Around the county in 30 days A daily spring preview of every football program in the county
Newsome
Coach: Kenneth Hiscock (fourth season, 20-11)
Last season: 8-3 (district champ, lost to Kissimmee Osceola in region quarter, 21-13)
District: Class 5A-6 (Bloomingdale, Durant, Plant City, Riverview)
Key losses: OL Conor O'Neal, QB/DB Kyle Copack, DE Frank Marin, LB Trent Cornwell, TE Robby Young, LB Troy Green
Who's back: RB Conner Powers, RB Keller Powers, SS Niko Anthony, LB Joe Worth, DL Shawn Boone
What's new: The Wolves return much of the core of last year's district championship team. And the biggest change in the eyes of Hiscock is the program's improving depth — for the first year, there were enough quality players to play in a blue and white scrimmage. The Wolves again will rely on the run in their Wing-T offense, a 2,044-yard ground attack led by the Powers brothers. Conner Powers, a rising junior, already has 2,106 career rushing yards after last season's 1,164-yard sophomore campaign. The toughest to replace might be Copack, who played quarterback, safety, punt returner and punter, but Hiscock believes rising senior Matt Klenke is a suitable replacement at quarterback. The Wolves' 4-4 defense still needs to fill some holes and replace Marin, who led the team with 7½ sacks, and Cornwell, who led the Wolves with 109 tackles. "We definitely need to find a few people to step up," Hiscock said of his defense.
Audible: "We're still very young. And that's hard because I have to remember that when I'm coaching them. I have to realize I'm dealing with a bunch of sophomores." — Hiscock
Did you know? The record of the Wolves' first three opponents (all nondistrict foes) is 25-9. Now that's a tough opening. "We're going to find out if we're doing stuff right here at Newsome," Hiscock said.
Spring game: Defeated Plant City 14-7
2009 schedule
Sept. 4 vs. Armwood
Sept. 11 at Jefferson
Sept. 18 vs. Alonso
Sept. 25 at Plant City
Oct. 9 at Robinson
Oct. 16 vs. Leto
Oct. 22 at Bloomingdale
Oct. 30 vs. Riverview
Nov. 6 vs. Durant
Nov. 13 at Gaither
Eduardo A. Encina, Times staff writer
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