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Much-needed respite

After a long, mostly winless season, the bye week gives Crystal River a chance to relax, regroup.

By BRIAN SUMERS
Published October 12, 2006

CRYSTAL RIVER - Justin Rolph glanced at his coach, reclining in his office chair, and saw the three-day old stubble on his chin and bags forming under his eyes.

"He looks like he's going to die," said Rolph, only half joking.

At 29, Anthony Paradiso is feeling his first season of coaching high school football. Though he likes the gig, he knows it is different than being an assistant.

So this week - seven games into the season - is a good time for a bye week, at least for Paradiso.

"I'm tired," Paradiso said. "It starts to wear on you. I have never worked so hard in my life."

For the kids, too, the bye week provides a welcome respite from regular practice.

Crystal River 1-6 had Monday off, and coaches are spending more time teaching fundamentals than preparing for Citrus, the next opponent.

It provides a more relaxed atmosphere.

"We don't have to stress about having a game," Rolph said. "We have time to do stuff."

On Wednesday, the Pirates were lifting weights before practice, something they rarely do during a game week. Then they went outside for a brief workout, which wasn't so easy.

"It's not really a week off," lineman Chris Graden said. "We have been working pretty hard."

Other than Wes Lanier, who is nursing a knee injury, the players are healthy, Paradiso said.

"Morale is really good," Paradiso said. "The kids are focused. Kids are flying around."

Even as the Pirates prepare for their Friday off, the Hurricanes are not far from players' minds.

It has been three seasons since the Pirates defeated Citrus, and the team is ready to pull an upset.

"I've been thinking about it since I got this job," Paradiso said. "Citrus is the defending champion."

So for now, Paradiso will exist on five hours of sleep, hoping his time working on game planning will help the Pirates win the district title.

He's up at 4 most mornings, though he longs for just one more hour in bed.

But Paradiso is building a program, so he tries to ignore the pain.

"I'm starting to feel it," he said. "My body is feeling it."

Nonetheless, Paradiso knows going sleepless is not nearly as bad as getting blown out.

"I don't like losing," he said.

Brian Sumers can be reached at bsumers@sptimes.com or 564-3628.

[Last modified October 11, 2006, 20:21:49]