Miami, FL – The Miami Dolphins and the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) today announced their Week 12 award winners in a program designed to recognize the members of the community who have demonstrated their commitment to being leaders on and off the field.
Each week, the Dolphins identify a high school coach of the week, high school player of the week, youth player of the week and team mom of the week. Award recipients are presented with a plaque on the field during a Dolphins home game at Hard Rock Stadium and receive acknowledgement of their accomplishment in the game program and through the Dolphins' and RISE's social media platforms. They also receive tickets to a Miami Dolphins home game, access to the Dolphins/RISE pregame tailgate and a Dolphins/RISE T-shirt. For each home game, the Dolphins identify a team of the week and they will be on the field during the national anthem. The program concludes at the Dolphins-Patriots game on December 11 where the Dolphins will honor yearly award winners in all categories with the exception of the team of the year.
Week 12 Winners:
• High School Coach of the Week: Adam Ratkevich from Western High School. The Wildcats overcame a 12-point fourth quarter deficit to beat Palm Beach Central 14-12 to reach the 8A regional semifinals. The Wildcats will face Atlantic this week with a spot in the state semifinals on the line.
• High School Player of the Week: Mile Jones from American Heritage Plantation. Jones accounted for 285 yards and three touchdowns as the Patriots defeated Orlando Bishop Moore 56-27. Jones will attend Vanderbilt University in the fall.
• Youth Player of the Week: Caleb Solomon from the Miramar Wolverines 10U of the American Youth Football League. Solomon threw two touchdown passes and rushed for two more touchdowns as the Wolverines defeated West Pines 34-0.
• Team Mom of the Week: Natacha Horta from the Miami Gardens Vikings 13U of the Florida Youth Football League. She is a single mother of five and is one of the best team moms in the Miami Gardens Vikings park. Horta goes above and beyond for her 13U team. She has been known to sacrifice the money she has to pay bills to make sure that every player on her team has whatever they need for game days. Horta is the most selfless person in the park and without a doubt she is the Miami Gardens Vikings most valuable team mom.
About Miami Dolphins Youth Programs
The Miami Dolphins Youth Programs' mission is to transform the lives of youth football players by instilling character building and reinforcing safety standards that help to increase football participation and grow a new generation of Dolphins fans.
