Denver Native (Carol)
01-20-2014, 12:21 PM
Down by the Jersey shore, on Dec. 1, 2001, the Middletown South High Eagles boarded yellow buses for their Group III state title game, and veteran members on the undefeated team took note of a new face. The bright smile belonged to Knowshon Moreno, then a New York City transplant living with his grandmother and hurdling defenders as an eighth-grader. South coach Steve Antonucci knew Moreno lived in the school district, and liked what he heard of the teen’s speed. He encouraged Moreno to join his team for the title ride that day, giving him a game jersey and seat on the bus.
“I wanted him to get a taste of what our expectations were,” Antonucci says.
Moreno watched the Eagles claim victory that afternoon, downing Hamilton West, 21-14, then dived into a pile of pads and helmets by midfield to celebrate. Players and coaches posed for photos, raising helmets and lifting their index fingers to point out their ranking. Kneeling in the second row, Moreno smiled amongst the champions as the late afternoon shadows covered part of his face. Antonucci stood directly behind Moreno.
rest - http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/coaches-recall-moreno-schoolboy-success-nfl-leap-article-1.1582601
“I wanted him to get a taste of what our expectations were,” Antonucci says.
Moreno watched the Eagles claim victory that afternoon, downing Hamilton West, 21-14, then dived into a pile of pads and helmets by midfield to celebrate. Players and coaches posed for photos, raising helmets and lifting their index fingers to point out their ranking. Kneeling in the second row, Moreno smiled amongst the champions as the late afternoon shadows covered part of his face. Antonucci stood directly behind Moreno.
rest - http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/coaches-recall-moreno-schoolboy-success-nfl-leap-article-1.1582601