WATCH: Jimmy Black Was on the Helm of 1972 Mustangs – Most Prolific Prep Soccer Group in Brevard Historical past

SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME SPOTLIGHT PROFILE

WATCH: Jimmy Black led probably the most prolific prep soccer group within the historical past of Brevard County – the 1972 Merritt Island Mustangs. Black was on the controls of the ’72 Mustang offense that scored 426 factors of their 10 common season video games – an unbelievable 42.6 factors per sport.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA (House Coast Sports activities Corridor of Fame) – Jimmy Black led probably the most prolific prep soccer group within the historical past of Brevard County – the 1972 Merritt Island Mustangs.

Resulting from youth league weight restrictions, Black didn’t even begin taking part in soccer till he was within the eighth grade at Edgewood, the place he lined up at large receiver, however by the point he graduated from Merritt Island, he had led a Mustang juggernaut that’s thought of by many to characteristic one of the best backfield in Florida highschool soccer historical past.

Black joins 2019 fellow Corridor of Fame inductee, Waldo Williams and 2014 inductee, Leon Brilliant, to grow to be the primary total backfield ever inducted into the House Coast Sports activities Corridor of Fame as people.

“We had been a well-oiled machine and the best-coached group anyplace.”

Head coach Eddie Feely was an enormous a part of Jimmy’s private success, and to at the present time, Black marvels at with the ability to have performed for guys like 2012 House Coast Sports activities Corridor of Fame inductee Gerald Odom and longtime Mustang coach Gerald Hodgin.

Over the course of two seasons, 1971 and 1972, Merritt Island misplaced one sport. That sport was a 27-25 defeat to eventual state champion Fort Pierce Central.

“The teachings we discovered in defeat benefited us greater than I ever imagined heading into that magical 1972 season,” mentioned Black.

“We had been targeted and razor-sharp from day one and nothing was going to cease us from successful a state title. And nothing did, actually, nothing or nobody got here shut.”

Black was on the controls of the ’72 Mustang offense that scored 426 factors of their 10 common season video games – an unbelievable 42.6 factors per sport.

The protection allowed simply 6.5 factors per sport, which implies they went 10-0 in the course of the common season and beat opponents by a mean of 36-points per sport.

“I performed in two fourth quarters throughout the complete common season,” mentioned Black.

Coach Feely’s departure from Merritt Island to hitch the employees at Florida State, and a recruiting go to from future Tremendous Bowl-winning coach Invoice Parcells would lead Black to Tallahassee to play faculty soccer.

Feely and Parcells additionally labored their magic on Williams and Brilliant in addition to additionally they signed on with the Seminoles.

Black attended Florida State from 1973 till 1977, however would almost stroll away from the sport and stop following the demise of his father, Robert. He returned to FSU in 1976 and gained the beginning job below new head coach Bobby Bowden.

Black graduated with a level from FSU with a level in accounting after which backpacked round Europe and Australia. He would then marry the love of his life, Lucy, in 1985 and backpack round Europe and Australia yet one more time.

The couple has two kids, Alissa, and R.J. and Black is now retired from Boeing.

After being knowledgeable of his impending induction into the House Coast Sports activities Corridor of Fame, Black paid tribute to his backfield mates of these glory days way back.

“There isn’t a method I’d be right here with out Neon ( Leon Brilliant) and Waldo (Williams),” mentioned Black.

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