By Gary Curreri
Sun Sentinel Correspondent
Aug 19, 2021 4:10 PM
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Spanish River football coach Raya McCray coaches Sharks sophomore Daniel Novaes during a recent football practice. The Sharks will play an independent schedule this season. (Gary Curreri/Contributor)
In his third season, Spanish River High School football coach Raya McCray has opted to play this season as an independent rather than play teams in the Class 8A Division.
“Going independent was a strategic decision designed to build positive momentum and enhance the new culture of winning,” said McCray, who is 2-14 in his three seasons at the school. “Changing the culture is our biggest competitor.”
The Sharks return seniors Dylan Ennos (WR/DB), Remy Garcia (OL/DL), and sophomores Braedon Serna (WR/DB) and Anthoney Clark (RB/DE). McCray said he is also hopeful of solid performances from three newcomers — freshman Israel Manor (athlete), and seniors Chase Cook (LB) and Evan Sikes (TE).
Spanish River football coach Raya McCray talks to his players during a football practice. (Gary Curreri/Contributor)
“When we took over the team two years ago the team had not won a game in years and we were ranked last at the bottom in the state not just the county,” McCray said. “So the story is we won our last two games at the end of last season so we are on a winning streak.”
McCray said he canceled the junior varsity season in his first year and merged the varsity and JV teams and “went young.”
“I had more freshman and sophomores starting than seniors,” he said. “I took the beatings to gain experience. My team graduated about seven players last year and currently have about the same, so we’re young but experienced.”
