MELBOURNE CENTRAL CATHOLIC

2016: 11-1, Class 3A Regional Champs

Head Coach: Stacy Sizemore, 2nd season with MCC

Key Returners: RB Lavonte Valentine (10 rushing TDs), CB/WR Zamari Walton (68 total tackles)

The Scoop: Melbourne Central Catholic will be playing entirely new opponents this fall, even filling their schedule with several out of state games, playing the likes of Buford, GA and Fort Hill in Cumberland, MD. The most notable returner for the Hustlers is running back Lavonte Valentine, who is committed to the University of South Carolina for both track and football. This past spring Valentine won the state championship in the 100M dash.

Quotable: “There is no magic pill, there is no easy way to do it, I tell them all the time there is no elevator to the top.” – Coach Stacy Sizemore

 

2017 Schedule:

8/25 @ Buford

9/1 vs Palm Beach Central

9/8 @Archbishop McCarthy

9/15 @Kingdom Prep

9/22 vs Tarpon Springs

10/6 vs Bishop Moore

10/14 @Fort Hill

10/20 @South Fork

10/26 @Atlantic

11/3 vs Central

 

The Hustlers are used to putting up big numbers on the scoreboard, but it’s the work done now that gets them there.

Melbourne Central Catholic went undefeated last season, beating opponents by an average of over 20 points. Their first loss coming in the 3A semi-finals, booting the Hustlers from the playoffs, with states just out of reach.

“We came so close and we thought we were going to make it to states but now we just have to come harder,” said senior corner Zamari Walton, who is committed to play at Georgia Tech. “We know what it takes to get there now and we have a lot of returners so now we just have to keep working hard to make it to that next step.”

The Hustlers are using that one loss as motivation. Because one thing is certain, MCC is not going to be the team that is tired in the 4th quarter this season, the team that loses in the last hour before the big stage. Drill after drill in the hot summer morning, Head Coach Stacy Sizemore circling the field, shouting motivation.

The motto this season is finish. Finish every sprint, every drill, every pull-up. Finish during the game and get back to winning.

“There is no magic pill, there is no easy way to do it, I tell them all the time there is no elevator to the top,” said Coach Sizemore. “It’s just hard work and dedication, and that gives you an opportunity if the opportunity presents itself.”

Every drill done now will translate to a play on the field come fall.