Around the county in 30 days
A daily spring preview of every football program in Pinellas County:
Indian Rocks Christian
Coach: Mark Buchanan (sixth season, 29-22)
Last season: 7-3
District: Class A, District 6
Key losses: QB/DB Blake Farver, RB/LB Tyler Gattuso, OL/DL Sean Harvey, RB/S Tyler Ostheim
Who's back: OL/DL Taylor Andres, CB Ty Bates, CB Vinny Capabianca, FB/LB Kyle Cleary WR/TE/FS Sean Culkin, RB/LB Jake Voitier, OL/DL Devonte West, LB Ryan Williams, OL/DL Tyler Wood
What's new: The offensive line returns virtually intact from a year ago and should be the Golden Eagles' biggest strength. Wood, the team's best blocker according to Buchanan, is a three-year starter. At 6-foot-1, 295 pounds, West is fast and athletic, and he could be the team's top Division I prospect as a rising junior. Both Wood and West also anchor a formidable defensive line. The defense gave up fewer than 15 points a game a year ago, and Buchanan believes it could be even better this year. The entire secondary — Culkin at free safety, Bates and Capabianca at the corners — returns. Cleary is a superb tackler and mans the middle linebacker spot. Williams played on the defensive line last year but will move back to linebacker, where Buchanan expects him to thrive. Casey Woods, a rising junior, is the new starter at quarterback but is being pushed by another rising junior in Northside Christian transfer Kyle Craichy. Woods is athletic and has worked to improve his arm strength. Losing Ostheim is a big blow to the offense, but Voitier, a tough runner with good vision, will try to fill the void. Matt Little, who qualified for the state 100-yard dash, is playing his first year of football and is getting a look in the backfield, where Buchanan thinks his speed could be dangerous. A big season is expected from Culkin, the team's leading returning receiver. He will line up as a tight end or out wide in an attempt to create mismatches.
Audible: "Any time you return the guys up front, that's a good place to start." — Buchanan
Did you know? Culkin is a prospect as both a football and basketball player. A 6-foot-6, 210-pound shooting guard, he led the Golden Eagles basketball team in scoring this past season. Culkin is currently traveling across the country with an AAU basketball team and will miss spring practice.
Spring game: Jamboree vs. St. Petersburg Catholic and host Seminole, 7 p.m., Friday
2010 season
Sept. 3 at Keswick Christian
Sept. 10 vs. Fort Meade
Sept. 17 at Calvary Christian
Oct. 1 at Shorecrest
Oct. 8 at Indian Rocks Christian
Oct. 15 vs. Cambridge
Oct. 22 at Lakeland Christian
Oct. 29 at Northside Christian
Nov. 5 vs. Berkeley Prep
Nov. 12 vs. Summit Christian
Bryan Burns, Times staff writer
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