Sports Club Florida hosted its Spring Football Media Day where Coach Kyle Hayes and Coach A.G Waseem interviewed the Evans Trojans head football coach Carlos Odom and some of their senior talent. It is obvious that a focus on academics is a strong part of the culture at Evans High School. DB Beverlentz Bernard says that he is an underrated player, when asked what it takes to not be underrated, he states, “First you got to be on top of the grades.” He’s not the only one who focuses on his academics, Chris Peterson (QB) tells coaches he has a 3.6 GPA and high test scores, and this has caught the attention of prestigious colleges like Vanderbilt.
Not only does the strong focus on academics stand out when talking to these players, but the versatility is like no other with multiple boys playing more than one position this year. Athletes Devontae Grant (wide receiver and defensive back), Jermaine Hardy (running back and wide receiver), Antoine Demps (wide receiver and defensive back), and even Chris Peterson (defensive back and quarterback) are all getting their hands on both sides of the field. Demps states when asked how important it is that he and his fellow teammates can play on both sides of the ball, “For our talent at our school we can do that because we have the players and skill set and the mindset up here to want it, to actually want to win.”
AJ Brooks interviews Head Coach Odem with Evans Trojans
It is evident that these boys are hungry for a better season, last year they finished with a 3-7 record. Jermaine Hardy is ready to put in the work and is confident in his ability to do so stating, “I’m trying to put my name out there so anybody that step in front of me, you got to go hard.” But it isn’t all about him, when asked about his goals for the new season he only spoke on team goals saying, he simply wants to go further than they did last year. He speaks on the naysayers, stating that he often hears people say, “Evans Trojans aren’t that good.” Hardy says this year he wants to change the narrative and have people say, “Evans Trojans that school from pine hills, they went all the way.” A narrative change is important to everyone this season, head coach Carlos Odem states that he feels that Evans High School is a hidden gem. He wants parents and students to know that they are focused on making sure these kids get the opportunity to grow and that they are safe in Pine Hills. Needless to say, the polish, versatility, and hunger for a better season are evident through talking to these athletes. The Evans Trojans are preparing for one of their best seasons yet.
Press Day Photos Presented by Sports Club Florida (Credit to @sportsclubflorida must be provided for usage):
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