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Nature Coast backs gear for battle within the battle

How Eric Williams and Mike Dorsey fare against Gulf will likely determine who will carry the Sharks offense in 2006.

By VINCENT THOMAS
Published August 15, 2006

It was hot and humid outside, and the breeze, which is supposed to bring comfort, brought the stench of manure from the pasture across the street from the field. Yet Eric Williams was smiling.

He was sweating and inhaling lung-tugging breaths -- but smiling. The sophomore running back is a few days away from officially beginning his varsity football career at Nature Coast, and he says he's excited. That excitement, though, is tempered by a bit of anxiety.

"Yeah, I think about it every day," Williams said.

He's speaking of the position battle going on for the starting tailback slot. Williams still doesn't know if he's going to be the Sharks' main ball carrier this season. Neither does his coach Jamie Joyner. Not too far from Williams stood senior Mike Dorsey, the other guy hoping to be Nature Coast's workhorse this season.

Friday, Nature Coast travels to Gulf for its preseason game. Joyner has a list of things he's looking to get out of an otherwise meaningless game. He wants to see how the squad executes. He said he'll be keeping a close eye on penalties. The Sharks will use their defensive performance against Gulf - a pass-oriented squad - to judge how they can approach like-minded squads in the district. But one of the chief goals for the game will be to make a decision about who to start at tailback.

Joyner, quarterback Josh Ortiz and other team members have noted that the Sharks plan to move away from the one-dimensional "run, run, run" offense they featured last season. Joyner even set a goal of 1,500 passing yards for the season. But last month, when speaking about the new offensive philosophy, Joyner made sure to set the record straight: "We're still going to run the ball, though. That will still be our trademark."

Still, it hasn't been decided who Ortiz will be pitching the ball to in the Shark's trademark veer option.

When fall practice began earlier this month, Dorsey said that he and Williams each offer unique qualities.

"Eric is a little quicker than I am, and I'm maybe a little stronger than he is," Dorsey said.

"He's good at running inside, and I'm more of an outside runner," Williams said on Monday. "I'm trying to learn more about running inside."

Williams is also comfortable with the option, since that is what he ran at Parrott Middle School. Dorsey saw spot duty last year on the varsity squad.

The pro-con list is fairly even between the two, so it's incumbent upon one or the other to stand out.

Although it's difficult to sense even an inkling of animosity or distrust between Dorsey and Williams, there is some friendly competition.

"But only on the field, though," Williams said.

On the field, he admits that he tries to beat Dorsey in any drill and to "work harder."

The final showcase will be Friday at Gulf. Joyner says he plans to make his decision after the game, refraining from saying much about either until that point.

For Williams, it'll be time to show and prove. He already knows what he plans to do to make sure he gets the gig.

"Score a couple touchdowns," he said.

Vincent Thomas can be reached at (352) 848-1430 or vthomas@sptimes.com.

What's on tap:

WHAT: Nature Coast at Gulf.

WHEN: 7 p.m.

HOW TO GET THERE: Head south on US-19. Follow US-19 S 22.3 miles. Turn left onto Gulf Drive (0.5 miles). Turn right onto George Street (0.2 miles). Turn left onto School Road (0.1 miles) End at 5355 School Road, New Port Richey, FL 34652.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

1. The performances of the tailbacks. Eric Williams and Mike Dorsey are battling for the position.

2. How will Nature Coast fair against USF-bound quarterback Alton Voss? Teams such as Citrus and Frostproof - teams on the Sharks' schedule - like to pass the ball a lot. This will be a test for the Sharks.

3. Will quarterback Josh Ortiz be rushed and knocked down a lot? The Sharks return their full offensive line, the biggest in the county. Will protection be better this year?

[Last modified August 15, 2006, 06:48:57]