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SEMINOLE

 
Published Sept. 4, 2009|Updated Sept. 17, 2009

Coach Sam Roper (25th season, 111-139)

Class 5A, District 9

Sizing up the Warhawks: As many as 10 players could be asked to play both ways for Seminole this season.

The Warhawks have little depth and need playmakers on the field as much as possible. A significant amount of time was spent during the offseason on durability, and coach Sam Roper said he pushed his team pretty hard in conditioning drills.

The result is a team Roper hopes can stay fresh through four quarters.

"There was more dedication to football," said senior Evan Gardiner, who will start at wide receiver and cornerback. "A lot of us made significant gains this summer."

The one area where the Warhawks have no shortage of bodies is the backfield. Teddy Willis, Lukas Hayden, Aaron Naquin, Brandon Feinberg, Brandon Trezza and Trevor Sand will get their share of carries.

Willis impressed in the spring game, averaging 4.4 yards a carry on 17 touches. Hayden is a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield.

Sand could be the Warhawks' best athlete. In addition to seeing time at running back and linebacker, the junior will back up starting quarterback Austin Cowan and can also kick. .

How quickly a young, inexperienced offensive line can develop into a cohesive unit will also be key.

"They know that each week we need to give effort and show improvement," Roper said.

Quick reads

- Cowan, a senior, has made significant gains over the summer. "You can see him improving each practice," Roper said. He'll be one of Seminole's better athletes.

- Trezza was a pleasant surprise for Roper and his staff during practice. The sophomore has worked himself into the mix at running back. "He's really shown some flash," Roper said. "He's quick; no wasted motion."

- Seniors Cameron Foster and Braxton Hannah will be counted on to provide leadership for the offensive line. Hannah excelled in the weight room during the offseason, according to Roper. And Hayden thinks this year's line can be quicker off the ball and more explosive than years past.

- Tim Lamoureux and Jared Tuck have been battling for the starting punting and kicking positions vacated when Tim's older brother Joe graduated. "In a perfect world, we'd like to have one of them punt and one of them kick," Roper said.

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