Sa’Quan Hicks, Driven by TALENT

Sa’Quan Hicks, Driven by TALENT

by: Jasmine Ng – Lead Journalist

“My goal is to continue to climb the professional football ladder. I want to play in the CFL and the NFL. Ultimately, I feel as though I have come very far for a player who attended a high school without a football team. – Sa’Quan Hicks”

Every man’s goal is to make it somehow in the sport that he loves. Everyone man’s journey is different. Growing up for Sa’Quan Hicks he played tackle football for the first time at the age of 8 for the Northwood Rams of the Pop Warner league. This is the first time he ever fell in love for the game. The first position he ever set play on was cornerback. His dad had told him he just looked like a natural in the cornerback position. With the Northwood Rams, he was blessed to have won numerous MVP awards in his early career. As he got to high school Hicks was looking for a team to play on. To his unfortunate events, football was nowhere to be found in his high school. Despite of that unfortunate event, he still trained and played regularly given his passion for the sport.

In the case of the mishaps of not having the chance, Hicks never doubted his abilities even that short slump of not able to stay on board with the Morgan State Bears. He had his head held high still and started to train for phase two of his career. Phase two of his career was to attend a few professional tryouts.  After his first professional indoor season, Hicks had the chance to attend the NFL Regional Combine at the Baltimore Ravens facility. NFL Network had selected five defensive backs. He was one of the five that were chosen to be interviewed after the combine. Hicks he stands tall at 5’10 and 181Ibs and has a 40 inch vertical leap. He never had the chance to play high school football, it never stopped Hicks to strive for more. He got accepted into playing a D-1AA university. Hicks had the privilege to walk on to the Morgan State Bears football team. Eventually he had to leave the Bears due to the lost of financial aid.

As a cornerback, Hicks is a very dangerous return man. He can play free safety as well. But he is a cornerback by nature. He can run a 4.43. Hicks playing style is real competitive. As a cornerback he owns every pass that comes in his direction. As an athlete everyone is quite competitive. His level of competitive is to the extreme level. His patience with the line of scrimmage and his rare ability to shadow the top receiver has drawn comparisons to Darrelle Revis.

As a cornerback, Hicks says; “It takes some real guts to come up and press every play. It says a lot when you can do it and take good players out of the game.”

Hicks competitiveness is a major strength for him. His work ethic, his will and his drive are key examples. He has a lot of heart too. As a playmaker, he is always willing to attack a big running back or shadow and track the dominate receiver throughout the duration of the game. His speed, quickness, leaping ability and ball skills are another major strength. On the field, Hicks has accomplished many things despite the difficult path and journey. Throughout his career he has recorded 9 interceptions in a single season before and stamped a ticket to several all-star teams in outdoor football.

Aside from football, Hicks is a certified personal trainer, sports nutritionist, certified weight loss professional and a varsity high school football coach. He trains athletes of all ages, adults and seniors ^th in 2013 to the 3^rd in 2014. Aside from football, Hicks ran track and wrestling at a high level. He won many awards between the three different sports. He also became a great basketball player and was voted as team captain numerous times and let the teams to championships.

who are looking to lose weight. Last season he coached the cornerbacks and they only allowed 4 passing touchdowns after allowing 9 in 2013. He improved their pass, defense from the 24

Hicks training regiment consists of four days a week in lifts and incorporating a bunch of other balance workouts. He trains on the field two to three days a week with several dedicated and former teammates. He has the privilege to train with his Technique and Defensive Back coaches. Hicks trains with the most respectable defensive back coaches known nationally, Joseph Lee Jr and Rich Garcia. 

The most memorable game for Hicks was recording 5 tackles, a forced fumble and 3 interceptions with 1 return for a touchdown. A 1 hand interception at the peak when he jumped over 100+ return yards against a 6’4 highly athletic receivers.  As for 2014, Hicks most memorable moment was when he played against the #1 ranked national champions in the last four years in outdoor football team in the country.  The Central Penn Piranha produces some of the best receivers in the country.  They had targeted him three times that game. Hicks didn’t have any catches allowed by them and he had one pass breakout throughout the game playing mirror, press coverage. It was a satisfactory accomplishment against such a great legendary team.

To keep himself on top of the game, Hicks would speak with NFL and CFL scouts as often as he could. They would ensure him that they would not communicate with an athlete that doesn’t show much talent. As an athlete he considers himself to stick out from the pack because he loves the challenges. He would love to shadow the best receivers at every play.

“Only the best can shadow effectively and that is what I am known for doing. I have the ability to play all 4 cornerback positions in outdoor football and all 3 defensive back positions in indoor football. I attack every single pass that comes my way. I have very good ball skills and often make 1 hand catches look effortless. I have the confidence to challenge the best athletes on earth each play without having to devote a safety to my side of the field. Allowing that safety to be 100% comfortable and in better position to make plays. – Sa’Quan Hicks”

Sa’Quan Hicks goals are to focus on some weight gain and strength. He weighed at 170Ibs at the CFL Combine earlier this year and currently weighs at 180+Ibs. He emphasizes the bench press and adds 5-7 reps and up to 225 bench press over the past few months. He plans to earn a spot in the CFL roster in 2015. If that does not work out, he plans to attend the NFL Regional Combine that following season.

For Sa’Quan Hicks his biggest influences have always been his family. They always believed and supported him through the good and the bad. They show up for countless road trips to his games no matter where they are, from indoor or outdoor leagues. He believes that he is very blessed to have them around at all time.

Sa’Quan Hicks currently play for the ASI Panthers professional indoor team. You can check out his website (saquanhicks21.weebly.com). 

___________________________________SPECIAL SHOUT OUT____________________

First, I want to shout out my saviour, nothing is possible without him. Second, I want to shout out my family, the ultimate support system. Next, I have to shout out my defensive back coaches, the training, the methods, they are the best. Then, I have to shout out my mentors, current/former NFL, CFL, AFL and professional indoor legends/veterans. Last, I have to shout out my true friends and fan-base; I will never forget and are grateful for those who support me. 

Sa’Quan Hicks Resume

Height/Weight: 5’10, 181Ibs

Position: Cornerback

Hometown:  Baltimore City, MD

College: Morgan State

Career Highlights:

Morgan State Bear

Virginia Badgers (Indoor 2012)

Washington Eagles (Indoor 2013)

Lancaster Lightning (GDFL professional developmental league 2013, 2014)

Pennsylvania Steam (Indoor 2014)

ASI Panthers (Indoor 2014)

Player Showcase under Sports Agent Mike LaCourt. Mike has CFL, AFL and recent NFL clients.

 


2014 Statistics:

(10 games) 2 interceptions

6 pass breakups

19 targets

4 catches allowed for 35 total yards

0 touchdowns allowed

6 games with 0 catches allowed

Quarterbacks completed 21% of their passes when throwing at me

Quarterbacks also had a QB Rating of -17.4 when targeting me.

Film Highlights:

Indoor Football:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0lJvYjdPhY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Outdoor Football:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvrV2HLohFA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Explosive Leaping Ability:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90Z3_X0B1_M&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Check out his website (saquanhicks21.weebly.com).

 

Daniel Lee, For the Love of the Game

Daniel Lee, For the Love of the Game

by: Lead Journalist - Jasmine Ng

“I have goals to become a Wr in the National Football League or to play any role in the NFL. I also have goals to travel the world to play this game that I love if I fall short of becoming a player in the NFL. – Daniel Lee”

Everyone has a starting point in having a passion for the game.  All-around athlete Daniel Lee can put in some work and play Wide Receiver and Defensive Back. He can also play as a Return Kicker and Catch Punts.  Or if needed anywhere else such as on special teams. Daniel Lee originally from Gunnison which is a small town in Bolivar County Mississippi. He was raised in a house with just women. His sisters, nieces, and grandmother who helped raise him. He didn’t really have a father figure to look up to. His father has never watched him play football. Lee would be that kid who would get in trouble and always had a bad attitude. So he put his energy in sports. He invested his energy in football and baseball.

For Daniel Lee, he began his journey in football at West Bolivar High School in Rosedale Mississippi. In his senior year they won the state championship against Taylorsville Tatars. That year they were undefeated with a 15-0 streak. 

When Lee graduated from West Bolivar High School, he attended Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale Mississippi due to his poor grades. At Coahoma Community College, that is where Daniel Lee started off as the Slot WR and long snapper. He attended Coahoma Community College for two years and transferred out to Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2010. His junior year over at Shaw University, Lee was a role player for the team. He played a lot in the slot position, returned kicks and caught punts for his first time in his career. He had the opportunity to be starter as a long snapper position. In his junior year, they won the CIAA.

After his senior year in football at Shaw University in 2012, Daniel Lee thought his football career was done because he had his heart set on playing ball further. But he had no idea where he was going to play next. So he decided to stay focused on training and working hard every day to get to the next level.  He was told about the open tryouts for the Columbus Lions at the Proehlific Park in Greensboro, North Carolina.  Daniel Lee went to the open tryouts not knowing what will come next. He went in with an open mind and ready to show what he was made of. Lee was signed the same day and was invited to camp by the Columbus Lions. He left that semester from Shaw University to go for his passion of the sport.  With the Columbus Lions, he started off on practice roster and worked his way up to the rotation of WR/DB. In his last six games with the Columbus Lions he was put as a starter as a DB but he hasn’t played DB since high school.

In the 2013 season Daniel Lee was asked to come back with the Columbus Lions. But he decided to sign with the Richmond Raiders for the 2014 season. He had an outstanding camp and but was released a day before the first game. He soon was signed with the Cape Fear Heroes and finished his 2014 season with them. Which he had an exceptional year and gave him the best motivation to continue his passion for the game.

 Daniel Lee’s style of playing is the Wes Welker type. He isn’t the fastest but he is quick as lightening. He is a major standout by his route running and sure hands. He would be able in getting separation from the defender. Lee’s training regime is a five days a week and rest his body on a Saturday and Sunday. Those are the days he ices, stretches and stem. In every workout he makes sure he does a 30 minute warm-up. The last time he ran his 40 yard dash was with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and his time was a 4.54. Lee can bench press a 275 11xs. His best lifts were when he pressed a 315 3xs. In Lee’s opinion he would want to work on improving his speed. He always had great hands and could run to get routes.  He is always able to get in and out of his routes.  In his opinion the only reason why he hasn’t gotten a shot to the next level is because of his speed. He is a great competitor and always worked hard at everything he does. Currently Daniel Lee is training hard to lower his 40 time by doing explosive workouts.

As far back as Daniel Lee can remember he started playing football since the sixth grade. He would never forget the person who had pulled him towards the right direction in life when he was going the wrong direction. Malcolm Brown is the person who changed his life forever. He was the one who made a visit to his home and asked his mom if he could play for his team.  It is as if Lee was scouted by Brown because he saw that raw talent in him and believed that he would one day make it to the next level. 

Since then, he had the opportunity to play with the Columbus Lions of the PIFL and the Cape Fear

Heroes of the AIFL. With the Columbus Lions he played under Jason Gibson scoring three touchdowns a game which helped him out a lot. After his rookie season with the Columbus Lions he went to sign with the Richmond Raiders in the PIFL. After being released from the Richmond Raiders, he thought his career was over.  The thoughts and feelings after he was released.

“I felt as if my athleticism, hard work and dedication weren’t good enough.”  – Daniel Lee

Then later he was picked up by the Cape Fear Heroes of the AIFL. There he played each game as if his life was depended on it. Being picked up by the Cape Fear Heroes it gave him life again. 

“Looking back at my past keeps me motivated. Coming from where the young barely makes it out. I wanted something different. It was struggle for me growing up with no father. I started off heading in the wrong direction but I thank GOD and my loving mother.  Watching my cousin pass from caner motivates me as well. – Daniel Lee”

His most influential players in his life are his mom and his first cousin who had passed away with colon cancer at the age of 21. The hardest times when he wanted to quit the game and on himself, his mom was influenced him to keep playing and keep God first and that everything will get better. Seeing her fight through the struggle had motivated him even more to work towards his dream. 

He would always remember what his mom would say “A bad attitude will get you nowhere in life.”

He had the attitude of nothing was good happening in his life before so he decided to take a big change. Everyone doubted him and said he would never finish high school and not go to college. He made it and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation. He always had to work ten times harder than everyone else. Watching his cousin fight cancer was a first hurdle in life of an eye opener. His cousin never gave up on himself and had fought until the end before he had passed away on July 9^th, 2014. With his cousin he would speak with him every day before his 2014 season with the Cape Fear Heroes. He would motivate him and tell him he would score three or more touchdowns per game. Number three was his cousin’s favourite number and his basketball number. In honour of his cousin in Lee’s rookie year with the Columbus Lions and the Cape Fear Heroes he would sport number three.

“To me, that’s my lucky number.  His favorite saying was “I won’t complain”. He accepted Christ at a early age. Before he took sick he was a Star Point Guard at his Jr College and he worked hard so now that he’s gone  I feel that I have to work twice as hard for us both because I know if he could he would do the same.”

His cousin and his mom is the reason he play this game with such great passion. He has great support from my hometown Gunnison, Ms. West Bolivar Family, family and close friends and those who he

has met along the way. His former high school teammates are very supportive when it comes down to playing football.  His mom, close friends and Family supports my journey the most.

Daniel Lee’s most memorable highlight was in senior year at Shaw University when it took him 78 yard middle screen for a touchdown. He really feels that he can play this game on a higher level because of the tools that were given to him to compete with the top athletes. Most of all he has the heart. For Daniel Lee what is next, his plans are to start camp with the Erie Explosion who are now a member of the PIFL.

“I’m excited to get the opportunity to play for a good organization like Erie Explosion. I’ve heard such good things about that organization and the head coach “Shawn Liotta” Off the field I plan to go back to school to get my Master’s degree in sports management.”

_______________SHOUTOUT______________

 I would like to give a Shout out to My MOM, Friends and Family, my hometown Gunnison MS, my uncle Stevie Johnson and my Aunt Ramona Johnson and others I’ve met along the way.

 

Daniel Lee Resume
Weight/Height: 188Ibs, 5'11

Position:  
WR/DB/KR/PR

Career Highlights:
West Bolivar High School
Coahoma Community College
Shaw University
Columbus Lions (PIFL)
Cape Fear Heroes (AIFL)

Testing:40 yard dash: 4.54
bench press: 275 11xs
squats: 400

Highlight film. Columbus lions/Cape Fear Heroes:
Daniel Lee (ATH) AIF/PIFL 2013/14:  http://youtu.be/WOMqM0btlx4

Vince Romano, Showcase in a Mindset

Vince Romano, Showcase in a Mindset
by: Lead Journalist - Jasmine Ng

 “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. – Vince Romano”

Getting a personal phone call from George St. Lawrence the founder and CEO of CDFL to congratulate Vince Romano on being invited to the 3^rd annual CDFL Euro-America Challenge was an incredible honour. Vince Romano was told he is one of their top players chosen to represent Team USA. This Euro-America Challenge will take place on December 19^th, 2014 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Vince Romano a native born in Long Island, New York. At age six his family moved to a small town located in upstate New York. Oneonta, New York is where he calls home. The lifestyle in Oneonta, New York is a slower pace than the big apple. It isn’t a bad thing though. It is a great small community where everyone knows each other and supports one another. He has played football since the age of 10. He played Pee Wee football with the Oneonta Cowboys and in high school he ended up playing for the Oneonta High School Yellowjackets. He ended up playing division two football in college at Pace University. As a freshman at Pace, he was red-shirted. In his senior year at Pace University, he was named Team Captain. Also was named Northeast 10-All Conference Defensive Team and won the Defensive Player of the year award for Pace University the same year.

When senior year season ended at Pace University for Vince Romano, he was invited to the 3^rd annual National Bowl All Star Game. He was named starter for the game. He had the privilege to attend the 2013/2014 NFL Regional Combine last February. Later he received an invitation to play in the 2014 Euro-American Classic Bowl game that will take place in December 2014.

“I would describe my playing style as aggressive. I truly believe that you have to mentally tough on the field and be physically tough as well. When I hit offensive players I want them to feel it. I want them to go back to the huddle and say “I don’t want to be hit by that Linebacker again”. It’s a mindset. – Vince Romano”

A mind of an athlete has many physical and mentally abilities when they are in the domain. Vince Romano considers his physical ability and his football IQ as his strong points. He considers himself as a gym rat. He is a dedicated athlete that trains five days a week in keeping his body in top shape. Keeping himself in top physical condition to him is key in becoming a professional football player. In college, he would call out all defensive plays on the field, make checks and audibles when necessary and make sure his teammates would be lined up correctly. What he learnt through experience, watching film is the most important to understand and know your opponent stone cold.

“I knew not only what I had to do on a certain play call, but what my ten other teammates had to do and here they had to be. Knowledge is power in football and I pride myself on being the smartest football player on the field. - Vince Romano”

 As an athlete, Vince Romano is constantly trying to improve as a player. He works specifically on his speed and explosiveness. The more he works, the better he will achieve to his goal. Athletically he doesn’t want any limitations set on him. He strives always to become a better overall athlete and football player. When we say he strives to do more, he recently started to take Brazilian Jujitsu classes in his hometown. One reason for him to take on a new sport if he could do football he can handle mixed martial arts as well. It is a sport that one versus one combat style of jujitsu. It relates back to football in who is going to step up and finish their opponent. Vince Romano also does yoga classes three days per week to stay flexible and loose while he trains for football. He travels one hour everyday to go train at a gym called Synergy Athletics. His week is broken down in upper body and lower body days. His workouts consist of heavy and one explosive day for both upper body and lower body. It is a totally of four days of weight training. The other three days he would be out on the field and doing explosive running and conditioning drills.

“My ultimate goal is to play in the NFL. That’s been my dream since I first strapped on my helmet during pee wee. I want to show people that just because you didn’t make it to a division 1 football program, that you can still be a great player. Coming from a small school there is a stigma, as if scouts say “no he can’t play for us”. My mission to prove any and all doubters wrong and be someone small school players can look at and say “he did it, why can’t I?” I was a walk-on player my freshman year at Pace. The head coach at the time told me if I made it out of camp, I would be on the team. By the end of my senior year I was named Team Captain. – Vince Romano”

Every football player dreams are to make it to professional level. You can’t get there without working at it. Some takes years to get to their goals and some don’t. Vince Romano has a lot of drive and determination to play professionally. His work ethics and desire for football is without a doubt not to be questioned.  As a football player he would work every player on the field. Vince Romano truly believes that when it comes to who wants it more he wants it more. As a freshman in college he started from the bottom but by senior year, he became Team Captain and an All-Conference Defensive Selection. It takes lots of effort and determination to get where he wants to.

“I have a message to the team that takes a chance on me, - You will not regret it. – Vince Romano”

 Vince Romano’s plans in football include possibly going overseas to play professionally. He has his options opened nonetheless. As a football player, he has been contacted by a handful of teams in Europe requesting him to play for them. To actually have that chance to play overseas is an amazing opportunity to see the world and play the game he loves. It is a once in a life time opportunity. His other plans aside from football, he plans on becoming an NYS Trooper. In the past he has passed his test with a 96%. That Is what he plans to do when it comes the time to hang up his cleats. He would also want to pursue a career in law enforcement just like his father and his eldest brother.

Influences can be a negative thing or a positive outlook for anyone. For Vince Romano, his

most important influences as an athlete would be his parents and his family. From day one

they have supported to make his dream a reality. His father is a retired NYC Police Detective. His mother stayed at home and raised four kids. Before Vince Romano was born, his father was diagnosed with cancer. His father’s doctor had told them that if his father survives cancer, they would not be able to have children anymore because of the chemotherapy.  It was a two percent chance out of the ninety eight percent for them to have children again. In 1990, Vince Romano was born. He was always told by his parents that he was here for a reason and Vince Romano truly believes that he was not here to only play football. But to inspire others to seize the opportunity that comes to them. He is quite thankful for his parent’s everyday and for them to have full support with him on his journey.

As the journey continues for Vince Romano, one of his most memorable football experiences would be his game in the National Bowl All-Star game.  He was named as a starter for the game. On the opening kickoff he made the tackle, down 28-0. In the third quarter, he broke free while covering a punt and revered a fumble to sway momentum for the team. They had scored off from that turnover and on the ensuring kickoff. He dropped the returned inside at the 20 yard line. His final stat line read: 6 solo tackles, 2 solo kickoff tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery.

On the side from his practicing on his own craft, Vince Romano loves to give back to the community. He is an assistant football coach for his high school. He graduated from OHS and as an alumni, he felt that he has lots of wealth and knowledge that was given to him while he was a student in OHS. He felt he needed to do the same to pass on to the next generation of rising stars and mould them to become a greater athlete. As much as he loves the game, he loves coaching and feels that one day he can make the transition to coach full time.

The 2014 CDFL Euro-America Classic Bowl game is well on its way. Vince Romano will be attending to play for Team America on December19, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

“It truly is an honor to represent my country and play against some of the best athletes from Europe. To have an opportunity to play with some of the best players in the country is phenomenal and I look forward to making an impact during the game and getting my name out there for scouts. – Vince Romano”

__________________________SHOUTOUTS_______________________________

I want to give my family a big shout out! As well as my teammates who played with me during my 5 year college career, to my girlfriend Antonia for believing in me. There are too many to name, but I thank all of you guys for pushing me to become not only a better player, but a better man. Thank you all!

My life motto is…

“HARDWORK BEATS TALENT WHEN TALENT DOESN’T WORK HARD”

Vince Romano Resume

Weight/Height:

245Ibs, 6’0

Position:

Linebacker (Middle, Inside, Outside)

Teams:

Pee Wee Oneonta

Oneonta High School Yellowjackets

Pace University Setters

2012 Stats: 88 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 blocked kick

Career Stats: 201 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 5 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 1 blocked kick

Combine Stats:  (Vertical- 35 in) (Broad-9’2) (Shuttle-4.29 seconds) (Height- 6’0) (weight-245lbs)

*Last ran of the 40 yard dash was in April of 2014 at a tryout for the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL. My time was 4.88 seconds

*My best bench press result was 415lbs for 4 reps.

* Bench press: 225lbs was 25 reps.

Film Highlight for Vince Romano -> Vince Romano