Largo
By JOE SMITH
Published August 31, 2007
A closer look at the Packers Coach: Rick Rodriguez Last year's record: 10-2
Largo coach Rick Rodriguez won't sugar-coat his Packers' style. ¶ They'll run defenses ragged. Then they'll run it again. ¶ Just ask bruising back Brynn Harvey, the Times' 2006 Player of the Year who carried the ball 51 times in a playoff game last season. But with arguably the county's best dual-threat quarterback in senior Leonard Johnson and a couple seasoned receivers, don't be surprised if the Packers air it out (10 passes per game). ¶ Largo, a region quarterfinalist a year ago, is the county's top candidate for advancing in the state playoffs. The key for the Packers is how their rebuilt offensive line shakes out. They've got the county's largest foreign import in OL/DL Billy Peach, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound move-in from Ontario. But will Peach and C Travis Feldman keep the run-happy Packers, well, happy?
Harvey is one of the county's top backs - and workhorses. And now he's faster, running at a 4.4 clip. The 6-foot, 210-pound senior has offers from West Virginia and UCF.
You said one of your favorite hobbies is MySpace. What's your page like?
I started my page a month or so ago and already have 200 friends. It's fun to communicate with people all over. My page is pretty plain, with a few pictures and Keith Sweat music playing.
Which teammate has the best page?
Mario (Goshay). He's got one with money all over him. He kept bragging to me, "I'll have a better page than yours."
How did you feel after that 51-carry night?
I wasn't sore that night, but the next morning I couldn't get out of bed. My legs were killing me so much I had to sit in the tub for a long time.
Any chance you'll repeat the feat?
We'll have to see what the future holds. Can't wait until the season starts.e_SClBWhat's your favorite food?
Jambalaya. My mom (Tiffany) makes the best.
Favorite superhero?
Spiderman
Dream date?
Beyonce.
By the numbers
300 Average rushing yards per game, which came on average of 40 carries (7.5 ypc), for Largo last season.
Did you know?
The Packers' newest import is Billy Peach, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound junior lineman who enrolled in the spring after his family moved from Kingston, Ontario. Peach will have to adjust to a few rule differences; in Ontario, defensive players have to line up at least a yard from the ball and receivers and backs can use Arena Football League-style running starts.
Blast from the past
Former Largo dual-threat quarterback Marcus Paschal was an undrafted free agent, signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. The former Iowa star safety is a solid contender for an Eagles roster spot. The Hawkeyes liked what they saw so much, they've offered Largo QB/DB Leonard Johnson.
Scheduling shocker
Largo and Clearwater will not play each other in a regular-season game for the first time in "probably ever," Clearwater coach Tom Bostic said. The rivals instead played in a preseason classic at Largo. Bostic said it was a mutual decision between him and Largo coach Rick Rodriguez, a former Clearwater defensive coordinator and Bostic's "best friend."
Recruiting trail
Johnson has more than a dozen offers - most recently USF - but some of his favorites so far are Nebraska, Iowa State, Ole Miss and West Virginia. With WVU also offering Harvey, it could be a nice package deal.
Surprise, surprise
While the Packers lost a budding star in junior tailback Kim Howard (758 yards, 10 TDs last season), tailback Desmond Whiting should pick up the slack - and carries - behind Harvey.
Joe Smith, Times staff writer
Check out our new team and player pages at tampabay.com