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Armwood's mantra: 'We're going to be back'

Coaches and players all think the Hawks will rebound from this year's state finals loss for a stellar season next year.

By THOMAS SIMONETTI
Published December 16, 2005

	[Times photo: Daniel Wallace]
	Armwood High School senior Walter Radny mourns their 44-37 loss to Nease High School for the Class 4A state football championship, Saturday, Dec. 10. Photo gallery

MIAMI - After the game, dozens of Armwood football players were sprawled out on the turf at Dolphins Stadium with tears in their eyes.

Junior quarterback Justin Hickman shook his head with tears streaming down his face as coaches tried to console him. Senior placekicker Darren deRochemont, the hero two weeks earlier against Winter Haven, sat on the ground crying with his hands on his forehead.

Armwood had just rallied from a 26-point deficit to give itself a chance at its third Class 4A state title in a row.

Running back Eric Smith scored from three yards out with barely more than a minute left in the game to pull within a touchdown. Then, the Hawks promptly recovered an onside kick, setting up one last shot.

But the final drive stalled, and the Hawks' shot at winning a third straight title, a feat accomplished only seven times in Florida high school history, came to an end. Ponte Vedra Beach Nease ran out the final seconds to preserve a 44-37 victory.

Armwood's players and coaches were faced with something they hadn't dealt with very often in three dominating years: a loss.

"All I'm thinking about right now is next year," Hickman said. "We're going to be back."

The Hawks, who have won 42 of their last 44 games on the field (one game was forfeited), are going to need a lot of new faces to step up to keep it going. Armwood fans can be happy the Hawks will keep their entire backfield next season, but the challenge will be replacing many players on the county's best defense.

The Hawks lose quite a few players from a defense that had an outstanding year. Only defensive linemen Torrey Smith and Sergio Joyner will return from the starting lineup.

Coach Sean Callahan said he'll have no problem cycling in a new batch of players.

"We have a bunch of Armwood-type, big physical players coming in that got a chance to see some playing time this season," Callahan said.

The offense could even get better with Hickman, Smith and fullback Marquis Branton all returning. But they will have to adjust after the offensive line graduates four players this year. Only Josh Uhlarik returns.

The Hawks also need to replace starting receivers Mat Brevi and Lance Tillison.

Armwood loses some key special teams players as well. The Hawks will miss Brevi, the return man who brought back six kicks for touchdowns this season. Strong-legged deRochemont, who kicked a game-winning 35-yard field goal to beat Winter Haven in the playoffs, also graduates.

Callahan doesn't seem to be worried about the turnover. After all, Armwood's two state championship teams had different players from the one that made the title game this season.

"A lot of people are going to look at the number of guys we're losing and think we won't be as good, but that's the way the system is set up," Callahan said. "A lot of these kids don't get to start until they are seniors. I graduate the O-line every year and replace them. I don't think we're going to drop off. We're going to be back."

As far as putting the last three years into perspective, Callahan said he has been keeping himself busy so that he doesn't have time.

"If we had won Saturday, I would have been out trying to raise money for championship rings," Callahan said. "Now that we lost, I still have to send these kids to college. I really haven't had the time to think about it."

"Every day I am just thankful for what we've accomplished."

[Last modified December 15, 2005, 10:05:12]