'Canes quarterback offers steady influence
New Citrus starter Bradley Paul is known for keeping his cool under center and under pressure.
By DAWN REISS
Published October 13, 2006
INVERNESS - It's official: There's a new starting quarterback at Citrus. His name is Bradley Paul.
He wears No. 10, his second favorite number after his lucky No. 7. He's overly quiet and for most of three years at Citrus, he has spent time on the sideline.
To many, Paul is a virtual unknown. People who don't know him assume his name is backward, that his real first name is Paul, not Bradley. It's a mistake, his mother Susan jokes, doctor's offices still make even after years of visits.
Last year Paul had his first varsity start in a 68-40 loss to Gulf after then-quarterback Walter Howard injured his shoulder. He has seen time this year, a few intermittent plays here and there nearly every game, and has played long snapper. But at the end of a 48-9 loss to South Sumter, Paul showed some potential. After the bye week, Paul started at quarterback in a 23-12 Oct. 6 win against Lake Weir. He completed 9-of-13 for 80 yards and carried seven times for 86, nearly a third of his total offensive production.
For that performance, coach Rik Haines said Paul will get the nod instead of sophomore Cameron West. Tonight, Paul starts in Citrus' Homecoming game against Nature Coast that likely determines the Class 3A-6 winner.
Paul isn't the prototypical quarterback. He is short and stocky at 5 feet 9, 165 pounds. It is something he is acutely aware of after backing up the 6-foot-1 West and 6-foot-5 Howard.
But he loves to run and can charge through defenders.
His teammates like his ability to make quick decisions and his calm presence on the field.
"He's very quiet, he's very humble and he's very patient," his mother said. "I'm excitable with a short fuse, but things don't work him up"
After getting sitting out most of his freshman season with a fracture rib, Paul moved to varsity his sophomore season.
That's when he began watching his dad's homemade videotape, every night after games. His dad has filmed Paul since he started playing Pop Warner at age 8.
There are 65 or so tapes now.
"If he doesn't ask to see videotape in the car ride home," Mark Paul said, "he puts the tape in after he showers and eats when he gets home."
This game is something special for Paul, who is excited to have a chance to start at home.
"Everybody is talking about Nature Coast quarterback Josh Ortiz and how good he is," Paul said. "And I just don't like to talk out loud and say how good I am. I just like to play."
Tonight he'll have an opportunity to prove to everyone what he's all about.
Dawn Reiss can be reached at (352) 860-7303 or dreiss@sptimes.com