Preps

Football: Crusaders embrace identity

The once-dominant program is now hoping to surprise some people.

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published November 28, 2007

TAMPA - Eric Gerken has a pretty good idea what people across the state think when they see Tampa Catholic listed as one of the remaining teams in the Class 2A playoff bracket.

"They're saying, 'Who are these guys?' " said Gerken, a Crusaders receiver.

That's a far cry from the mid-1990s. Back then, it seemed as if everyone knew about TC.

At the time, the Crusaders had a star-studded lineup that included, among others, the record-setting duo of Kenny Kelly and Darrell Jackson. Kelly, a quarterback who later played for Miami, and Jackson, a wide receiver who signed with Florida and is now in the NFL, were part of a group that produced 11 Division I-A recruits over a two-year period and reached the third round of the 1995 playoffs.

"It was a great group," said Bob Henriquez, the Crusaders coach then and now.

TC of today, which is 10-2 and plays at Miami Archbishop Carroll on Friday in the state semifinals, lacks that type of star power, but the Crusaders seem to have just about everything else.

"This is not a team of superstars," Henriquez said. "(The teams in the '90s) had great players, but I think we have a better supporting cast now. There's less of a dropoff after the top players. Those teams had 32 to 35 guys. We have 50 today. We have a lot of good football players. I think anybody who gives these kids a chance will find out that they're competitors."

Anonymity doesn't seem to bother TC. In fact, some players see it as a badge of honor.

"I think not having superstars is our strength because we all play together," quarterback Christian Green said. "Everybody takes responsibility to play as a team."

Because of that, Henriquez said he believes this group compares favorably to TC's more famous group. In fact, he said, if they had a chance to play each other, it likely would be close.

"It would be a heck of a game," Henriquez said.

Tampa Catholic

Then ...

QB: Kenny Kelly (1994-96): Passed for 7,949 yards and 75 TDs before signing with Miami.

RB: T.J. Hines (1993-96): All-state player who signed with South Carolina was 1,000-yard rusher.

WR: Darrell Jackson (1994-96): Florida signee had 191 career receptions for 4,594 yards and 50 TDs.

DL: Quincy Hipps (1994-95): Times Player of the Year and Miami signee totaled 108 tackles and 281/2 sacks.

Now ...

QB: Christian Green, So.: 109 of 168, 1,252 yards, 13 TDs

Says coach Bob Henriquez: "He's sort of like Kenny and Darrell wrapped into one."

RB: Drew Zink, Sr.: 176 carries, 951, 5 TDs

Says coach Bob Henriquez: "For a 180-pounder, he runs like he's 220."

WR: Eric Gerken, Sr.: 37 catches, 501 yards, 8 TDs

Says coach Bob Henriquez: "He's very athletic and has great toughness."

DL: Marco Mendoza, Sr.,: 57 tackles, 20 sacks

Says coach Bob Henriquez: "He has a tremendous motor and is a gifted pass rusher."

[Last modified November 27, 2007, 22:57:40]