Blake: Spring football capsule

By Keith Niebuhr, Times Staff Writer
In print: Friday, May 9, 2008

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Around the county in 30 days

A daily spring preview of every football program in the county.

Blake

Coach: Sean Washington (fourth

season, 9-21)

Last season: 2-8 (1-2 in district)

District: Class 4A-10 (Jefferson, Leto, Plant)

Key losses: OL/DL Dontae Davis, P/PK Lucas Ferryra, RB Willie Hopps, OL Brandon Jennings, OL Vittorio Ottanelli

Who's back: DB Demetrius Delvin, DE Jeremy Green, QB Mike McFarland, RB T.J. Mutcherson, DE Montrey Pride

What's new: The offense. The Yellow Jackets have scrapped the wing-T in favor of the spread. That means you're going to see Blake throwing quite a bit more this fall. The change was made because Washington thinks it will better utilize the Yellow Jackets' speed and athleticism. McFarland, who started 2007 at tight end before taking over under center midseason, will run the show. He's a 6-foot-6, 225-pound rising junior who Washington thinks is more than capable of directing a formidable attack. Receiver John Chandler and slot back Michael Hankerson are expected to be McFarland's top targets.

Audible: "We've got to put pressure (on opposing defenses). Instead of putting eight or nine guys in the box against us, we're going to make them defend the pass." — Washington

Did you know?: Washington is a close friend of Miami Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon. The two grew up in the Liberty City section of Miami and attended elementary school together.

Spring game

May 22 vs. Plant (at Jefferson)

2008 schedule

Sept. 5 at Jesuit

Sept. 12 vs. Plant City

Sept. 19 vs. Alonso

Sept. 26 at

Chamberlain

Oct. 3 vs.

Middleton

Oct. 10 at Plant

Oct. 16 at Brandon

Oct. 24 vs.

Jefferson

Oct. 31 at Sickles

Nov. 7 vs. Leto

Keith Niebuhr, Times staff writer