Preps special
Offensive line holds key for Warhawks
By BOB PUTNAM
Published September 3, 2004
[Times photo: Dirk Shadd]
Running back Anthony Siano, left, is a senior at Seminole High.
SEMINOLE - Building his team from the inside out, Seminole coach Sam Roper has relied on big, powerful offensive linemen to push it to the forefront of the county.
Thanks to the guys up front, the Warhawks have gone 38-12 since 1999 and made the playoffs five times.
Because of their efforts, Roper makes sure the glory for his linemen doesn't just stay in the trenches. The school recognizes its blockers with a lineman of the week award. The recipient and coach get treated to dinner at a local steakhouse.
"We try to give as much credit to the guys up front as we can," Roper said.
Roper should appreciate them even more now that they're gone.
Justin Castillo, a center, is the only returning starter on the offensive line. Seminole also has to replace the front seven on defense.
The Warhawks have plenty of skill players back, such as quarterback Devin Collins and running backs Colby Ersin and Anthony Siano. So success will hinge on how well the line holds up.
"That's the big question for us," Roper said. "We've got a lot of new guys, and we're not as big as we've been the past couple of years."
The line passed its first test in a Kickoff Classic against Palm Harbor University. Playing against the Hurricanes' vaunted front four, the Warhawks were able to move the ball and forced a 7-7 tie in the three quarters the varsity played.
[Last modified September 1, 2004, 08:22:26]
Baseball
AL: Yanks keep waking up after rout Bosox seize control of wild card NL: Marlins blow through N.Y. '05 schedule finds Expos still in East College football Bull skips pretrial hearing Razorback backup linebacker remains at hospital College football special A new season, a new BCS system, of course Five games to watch Five players to watch Pressure cooker UF for the fans Striving to be the go-to guy UF offbeat UF player to watch SEC at a glance ACC at a glance FSU for the fans On familiar shoulders Defensive starters get chance to make mark FSU offbeat FSU player to watch UM for the fans Under the glare RB Gore lives to start another game UM offbeat UM player to watch Doing the conference shuffle Harig's Top 25 O'Leary, UCF starting all over Other Florida schools Going out with a bang USF for the fans Free safety an understudy no more USF offbeat USF player to watch Conference USA at a glance Sunshine beefs up coverage B-CC lost some talent, but it still has promise Rattlers a team in transition Fantasy sports Bargain bin holds gems for owners Golf Tournament record makes a nice anniversary gift Hockey Americans fall to Russia 3-1 Talks termed 'charade' or 'side step' yield little Hurricane Frances Gators, 'Noles delay openers In brief Bailey injured in prep for Frances Motorsports Best drama goes to Chase race Road course a turn in right direction NFL AFC: Browns QB still won't get much playing time New England glad to see miserable preseason end NFC: Where Culpepper-Moss go, Vikings will follow Preps Dragons overpower Colorado champs Dunedin LB must sit out first game Explosive start lifts Eagles Playoff nets title for PHU sophomore Tricky Central holds off Citrus Preps special 'Canes confident after slow spring 3A-9 primer 4A-7 primer A new tradition Barons' hopes rest on QB Tapp Bishop McLaughlin starting its first steps toward varsity Blue Jackets have replacements ready Bulldogs unusually untested By necessity, it's all new to them Central's Owen mobile in more ways than one Contributions of correspondents often prove priceless Cougars' offensive linemen bulk up Cowboys ready for turnaround Crusaders take load off quarterback Depth is an issue for the Chiefs Diversity is key for Lions Don't call Green Devils pushovers Eagles seek better start, similar end Eagles stay positive despite losses Eagles' strength lies in fitness Extra conditioning renews Eagles Falcons search for r-e-s-p-e-c-t For the fans Fresh faces drive the Titans Future arrives with playoffs in mind Gators go back to basics Great expectations greet Dragons Grit and grin Gryphons reach for new heights Guy Toph winners - where are they now? History is a hill to climb Increased talent has Rebels confident Indians place faith in sophomore QB It can't get much worse for Spartans It's all in the attitude for Knights Lancers start on firmer ground Leopards look to ease losses Marauders enter with few concerns More stunners in store? Mustangs can't sneak up on anyone Mustangs think time is right New team graded on the curve New tests for untried Cougars D O-line give Harris room to run Offensive line holds key for Warhawks On the line: Blaise Simon On the line: Danny Tolley On the line: Gary Smith On the line: John Walsh On the line: Justin Brown On the line: Khalil Madani On the line: Mike Toncich On the line: Ross Hughes On the line: Tony Fiscarelli On the line: Zach Johnson One on one: Anthony Rawson One on one: Mike Galizia One on one: Nathan Toole One on one: Ray Sousa One on one: Scott Mays Overturning close losses is priority Packers turn star into two-way threat Panthers' progress on schedule Pasco teams at a glance Patriots full of confidence Patriots to test airborne attack Pirates chart new course Pirates laden with questions Raiders in an offensive state of mind Raiders seek eighth consecutive postseason appearance Rams look for pendulum swing Repetition is starting to sting Returning stars give Falcons big hopes Rivals, titles on minds of Terriers Skill meets experience Spongers keep it slower and simple Standout QB propels Sharks Steady does it for the Tigers Success from start to finish? Suncoast football districts Sunshine Athletic Conference primer Talented QB gives Pirates high hopes Talented QB gives Pirates high hopes Task is to erase, then make history The man behind the trophy The rest of the best Third year the charm for Tigers? Third year was the charm yet again Tigers keep momentum, tradition going Tightening the reins Tough road ahead for the Crusaders Tradition leads to expectations Warriors to have several new starters Warriors' offense needs to improve Wolves eye improvement Young talent gets best chance now A second start Better things ahead for Hawks? By the book Choice is clear for best ever Finding home behind center Gladiators hope experience helps QB Panther junior is multi-dimensional Picks for Pinellas Ravens look for repeat performance Small group, big dreams Summer camps become a must for top recruits System's a go in third year The buzz about Beck The prophecies of Jamaladamus Viking to run, run, then run some more Wald lets his team in on his thoughts No longer a sleeper opponent Pro basketball Nets hope for best with Mourning Tennis Agassi teaching kids how to lose Rays Losing getting to be too much for Huff Lou hopes rout is a kick in the pants Up next: Tigers Bucs Offensive troubles linger Backups move to the fore Game is the last tryout before cuts Defense in form with 3 turnovers
