By Kyle LoJacono
The Zephyrhills football team went 2-8 in 2010, but won two of its final three contests and the returning crop of Bulldog talent predicts something is building with the program.
“We feel like we had momentum ending last season that we can build off going into next season,” said junior quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back Jamal Roberts. “I think we were playing a little harder, but we started to have a different mindset by the end. We started to think we could win.”
Fellow junior Adrian Sanchez, a defensive back and wide receiver, agrees with Jamal: “We had to start slow. We couldn’t expect coach (Reggie) Roberts to come in last year and be able to turn us into a great team. It doesn’t work like that, but it started to really feel like we had something at the end of the year.”
Reggie took over the program at his alma mater in January 2010. He appears to be more confident in the team, but understands there is still a long way to go.
“We want to continue to teach Bulldog football,” Reggie said. “Things like aggressiveness that I think we were lacking last year. We’re still a young football team, so that’s why I say teach football.”
Reggie isn’t giving away much about what he will be running on either side of the ball in the fall.
“The spring is for looking for what fits our personnel,” Reggie said. “I’m not the type of coach who coaches one way because that’s what I know. We’re investigating our personnel to see what the best system is. We’re working on multiple sets to see what is most effective.”
One thing is certain; the Bulldogs will have a lot of versatility at quarterback with Jamal and junior Jacob Smith.
“We’re going to play either Jacob Smith or Jamal Roberts and they are very interchangeable between receiver and quarterback,” Reggie said. “They are both great athletes. Put it in either of their hands and just see what they’re going to do. It makes them difficult to defend. We have a lot of good athletes on offense like those two, Adrian Sanchez and Malik Mutcherson, so we’re feeling good there.”
Jamal and Smith are fine with the duel quarterback option.
“I think it’s probably one of the biggest strengths we have overall,” Smith said. “Me and Jamal are a lot alike in the way we run the offense. So the other team won’t know what we’re going to do when we break the huddle because either one of us could go under center and we can do some different things with our regular personnel.”
Chris Reaves saw the most time under center last year for Zephyrhills, posting 752 passing yards and six touchdowns while adding another 660 rushing yards and four scores.
Smith got more time at the end of the year, where he had 250 passing yards and four touchdowns. Jamal did not play much at quarterback last year, but had 27 catches for 404 yards and six scores.
Zephyrhills is losing a lot of its big linemen, including seniors Duke Morrison, Stephen Cottrell and John Dodd who just signed to play at University of Pikesville.
“We lost a lot of weight and size,” Sanchez said. “But I think we can make up for that with the guys we have and I think we’re much better at running back. So if they give us just a little time and a little space we’ll be able to accomplish things.”
On the defense, Reggie points to young players like sophomore linebackers Tylar Hochstetler and Joel Morrison, Duke’s brother, as new leaders.
“I want to be a leader and a motivator to help the team be as good as it can,” Joel said. “I want it to be a team effort. If I put in my part and everyone puts in their parts it will be an equal effort. It will let us all know that we have each others’ backs throughout the year.”
The Bulldogs will host Pasco on Thursday, May 26 at 7 p.m. for their spring game.
