Around the North Suncoast in 30 days
A daily spring preview of every football program in the North Suncoast
Sunlake
Coach: Bill Browning (third season, 1-19; 20th season overall, 93-104)
District: 3A-7 (Anclote, Gulf, Land O'Lakes, Mitchell, Pasco, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills)
Last season: 1-9
Key losses: WR/CB Darren Kanhai, T/DE Steve Kerekes, FB/DL Mike Shaver, T/DE Jarrett Baker, WR/LB Chris Harrington, RB/DB Eli Escobar
Who's back: RB/CB Joe Connolly, WR/CB Brian Adams, QB/DB Tommy Valez, RB/LB Leeroy Thompson, G/LB Kyle Anderson, G/LB Jacob Henderson, RB/LB David Riscile
What's new: With 70 taking part in drills, size and skill players ready to make plays are gaining notice. Browning is not shy to acknowledge his Seahawks will be competitive and push for a winning season in their new district, which features 2008 playoff teams Gulf, Land O'Lakes and Pasco. "We are looking to be right in the thick of things, and we are a third-year school looking to make some noise and making our mark in Pasco County," Browning said. The Seahawks are stout defensively, returning Thompson and Anderson at linebacker. On offense, Valez (727 yards passing) returns and Adams looks to fill the shoes of Harrington, who led the Seahawks in receiving yards last season with 397. Also on the offensive side, Rashad Daniels, Alex Rodriguez and Jamaal Jones, all moving up from junior varsity, look to be the front-runners to replace Shaver (698 yards rushing).
Audible: "So far, we have had a great spring and we are vastly much improved over last year." — Browning
Did you know? With Valez slated to start at quarterback, it looks like the Seahawks will have their first two-year starter. The Seahawks' first quarterback was Joey Collezo, who did not return for the 2008 season.
Spring scrimmage: 6:30 p.m. May 29
2009 schedule
Aug. 28 at Ridgewood (classic)
Sept. 4 Wiregrass Ranch
Sept. 18 Hudson
Sept. 25 at Gulf
Oct. 2 Anclote
Oct. 9 Wesley Chapel
Oct. 15 at Zephyrhills
Oct. 23 Mitchell
Oct. 30 at Land O'Lakes
Nov. 6 at Pasco
Nov. 13 at River Ridge
Andy Villamarzo, Times correspondent
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