Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Pirates coach in QB's corner

By DAWN REISS and BRIAN SUMERS
Published September 27, 2006

Shay Newcomer does not remind Anthony Paradiso of himself, and that's a good thing.

For starters, Newcomer, Crystal River's quarterback, has started games in both his sophomore and junior seasons. Paradiso, who starred at Orlando Colonial High and won the award for best male athlete in 1995, did not start until his senior year.

That said, Paradiso is proud of his junior quarterback, whom he tutors personally. And though Newcomer has struggled with his completion percentage due largely to dropped passes, the coach never stops complimenting him.

Paradiso likes Newcomer's speed and arm strength, he said.

"He'll never get discouraged with me as a quarterback coach," Paradiso said. "I help him know it's not the end of the world. You have to have a short memory to play quarterback."

If Paradiso does well with Newcomer, he just might get to tutor another family member. Shay's brother, Macon, quarterbacks the junior varsity.

GOING TO USF: What's a football coach to do during a bye week? Cart his players to a USF game. The Bulls host No. 23 Rutgers at 8 p.m. Friday night. Why? "Because," Citrus coach Rik Haines said, "it's fun." It helps that USF donated the tickets.

DOUBLING PRODUCTION: Lecanto more than doubled its total offensive output last week.

Total rushing yards for the season: 187 carries on 489 yards. The amount that came against Central: 62 carries on 292 yards. The Panthers also had one catch for 16 yards in 6-of-36 attempts for a 108-yard total this year.

DOWN FOR THE COUNT: Citrus senior safety/corner back Geoff Blotz broke his collar bone last Friday against South Sumter. Haines said he also pulled quarterback Cameron West after five or six plays after he was hit in the leg. Running back Antoin Scriven did not play after the second half because of cramps.

"The only one that is injured is Geoff Blotz," Haines said. "We have our typical bumps and bruises on Monday and Tuesday."

MUST-WIN: The parents aren't calling Paradiso to complain, but he knows his winless program has some work to do. He would like to start with Friday night at Hernando.

"It's a must-have game for us," he said. "Not so much for the district, just for the program."

At 0-5, the Pirates could finish worse than last season, when they were 2-8. But Paradiso said it is not prudent to think he could turn around the team in one season.

"I've only been here for so long," he said. "I can't expect to come out and be 7-3. But I expect to compete."

Paradiso said he expects his players to learn this season, even if they don't win a game.

"If you can deal with losing at a football game, you can deal with any stress in life," he said.

GIVING IT UP: It's a good thing South Sumter is no longer in Citrus' district, since the 'Canes gave up more than 500 yards last week to the team. Still, Haines is glad the 'Canes played the Raiders since they are the best opponent on the 10-game schedule.

"I thought (we) competed," Haines said. "(We) played hard for 48 minutes keep doing that we'll be fine. We'll get some rewards."

[Last modified September 27, 2006, 06:57:16]