STUART – On a joyous afternoon (Feb. 16) at Martin County High School’s auditorium, Denzel Alexander was ready to let everyone know where his college football home would be at.
The Tigers senior athlete smiled as he let it be know that Westminster College would be his college destination.
Alexander chose Westminster over Keiser and Trine. His other offers were from Heidelberg and Webber.
Alexander commented on his final decision.
“I picked Westminster because it was a chance for me to get away from home and experience new beginnings,” Alexander said.
“The people are so welcoming and genuine,” Alexander continued. “The environment is beautiful. The school is a great place to grow into an adult and live the successful life you want to live. The whole coaching staff is filled with great people and even better coaches who want nothing but the best for you. They’re willing to do whatever it is to better you as a man. I felt like I was able to trust them.”
Alexander’s choice is a big one as he made it his mission to get to the next level since he was a youngster in Pahokee.
The Muckstepper spoke on his transition from Pahokee to the Treasure Coast.
From Denzel Alexander’s Instagram account
“I was born in and lived in the Muck for a majority of my life where kids played outside with no shoes, football with no equipment, and everyone’s family,” the 5-foot-7, 150-pound athlete said. “Then as I grew older and knew sports was what I wanted to do, my parents thought it was best to move. As you get older, you start to want to see more of the world. My parents made a way for us to live in the Treasure Coast area, where I was fortunate enough to come across great youth coaches by the names of Douglas Bachler, James Cannata, and Brad Bytheway. They all had a huge impact on my football career while on the Treasure Coast and still do to this day.”
Alexander went on to play high school football at Martin County as an impact player in more ways than one. He reflected on the past three season with the Tigers.
Photo credits: July Sanchez
“My high school career at Martin County was THEE high school experience,” Alexander said. “Coach [Rod] Harris and the entire staff were my father figures away from home, and it really felt like it because of how we were around the coaches more than our parents. And I appreciate them so much for taking their roles as our coaches n role models so seriously. We knew we could trust them and give them our all, day in and out, because they gave us the same respect and work ethic back in return. The staff and players were so bought in on winning and being a family.”
In his senior season alone, Alexander registered 518 total yards and nine touchdowns in 11 games played. There were plenty of standout plays from this past season, but one stood out above the rest.
“My favorite play was trick play double pass from Pauly [Boisvert] against Wellington,” Alexander said. “Pauly the running back caught a bubble and threw it down the seam to me on a go route. It was my favorite because we’d been practicing it all week and executed at practice, also in game.”
Alexander shared his favorite moment from this past season.
“My favorite moment from this season was being selected as the second-year team captain,” Alexander said. “Having the leader role was a great experience for me because of how much I appreciate the chance to have an impact on every boy/player I come in contact with at school and on the football team. I take pride in the position to let the younger generation know that they can do anything they put their minds to be whoever they strive to be. I wanted to make it be known no matter where you come from and who you are that you can make a change anywhere you go.”
Alexander had more to say about being chosen as a team captain.
“I was blessed to be able to help and pass on wisdom to my teammates and elevate and guide the underclassmen,” Alexander said. “I love to be that big brother for them that everyone needs. My biggest purpose as the captain on the team was to be a people’s person so that all my brothers were comfortable coming to me or talking to me about anything. And so that they knew I had their backs and that they knew we are brothers outside of football.”
SIDE NOTE: Alexander is currently running track and field for Martin County. Some of his events are the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, and the high jump.
Watch some clips of Alexander’s 200-meter runs from the 2021 and 2022 track seasons right here.
“Track prepares me mentally and physically for the football season,” Alexander said. “Track itself is very humbling. You have to be mentally strong and the work ethic you have to bring to track is different. You can’t just be an “athlete. You have to do the little things right. And if you short cut your workouts, it’ll show in meets. It really shows the true you and how far you can push yourself.”
Alexander shared a parting word.
“You have to be obsessed with the grind,” he said.
PHOTO CREDITS: Mark Cowles, Mary Lucci, and July Sanchez
VIDEO CREDITS: Martin County High School Sports
