Plant City

By Bryan Burns
Published August 31, 2007

Extra Credit

Senior offensive lineman Mark Popek is receiving Division I attention after an outstanding performance at a University of South Florida senior showcase over the summer. "He scored 1270 on the SAT and his GPA is 3.7," Kelley said. "Plus, he's 6-7, 300 pounds with good feet. He's not a hard sell." ...Plant City is attempting to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1998-99.

Multiple Choice

Which could account for Plant City's dramatic turnaround last season, when it won its final five games - and a district title - after an 0-5 start?

A) After scoring only 35 points through its first five games, Plant City began to jell offensively and averaged 20 points a game the remainder of the regular season.

B) The defense, which gave up an average of 27 points through its first five games, also improved and allowed fewer than seven points a game the rest of the way.

C) In his first year at the Raiders helm, coach Kevin Kelley needed time to install his schemes and make his mark on the program

D) All of the above

Answer: D. Last season's roller-coaster ride might prompt Kelley to forego a season pass to Busch Gardens, but the second-year coach is expecting a much steadier performance from his team this season. Kelley said this offseason was less about installing his system and more about perfecting it. "We're a little bit ahead of where we were last year because it's the second year of our system," he said.

True-False

The starting quarterback position belongs solely to returning starter Clint Stearns.

Answer: False. Stearns, a junior, will get the majority of the reps behind center, but Kelley is high on junior Cortez Hargrett, a slash-type athlete who also will get playing time at wide receiver. "Both of those guys will get reps," Kelley said. "Stearns is our starter unless something dramatic happens leading up to the first game, and it could. But, certainly we'll have some reps for Cortez. Stearns won't have to be playing badly to come out."

Yes or No

Will Plant City's offense struggle with the graduation of 1,000-yard rusher Jacari Bennett?

Answer: No. While losing Bennett will hurt, Kelley says senior tailback Keith Dawson, who could receive some Division I interest with a standout season, is more than ready to fill the void. Add in junior Sirchauncey Holloway and the Raiders have the makings of a formidable backfield."

Essay

Bloomingdale coach Corey Brinson on Plant City:

"One thing you know about Plant City is they are going to have some athletes. They're always going to have a fast team. They might not always be as physical as some other teams, but they're going to have some speed."

Kelley on the Raiders:

"We were very young last year, and it took us five or six games to learn how to win. We don't have that excuse this year. ...We're a veteran team, so that makes me feel pretty good about us."

Bryan Burns, Times correspondent

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 15:30:48]