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Smile for the camera
By JAMAL THALJI, Times Staff Writer NEW PORT RICHEY -- With video cameras rolling, new Ridgewood coach Troy Cornwell got his first long look at his Rams in Thursday's scrimmage. Cornwell decided against an intrasquad exhibition game and instead opted to see his players executing the coaching staff's new offensive and defensive schemes under controlled conditions at Ram Booster Stadium. Cornwell and his staff will pore over the film this summer to see what needs to be done in the fall. Cornwell said he was pleased with what he saw. "It's definitely a step in the right direction," Cornwell said. "I'm definitely satisfied with the film work we had. "People here at Ridgewood need to understand that spring isn't a time to win or lose. Spring is a time for installation of your offense and defense and to evaluate personnel, and we got some invaluable film work done (Thursday) night." No surprise, familiar faces such as Adamm Oliver and Sean Jester shined in the scrimmage. Oliver, a junior defensive end, lined up at tailback and ran for two touchdowns. Jester, a junior wideout, scored four times, rushing for three touchdowns from the tailback position and returning an interception for a score. A pleasant surprise were the new athletes the program has attracted. Baseball standout Monte Werner, a 6-2, 205-pound catcher and slugger on the state finalist baseball team, is an inside linebacker/fullback and sophomore second baseman Josh Rose tried out at quarterback. The Rams have traditionally had trouble attracting some of these athletes, but that may soon change. NEED TO KNOW: New defensive coordinator Chris Taylor said the defensive line has proved to be the strength of the team's new 40-based defensive scheme. Whether the Rams opt for 4-3 or 4-4, Taylor said it is the line that will lead the way. "I like the intensity that our lineman are showing to get after them and get upfield," Taylor said. "I think our linebackers are still learning, we're young at that position, and our secondary has some (athletes), but they need to start playing (their roles.)" Another defensive line standout is surprising 6-foot, 200-pound sophomore Steve Rowan. A junior varsity player last season, Rowan may have won himself a starting job. "He had a good weightlifting season and he can hold his own out there," Cornwell said. "To be honest, he wasn't even on the charts when he came back (to spring practice.) But he's there now." PLAYER TO WATCH: Cornwell said there was no doubt who the standout of the spring was. "It's doesn't take a take a rocket scientist," Cornwell said. "Adamm Oliver is 6-4, 230 pounds, and you saw him knocking a lot of passes down (on the defensive line), and he's also a great tailback who runs right at you. "He's just a good football player. He runs people over when we put him at tailback, and when he's at defensive end, he's hard to block." Oliver will most likely share tailback duties with Jester and also see time at fullback and tight end. If Oliver is to get any rest, it will have to be on offense, because the coach said Oliver is too valuable on defense to leave the field. "Adamm won't come off the field unless he has an equipment problem or he's hurt," Cornwell said. "On offense, Jester will get the looks when Adamm is getting his rest." TO BE CONTINUED: Cornwell played three quarterbacks Thursday night, but isn't ready to choose a starter yet, setting the stage for a fall battle between veteran junior Kale Durocher, sophomore Pete Bennett and newcomer Rose, who is still learning the position. "I think right now Pete Bennett played a smart game, a mental game, and he didn't make that many mistakes," Cornwell said. "Kale had a good game, but he needs to limit the number of mistakes he made. Josh Rose is real green, he just needs more practice." NEXT UP: Ridgewood will host Citrus in a preseason Kickoff Classic at 730 p.m. Aug. 30 at Ram Booster Stadium.
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From today's Pasco Times Letters Jan Glidewell |
