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Pressure is mounting at River Ridge to win

Coach Mike DeGennaro's squad has a chance to right the ship against Tarpon Springs.

By IZZY GOULD
Published October 14, 2005

NEW PORT RICHEY - He's drawn to the science of football.

Breaking down game films. Drawing up plays. Piecing together game plans.

Despite his approach, River Ridge coach Mike DeGennaro senses uneasiness among Royal Knights fans in the midst of his fifth losing season in six years.

His job won't be any easier tonight against Class 4A, District 8 front-runner Tarpon Springs.

The Spongers (5-2, 2-0 district) can knock the Royal Knights (0-6, 0-1) officially from the playoff race. And a River Ridge loss would certainly raise the noise level of DeGennaro's critics.

"Our team can control its playoff destiny," DeGennaro said. "I can't control what people say and what people think. I come to work every day and do the best job I can. I still watch film and go to practice like we were 6-0. If my bosses want to make the change, that's up to them."

DeGennaro was named coach in 2000 and inherited a team that went 7-3 and won its final six games before falling short of a playoff berth in 1999.

River Ridge struggled after coach Scott Schmitzleft for Mitchell.

But DeGennaro salvaged his inaugural season, leading the Royal Knights to four straight victories down the stretch for a 5-5 finish.

There have been few inspiring moments since.

DeGennaro's teams have struggled with records of 3-7 (2001), 2-8 (2002), 3-7 (2003) and 2-8 (2004).

River Ridge athletic director Jack Homko was unavailable for comment Wednesday afternoon. But DeGennaro said Homko, a member of his coaching staff, has not given any ultimatums or sparked discussion concerning his future as football coach.

"If they're thinking of making a change, they haven't told me," DeGennaro said. "And if they do, it's nothing I can control. I know what I do every day, and I know how hard I work. I can't go out and make the tackles."

So far, failure to make plays has hurt more than anything.

DeGennaro said there have been moments that drives seem to develop, then an inopportune penalty or interception disrupts the momentum. He has counted four interceptions returned for back-breaking touchdowns.

Few blame senior quarterback Derrick Stoll (39 of 73, 417 yards, two touchdowns, nine interceptions). DeGennaro said Stoll often hits his targets only to see his efforts dropped or broken up.

The bright spot has been the River Ridge defense.

The Royal Knights are led by senior Brian Beck, who has 67 tackles this season.

The most encouraging moment this year was holding Class, 5A, District 5 power Land O' Lakes to seven points in the first half of a 22-7 loss last week.

"We're a much better team than our scores show," DeGennaro said. "We're a much better team than we've played. We had the bye week before Land O' Lakes, and I think our kids bought into what we were trying to do. They went out and played to the best of their ability."

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

[Last modified October 14, 2005, 01:40:20]