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Buie, Jones Bring Playmaking Skills

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By NICK WILLIAMS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 4, 2008

TAMPA - With 45 seconds left in his team's Kickoff Classic against Brandon last year, Middleton defensive back Travis Buie intercepted a pass and returned it for a 65-yard touchdown to seal a 19-10 victory.

In the regular-season finale against Jefferson, safety Phillip Jones intercepted a pass in the end zone with less than three minutes remaining, ending a 71-yard drive by the Dragons. Jefferson later scored off a Middleton fumble, but Middleton held on to win, 21-19.

Those playmaking abilities are what Middleton coach Harry Hubbard is expecting from the two seniors this season.

"We'll hope that they'll be very stingy on passing and intercept the ball for us," he said. "Our secondary might be our most experienced personnel on defense this year."

Buie, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound cornerback, and Jones, a 6-0, 175-pound safety, have the kind of athletic ability that will make opposing teams think twice before throwing in their direction.

Both defensive backs possess blazing speed. Buie, a Tampa Tribune All-Hillsborough County track selection, posted a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash and a 10.7 time in the 100 meters, while Jones clocked a 4.4 in the 40. They both have offers from Alabama State.

"I feel there is no receiver that can get past us," Buie said.

Middleton defensive backs coach Carlos Blake is confident the secondary has the ability to cover any receiver in the county. This season, he wants Buie and Jones to perfect the intangibles, meaning their willingness to be as perfect as possible.

"They have a reputation as being athletes, but we want them to be more competitive," Blake said. "We want to look at our matchups and we want to control the number of threats."

"You can't say every ball being thrown is mine," Hubbard said. "Sometimes you just have to make sure the receiver can't catch it. When a quarterback makes a mistake, you have to take advantage of it."

Buie and Jones have been friends since elementary school. Their communication on the field is almost second nature.

"Communication is key," Jones said. "I know I can always help him out."

"I'll look back at Phil and he'll give me our signal," Buie said.

They said their chemistry personifies what true teammates should be like.

"A person who produces on the field and is accountable," Buie said. "Being a leader."

"A person that commands, a person you can rely on," Jones said.

Blake said he's seen greatness in spurts from Buie and Jones, but would like to see more.

"I see flashes, but they got to be there on every play," he said.

The two players don't plan on disappointing their coach.

"We need to be like that, when we can just turn it off and on," Buie said.

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