Packers convert to option offense
By BOB PUTNAM
Published August 26, 2005
LARGO - Leonard Johnson is a deft ball-handling quarterback whose speed, moves and quickness make him as dangerous as a running back.
He showed his superb running abilities last season, when he helped Largo knock off Countryside and force a three-way district tiebreaker the Packers lost.
Largo coach Rick Rodriguez took notice, so much so he envisions plenty of nights this fall of faking and pitching with a quarterback who can make like Barry Sanders.
Rodriguez has made the option an option.
"I think it'll work because we have some talent in the backfield," he said.
At the snap, instead of dropping back three steps and possibly facing a maelstrom, the option quarterback runs down the line of scrimmage and reads the defense. He either runs into the open area or pitches wide to a trailing halfback. The defense is forced to read the play.
The Packers' version of the option will be even more effective because of who is awaiting the pitch.
Dexter McCluster is one of the county's few true breakaway backs, capable of ripping off touchdown runs of 50 yards or longer. Though more defenders might crowd the line of scrimmage in an attempt to stop him, McCluster has the vision and speed to find the smallest sliver of daylight. After that, it's off to the races.
McCluster had surgery to repair a broken ankle. The injury occurred in the final game last season, and he spent the past six months working himself into shape. That's good news because Rodriguez is counting on Johnson and McCluster to be the twin threats that give defenses fits.
"We might even put Dexter in at quarterback sometimes just to throw people off," Rodriguez said. "We've got options."
NICKEL PACKAGE- With the county's crackdown on profanity, coach Rick Rodriguez decided to send a message by making players and coaches do pushups when they swear during practice.
- Quarterback Leonard Johnson and running back Dexter McCluster will run behind a rebuilt offensive line that has only one senior, Dan McFarland, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound center. The others are juniors Kyle Peters (6-8, 275), John Deets (6-2, 280) and Leron Barnett (6-2, 250) and sophomore Simion Soloman (6-4, 265).
- When Johnson has to throw, he'll look for receiver Will Seaver and tight end Brian Lowak.
- The Packers are loaded in the defensive backfield. Johnson is a cornerback, and McCluster is the free safety. Others in the secondary include Jeremy Bogans and Colton Miller. Linebackers Noel Leka and Brynn Harvey also return as does McFarland on the line.
- Kicking remains the most imperfect, maddening and costly variable in the game. But Largo has a dependable kicker in Louis Marroquin. He'll kick the extra points and shorter field goals while Seaver will punt and kick off.
AT A GLANCECOACH: Rick Rodriguez (sixth season, 35-18).
ASSISTANTS: Dave Angelo, Eugene Davis, Sam Ford, Jeremy Frioud, Drew Hevertz, Steve Howard, Matt Lepain, Derek Saddler, Ryan Taylor, Eric Wilson.
COLORS: Light gold and royal blue.
STADIUM: Packer Stadium, 410 Missouri Ave., Largo.
CLASS: Class 5A, District 10.
PLAYOFF HISTORY: 1974, 1975, 1977, 1985, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2001.
LAST APPEARANCE: Lost 24-21 to Winter Haven.
2005 SCHEDULEAUGUST
26 at Clearwater
SEPTEMBER
2 at Lakewood
16 at Dixie Hollins *
23 Dunedin
30 Gibbs *
OCTOBER
7 Palm Harbor U.
14 Seminole *
21 at St. Petersburg *
28 at Pinellas Park *
NOVEMBER
4 Osceola
* District game
2004 RESULTS (5-5)Seminole W 26-21
Dunedin W 44-42
Gibbs L 34-28
Tarpon Springs W 6-0
Lakewood L 20-19
Dixie Hollins L 16-7
East Lake L 35-20
Countryside W 18-16
Clearwater L 35-7
Northeast W 41-26