'Round the County in 30 Days: Tampa Bay Tech

By JOEY KNIGHT
Published May 22, 2007

Coach: Corries "C.C." Culpepper (first season)

2006 record: 0-10

District opponents: Armwood, Freedom, Middleton, Hillsborough

Jamboree result: Tied King, 0-0

Who's gone: OL/DL Malcolm Martinez

Who's back: LB Delon Thomas, QB/RB Mario Tucker, CB/RB/KR Antonio Wallace

What's new: Most of the coaching staff. Culpepper, a former Armwood assistant who served as the Titans' defensive coordinator last season, replaces Clarence Higdon, who was fired after one year. If numbers are any sign, Culpepper's efforts to reinvigorate one of the county's most abysmal programs are off to a strong start. Of the 71 players who began spring drills, only 10 didn't finish. Culpepper will design his ball-control offense around Tucker, a muscular, mobile senior whom Culpepper says squatted 610 pounds two weeks before spring practice. Tucker ran double-wing and wing-T formations in Friday's jamboree. "He's a little bit of Ricky Williams, a little bit of Michael Vick, " Culpepper said. He'll have to be more of the latter than the former, considering TBT's offensive line could feature up to four sophomores.

Audibles: "I can promise you this - this is not the old Tampa Bay Tech." - Culpepper

Did you know?: The Titans have dropped their last 21 regular-season games. ...Among those on Culpepper's staff are former Brandon coach and Armwood assistant Ernest Hayes, and ex-Hawks safety Jeremy Carver

Schedule: Aug. 24: Plant City (kickoff classic); Aug. 31: Bloomingdale; Sept. 7: at Leto; Sept. 14: Sickles; Sept. 21: Freedom; Sept. 28: at Spoto; Oct. 5: Armwood; Oct. 12: Lennard; Oct. 26: at Middleton; Nov. 2: at Hillsborough; Nov. 9: at King

Joey Knight, Times staff writer

[Last modified May 22, 2007, 11:12:26]