St. Petersburg Catholic: Pinellas Progress report

Over the next couple of weeks, the Times will offer a comprehensive report on each football team and its progress during spring practice.

By JOE SMITH
Published June 8, 2007

Coach: Tod Creneti (first year)

2006 record: 5-5

Key losses: RB/DB Jock Sanders, WR Andrew Harris, OL Elvis Fisher, OL/DL Devon Turner; NT Shawn Nicholson, QB Dave Girardi, LB Noah Hughes

Key returners: LB A.J. Butler, WR/DB Darin Hess, QB Kevin Tapp

Spring skinny: There was a sense of optimism and feelings of a fresh start at practices, with players saying they're buying into Creneti and his schemes. SPC graduated a handful of Division I players, including most of their skill position guys, but the cupboard is far from bare. Creneti, a former quarterback, loves to pass, and the Barons will throw "around 30 times a game, " Hess said. SPC has to replace several starters up front, one of its biggest challenges.

Gamebreaker: Hess. The 6-3, 205-pound senior-to-be suffered a slight tear in his left anterior cruciate ligament in spring practice. But Hess is expected to be ready for the fall, when his speed at running back, wide receiver and defensive end will be huge.

Key question: Will SPC be eligible for the postseason? The FHSAA board of directors denied (7-6 vote) the school's appeal of the remaining two years of the postseason ban. But FHSAA commissioner John Stewart can lessen the penalties in a ruling expected in August.

Schedule: Aug. 31: Orlando Lake Highland Prep; Sept. 7: Jacksonville Trinity Christian; Sept. 14: at Jesuit; Sept. 21: at Lennard; Sept. 28: Cardinal Mooney; Oct. 5: at Tampa Catholic; Oct. 12: Clearwater Central Catholic; Oct. 19: Bishop Verot; Oct. 26: at Mulberry; Nov. 2: Lake Placid.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

[Last modified June 7, 2007, 21:23:49]