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Eagles head into bye on high note

By VINCENT THOMAS and DAVID MURPHY
Published September 21, 2005

Just think, Springstead could have come into this bye week agonizing over a last-minute loss to South Lake. That would have meant waiting 14 days until they could redeem themselves. Instead, Bill Vonada and the Eagles are 3-1, with a full two weeks to prepare for the meaty part of their season.

In last Friday's post-game huddle, Vonada told his team, "Springstead's Sept. 30 game against Tarpon Springs will be its first district match of the season and Vonada welcomes the extra week of preparation.

"We look at the bye week to make corrections and adjustments," he said. "Our biggest thing is to start working toward consistency. Cut out mental mistakes."

To avoid any bye-week induced lethargy, Vonada and his coaches try to keep the practices intense.

"You have to practice intense situations," he said. "So we do things like put competitions in our training. Create competitive scenarios, like a goal-line stand - offense versus defense. You can't just show up on Friday night and expect for the intensity to be there."

The Sharks spent the beginning of Tuesday's bye week practice working on their option offense. With Robert Fleming still relatively new to his role as starting running back and quarterback Josh Ortiz having played just two games there, the Sharks are not yet operating smoothly. During some game simulations, Ortiz pitched the ball to Fleming a couple of times, only for it to bounce off Fleming's shoulder pads. Backup quarterback Stephen Paleaz ran into backup running back Mike Haslam a few times as they took their reps.

The Sharks had six fumbles last week against Crystal River, many on fumbled snaps and handoffs. These, though, are problems solved by repetition and familiarity. The extra week of practice will be well spent.

Offensive lineman Andy Leavine was in Tampa for Saturday's Central Florida-South Florida game at Raymond James Stadium. Leavine, a 6-foot-6, 289-pound senior, is receiving interest from both schools.

"I actually got tickets for the Florida-Florida State game too so that's going to be wild," Leavine said. "It's nice when you go to those games and there are like 95,000 people it's wild."

Running back Fabian Jackson missed his second straight game, a 21-7 loss to Zephyrhills on Friday, with an ankle injury. The senior, hurt in an opening loss to Central, was in uniform, but stayed on the sideline. Leopards coach Matt Smith had called him a game-time decision. Smith said after the game Jackson will likely play this week at home against Dunnellon.

[Last modified September 21, 2005, 00:24:18]