King

By Brendan Galella
Published August 31, 2007

Multiple Choice

The King defense set a goal of allowing how many points per game?

A) 7 B) 9

C) 10 D) 12

Answer: D. First-year coach Earl Garcia III takes over for Joe Severino after spending two seasons as an assistant with the Lions. During Garcia's first year as defensive line coach, King finished 0-10 while allowing 41.5 points per game. After Garcia was promoted to defensive coordinator, the Lions went 4-6 and held opponents to 16.5 points per game. Garcia said his ideal goal is to allow zero points, but feels 12 per game will put his team in position to win every time.

True-False

King's top running back also boasts the highest GPA on the team.

Answer: True. Donovan Celerin a converted free safety, finished last season as the Lions' most promising rusher. "In three games he went for 350 yards or 400 yards; he's the quickest guy we have," Garcia said. "He's a great all-around kid; off the field he has the highest GPA on the team with a 4.8."

Yes or No

Does King head into the year lacking senior leadership?

Answer: Hardly. Thirteen of the Lions' projected starters are seniors, up from seven each of the past two seasons. Garcia said behind the senior class, a majority of the players taking the field will be freshmen. With the lack of experience, King is a difficult team to predict. "We have a lot of seniors and a lot of freshmen, we don't have a lot in between. It'll be fun to see how that works out," Garcia said.

Essay

Chamberlain coach Billy Turner on King:

"For two or three years I didn't see a lot of improvement and they were getting beaten badly every game. Last year they were a better football team. Coach Garcia seems like a young coach with a lot of enthusiasm, his players seem to respond to him and with new ideas, he should spark a turnaround."

Garcia on the Lions:

"In the past, teams used to see King on the schedule and think it was an automatic win. I'm hoping that isn't the case anymore and this year one of the biggest things we're trying to do is change that perception. We're not real big but physical on defense; we will get after you."

Extra Credit

Senior Daniel Zychlinski is one of the most heavily recruited players in the county, having won the kicking award at football camps in Alabama and Florida. USF is one of the many schools targeting the senior. ... Wide receiver/cornerback Jarrel Livingston is the other highly touted prospect with King.

Brendan Galella, Times correspondent

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 15:22:56]