5101 First St. NE, ST. PETERSBURG - The rules at Shorecrest are the same for everybody. Freshmen and seniors, starters and reserves. If you leave a piece of equipment behind, you don't play.
With five road games and a long-distance jamboree at the top of the Chargers' schedule this season, that rule sometimes was a bigger concern than remembering who was the opponent's weak link on defense.
Yes, even Ryan Iacovacci, the quarterback who has rushed for 483 yards and five touchdowns, would have been benched.
Coach Phil Hayford watched players stand in front of their lockers and get dressed then undress, putting each piece into their bags to make sure they had everything.
Half of the season has passed, and the Chargers finally can stop worrying about logistical matters that don't pertain to football. Shorecrest plays its first home game tonight against a 2-2 Winter Haven All Saints'.
And the Chargers' reward for logging 1,138 miles and almost a complete day's worth of travel is playing the rest of the regular season at home.
It started with a preseason trip to Disney for a late-night jamboree against Bronson. Then there was Fort Myers, where the Chargers won a close one against Evangelical Christian, and Naples, a shutout of St. John Neumann.
The longest trip was to Crescent City. When Shorecrest arrived, it got dressed and found out the game was called off due to rain. It took off its pads and ate prepacked sandwiches on the bus before the three-hour trip home.
At 4-0, Shorecrest has proved there's not necessarily a disadvantage of playing on the road. It has maintained a balanced offense and defense, both ranked fourth in the county.
The line play has been strong enough to allow Iacovacci free reign of the field. And the team kept its focus, even while enduring other teams' fight songs without the presence of its band.
After a successful stint on the road, the Chargers might have the pressure turned up in front of the home crowd.
"You know it's your homefield and you've got something to save," said Matt McMichael, a senior guard and defensive tackle.
Few Shorecrest fans have actually seen their team in action. At best, they have heard the battle tales from the road.
"You risk having your fans forget about you," Hayford said. "People want to see what this football team is all about."
Hayford, who said he never has found a comfortable seat on a bus, is glad to be home.
Aside from being a pretty decent team, the Chargers are a responsible bunch, too.
