By Jeff Odom
When Todd Donohoe accepted the job to become the Freedom football team’s fourth coach in five seasons, he wanted to make sure he created one thing — stability.
It’s a term not many on the Patriots have felt during the last few seasons. But after he filled the spot vacated by Tchecoy Blount, who was dismissed after going 6-14 in two seasons, Donohoe instilled a team-first philosophy and charismatic attitude toward the squad.
Plenty of players have bought in.
“The first priority here was establishing a good staff, and I was fortunate having been at Crest to bring some of these guys over,” said Donohoe, who started the football program at Strawberry Crest in 2009. “I feel like we’re a leg up on that, and obviously getting the kids on page of what we want to do too.”
Defensive back/running back Nate Godwin (43 tackles, one interception) said when Donohoe first spoke to the team, he knew something was different about his new coach. He added the bond and communication among players quickly grew, and the team became one instead of seeing one another as individuals.
“Last year, I didn’t feel like we had a lot of chemistry, and that’s really what hurt us because we didn’t play as a team,” said Godwin, who ran for 227 yards and three touchdowns last season. “This year, we’re working out before practice everyday, and we’ll even work out in pads with (Donohoe). Talk is the biggest thing, because you might be the greatest athlete on the field, but if you can’t talk and let another person know where you’re gonna be, you can’t be a good team.”
The Patriots stumbled to open their 2011 schedule. They lost the first five regular season games and won just two contests, a 19-13 victory against winless Wiregrass Ranch and 14-7 against 1-9 Chamberlain.
However, linebacker/tight end Isaac Tanner (75 tackles, seven sacks) doesn’t believe the statistics show how good the team actually was. He said that Class 7A-District 7 is wide-open this year.
“I know a lot of guys from those other schools, and a lot have gotten some really good athletes and some guys that can make things happen,” Tanner said. “It’s going to be fun to play against them and see who’s the better man at the end of the day.”
One of the most unsettled positions last year was quarterback. Jon Economou, who signed to play at Becker College in Boston, started the season as the No. 1 signal caller, but Taylor King took over midway through the season.
King (526 yards, one touchdown) is back, and Donohoe said he has the “inside track” at being the starter, but he is getting competition from GaDerrius Kelley and Wharton transfer DJ Grant.
While still unsettled at quarterback, Donohoe said he is excited to begin the rebuilding process and get Freedom back into playoff contention, but he doesn’t want to surprise people around the county with just a second- or third-place finish. He wants the school’s first football district championship.
“You know, why not be a playoff team right away?” Donohoe said. “We don’t want to be cocky or anything like that, we just want to go out and do the best that we can do. There’s no reason why we can’t be (at playoff level). Our kids work hard, and after 2-8 last year we better be a heck of a lot better than that or all of this work will definitely be a reflection of us not getting it done.”
Freedom schedule
All games start at 7:30 p.m. Home games played at 17410 Commerce Park Blvd., New Tampa.
Kickoff classic Aug. 24 vs. Strawberry Crest
Sept. 1 vs. Durant
Sept. 7 at Plant City
Sept. 14 at Brandon
Sept. 21 vs. Steinbrenner*
Sept. 28 vs. Alonso
Oct. 5 at Chamberlain*
Oct. 12 vs. Wharton
Oct. 19 vs. Gaither*
Oct. 26 at Tampa Bay Tech*
Nov. 2 at Wiregrass Ranch*
Nov. 9 Bye
*Denotes district contest
2011 Patriots (2-8)
Durant L 36-0
Plant City L 29-7
Brandon L 29-22
Steinbrenner L 13-6
Alonso L 38-0
Chamberlain W 14-7
Wharton L 28-7
Gaither L 37-0
Tampa Bay Tech L 69-0
Wiregrass Ranch W 19-13
