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By BOB PUTNAM
Published August 26, 2005
SEMINOLE - Osceola will be happy to duplicate last season's 7-3 record considering its schedule.
The Warriors have home games against Bradenton Bayshore and Bradenton Southeast, the traditional powerhouses in the realigned Class 4A, District 9.
There also are road games against Boca Ciega, East Lake and Largo.
"It's awfully tough," coach George Palmer said. "We have to be ready to play."
No matter whom Osceola plays, its opposition will find plenty of new faces on both sides of the ball. The Warriors lost 22 seniors and have six returners who were full-time starters last season.
"We've got a lot of holes to fill," Palmer said. "We're young, and we're small. So guys have got to be interchangeable."
But don't discount Osceola.
Palmer used defense and field position to compensate for the loss of several key players from a team that reached the postseason in 2003. Had the Warriors not lost fumbles three times last year on the 1-yard line on first or second and goal - especially in a 6-0 loss to Palmetto - they would have returned to the playoffs.
Palmer will emphasize the running game to take advantage of a skilled offensive line and offset the graduation of several big-play receivers, including Alex Cook and Gene Civello.
Justin Hart, Bryce Williams and Jesse Chester will provide depth in the backfield. All three scored on short runs in Osceola's 21-8 victory over Largo in the spring game.
NICKEL PACKAGE- In coach George Palmer's Wing T offense, fullbacks do more than just block and carry the ball once a month. They are a focal point as evidenced by Ryan Thompson, a sleek and powerful runner who carried the load last year. Filling Thompson's shoes is Bryce Williams, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound bruiser.
- Sergio Allen is a gutsy quarterback who can open some eyes. His mobility will be key while he works with a young group of receivers.
- The returning offensive linemen include: Andrew Palowski, Kyle Nagy, Kenly Delaney and James Gillispie.
- Because of depth, or a lack thereof, some will play both ways. Delaney and Nagy could see time at defensive line. Williams is the leader at linebacker along with tight end Mike Bishop. Adam Gardner patrols the secondary.
- Vinny Gianfrancesco, a standout soccer player, returns as the kicker. Last year, his field goal helped beat neighborhood rival Seminole.
AT A GLANCECOACH: George Palmer (16th season, 83-74).
ASSISTANTS: Matt DeSantis, Mike Kloehn, Kyle McDowell, Mike O'Hanlan, Bill Rasmussen, Dan Tierney.
COLORS: Orange and royal blue.
STADIUM: Warrior Stadium, 9751 98th St. N, Seminole.
CLASS: Class 4A, District 9.
PLAYOFF HISTORY: 1990, 1993, 1994.
LAST APPEARANCE: Lost 14-7 to Hernando.
2005 SCHEDULEAUGUST
26 at Pinellas Park
SEPTEMBER
2 Seminole
9 at East Lake
16 Bradenton Bayshore *
30 at Boca Ciega *
OCTOBER
7 Clearwater
14 Lakewood *
21 Bradenton Southeast *
28 at Northeast *
NOVEMBER
4 at Largo
* District game
2004 RESULTS (7-3)St. Petersburg L 27-13
at Lakewood W 10-0
Boca Ciega W 41-12
Sarasota Booker W 23-7
Dunedin W 35-0
at Palmetto L 6-0
at Pinellas Park W 21-0
at Bradenton Southeast L 21-12
Seminole W 16-14
Palm Harbor W 7-6
[Last modified August 24, 2005, 15:26:11]
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