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Veteran QB gives Countryside edge

 
“Having Trent back is huge for us,” Countryside coach Eric Schmitz said of Trent Chmelik. “… As far as teaching, we’re already ahead in a lot of ways.”
“Having Trent back is huge for us,” Countryside coach Eric Schmitz said of Trent Chmelik. “… As far as teaching, we’re already ahead in a lot of ways.”
Published June 24, 2015

Countryside already has an edge over the four other teams in the newly formed Class 7A, District 10 at one of the most important positions: quarterback.

The Cougars' Trent Chmelik, a senior, is the only quarterback in the district who is returning as a starter after St. Petersburg's Austyn Causey transferred to Admiral Farragut. Last year, Chmelik set the school record with 1,801 yards passing.

"Having Trent back is huge for us," Countryside coach Eric Schmitz said. "He knows the offense, and as far as teaching, we're already ahead in a lot of ways."

Chmelik's veteran presence was needed. After all, three receivers who accounted for 1,470 of those yards — Givanni Gonzalez, Sylvester Kimbrough and Chris Ryan — graduated.

Though the Cougars were left with a young receiving corps, Schmitz wasn't fretting considering the talent filling in the gaps. Receiver Kee Whetzel and tight end Chris Barrett, who combined for 13 catches and 173 yards last season, are poised for a noticeable spike in those numbers after a meteoric rise this offseason.

Whetzel, a senior who has 17 offers, shined in the spring game with four catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.

"We are a scoring machine with the weapons we have," Whetzel said.

Barrett, a senior, is a 6-foot-2, 225-pound tight end. He has eight offers and provides a big target, especially in the red zone.

The production in a 56-6 win over Citrus in the spring gave the Cougars confidence going into this season.

"We feel like we can double the passing yards from last season," Barrett said.

But for the past month, most of Countryside's skill players have been split up playing for different 7-on-7 teams. Chmelik and Whetzel played for Team Florida; Barrett for Team Tampa.

On Saturday, the Cougars are together for the first time this summer when they play in the Battle of the Bay 7-on-7 tournament at Jefferson.

"We are very excited about getting back out there together because we ended the spring on a very positive note," Barrett said. "And we are just ready to show we can put up numbers like that constantly."

Countryside will stay busy in the summer with 7-on-7 tournaments. In July, the Cougars will play in the Sling-N-Shoot at USF.

"We are doing lots of 7-on-7 this offseason to make sure we keep our minds fresh as far as plays, and it's good to keep throwing the ball around," Barrett said. "So when the season comes, it's easy. Everything is easy. The more reps we do the more success we have in the passing game."

Countryside hopes the payoff comes with its first playoff appearance in four seasons.

"Our goal on offense is to stay balanced," Schmitz said. "But with the passing game we're probably a little more ahead right now and could be pretty dynamic. But we'll see. We have to keep working, and that starts this weekend. It should be a good test."