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Red Elephants soaking it up in Oregon

Posted 6:53AM on Friday 17th July 2009 ( 14 years ago )
BEAVERTON, Ore. -- Gainesville football coach Bruce Miller got about one hour of sleep and barely anything to eat on Wednesday -- but even that couldn't prevent him from sounding exhilarated on Thursday night.

"This place is unbelievable," Miller said of the Nike headquarters and sports complex that his team traveled to on Wednesday in order to take part in the company's elite 7-on-7 passing competition over the weekend. "I'm like a little kid right now."

Miller was almost equally excited with his team's early performance on the field.

The Red Elephants went 1-2 in pool play on Thursday, defeating Lakewood (California) and falling to Skyline (Texas) and in overtime to Pahokee (Florida).

"There are bigtime college prospects everywhere here, and we're hanging with every one of them," Miller said. "You could put together a great college team from the skill position players out here."

Gainesville's own college hopefuls have played well according to Miller, who singled out receiver Tai-ler Jones (committed to Stanford), quarterback Blake Sims (committed to Alabama), linebacker Alberto Sanabria, linebacker A.J. Johnson and safety Daunte Carr (committed to Stanford) for praise.

Sanabria recorded an 80-yard intercerption return for a touchdown on Thursday.

On Friday, the Red Elephants will begin a double-elimination tournament before heading home late tomorrow night.

"It's just incredible here," Miller said. "Nike has done this first class."

When not on the field, players and coaches have had the chance to pick the brains of big names in the game.

"The coaches got a Q&A with Keyshawn Johnson today, and the players got to talk to Kirk Herbstreit," Miller said.
Gainesville quarterback Blake Sims rides an escalator after arriving in Oregon.
Tai-ler Jones eats lunch at the Nike complex in Beaverton, Ore.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/7/221857

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