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LAND O'LAKES - He said it would never happen.
He said he'd be crazy to do it.
What would he tell Florida State?
But John Benedetto finally relented Monday.
The Land O'Lakes coach let Drew Weatherford play defense.
No, that is not offense misspelled.
Benedetto played his star quarterback at safety, however, not linebacker. The defense benefited from Weatherford's athleticism without putting the county's all-time leading passer in direct danger of being injured.
Weatherford has spent the past four years begging to play linebacker, but Benedetto would never risk the franchise that way.
Quarterbacks, of course, play defense all the time in high school football. But in the secondary.
However, this season, more teams are risking their signal-callers on the frontlines. Spencer Brown starts at quarterback and linebacker for Mitchell, and Pasco's Cory Filley has more interceptions as a linebacker (1) than as a quarterback (0).
At safety, though, Weatherford should be shielded from the heavier contact those two QBs will endure.
"It was a change we made after the Hernando (preseason loss)," Benedetto said. "He's always wanted to play defense, but I wouldn't let him. But then I thought, "It's his senior year. Let the kid have fun."'
Which is exactly what Weatherford did during Monday night's 14-6 loss at Zephyrhills. Sharing time with starter Eddy Gibbs, Weatherford had five tackles and a key pass break-up, racing across the field to knock away what could have been a long gainer to a wide-open Tony Smiley.
Weatherford said he relished flying around the field, launching himself at ball carriers.
"I've always loved to hit people," he said. "I used to do it more on offense, but I had to calm that down a bit and try to gain more yards than just try to run people over."
ADVANTAGE ...: Gulf, Hudson, Land O'Lakes, Mitchell, River Ridge and Zephyrhills played Monday night. Pasco, Ridgewood and Wesley Chapel played Saturday night.
Which begs the question: Do the teams whose games were moved to Saturday because of Tropical Storm Henri have an advantage over those who played Monday?
"A little bit," River Ridge coach Mike DeGennaro said. "There's the healing factor. Even though we didn't get any injuries, your body is still taking a beating. I mean, they had Sunday and Monday to heal when we were still banged up."
River Ridge had one day to practice in pads this week, Wednesday. But it is familiar with Wesley Chapel's Wing-T and faced the Wildcats in the preseason jamboree.
Benedetto said teams absolutely need more time.
"Wesley Chapel and Pasco got to rest, and River Ridge and Mitchell didn't," he said. "We haven't had enough time to prepare, and our kids are still exhausted from Monday night. Our kids need rest. (Linebacker) Scott Mays was home in bed (Tuesday), exhausted.
"We didn't even know you could play on Saturday," said the coach, who wished for better communication from the school district.
FEDEX RULES: It finally arrived late last week.
The blue No. 1 jersey.
Weatherford's home jersey.
"We had to order a new one. I got it, and it's in," Weatherford said. "I will have my blue jersey on."
His home jersey, the one he has worn for two years, went missing about the first week of July. Why it went missing, and who helped it make its getaway, are still unknown. Benedetto spent weeks wrangling with the apparel company to order a new one and once feared it would never be made or arrive in time for tonight's home opener.
What would Weatherford have worn if it never arrived?
"I've worn No. 5 and 86 before," he said. "I might have worn No. 2. I wore No. 2 my freshman year because my brother (Sam) had No. 1 my freshman year."
That, of course, was temporary.
"He was just holding it for me."