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Wharton has new-and-improved QB

Ross Corcoran is bigger, stronger and in command.

By JOEL POILEY
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 27, 2002

TAMPA -- Any similarity between the junior and senior versions of Wharton quarterback Ross Corcoran is in name only.

A summer of camps and extensive weight-room work has turned Corcoran into one of the county's brightest stars. Crisp three-step drops, play fakes, looking off intended receivers, deft touch on timing patterns, he has shown it all.

Wharton coach Richard Wood even lets Corcoran call audibles at the line of scrimmage.

"He's finally realizing his potential," Wood said. "He's got two great coaches working with him in Mike Usry and Brad Prior, who both played the position in college.

"Also, the system is helping him be effective. I'm not just going to run the ball the whole game. We have to do both well."

The new-and-improved Corcoran took stock after last season, when a 3-0 start, best in school history, disintegrated into a 4-6 finish. He bulked up by 20 pounds to a sturdy 6 feet 2, 205 pounds, and summer quarterback camps at the University of Florida and Ohio State redefined his skills. This season, he has passed for 467 yards and six touchdowns in another 3-0 start.

"At the Florida camp, I was there with some of the best quarterbacks in the state, guys like Stephen Reaves from Plant, and I got to evaluate myself against some of the better talent in the state," said Corcoran. His size 15 feet, once a detriment, are also floating nimbly out of the pocket, which he attributes to working with Usry. He has also realized how to lead receivers and hit them on the run.

Countless hours practicing with junior receiver Michael Coonce during the past three seasons have also forged a bond that clicks on game day.

"When I roll out of the pocket I'm looking for Coonce's hand because I know he'll be there," Corcoran said.

The duo connected three times last week for 127 yards, including touchdowns of 48 and 46 yards, in a 56-16 rout of Alonso.

"Ross put those balls where only I could catch them," said Coonce, averaging more than 33 yards a catch on eight receptions. "He's more poised and confident this year. He won't jump all over people if they make a mistake, but he'll let you know he expects you to make plays."

The Wildcats' system benefits Corcoran because senior running backs Larry Edwards and Joe Hall can keep the sticks moving. Against Alonso, Edwards rushed for 163 yards and touchdowns of 17 and 45 yards on 10 carries. Hall added 60 yards on three carries.

Another huge plus, literally, is a big offensive line. Senior center Jason Novisk (5-11, 225), senior Wilbur Joseph (5-10, 270), senior William Russell (6-3, 250), junior Alvin Semmons (6-6, 275), senior Bobby Payne (6-2, 225), senior Kendric Morris (6-1, 285) and senior Bernard Bailey (6-2, 340 pounds) have kept Corcoran safe.

"The plays work because they give me so much time to see the whole field and watch plays develop," Corcoran said. "And they've opened huge holes for Larry and Joe."

Corcoran's emergence mirrors that of his hungry teammates. Last year, they hoped to play well against Chamberlain but were dominated in a 35-3 eye-opener.

"Last year was more like, "Go out and see what you can do. If you can't, well, it's your first time starting,' " Corcoran said of his first year running the offense. "Now, we know what we need to do.

"We took a lot of games lightly last year. We didn't have a lot of seniors on our team to say. "Hey, guys, 3-0 does not mean you're going to the playoffs.'

"This year, we're 3-0, that's all it means. Every game from here on out is a playoff game to us. Let's see what we can do with this."

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