Quarterback's talents no secret to Central

By GREG AUMAN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 23, 2001

It's a shameless plug, but in scouting upcoming opponents, high school coaches can sometimes pick up useful information by reading the newspaper.

Normally, that doesn't include USA Today.

Wednesday's editions had some insight for Central's team, which travels to play St. Petersburg Catholic on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Catholic's quarterback, Chris Davis, was tabbed by the national publication as one of the top 25 players in the country.

"According to some people, he's the best player we'll go up against all year," said Central coach Steve Crognale, whose team has beat Davis in the past two preseasons.

"He did a good job against us, but we were fortunate enough to win the ballgame. They ran a tough option, and he can move."

Crognale is more concerned about his players , though an elusive runner like Davis -- who rushed for 1,530 yards and 18 touchdowns and passed for another 1,580 yards and 20 scores last season -- will give his defense a chance to show it has improved .

"I thought we tackled very poorly in the spring game," Crognale said. "(Davis is) very shifty and gave some of our guys problems last year. It's a real test for us."

Central has one more day of practice before taking the field for the first time, but Hernando and Springstead have preseason dates tonight, eight days before they meet in the regular-season opener.

Hernando plays host to Land O'Lakes at 7, and coach Bill Browning is eager to give his players something new after three weeks of intrasquad drills.

"It gives the players a chance to bang against somebody else," said Browning, who expects his starters to play into the third quarter before giving way to reserves. "After a game like this, we'll have a better grip of how things should be."

Browning will be without a few key players, including sophomore tailback Jagren Castillo, who has not practiced since suffering serious burns in an accident this summer.

Browning said Castillo could return in time for the Springstead game.

That won't be the case for seniors Eric Williams and D.L. Brown, who have opted not to play due to lingering injuries. Williams, a starter at split end and defensive back last year, has been bothered by a neck injury, and Brown, who started games on both sides of the line last year, has not been cleared by doctors. Browning would not elaborate on his injury.

With Williams out, Browning is hoping to see promise tonight from at least one of four receivers: basketball players Joel Steele and Brian Norris, and Greg Kirby and Mozell Elder.

"We are waiting for a wideout to step forward," Browning said.

Springstead will only play one half at 6:30 against Wesley Chapel as part of a six-team jamboree at River Ridge, and while coach Bill Vonada said the scrimmage is important, it isn't anything to get too concerned about.

"Our players know it's a practice with game uniforms on," Vonada said. "We'll make sure everybody's lined up right and working on fundamentals. Wesley Chapel has a real good team, so they should be a great measuring stick for us."

Vonada said his biggest concerns relate to his team's depth, so he'll be rotating as many players as possible. Seniors Brian Bolcar and Everet Simmons are competing for the starting quarterback job, and while Bolcar will start tonight, Vonada said both will see plenty of snaps.

He's also interested in seeing the Eagles' younger players in a game. The roster includes four freshmen, and Vonada has been impressed by pass-rusher John Hardy.

"We've got a couple of good defensive ends here, but he's staying right in there with them," Vonada said.

All three teams open the season Aug. 31, with Central traveling to face Citrus and Hernando playing host to Springstead.

If you go

HERNANDO VS. LAND O'LAKES: Tom Fisher Stadium, Brooksville. From U.S. 41 north of Brooksville, turn right on Howell Avenue. Stadium will be about 1 mile on the left.

CENTRAL AT ST. PETERSBURG CATHOLIC: From Brooksville, take State Road 50 to Interstate 75. Take the interstate south 27 miles to Interstate 275 and go across Tampa Bay. Take Exit 11 (SR 595/Fifth Ave.) and turn right at the fork in the ramp. Go north 31/2 miles and turn right on Tyrone Boulevard, then left on Ninth Avenue.

SPRINGSTEAD AT RIVER RIDGE JAMBOREE: Jim Valentine Athletic Complex, New Port Richey. From Brooksville, take U.S. 41 south to State Road 52. Turn right and take 52 west 6 miles to Moon Lake Road. Take a left and go 8 miles. The road curves into Ridge Road, then turn south at River Ridge Boulevard. After 1 mile, turn east on Town Center Road. The school is 11/2 miles down, at the end of the road.

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