The high school season begins in less than three weeks. Leading up to preseason games, the Times will answer 10 Pressing Questions facing Pinellas schools.
By BOB PUTNAM
Published August 16, 2003
1. Who will be the middle linebacker at Seminole?
Middle linebackers have cat-like quickness and often are the stabilizing force of any defense. They eat indecisive quarterbacks for breakfast, devour running backs for lunch and gorge on receivers for dinner.
And no Pinellas County team produces them like Seminole.
If Penn State is known as Linebacker U, then Seminole is Middle Linebacker High. The school boasts more than its share at the position. The past six starting middle linebackers for the Warhawks have played in college, including four in Division I-A.
Jeff Weikel knows all about the legacy. The senior inherited the job in the spring from Joey Fabrizio, the Times' County player of the year last season who is playing at Villanova this fall.
Weikel is the nerve center of one of the county's top defenses and is trying to earn a spot alongside Ryan Fowler, D'Qwell Jackson and Fabrizio in the pantheon of Warhawk middle linebackers.
"It's an honor to be in this position," Weikel said. "I'm eating it up. I'm also trying to make sure I don't screw up."
For the past three years, Weikel admired the rich tradition but never imagined being part of its history. He was a 6-foot-1, 285-pound defensive tackle who occupied blockers so linebackers could make the plays.
But after intense workouts in the offseason, Weikel's weight dropped to 255. Defensive coordinator Mike Perlin noticed his lighter frame and informed Weikel he would be manning the middle of the defense three days before the spring game in May.
"I was nervous," Weikel said. "The only thing I've ever played before is on the defensive line."
To get a better understanding of the position, Weikel talked to Fabrizio and watched tapes from every game last season.
"I was just hoping to pick some tips on how Joey played," Weikel said.
Weikel also kept working out. Besides lifting weights, he runs 21/2 miles a day.
But a decrease in weight does not automatically mean an increase in speed. Weikel knows he won't be able to go sideline to sideline every play and most likely will move up to the defensive line on passing downs.
Still, any little edge helps.
"I'm hoping to get down to 240," Weikel said. "I'm not going to be chasing down everything in sight like some of the others guys we've had. Those were some unbelievable athletes. I'm just trying to hold my own in the middle of the field.
"Hopefully my size is an intimidation thing for opposing offenses."
With a deep understanding of the system and a strong work ethic, Weikel has shown the coaches he can shoulder the expectations that come with playing the position.
"It's going to be different this season," Seminole coach Sam Roper said. "But Jeff has done a good job so far and has taken on the responsibility. Everybody knows he has some awfully big shoes to fill."
