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JOHN SCHWARBThe team is coming off a season in which it just missed making program's first playoff appearance since 1996.
SPRING HILL - William Wilson said he could not sleep the night before Springstead's spring practice began.
He wanted to hit someone, and not just for the sheer delight of that perfect "click" of pads on pads. Hitting is one more avenue to vent the frustration from last year's almost-not-quite season.
"We were just so close; it makes you want it," said Wilson, a rising senior lineman. "It's all you can think about when you're here."
Every returning Eagles player remembers how close the team came to its first playoff berth since 1996. On Oct. 31, Springstead traveled to Clermont East Ridge needing a win but came up well short in a 35-14 loss. It was an otherwise terrific 7-3 record, a five-game turnaround from 2002's lackluster 2-8.
But two of the three losses were in district play, one too many in Class 4A-6. So there's no need at Springstead to bask in the glow of last year's 4-0 start or a home 44-15 drubbing of Clearwater Central Catholic in the finale that clinched the best record of the Bill Vonada era. The coach knows where the motivation for this team comes from.
"We've reminded them of (missing the postseason) since January," Vonada said. "We have some guys that, that's it. That's solely what they want, to make the playoffs.
"Hopefully they'll be the ones leading the team, not just vocally but by example as well. I think they've started to catch the attention of some of the other guys that have been standing around waiting for someone to tell them what to do."
Making the task easier on and off the field is the fact that Springstead has nearly all its skill players returning. The leading passer (Ian Wald), rusher (Tim Dow) and receiver (Chris Ferguson) all will be seniors, though Ferguson may take more snaps at linebacker instead of tight end to help a depleted unit.
But with a three-year starter at quarterback and as many as six capable running backs, the pressure is somewhat taken off the Eagles' inexperienced offensive linemen.
"We all know what we're doing, we'll pick up the slack ... not that the offensive line is slacking, they'll learn," Wald said. "We just know each other, we know who's going to be where at what time."
Wald said the excitement level is different from last spring given the recent success, and Vonada does not disagree. But he said to check back in August to see how much of 2003's afterglow truly remains.
"For the most part, it's been a real positive experience," Vonada said. "But obviously it's got to carry over to the game field or it doesn't mean anything."
- John Schwarb can be reached at 800 333-7505, ext. 1407. Send e-mail to schwarb@sptimes.com