MSD players visit Dolphins

Marjory Stoneman Douglas football coach Willis May finally found a way to drive home some of his teaching methods to players.

Wednesday, the team visited Miami Dolphins practice to see how things are run in an NFL environment. Moments into the experience, Douglas players began telling May how they realized the similarity in coaching techniques.

“I said, ‘How do you think they got here?’ ” May said. “They do all the little things that we’re trying to get you all to do. They did those little things and have been doing them for a long time, and that’s what makes them great. Our guys see that and hopefully it will help them.”

The Dolphins have hosted various high schools during the offseason, but the Douglas visit was a bit more emotional. The school is still reeling from the Feb. 14 mass shooting that left 17 dead and 17 injured.

“I think it always helps you,” May said. “It makes you feel better. It takes your mind off everything and puts it on the game. We hope that, especially football season this year, the whole community of Parkland will come out and rally with us and push us to have an outstanding year.”

Offensive lineman Gage Gaynor took the opportunity to pick up a few pointers, speaking with some of the Dolphins offensive linemen after practice.

“The tempo, everything is different,” Gaynor said. “It’s cool. We get to watch the drills and pick up on what they do. One of the offensive linemen gave me tips on hand placement. Everything helps.”