Nature Coast Tech

By KELLIE DIXON
Published August 31, 2007

Burning Questions

How will Stephen Pelaez handle the quarterbacking duties?

A little differently than his predecessor, Josh Ortiz. Pelaez, a senior, will bring a different dimension to the option offense because he is a reasonable threat whether pitching, passing or running the ball. In the past, Nature Coast primarily ran the ball. Pelaez improves the Sharks' inside option, which should improve TB Tevin Drake's numbers.

Will Drake have a sophomore slump?

The sophomore tailback wants to rush for 2,000 yards and break as many records as he can. Drake got called up from JV with six varsity games left last season, then averaged more than 140 yards a game and recorded 11 TDs. Drake has improved his strength, conditioning and balance. At the Florida camp, he learned new techniques, like planting his hand if he loses his balance, to help him pick up a few more yards. He showed at Bethune-Cookman's team camp that he can block, which will come in handy with the Sharks' option offense.

Position by Position

Quarterback: Pelaez steps in to replace Ortiz, who signed with Division II Quincy. His backup is Jimmy Huang.

Running back: After racking up 857 yards in a partial season, Drake prepares for his first full varsity season. D.J. Williams and Tadd Govedich will compete for fullback with Britt Langley and Antwan Story occasionally rotating in.

Wide receiver: Starters Mike Fields and Dylan Hagar have improved and complete the Sharks' air attack.

Offensive line: Led by Tim LaRose, who has started every game since his freshman season, the line will be slightly younger. Tight end Braddie Ellison is one to watch.

Defensive line: All but one starter returns on a line that will be led by quick NG Preston Williams and starts Jarrod Mason, D.J. Williams and Brandon Nuby. Consider Nuby the X factor: the Sharks can plug him in anywhere.

Linebacker: Langley and Govedich will be inside, while Pelaez will stay on the outside. Alfredo Lindo, who recorded more than 30 tackles in limited minutes last year, will replace three-year starter Jason Joens at outside linebacker.

Secondary: Huang will be at free safety and Fields at corner. Daniel Murray, the other corner, got beat one time last year for a touchdown and vowed it wouldn't happen again. It didn't.

Kellie Dixon, Times staff writer

Big games

Aug. 31 vs. Dunnellon: Lerentee McCray orally committed to the University of Miami in the spring. The senior linebacker had been waffling between the Hurricanes and some school called the University of Florida. Yeah, he's pretty good. And so is Dunnellon, which has put together a 14-6 record over the past two seasons. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound McCray had 11 sacks as a junior.

Oct. 12 at South Sumter: Sharks coach Jamie Joyner has affectionately referred to the Raiders as "The University of South Sumter," and for good reason. Inman Sherman's squad is a perennial world beater. Last season, the Raiders won nine straight to finish the regular season, then advanced to the Class 2A region finals before running into eventual state champion Jacksonville Bolles. Say this for Nature Coast: It won't be eating many cupcakes in its nondistrict schedule.

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 13:32:52]