Wesley Chapel: Spring football capsule

By Izzy Gould, Times Staff Writer
In print: Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Keenan Reynolds

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Last season: 5-5

Spring

scrimmage: May 22

at 12:30 p.m.

2008

schedule

Sept. 5 at

Wiregrass Ranch

Sept. 12 vs.

Land O'Lakes

Sept. 19 vs. Pasco

Sept. 26 at

Hernando

Oct. 3 at

Zephyrhills

Oct. 10 at

Wharton

Oct. 16 vs.

Sunlake

Oct. 24 vs.

Gaither

Nov. 7 at

Mitchell

Nov. 14 vs.

River Ridge

Around the North Suncoast in 30 days

A daily spring preview of every football program on the North Suncoast.

Wesley Chapel

Coach: John Castelamare (ninth season, 56-34)

District: 5A-5 (Gaither, Wharton, Mitchell)

Key losses: QB Greg Jenkins, LB Ray Rouch, DT Charles Vanzandt, OL/DL Micah Terry, C/G Colista Bettis, WR Micah Johnson, WR Trevor Degroot

Who's back: TB Keenan Reynolds, OL/DL Kamran Joyer, FB Hunter Joyer, WR Mitchel Wozniak, TE Chris Charles Pierre, T/DE Patrick Pate, G/C/DT Ray Nixon, QB Chris "C.J." West

What's new: After two years with the versatile and talented Greg Jenkins at quarterback, Castelamare has a battle on his hands. He says the QB competition breaks down into two tiers. There's the battle for the top job, which after just two days of practice involved West, Geoffry Degroot, Joe Licalzi, Mike Vizza and Marcus Crescentini. The winner will lead the Wildcats into August as the frontrunner, which leads Castelamare to believe he'll have a pretty good No. 2, followed by three promising prospects down the road. West has experience playing varsity quarterback, replacing Jenkins when he missed time with a shoulder injury. West didn't fare well, throwing for 241 yards and three interceptions in six games.

Audibles: Castelamare said the Wildcats, known for their Wing-T offense, will run more. "I know a lot of people will laugh when I say that, but we threw a lot with Greg."

Did you know? Pasco County teams do not participate in jamborees or scrimmages so the Wildcats break into squads. Castelamare begins the process a month ahead of time when he splits the team into what he hopes will be two balanced groups. His assistants are divided to coach the teams. They flip a coin to decide the teams and colors. The winner of the coin toss picks the team, the loser picks the color.

Izzy Gould,

Times staff writer