Tribune's Two-A-Days
Published: May 12, 2008
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TAMPA CATHOLIC
COACH: Bob Henriquez
2007 RECORD: 11-3-0 (5-0 Class 2A-District 5, 2A state runner-up)
KEY LOSSES: RB Drew Zink, DE Marco Mendoza, WR Eric Gerken, LB P.J. Briody, LB Will Greaves, OL Trevor Funk.
KEY RETURNERS: QB Christian Green, RB Henry McCloud, LB A.J. Mulkey, WR Kenny Broadnax, DB Jeremi Wilkes, DE Brandon Green, DL David Gamble.
KEY ADDITIONS: QB/WR D.J. Williams (son of former Bucs quarterback Doug Williams)
SPRING FOCUS: Henriquez says his biggest concern is the graduation of his entire offensive line and team leaders, as well as a lack of depth at linebacker. With plenty of skill payers and the bulk of their secondary returning, the Crusaders should once again be among the elite 2A programs in the state. Henriquez says the arrival of D.J. Williams to the roster affords the team some options in terms of where Green can play. For now, Green is the starting QB. But at some point during the season, Henriquez envisions being able to plug him into other spots to keep the opposition guessing.
JAMBOREE: May 23 at Lennard (vs. Lennard and Spoto)
2008 SCHEDULE: Aug. 29 vs. Naples Lely (Kickoff Classic); Sept. 5 vs. Ocala Trinity Catholic; Sept. 12 at Clearwater Central Catholic; Sept. 19 at Sarasota Cardinal Mooney; Sept. 26 at Lake Placid; Oct. 10 at St. Petersburg Catholic; Oct. 17 vs. Jacksonville Trinity Christian Academy; Oct. 24 vs. Mulberry; Oct. 31 at Lennard; Nov. 7 vs. Fort Myers Bishop Verot; Nov. 14 vs. Jesuit.
EAST BAY
COACH: Brian Thornton
2007 RECORD: 5-5 (2-2 Class 5A-District 7)
KEY LOSSES: QB Rex Ballanger, RB Ryan Stubbs, FB JoJo Ross, DB Mike Roberti, OL Matt Brown.
KEY RETURNERS: RB Chaz Burrows, DE Will White, DL Dontavious Fleming, C Jake Anaya, OT Dalton McClure, K Forest Meredith, P Justin Hawk.
KEY ADDITIONS: QB Jhyree Harris (late move-in, played basketball for East Bay this season).
SPRING FOCUS: Thornton has a solid group of players who return with experience but he says there are several "loose ends" that still need to be nailed down, including the starting QB spot. The athletic Harris (6-1, 170), who runs 4.5 for the 40-yard dash, appears to have the inside track but he will need to learn the Indians' wishbone option offense. It's an offense they've used to reach the playoffs five out of the past seven seasons and keeping that sort of continuity, Thornton says, is a key to their success.
JAMBOREE: May 22 at Brandon (vs. Riverview).
2008 SCHEDULE: Aug. 29 at King (Kickoff Classic); Sept. 5 at Riverview; Sept. 12 vs. Durant; Sept. 19 at Wharton; Sept. 26 vs. Brandon; Oct. 3 vs. Chamberlain; Oct. 10 at Plant City; Oct. 24 at Bloomingdale; Oct. 31 vs. Newsome; Nov. 7 vs. Freedom; Nov. 14 at Spoto.
Bill Ward
