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St. Petersburg
By JOE SMITH
Published August 31, 2007
A closer look at the Green Devils Coach: Joe Fabrizio (second season) Last year's record: 4-7
The Green Devils have a big hole to fill up front, with two-way star lineman Lawon Scott moving on to Ole Miss. ¶ Nature Coast ran all over them in a 21-7 spring classic victory, and the Green Devils' schedule won't get any easier to start the season (Northeast, East Lake, Countryside and Largo in the first four games). ¶ However, their Wing-T offense could be supplied with a spark. Senior quarterback Robert Lemon has looked sharp, and he'll hand off to bruising back Tae Jones early and often. ¶ But to earn their second straight playoff berth, they'll need big things from their defensive line, which Lemon said "could be one of the best in the county." ¶ The Green Devils' first four games should tell them plenty.
Lemon, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound quarterback, is capable of becoming a dual threat under center. He has improved his presence in the pocket, Fabrizio says, and will need to fill a leadership role as well.
What are your hobbies outside of football?
I like to bowl every other weekend. I'm pretty good I'd say; there's probably a couple guys on the team that could beat me. ...I'm around 165 (average).
What's typically on your iPod?
Probably R&B, hip-hop, country, gospel. A little bit of everything.
You go on MySpace a lot?
Nah, I never really deal with that. A lot of my teammates do though.
How about YouTube?
I've been on there a few times. A few of my friends tell me to check out some videos, some highlights and stuff.
What kind of job do you want to pursue after school?
Sports medicine or physical therapy - possibly a trainer. I wanted to be a pharmacist, but didn't want to spend that many years in school.
What's the best food joint in St. Pete?
My favorite is this little place by my house, Original Bills. They'll serve you anything you want.
Your favorite TV show?
Good Times (laughs). I love J.J.
By the numbers
1984 Last time the Green Devils won a playoff game. They made it to the postseason last year before running into a buzz saw in Dunedin.
Did you know?
Bruising back Tae Jones has bulked up with his summer job. Jones worked construction by day, then would do football workouts as well. Said coach Joe Fabrizio: "He's built like a Mack truck."
Blast from the past
Former star lineman Lawon Scott, above, now a freshman at Ole Miss, did his due diligence before signing with the Rebels. On consecutive weekends, Scott and his mother, Brenda Williams, drove from St. Petersburg to North Carolina to South Carolina and to Oxford, Miss., putting about 4,000 miles on their family SUV.
Bowl bonding
The Green Devils tried to become a tighter group this summer, taking several trips to the bowling alley.
Surprise, surprise
DT Tejay Brown will have to help make up for the loss of Scott, a one-man wrecking crew. QB Robert Lemon, however, believes the D-line is the Green Devils strength: "I believe we'll have the best (D-line) in the county this season."
Joe Smith, Times staff writer
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[Last modified August 29, 2007, 14:51:52]
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