Job awaits Zuckerman

By JOHN C. COTEY, KEVIN KELLY and JAMAL THALJI

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 3, 2000

HUDSON -- Roger Zuckerman, a tight end and linebacker for Hudson last season, will sign a letter-of-intent Friday to play at West Liberty College, Cobras coach Terry Voyles said.

Zuckerman will get a partial scholarship with the northern West Virginia school, which went 8-2 in Division II last season. Coaches there told Voyles they think Zuckerman, who is 6-feet-2 and 220 pounds, can play right away.

"They already gave him a number," Voyles said. "They are really excited. They feel like he could be playing for them next year, and I think he could, too."

Zuckerman was a first-team pick for the Sunshine Athletic Conference the past two years and for the Times All-Pasco County team in 1999. He also was picked to the District 8 Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star team.

Voyles said Zuckerman had a better offer from another small college, but the chance to play with teammate James Daley, who signed with West Liberty last month, was too tempting to pass up. The Cobras will try to be roommates in the fall.

HAPPY CAMPER: Camp DeGennaro opened Monday at River Ridge, and Pasco County's newest football coach found himself blessed.

He had perfect weather and the best attendance in the county (about 57 kids were in camp for spring football), and what an eager, attentive group it was.

New Royal Knights coach Mike DeGennaro, a former assistant promoted last month, was ecstatic about his first days in camp.

"It's great," he said. "The kids are working hard, the weather is great, and we've got a lot of learning going on."

Expectations are high at River Ridge, which returns seven starters on offense and seven on defense from last year's 7-3 team, which fell just short of an at-large playoff berth.

Tim Dare returns at quarterback, as do fullback Mike Tubolino, halfback Todd Sabian and wingback Jesse Hollihan. Linebackers Jeff Janus and Chris Robinson also return to bolster the defense.

DeGennaro needs to fill holes at wideout and kicker, with Jason Bingham gone. Receivers Andrew Alwood and James Breen are returning staters, and taking over kicking duties will be soccer standout Paul Clapson, back from England, who has never played football.

NEW START: With a 35-game losing streak no longer a concern, Ridgewood opened spring practice Monday with more than 50 players in attendance and a new perspective.

"The kids seem excited to me," coach Wayne Parzik said. "We had quite a good turnout."

For the first three days of practice, the Rams primarily will be testing players in the 40-yard dash, the mile run, vertical and horizontal jump and bench press.

"We won't put our whole package in in the spring," Parzik said. "We're trying to create some enthusiasm and see who we can count on during the season."

On Monday, Parzik was impressed by senior-to-be Robert Coghlan, who ran a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash; offensive lineman Nari Hajian; and junior-to-be Dustin Valentine, who will play fullback or wingback.

"He's really shining," Parzik said of Valentine. "His strength is really up and he's working really hard. He did a 375-pound squat (Monday)."

TOEING THE LINE: Gulf coach Keith Newton is in search of a few good linemen.

The Buccaneers graduated four offensive starters, tackles Earl Vaughn and Tommy Lestos and guards Jason McCue and Gary Blackman, from a team that finished 2-8 last year.

"We're going to spend some good time filling voids," Newton said. "We're not real, real big but we're not real, real little either."

Fifty-eight players showed for the first day of practice, about six fewer than signed up. Newton singled a group of seniors-to-be -- quarterback Paul Krisanda, guard Donnie Sindelar, running back Sidney Gibbs and wide receiver Nelson Rodriguez -- as key returnees.

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