A Return to the Mecca
By Camron Ghorbi
HurricaneSports.com
It’s different down here. It always has been.
Just like it is every year, the 2019 Miami Hurricanes roster is loaded with local talent from south Florida, many of whom cut their teeth at powerhouses located only a few miles from the Coral Gables campus they now call home.
And if south Florida football is the country’s most dominant circuit, the crown jewel of the national high school scene, then Nathaniel Traz-Powell Stadium – better known as “Traz” – is the mecca of it all.
Tucked away on Northwest 27th Avenue just north of 106th Street, Traz has played host to some of the area’s most legendary football games and players.
Now, with 11 spring practices in the books, several Hurricanes will get back to their roots this weekend when they hit that sacred ground for their second scrimmage of the spring, set for April 13 at noon.
Junior offensive lineman Navaughn Donaldson said he’s been looking forward to Saturday’s scrimmage ever since the spring schedule was announced.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been thinking about it all the time,” Donaldson said. “I know friends from middle school and high school who are coming out to watch. My family lives less than 20 minutes from there. Plus we’re giving back to the community in a way, because they get to witness what we’re going through. It’s right there for them, some of them can even walk there.”
Donaldson said some of his finest memories playing football took place at Traz.
– Photo by Andrew Ivins
“That’s the first stadium I played in. It’s a historic place for Miami,” he said. “Coming from Miami Central, that was our home. That’s where we won the most games. That was our house. It’s a big deal for me, going back there.”
For assistant director of recruiting DeMarcus Van Dyke, Traz represents the legacy of greatness carried on through generations of south Florida football.
“Ever since I was growing up, you see all the greats that played there,” Van Dyke said. “It’s like a Super Bowl feel for little league and high school. You always wanted to play at Traz. When you got the chance to play at Traz, you wanted to put your best foot forward, because everyone in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach would be there. It was time to put on a show.”
Van Dyke played at Traz during his sophomore year at Monsignor Edward Pace High School, and also scrimmaged there in the spring after his freshman season at The U.
“I had wanted to play at Traz my whole life, and being there for the first time, it was a dream come true,” Van Dyke said. “You pull up to the stadium, see the smoke coming up from the barbecue pits, fans outside…I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it.”
Donaldson said that, more than anything else, the crowds at Traz stand out from his time as a high school All-American.
“It’s amazing,” he said with a smile. “That’s the first time I ever witnessed a full stadium. You look at the stands and there’s people sitting on other people’s laps – that’s how big it gets. Those games are packed. It’s time to either show up or not.”
Sophomore running back Cam’ron Harris had a dominant high school career at Carol City, with many of his best performances coming inside that stadium.
“That’s where all the action is,” he said. “The mecca. Everybody loves to play there. In the neighborhood, everybody wants to brag about who wins, and who the best of the best is. That happens at Traz.”
One of Harris’ fondest memories was a one-touchdown win over Miami Northwestern at Traz during his junior year – a season where the Chiefs took home the state title.
“It’s a special place to play in,” he said. “You’ve got a huge fanbase in that area, and everyone comes together to watch how we play, watch how we perfect our game, watch who wins and who loses. It’s special.”
– Photo by Andrew Ivins
Head coach Manny Diaz said this week he is looking forward to seeing his team compete in front of a packed house.
“There’s going to be two things – there’s going to be execution, and there’s going to be competitiveness,” Diaz said. “I’m much more concerned about the competitiveness. The execution will come…I want to see guys that can compete. The fans who come, they want to see guys that can compete.”
Harris said that while he’s excited to play in front of his own friends and family at his old venue, he’s equally as excited for his teammates to take the field at Traz on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a great experience,” he said. “Not just for me, but for other players. A lot of them don’t know what’s going on at that stadium, and don’t understand the hype. They’re going to find out on Saturday.”
