Spring football practice under way
Taking an early look at some of the local high school teams
It’s that time of year once again when high school football programs get an early look at what they can expect to put out on the field in the upcoming season.
Squads from around the county have hit the field for the short spring football season, with each team playing one game at the end of the month.
The Breeze will highlight West Zone and other local teams throughout the spring to give fans an early look at their favorites. We asked each head coach a series of questions on what they expect from their program.
Bishop Verot High School
Head coach: John Mohring
2020 record: 6-5, earned first round bye and lost in the quarterfinals to Berkeley Prep
As a coach, what opportunities does Spring Football give you and your staff when it comes to assessment?
“Spring football is a great time to evaluate our young talent, and drill our fundamentals. We have some new coaches on staff, so getting them acquainted with how we do things here is just as important.”
How are you looking to improve the program from last season?
“We lost a big senior class, so we need some underclassman to step up and fill those roles. We may have to adjust our scheme on O & D to give our kids the best chance to succeed.”
Biggest focus this upcoming season?
“Our biggest focus this off season is on discipline and accountability. We’ve been great to this point, but those two things we believe will help us limit penalties and keep games close, with a chance to win all of them.”
How will you take this time to work to build towards the fall?
“We are very organized. Our staff has been working all offseason on installations and film study. We started Saturday and that was the best 1st practice we’ve had since I’ve been at Verot. This group is dialed in with something to prove this year.”
Players to watch:
Chris Graves — Defensive back (Sr.)
David Portu — Defensive line (Sr.)
Austin Redd — Linebacker (Sr.)
Wyatt Whalen — Offensive line (Jr.)
Joe Lentine — Offensive line (Sr.)
Bruce Thompson — Defensive line (Sr.)
Charlie Powell — Noseguard (Sr.)
Ethan Bruehl — Defensive back (Sr.)
Andrew Kelton — Running back (Jr.)
Jeremiah Dean — Athlete (So.)
Island Coast High School
Head coach: Elgin Hicks
2020 record: 6-4, won two playoff games with wins over Golden Gate and South Fort Myers. Lost to Dunbar in the 6A quarterfinals.
As a coach, what opportunities does Spring Football give you and your staff when it comes to assessment?
“When it comes to Spring Football, we as coaches get an opportunity to see how much bigger, stronger and faster the players have become. It gives us the ability to teach a ton of technique, and go back to the basics and fundamentals.”
How are you looking to improve the program from last season?
“Of course, we want to win more games and make it further in the postseason. Most importantly, continue to improve off the field and in the classroom. We just need to get mentally tougher and be more efficient with our assignments.”
Biggest focus this upcoming season.
“We need to continue to play good, solid, aggressive defense and get more offensive production generated. We need to do a better job at getting our playmakers in space and let them do what they do, and that’s make plays.”
How will you take this time to work to build towards the fall?
“We just need to stay healthy, avoid the injury bug, and have a very productive summer. We have to continue to get bigger, stronger and faster throughout the summer. We are working on fundamentals now and really analyzing … who can make an impact for us? The coaches are putting a real emphasis on assignments and accountability. We added a new offensive line coach Keyshawn McLeod, he brings a ton of experience and youthfulness to that position.”
Players to watch:
Keon Anderson — Running back, linebacker, defensive end (Sr.)
Kelton Henderson — Running back, wide receiver, cornerback, free safety (Jr.)
Dekarai Allen — Running back, strong safety, outside linebacker, Slot (Sr.)
Aiden Parilli — Middle linebacker (Sr.)
Trey Reid — Defensive line, offensive line (Sr.)
Kaiden Monarrez — Offensive line, defensive line (Sr.)
Ray Ray Ayala — Cornerback, wide receiver (Sr.)
Jake Mueller — Quarterback, tight end, linebacker (Jr.)
Isaiah Davis — Quarterback (Sr.)
Christian Parilli — Wide receiver, cornerback, free safety (So.)
Glenn Green — Strong safety, outside linebacker, wide receiver (Jr.)
Jovanni Lopez — Offensive line, defensive line (So.)
Emmanuel Laguerre — Defensive end, outside linebacker, tight end (Jr.)
Mariner High School
Head coach: Josh Nicholson
2020 record: 3-5
As a coach, what opportunities does Spring Football give you and your staff when it comes to assessment?
“For us, spring football is a great opportunity to evaluate the returning players, work on new systems, and focus on the fundamentals of football.”
How are you looking to improve the program from last season?
“We are focusing on improving our passing efficiency and simplifying our systems so our athletes can play with confidence and speed.”
Biggest focus this upcoming season?
“By simplifying our offensive and defensive systems we will be able to focus our time and energy developing the fundamentals of the game, such as blocking and tackling. We strive to enable our players to play fast and physical football in all phases of the game.”
How will you take this time to work to build towards the fall?
“We will compete and work to improve every day with the goal of being at our best when the fall season kicks off in August.”
Players to watch:
Jacob Manning — Wingback, safety (Sr.)
David Parada — Guard, outside linebacker, (Sr.)
Dylan Garner — Quarterback (Sr.)
Ashton Devitt — Running back, linebacker (Sr.),
Alex Portier — Cornerback, wingback (Sr.)
Guil Moura — Wingback, linebacker ()
Justin Lewis — Wide receiver, safety (So.)
— Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj
To reach CJ HADDAD , please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com