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HomeTeamHuddle: Offensive depth, not talent a concern for Palm Harbor University

 
PHU QB Cameron Mouton (3) takes a snap during football practice at Palm Harbor University, Wednesday afternoon 9/2/15.
PHU QB Cameron Mouton (3) takes a snap during football practice at Palm Harbor University, Wednesday afternoon 9/2/15.
Published May 16, 2016

PALM HARBOR — Every now and then a team pops out of a spring game and makes a name for itself. Palm Harbor University did just that last May.

The Hurricanes unveiled a potent passing game and nearly matched Class 5A region finalist Nature Coast score for score before falling 34-32. PHU quarterback Cameron Mouton threw for three touchdowns and ran for another. His favorite target was TJ Colmery, who had 95 yards receiving and two scores.

That tandem returns, giving the Hurricanes an edge when they host the Sharks in the spring rematch Friday.

"We played pretty well against Nature Coast the last time," Mouton said. "It helped give us some confidence going into the season. But there's still motivation. This time, we want to win."

PHU has plenty back on offense. Besides Mouton and Colmery, the Hurricanes also return their top four offensive linemen and top three leading rushers. Rising seniors Samson Jackson and Nick Orlando are receiving offers from state schools.

Besides experience, the line also has size, averaging 280 pounds per starter.

But to make that line a cohesive unit, it needs to get healthy.

The Hurricanes have not had the line they expect to start in the fall line up together consistently this spring. That underscores the one concern on offense: depth.

"We have some really great guys up front," coach Reggie Crume said. "But we don't have a lot of them. There will be a lot of guys who have to play on both sides of the ball."

Last year, Mouton threw for nearly 1,000 yards. His production should increase given all the pieces around him on offense. A big season will also help him get some offers, and he hopes to get attention by attending camps this spring.

"I haven't decided which camps to go to yet," Mouton said. "I've had a lot of interest from schools just no offers yet. I'm working hard to change that."