Haines City HS Football Preview

[E.T.]

Published Thursday, August 26, 2004

Young Hornets Must Learn Quickly

By Donna Fellows

Ledger Correspondent

HAINES CITY

This year appears to be another rebuilding season for Haines City High School's football program.

The Hornets have gone 5-15 over the past two years under head coach Pat Herrington, and this year looks to bring more of the same.

"We've been rebuilding," said Herrington of his tenure leading the green and white. "The two years that I've been here, we've been decimated by the number of seniors we lose."

This year is no exception.

"We lost 19 seniors off that team last year," Herrington said.

In addition to losing a huge chunk of their team to graduation, the Hornets have to harness raw talent and teach fundamental football.

"We only pulled up one player off our entire JV team," said Herrington, noting that he has to use some inexperienced incoming freshman on varsity in efforts to fill the many voids left open on this season's roster.

Only four Hornets starters are returning this year. On offense, junior quarterback Theo Gray will join senior linemen Steve Conoly and Mike Byrd as the only familiar faces driving down the field. Sophomore defensive back Barry Estiverne is the lone defensive returnee.

Gray improved with practically every game last season and will need to continue to do so this year if he is to successfully lead his offense to the end zone.

"It's a whole new group of receivers that Theo is throwing to," Herrington said. "Theo has got to get used to the timing."

In his first full season as starter, Gray will have to adapt to his receivers' slower speeds and inexperience.

"The timing is getting better," said Herrington, optimistic that practice will improve on the progress being made by the combination during mini-camp. "Hopefully (it will be better) by the classic (vs. Fort Meade). It's a good game to start with."

With a strong offensive line and a solid running game, Gray and his receivers should have time to find their rhythm.

The inexperience of the Hornets' defense, however, will be a tough obstacle to overcome.

"The key is going to be the linebackers," Herrington said. "We're very inexperienced there. We're trying different things to accommodate their inexperience and give them some confidence. The more confidence we get, the better."

With the first three regular-season games coming against opponents they lost to last season by a combined score of 68-15, the Hornets definitely have a tough road ahead of them.

"We're going to work hard and try to get some wins," Herrington said. "I hope we can just put it all together these first three weeks."

HORNETS

Coach: Pat Herrington (3rd year, 5-15)

2003 record: 4-6.

Last time in playoffs: 2000, lost to Armwood, 28-21, in regional final.

School colors: Kelly green and white.

Class, District: Class 4A, District 8.

Homefield: Joe Stangry Stadium.

Coaching staff: Pete Barber (AHC), Olin Gee (LB), Merv Stewart (DL), Greg Pritchett (WR), Dan Jones (OL), Dave Mead (JVHC).

Returning offensive starters: QB Theo Gray (6-0, 170 Jr.), OL Steve Conoly (6-3, 285 Sr.), OL Mike Byrd (6-2, 240 Sr.).

Returning defensive starters: DB Barry Estiverne (5-8, 170 So.).

Remaining roster: RB Kendall Berry (6-0, 170, Fr.), DB Jarvis Alston (6-0, 170, So.), RB Garry Howard (5-10, 175, Jr.), LB Ron Williams (5-7, 165, Jr.), LB Derrick Greer (5-7, 165, So.), RB Julius Davis (6-0, 185, Jr.), S Ro Marks (6-2, 180, Jr.), DB Daniel James (6-0, 170, Jr.), K Kyle Mahlan (5-5, 155, So.), WR Darris Maze (5-6, 160, So.), DB Rashad Upshaw (5-8, 165, Jr.), LB Jeff Gissendaner (5-9, 180, So.), DB Chris Daniels (5-10, 160, Jr.), LB Maurice Snow (6-3, 200, So.), OL Maurice Herring (5-9, 285, Jr.), LB Arthur Gray (5-9, 285, So.), OL Trai White (6-5, 280, So.), OL Troy White (6-5, 285, So.), OL Christian Rivera (5-10, 215, Fr.), DL Jah Reid (6-7, 350, So.), WR Greg Kavis (5-9, 175, Jr.), DL Walter Broaders (6-2, 215, So.)

Key game: Sept. 17 vs. Auburndale.

Forecast: 4-6.

2003 Results (4-6)

Bartow L, 0-25

Evans L, 6-20

Auburndale L, 9-23

Poinciana W, 37-0

Lake Gibson W, 17-14

Geo. Jenkins W, 31-30

Winter Haven W, 27-0

Kathleen L, 7-37

Lake Region L, 21-27

Lake Wales L, 7-21

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