Question 8: Who will be the county's most exciting player?
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 Times staff writers
Published August 26, 2003
We're not trying to predict who the next Pinellas County player of the year will be. The season itself will determine that. We're not even saying these are the best players on the field.
But if you are free on a Friday night and want to increase your chances of seeing a play you wish you could watch again, and again in slow motion, there are a few guys worth checking out.
We asked coaches who they believe has the potential to make a jaw-dropping play that gets talked about for the rest of the season. Many names were mentioned, but Clearwater junior running back Jason Harris was on more coaches' tongues than any other player.
Pinellas Park coach Luke Kademoff put Harris on his list of gamebreakers. Harris didn't do much damage against the Patriots, but they focused on him so much, the rest of the Tornadoes were left free to do damage. "You look at what he did last year and how hard he worked in the offseason, and you know he's going to be a force," Kademoff said.
Harris did not lead the county in rushing. In fact, he was ninth. But on a team that wasn't afraid to pass, he threatened to gain 1,000 yards as a sophomore. He had a three-game streak in which he rushed for at least 100 yards. His career high is 147, which he accomplished against East Lake last year. He also was the conference champ in the 100 meters.
"That's incredible for a sophomore," Largo coach Rick Rodriguez said. "He's got wheels. He's got balance, speed, the goods to be an outstanding back."
Of course, he wasn't unstoppable. Boca Ciega held him to 40 yards in a playoff game, but what stood out to many was not what he had done, but what he could do, the promise he showed.
"He showed he has the potential to be great," Clearwater coach Tom Bostic said. "He had some big games against some folks and impressed them."
Harris won't be alone in making big plays this season. Below is a list of some players who have the skills to stand out.
JASON HARRIS
Clearwater
POSITION: RB
SIZE: 5-11, 191
LAST SEASON: 168 carries, 912 yards, 5.4 average, six touchdowns
WHAT MAKES HIM GOOD: One of the fastest in the county with a 4.46 40-yard dash, he has good field vision and knows when to make a cut.
2002 HIGHLIGHT: Against Seminole, he caught a screen pass out of the backfield, faked two defenders and ran 50 yards for a touchdown. He finished with 141 yards on 20 carries.
ISAIAH GWYN
Countryside
POSITION: RB
SIZE: 5-11, 195
LAST SEASON: 179 carries, 1,289 yards, 7.2 average, 11 touchdowns
WHAT MAKES HIM GOOD: A durable, dependable back (no one had more carries last year.), Gwyn can run through some defenders and outrun the rest.
2002 HIGHLIGHT: In a playoff berth-clinching victory at Tarpon Springs, he ran for 247 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns.
VINCE PATTERSON
Admiral Farragut
POSITION: RB
SIZE: 5-9, 180
LAST SEASON: 132 carries, 1,349 yards, 10.2 average, 18 touchdowns
WHAT MAKES HIM GOOD: He put up big numbers even in a balanced offense. With quick footwork and balance, he doesn't need much room to break through.
2002 HIGHLIGHT: In a district title deciding game, he scored a 56-yard touchdown against Shorecrest. On the next series, Farragut ran the same play, and he ran half the field for another score.
FRED MARSHALL
Largo
POSITION: QB
SIZE: 6-1, 200
LAST SEASON: 79 completions on 156 attempts for 990 yards and five touchdowns
WHAT MAKES HIM GOOD: Such a student of the game, he can call plays if he wanted to. He has a strong arm, is patient and can run when he pleases.
2002 HIGHLIGHT: With Largo down 6-3 in overtime and the ball on the Tarpon Springs 10, he took off, dived and edged over the goal line to score.
DEONDREA LINDSEY
St. Petersburg Catholic
POSITION: RB
SIZE: 6-1, 190
LAST SEASON: Ran for 1,370 yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging 11 yards a carry.
WHAT MAKES HIM GOOD: He's fast. He's durable, and he's versatile. Lindsey can shift his way past a defender and run through him. And he was even called on last year to run some option at quarterback.
2002 HIGHLIGHT: In Week 1, Lindsey rushed for 224 yards and scoring on runs of 55, 65, 42 and 43 yards.
CHIP BRINKMAN
Clearwater Central Catholic
POSITION: WR
SIZE: 6-3, 205
LAST SEASON: Including two playoff games, he had 53 receptions for 1,166 yards and nine touchdowns.
WHAT MAKES HIM GOOD: He has run the 40 in 4.5 seconds and routinely beat defenders at USF's passing league this summer.
2002 HIGHLIGHT: Brinkman had four touchdowns and more than 220 yards combined in playoff games against Fort Myers Dunbar and Pahokee.
OTHER CANDIDATES
Sergio Felton, running back, Osceola
Josh McKinnon, quarterback, Gibbs
Shamon Washington, tailback, Bogie
- Compiled by John Cotey, John Schwarb, Bob Putnam and Laura Lee.
