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Wildcats QB still unsettled

By IZZY GOULD
Published August 25, 2005

WESLEY CHAPEL - Time has run out.

Tropical Storm Katrina ended Wesley Chapel's game preparations a day early. The Wildcats' opener at Gulf is rescheduled for 7:30 tonight.

John Castelamare could have had another month of practice but would still hesitate naming a starting quarterback to replace Anthony Rawson.

There's good reason. He has three solid candidates, each with a unique skill.

Chad Hatfield is the experienced senior. He offers strong leadership and comfort with the offense.

Fellow senior Brian Koesling has the arm strength to make split-second completions across the field.

And sophomore Greg Jenkins is a shifty runner with moves that leave linebackers diving at dust.

"One will get out there sooner than the other," Castelamare said. "Maybe they'll all play."

Castelamare has toyed with the idea of platooning quarterbacks.

He opted not to schedule a preseason classic last week and must choose a starter based on observations at practice. Preseason judgments could clash when he sees Wesley Chapel for the first time against an opponent.

One mistake could force a substitution at quarterback, maybe after the first play. And don't rule out seeing three quarterbacks for the first three plays.

Rotation has been a constant theme throughout the month and keeps the competition boiling.

"We've all been even," Hatfield said. "We're always rotating so we're always trying to get one up on the other."

Hatfield appears to be the most qualified to start. He took over last season when Rawson went down with a leg injury to complete 8-of-19 for 120 yards and one touchdown with three interceptions.

Hatfield also started at linebacker, and is expected to start at strong safety.

How he handles playing both sides of the football and if he has the stamina could determine his quarterback status.

But driving the defense could prove more valuable than playing as an offensive peg.

"You have to wonder how he's going to be depending how long the defense is on the field," Castelamare said. "Hopefully their defense is not on the field that long and ours isn't either."

Koesling also has varsity experience, completing both of his passes for 84 yards. His upside is his arm.

The problem: Wesley Chapel historically hypnotizes defenses with runs to try and catch the secondary napping.

Translation: Not a lot of passing.

"I've learned just to take it easy and try my best," Koesling said. "That's all I can do. I go out there and try to do what I can to make this team better."

Castelamare won't ignore Jenkins' intoxicating moves and tremendous upside. He has a few more seasons as a Wildcat.

But throwning Jenkins under center too early could have adverse effects. He'll certainly get his snaps.

"It depends on the situation in the game," Castelamare said. "You don't want to throw him to the wolves or anything."

Contact Izzy Gould at 352 521-6517 or igould@sptimes.com

[Last modified August 25, 2005, 01:23:19]