Bishop determined to get Hurricanes on right path

The easy thing to do is to look at the record.

When most of us think back to Citrus' 2001 football season, we see the end result, a 1-9 finish. But Hurricanes coach Larry Bishop doesn't focus on the losses as much as he does the missed opportunities.

"We could have been 5-5 had things fallen our way," Bishop said.

He might have a point.

The 'Canes lost to Hernando by three, Deltona by seven and Springstead by 11. Any of those games could have gone Citrus' way, but Bishop knows why they did not.

"Inexperience," he said. "Every time we got exploited, it was at a position we didn't have any experience. I know that sounds like a crutch or an excuse, but it's true. And it's frustrating."

Nobody took last year's season harder than Bishop, a former Hurricane. But he hasn't sat around and moped. Instead, he works 3-4 hours a day on things such as game plans and film breakdowns.

"I was in my office all day yesterday," Bishop said. "It's my job to win. As the head coach, that falls on my back and on my shoulders. Do I feel outside pressure? Absolutely not. All the pressure comes from myself."

This is an important season for Citrus, not only because it struggled last year but because of where its two biggest rivals are.

Crystal River went 10-2 in 2001 and should be solid despite heavy losses to graduation. And Lecanto, after posting its first winning record, has playoff hopes.

Citrus is the county's unknown.

"Any time you come off a 1-9 season, other teams pretty much look at you as a homecoming opponent," Bishop said.

Confident the 'Canes will improve, Bishop looks at Lecanto and Ocala Forest as examples that drastic turnarounds are possible.

Two years ago, Lecanto went 0-10. Last season, the Panthers were 6-4. Ocala Forest, an upcoming Citrus opponent, was 1-19 from 1999-2000 but went 10-2 in 2001.

"Their young kids got experience and turned it around," Bishop said.

Can the Hurricanes do the same?

It's too early to say, but if you go position by position, they appear to be bigger, stronger and faster.

The addition of running back Jamaal Galloway and the steady improvement of quarterback Casey Snyder should give the offense a much-needed boost. And though the defense will start only two seniors, coaches expect improved play there, too.

One key, as Bishop noted earlier, is experience. The only playing time several 'Canes have came in the spring game, a loss to Springstead.

Because of this, Bishop and Co. attended camp at Central Florida last week and participate in a weekly eight-team passing league in Pasco County.

"We want to get kids that have never played before as many repetitions as possible," Bishop said.

Citrus' weight-room participation is another plus. The Super 'Cane program, as the coach calls it, has kept many players active this summer.

"The coaching staff has done a good job getting kids on the field and in the weight room, where we're above and beyond any team in the area," Bishop said.

So, any predictions, coach?

"I like the potential of this team," Bishop said. "But like (Paul) Bear Bryant said, you never win on potential."

-- Staff writer Keith Niebuhr can be reached at 860-7337 or niebuhr@sptimes.com.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright