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A coming-out party

A year after mostly handing off, Chris Davis has shined in leading SPC into the playoffs.

By PETE YOUNG

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 17, 2000

The LaBelle football staff hasn't been monitored this week, so this is just an exercise in speculation. But it's safe to say Chris Davis has caused the defensive coaches at the Hendry County school to lose lots of sleep the past few days.

And perhaps tear out chunks of the their hair. And mumble to themselves. And break out in a cold sweat. Or hives. Or both.

Davis, the St. Petersburg Catholic quarterback, is a defensive coordinator's worst nightmare because the only thing predictable about him is you can't predict what he will do.

When the Barons (7-3) swapped game tape with LaBelle (6-4), who they host tonight in a Class 2A first-round playoff game, they handed over a horror flick.

Prepare to defend Davis? Ha! Good luck. The junior is a vapor, a darting, juking, cutting, accelerating dynamo with a strong and accurate arm who is gushing with football instincts.

"I've coached in high school for 12 years, and he's as talented as anyone," SPC coach Dan Mancuso said. "I watched (former Dixie Hollins and current South Florida quarterback) Marquel Blackwell, and Chris is better than he was at this stage."

In 10 games, the 5-foot-11, 170-pounder has thrown for 1,446 yards, completing 74 of 137 passes (54.0 percent) with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also is the county's second-leading rusher with 1,396 yards on 133 carries (10.5 average) and 16 touchdowns. Amazingly, Davis averages more than 10 yards per play passing and rushing. He's a first down machine, a wellspring of production.

Davis was the starting quarterback last season, but with star senior running back Eric Jelks in the backfield, Davis mostly handed the ball off, and Jelks ended up as the county's leading rusher.

Davis' talent was obvious, however, and Mancuso designed the offense around him this season. The results have been sensational. Davis has guided the Barons to 422.6 yards (the most in the county) and 32.5 points a game, and he has garnered the attention of major college scouts.

Coaches from Boston College, Georgia, South Florida and Oklahoma have told Mancuso that Davis is one of their top recruiting targets for next year. Though he stands a few inches shorter than the standard Division I quarterback and can play all of the skill positions, Mancuso said most colleges are interested in him as a quarterback.

"This year, we pass more, and we've opened things up more. So it's given me the opportunity to do a lot of things," said Davis, who also is on the Barons' basketball team. "I'll play any position, though.

"I just love playing the game. I've been playing my whole life. I have a passion for it. I eat and sleep football."

As a freshman, Davis attended Osceola, where he said he had poor grades and didn't play. Now in his second year at SPC, Davis says his grades have picked up significantly due to extra effort and increased tutoring. And his success on the field is no surprise to those who followed his youth football exploits -- though not everyone did.

"I asked, "Who is he?' And people said, "Are you crazy? You don't know who he is?"' Mancuso said. "He's even better than what I had heard.

"Chris also is a very humble kid, very polite. He's very respectful. There are a lot of kids out there who think, "Me, me, me.' Chris is just a really super, humble kid."

Tonight, Davis and the Barons hope to dispatch LaBelle and start a playoff run.

"I think we have the potential to go all the way," Davis said.

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