Kathleen HS Football Preview

[E.T.]

Published Thursday, August 26, 2004

Red Devils Will Contend for Title

By Roy Fuoco

The Ledger

roy.fuoco@theledger.com

LAKELAND

For much of the 1990s, one word seemed to describe Kathleen -- underachieving. Having such standouts as Freddie Mitchell or Desmond Clark didn't translate into W's on Friday nights.

Richard Tate has changed all that. Entering his fifth year as head coach, Tate has built the Red Devils into one of the elite teams in Polk County.

Kathleen went undefeated in the regular season last year, won a thrilling shootout over Seabreeze in its first playoff game since 1992 and lost by just five points to eventual state champion Pace.

Now the challenge for Tate and the Red Devils is staying on top.

The good news for Kathleen fans in that regard is if that old cliche is true -- defense wins championships -- then the Red Devils are well on their way to remaining on top.

Kathleen returns eight starters on a defense that was the best in the county last year. Consider these stats:

The Red Devils allowed no more than 14 points in 10 of 11 games, including nine or fewer five times.

The Red Devils held the county's top running backs to well below their average. For example, Lake Gibson's Travis Buford ran for minus-1 yard, Auburndale's Chubb Small managed just 25 yards and George Jenkins' Tyease Thompson had just 41 yards. All were 1,000-yard rushers. In fact, Buford and Thompson went over the 2,000-yard mark.

There's no reason to think that this domination won't continue this season. Albert McClellan and Darrell Lake form the best defensive end combo in the county.

Both are athletic, strong and fast. Tyrell Robinson returns at defensive tackle.

The linebackers are even stronger. Trent Newton is one of the hardest hitters in the county, and with Scotty Bryant and Ed Taylor, form one of the county's elite squads.

Tate again expects the defense to set the tone this season. Last year, the unit became stronger and stronger each game.

"With each game, you could feel the momentum growing," Tate said. "We were going to be in every football game."

There's no doubt the defense led the team early.

Kathleen averaged 19.3 points per game in the first six games before becoming more explosive in the final five (37.0 ppg).

Yet, despite not putting up a lot of points in the early games, Kathleen's offense was more effective than the numbers suggest.

A strong running game led by Marcus Okobi (1,343 yards) allowed Kathleen to be a ball-control team that could move the ball up and down the field.

Despite returning just Okobi, offensive lineman Jimmie Andrews and wide receiver Gerald Duffey as starters, Tate expects that to continue this year.

The Red Devils also return quarterback Antoine McRoy, who was a part-time starter as a sophomore and started two games last season as a junior.

"We're a blue-collar football team," Tate said. "We play physical, hard-nosed football. That's who we are."

RED DEVILS

Coach: Richard Tate (4 years, 18-23).

2003 record: 10-1, district champion.

Last time in playoffs: 2003, lost to Miami Monsignor Pace, 14-9, in regional semifinals.

School colors: Red and white.

Class, District: Class 3A, District 14.

Homefield: Johnny Johnson Stadium.

Coaching staff: Robert Tate (QB), Dale Fryzell (DB), Irving Strickland (RB), Kent McAllister (DL), Charlie Coker (OL), Andre Shaw (WR), Reed Pomeroy (ST), Chris Campbell (JV), Steven Greenwood (JV).

Returning offensive starters: RB Marcus Okobi (6-0, 195, Sr.), OL Jimmie Andrews (5-11, 290, Jr.), WR Gerald Duffy (6-0, 180, Sr.), K Clint Slappey (Sr.).

Returning defensive starters: DE Albert McClellan (6-2, 230, Sr.), DT Tyrell Robinson (6-3, 250, Sr.), DE Darrell Lake (6-3, 250, Sr.), LB Trent Newton (6-1, 195, Sr.), LB Scott Bryant (5-11, 190, Jr.), LB Ed Taylor (5-10, 185, Sr.), Ronnie Callaway (5-9, 165, Sr.), DB Antwan Nelson (5-8, 170, Sr.).

Remaining roster: QB Antwan Murray (So.), RB Mondrell Lathan (So.), RB R.J. Island (Sr.), QB Antoine McRoy (Sr.), DB Donnell Moore (Jr.), DL Victory Cason (So.), WR Adrian Smith (Jr.), WR Brandon Davis (Jr.), LB Antonyio Turner (Sr.), DB Ahmad Black (So.), RB Darell Henley (Jr.), DB William Wallace (Jr.), TE Trevaughn Hargrett (Jr.), DB Le'Var Thomas (Jr.), LB Jeremy Edinger (Jr.), DB Sonny Greenwood (Sr.), DB Bobby Paulk (Sr.), DL Chase Masters (Sr.), DB Ervin Thomas (Jr.), DL Demetrius Wilson (Sr.), OL Zach Garcia (Jr.), DL Sylvester Buford (So.), OL Ja'Michael Highsmith (Jr.), Malcolm Williams (Jr.), OL Taylor Tate (Jr.), OL Guy LaLonde (So.), OL Lester Riddick (Sr.), OL Cody Jarrett (So.), OL Devone Williams (So.), Dillion Harris (Jr.), WR Romie Graham (Jr.), WR Kenneth Bess (Sr.), TE Joey Porter (Sr.).

Key game: Nov. 5 vs. Lakeland.

Forecast: 9-1.

2003 Results (10-1)

Lake Gibson W, 13-7

Geo. Jenkins W, 27-14

Evangel W, 21-13

Auburndale W, 13-9

Bartow W, 21-0

Lake Region W, 21-14

Lake Wales W, 42-14

Haines City W, 37-7

Celebration W, 42-0

*Seabreeze W, 55-49

*Pace L, 9-14

*Playoffs

[smazza]

pace must have had a good team