented on August 23, 2012 at 11:59 p.m.: report abuse
thats crazy i no the rankings dont mean nothing, bt damn to put atlantic at 10. its either u guys dont like them or your tryin to hype them so they can work harder. SMFH
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