Demmico Bristol Learns Secret to Success on Football Field are the Rooms

When Antez Brinson took over the Boca Ciega Pirates football program, it was both a learning experience for the new coach and of course learning experience for his new players.

The Pirates had to get used to how the coach wants the team to train, to practice, to play.

Count Demmico Bristol in the learning process as well. The Pirates linebacker didn't know what to expect. Some five months into the Brinson regime, not only does Bristol know what Brinson wants, he's completely sold on Brinson as a strong coach.

"We learned a lot," Bristol said. "We learned how important the two rooms are: the weight room and the classroom."

The classroom, as Bristol points out, is the most important. Without the grades, there's no football, no chance of playing on the next level with an opportunity to improve one's own life.

"We would not be there if not for the classroom," Bristol said.

But after the classroom comes the weight room.

"We would not be able to lay a hit or get up from a hit if not for the weight room." Bristol added.

When Stevie Thomas coached the Pirates, he knew the weight room was important but he didn't stress working in the weight room as much as Brinson has.

"We hit the weight room," Brinson said. "Even in the offseason and spring practice, we're still hitting the weights. That will never go away."

"Stevie didn't emphasize it that much."

But Bristol, who has hit the weights religiously since Brinson took over, has seen both the light and the results of working so hard with the iron.

"That was news to me and it has been helpful to me," Bristol said of his education. "I can tell years of difference. I'm a lot stronger. I can deliver blows harder and I have gotten a lot bigger, with good weight."

But it isn't just about being bigger and stronger. Bristol has noticed he's quicker too, which may be more important.

"We did bulk and lift for endurance and power cleans builds explosion," Bristol said. "Your first two steps are so important. It wins the battles anywhere on the field. And yeah, I have improved in that."