Nature Coast: Spring football capsule

By Izzy Gould, Times Staff Writer
In print: Friday, May 9, 2008

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Around the North Suncoast in 30 days

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

Nature Coast

Coach: Jamie Joyner (fifth season, 20-21)

Last season: 7-4 (lost 34-13 to North Marion in region quarterfinals)

District: Class 3A-6 (Citrus, Crystal River, Hernando, Lecanto)

Key losses: QB/LB Stephen Pelaez, OL/DL Tim LaRose, OL/DL Brandon Nuby, OL/DL Jacob Myers, OL/DL Jarrod Mason, LB Jimmy Huang, OL/DL J.J. Baker, OL Preston Williams

Who's back: RB Tevin Drake, TE/LB Braddie Ellison, DB Michael Fields, RB/LB Britt Langley, LB/TE Alfredo Lindo, RB/DB Antwan Story, DB Daniel Murray, LB Howard Williams,

OL Chad Dampier, OL Lane Dodson

What's new: Try the offensive line. Every single starter from last year's group is gone. Dampier returns with the most experience after getting four starts last year after injuries to other linemen. The Sharks have Dodson, Jay Feret, Michael Blunt and Jacob Martin penciled in as the other starters to block for the triple-option offense. The other concern is replacing quarterback Pelaez, who was the Sharks' second-leading rusher behind Division I prospect Drake. C.J. Baker has an edge on Andrew Stellpflug for the top spot, and Joyner said he's comfortable with the change after Pelaez brought a smooth transition after the departure of Josh Ortiz last year.

Audible: "(In terms of spring practice and the season ahead), we look pretty good. We're pretty excited about where we are right now. We have some battles going on the offensive line and quarterback, but we're really excited about our defense this year (which returns eight starters)." — Joyner

Did you know?: Sharks sophomore Gary Myrick is 6 feet 4, 238 pounds and runs a 4.83 40-yard dash. He bench-presses 285 pounds and can clean-and-jerk 270 pounds. Myrick was named the top defensive lineman at the National Underclassman Combine in March in Tampa. He played JV last season but was called up toward the end of the year, registering 11/2 sacks and two quarterback hurries against Hernando.

Spring scrimmage:

1 p.m. May 16

2008 schedule

Sept. 5 vs. Dunnellon

Sept. 12 vs.

Springstead

Sept. 26 at Crystal River

Oct. 3 at Pasco

Oct. 10 vs. Lecanto

Oct. 17 vs. South Sumter

Oct. 24 at Citrus

Oct. 31 vs. Hernando

Nov. 7 at Groveland South Lake

Nov. 14 at Central

Izzy Gould,

Times staff writer