On the surface it wouldn't seem likely that anyone could confuse Minot, N.D. for Hernando County, especially during the fall months that coincide with football season.
But attend a Minot State University football game and for a moment it might just feel like an abnormally chilly day in Brooksville or Spring Hill.
The Beaver roster already contains two 2009 Springstead High graduates, Glenn Clarke and Bryce Hollingshead. Their former teammate and classmate, Domnique Roberson, has transferred there, as well.
A few months ago, a pair of Central High seniors, Artie Gartner and Steven Read, signed to join them next season.
Even a couple ex-Springstead cross country runners, Mirelys Pizarro and Taylor Tuomey, have made the long trek to the NAIA Division I school.
Now Nature Coast Technical senior Jamel Byrd has decided to follow that pipeline. He recently agreed to attend Minot State and play football for the Beavers next fall.
"I loved the way they talked to me," Byrd said of the Beaver coaching staff. "Plus, I know a lot of people who will be there with me. Maybe it will feel like home again.
"...It's (the quantity of Hernando County athletes at the school) a huge factor. I'm so happy I'm not going by myself, not knowing anybody. I'm going to be there with people that have already been through a year in the system. They can tell me what I need to do and don't need to do for me to have more playing time."
Byrd said he'll actually be roommates with yet another Hernando County resident, Central track and field runner Paul Robinson.
He added that he has a friendship with Roberson, and has spoken to Clarke and Hollingshead, both defensive backs, about what to expect when he lines up at safety for the Beavers.
"They know I like to hit and like to be aggressive," Byrd said. "I guess that's what they want in a safety."
Fine senior season
Last season with Nature Coast, Byrd recorded 27 tackles and an interception while playing cornerback. Offensively, he started at wide receiver and caught 10 passes for 161 yards along with two touchdowns.
Additionally, the 6-foot-1, 184-pounder started at small forward for the boys basketball team, averaging 6.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals for a squad that reached the Elite Eight.
He even helped Nature Coast earn a district championship in boys track and field, qualifying for regionals in the triple jump.
All and all not a bad overall performance in his only full year at the school. Byrd had transferred from Hernando High for the second nine-week grading period as a junior, leaving in the middle of football season.
He had caught seven passes for 59 yards and made 39 tackles for the Leopards to that point. As a sophomore, he tallied six receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown.
Because of transfer rules, he never played football for the Sharks in 2009, and didn't appear until the final two games of the season in basketball.
"It was terrible," Byrd said of sitting out. "I hated it. I'd just have to sit there on the bench and watch."
The timing of his transfer had to do with two factors. He attempted to shift to Nature Coast the preceding summer after Hernando opted not to retain his uncle, Rodney Byrd, as head football coach.
However, Nature Coast did not accept him for the first nine-week grading period, forcing him to start the school year at Hernando. Though the move was slow to develop, it's one he doesn't regret.
"Nature Coast was the best time of my life in high school," Byrd said. "When I got there, they made me feel like I was at home. When I first started with the football team, they made it feel like a family."
That family feel may have had something to do with the fact that star running back Tevin Drake and tight end Braddie Ellison, both fellow seniors, are cousins on his father's side.
Byrd particularly enjoyed spending time on the playing field with his kin. Although Hernando running back Alvin Delaine is a cousin through his mother's family, Byrd said he sees plenty of him off the gridiron.
"Instead of playing against my cousin (Drake), I had a chance to play with him again, like I did at Parrott (Middle School)," Byrd said.
Anticipating snow
The 18-year-old Byrd was born in New York but has lived in this area since the age of 2. He has no firsthand recollection of snow, something that will surely change at Minot State.
"I'm going to make a snowman and snow angels," Byrd said. "It'll be my first time. I'm going to take pictures and send them to my mom."
He plans to study business while at Minot State, although he is considering switching to broadcast. While at Nature Coast he would record TV shows and has an interest in being a cameraman.
"I just want to get my degree," Byrd said. "That comes first. And I want to have a good time in college football. Hopefully I'll break some records up there, stuff like that. I want to be successful and not be on the streets.
"... My journey of life will begin. All I've got to do is put God first and I'll be all right."
BY THE NUMBERS: JAMEL BYRD
RECEIVING
YEAR REP YDS YPC TD LG
2007 06 100 16.7 01 30
2008 07 059 8.43 00 15
2009 10 161 16.1 02 52
TOTALS 23 320 13.9 03 52
DEFENSE
YR SOLO ASST TTK TBL SK QBP CF FR PB BLK INT
2008 23 16 39 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009 16 11 27 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1
TOTALS39 27 66 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1
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