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A surprising Ridgewood team could stand in Central's way for a playoff berth this season.
By BRANT JAMES and JAMAL THALJI
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 25, 2002
BROOKSVILLE -- Central head coach John Wilkinson faced many uncertainties when he took over the program this season.
He had a young team, a rebuilt offensive line and new offensive and defensive schemes to teach.
One of the few apparent safe bets was that the Bears would be a solid pick in Class 4A, District 6, behind Land O'Lakes, and therefore a safe bet as a playoff squad.
An 0-2 start did not bode well for the Bears, but both losses were out of the district. Central steadied itself and forged a tie atop the district standings with a 17-13 win over River Ridge on Friday night.
"We got off to a rough start, but you have to win the money games," Wilkinson said. "Basically, you have to win the right five games. If you do that, you give yourselves a shot to get into the postseason."
If preconceived notions held, the Bears could ride Land O'Lakes' slipstream into the playoffs or perhaps even win the district with some luck.
But there's an unforeseen variable: Ridgewood. Long a woeful west Pasco County team, the Rams have begun 3-0, 1-0 in 4A-6. Those victories came against Hudson, Gulf, and Mitchell, but the Rams are a factor until proven otherwise.
Ridgewood is 3-0 for the first time since 1992 when the team finished 4-6.
Rams football has endured some lean years. Ridgewood's lone winning season came in 1985 because of a forfeit. The school went through three different coaches in consecutive seasons in 1996-98, contributing to a four-year, 35-0 losing streak that ended in 1999.
Former offensive coordinator Troy Cornwell was promoted to the head coaching job when Wayne Parzik retired in 2001 after going 7-33 in four years.
Cornwell chucked the old Wing-T scheme and installed the I-formation, built around 6-foot-4, 240-pound tailback Adamm Oliver, a defensive end who has committed to Georgia Tech.
Oliver went 75 yards off tackle last week for a score. Sean Jester is a fleet-footed 6-foot, 195-pound back who gives the offense some speed, breaking loose for an 84-yard touchdown to defeat Mitchell last week.
But Cornwell said his club has more than talent. He said it is the improved effort that has the Rams undefeated.
"The key is we're stronger than we were last year, we're in better shape, we play for four quarters, the kids believe in themselves and the schemes," Cornwell said.
"A lot of good things have happened to us," he said, "but a lot of bad things have happened to us, too, like penalties and turnovers. But we still keep on playing."
Ridgewood is 3-0 against opponents who are a combined 0-8. But Cornwell said success is success, and the team's confidence is on the rise.
"Two things are different from previous years," he said. "The kids' confidence is much higher, and they're stronger and they know it. Their confidence in us is also high. They know we'll eventually call the right play.
"When you have a relationship like that, it's easier to win, and it's all backed up by success."
Central faces district foe Springstead (0-3, 0-1) on Oct. 4, then finishes the season with Land O'Lakes on Oct. 17, Mitchell on Oct. 25 and Ridgewood on Nov. 1.
Land O'Lakes will be the crucible for Central and Ridgewood. The Rams find out how they rate Friday with a visit to the 3-0 Gators.
If form holds, and the Gators dispose of Central and Ridgewood, the final playoff spot in the district is likely to be decided Nov. 1.
"We have a young team, and we don't have much experience, but I think we're going to do it," said Bears fullback Steve Martin. "I think we'll be district champions."