Land O'Lakes must find players who can fill the role of four graduates on offensive and defensive lines.
By JAMAL THALJI
Published May 29, 2003
LAND O'LAKES - Two words: Drew Weatherford.
For Land O'Lakes to duplicate the success of 2002 - a school-record 12-1 season, conference and district titles and a region final playoff game - the Gators must rebuild around their star quarterback, who enters the 2003 season as one of the nation's top recruits.
Specifically, Land O'Lakes must rebuild its offensive and defensive lines.
Gone from the best offensive line in school history are center Bobby O'Dell, right guard Josh Harvey, left guard Tyler Moore and left tackle Joey Tuttle. The defensive line takes a hit with the loss of Tuttle, O'Dell and Moore.
Weatherford, who threw for 2,255 yards and a state-leading 33 touchdowns last season, won't be able to duplicate that production without a solid unit blocking for him. Nor will the defense stop anybody if that line isn't rebuilt, too.
"The most important thing we wanted to accomplish is to establish an offensive and defensive line of scrimmage, and I believe we were able to do that," coach John Benedetto said. "It's going to be difficult because we're going to line up kids that are younger and inexperienced.
"We're not going to enter the 2003 season with the experienced group we had in 2002."
Spring practice ended Wednesday, and so far the offensive line looks set for the fall. Two starters return: Kevan Bogaert at right guard and Bryan Singleton at left guard. Justin Giddens will line up at center while Nick Lentz and freshman Ross Hughes will be the new tackles. At tight end, the team will get blocking help from Caz Piurowski and Joey Cannon.
DEEP D: While the defensive line positions aren't solidified, they proved to be the surprise of the spring. The unit is deeper than the coaches believed at the start of practice.
Piurowski and Cannon could start at defensive end, while Clay Hulsey, Sean Long, Devon Kearney and Singleton are in the mix at defensive tackle.
"There are people that can play there, and there's probably more depth than we thought there was going to be," Benedetto said.
Said defensive coordinator Al Claggett: "All those kids, they're not Joey Tuttle, but there are a lot of kids that if they continue to work hard, they're going to get better."
KEEP AN EYE ON: Two new faces in the Land O'Lakes backfield. Well, one isn't so new. It's tailback Chris Perez, who was lost for the 2002 season to a knee injury suffered during a 26-19 win over Pasco. Perez rushed 43 times for 268 yards and eight TDs in four games.
He's back now, and showing no effects from offseason surgery, Benedetto said. He'll share time with Jonathan Price, a transfer from Sickles who also has had a good spring.
"I'm very impressed with the way Jonathan Price has stepped in," Benedetto said, "I'm also impressed with the way Chris Perez has overcome his injury from last year."
The return of Perez and the addition of Price help shore up depth at wide receiver. After stepping in for Perez at running back last season, Eddy Gibbs will move to receiver. That will help make up for the loss of Logan Payne, who led the state in receptions (62) and touchdowns (19) and who signed with Minnesota.
TO BE CONTINUED: Fall practice starts Aug.12. Land O'Lakes will renew its annual preseason classic against Hernando on Aug.28, traveling to Tom Fisher Stadium in Brooksville for the 7 p.m. game.
Next season the Gators face the most daunting schedule in the county, thanks to Benedetto's decision to schedule out-of-county powers like Lake City Columbia (at home Sept.19) and Ocala Forest (on the road on Oct.24.)
