 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Wildcats still have firepower
By STEVE LEE, Times Staff Writer WESLEY CHAPEL -- With the most prolific rusher in county history relegated to the sidelines for Friday's Blue-White scrimmage, a handful of Wesley Chapel runners and receivers stated their cases for having their numbers called. Under the watchful eyes of fullback Tyrone Tomlin, who last season ran for a county-record 1,731 yards and is recuperating from knee surgery, the Wildcats displayed an explosive offense in White's 21-13 win. Blue's Kenny "Junior" Roberts, primarily a blocking back last season, had the most dramatic run. Weaving his way through defenders on an 80-yard play that started off right tackle, Roberts wound up sprinting down the left sideline. "That's the way I always run," Roberts said, adding his offensive teammates "all blocked." Neither Chase Polston, who started at quarterback for the Blue team, nor coach John Castelamare offered such high praise for blockers. "We've got to work harder on the offensive line," Castelamare said. NEED TO KNOW: A month after surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, Tomlin was walking gingerly but looking stronger and with more muscle definition than ever. Tomlin, who will be a senior, has taken out his frustrations in the weight room. At 5-foot-11 and 204 pounds, Tomlin claims he can bench press 300 pounds. "At two-a-days (practices), I couldn't watch," Tomlin said. "I'd go in and lift weights. "It's all right to watch (his teammates during Friday's scrimmage), but I still want to play." No one is more eager for Tomlin's return than Castelamare, who nonetheless remains cautious. "It's going to be touchy," the coach said. PLAYER TO WATCH: The graduation of three-year starter Spencer Honeycutt leaves a void at quarterback with Polston, Honeycutt's backup, as the front-runner. Not so fast. Anthony Rawson, last year's junior varsity quarterback, and Corey Filley, who also plays middle linebacker, passed for touchdowns Friday while Polston struggled. Rawson connected with Joe Berenguer for a 67-yard score and Filley found Marcus Stewart streaking over the middle for an 85-yard touchdown. KEEP AN EYE ON: Travis Ugarte rushed just once for 15 yards last season but looked impressive Friday. He plowed through the defense for 10 yards on his first carry and broke through several arm tackles on a 23-yard run en route to the game's first touchdown. TO BE CONTINUED: There appears to be ample talent at the skill positions with a slew of running backs and swift receivers. also liked what he saw among the linebacking corps in Friday's scrimmage. "We've got a pretty good set of linebackers," Castelamare said. "This might be the best set of linebackers around here." That group includes Chris Roberts, Kenny Roberts, Pasco transfer Maurice Standifer, Filley, Derek Zabko and Louis Ross. Chris Roberts, a starter last season who stood out Friday, said, "I know I'm getting mine, so you've got two more (starting positions up for grabs)." NEXT UP: Wesley Chapel hosts a six-team jamboree Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m. The matchups, limited to a half, are as follows: Wesley Chapel vs. Springstead, Mitchell vs. Pasco and Gulf vs. River Ridge.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From today's Pasco Times Letters |
