Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Crystal River players sweat out another hot and humid practice

By LARRY BUGG
Published August 10, 2005

CRYSTAL RIVER - John Dickey didn't have to think about his response when asked what he hated about August practice.

"Heat and humidity," said Dickey, a Pirates senior tight end.

Monday, there was a cloud cover and the temperature flirted with the upper 80s at the Crystal River High practice field. But the small relief from the hot weather may not have made much difference for the players since they were in helmets and pads.

The Pirates are among the area's many prep teams working out their different units to get ready for the season.

Crystal River assistant coach Charles Brooks yelled encouragement at his linemen as they hit blocking and tackling dummies.

"That's it, good job," Brooks told the players.

In the middle of the field, head coach Craig Frederick yelled directions to his quarterbacks.

"When you dig, you dig in, right here," Frederick said.

Frederick accepted the team's top job just two weeks before practice started in 2004. Jere DeFoor had resigned, and Frederick came in with little time to prepare.

Now Frederick has a year of experience, plus spring ball, and is more comfortable working on a different kind of offense.

"We have about 30 on the varsity," Frederick said.

"We are going to use misdirection and option a little bit. We are going to try to establish it," he said of a running attack that has been a staple of past Crystal River teams.

Frederick said he has a good bunch of players.

"We're lacking in speed but will make it up playing together as a team," the head coach said. "You couldn't ask for a better group of kids."

The big kids have struggled with the heat, Frederick said, but the players started practice in pretty good shape.

Running back and linebacker coach Justin Wentworth throws passes to his panting players.

"We are working on reps," Wentworth said. "That's pretty much what we get right now. It's hot out right now. It won't be as hot when we play (the games).

"Last year we didn't get as many reps as we wanted due to the (four) hurricanes, and we weren't as sharp," he said. "You could see it on Friday nights."

The hurricanes forced the Pirates to play five games in 15 days, and the team finished with a 2-8 record.

Wentworth said all of the returning members have improved through hard work over the summer.

"We are definitely going to be a team this year," Wentworth said. "There is no Leroy Hill, no Ricky Posselt."

Practice is frustrating for the many players who live for those Friday night games.

"I can't wait," Dickey said of starting the regular-season schedule. "We have to come back big from last year.

"I was kind of disappointed. Hopefully, that won't happen again. I think we have a lot of talent. If these young guys can step up and do their jobs, we will be just fine."

But it was a struggle Monday. Dickey and his teammates looked forward to the water breaks.

"Water never tasted so good," Dickey said.

[Last modified August 10, 2005, 00:37:16]