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NCT: Yearns to polish off-the-field image

FOOTBALL

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Nature Coast Mark Lee starts his first year as head coach seeking to turn around the Sharks' reputation.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: September 2, 2009

Double standards are everywhere.
The Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez and Buffalo Bills' Terrell Owens are perfect examples.
Off the field, these professional athletes are the poster children for this current "me" generation. The general perception — even in their own locker rooms — is it's all about them.
Now, between the lines, they are both exceptional talents.
That's where the rub lies. Sometimes they wear out their welcome. Ask both guys' agents.
Locally, Nature Coast Technical's football program is eerily similar.
On the field, the Sharks have done what no other Hernando County program has ever done: reached the state playoffs in their third season and reached the state playoffs three straight seasons.
On the flip side, there are all the off-the-field issues.
It's well-chronicled.
NCT has had football players accused of burglarizing homes, another would-be starter is behind bars for burning his ex-girlfriend's home down, another is in jail for drug possession (his grandmother's home was ultimately seized by the police), another player was shot and nearly crippled on a drug deal gone wrong, the former head coach is accused of an "inappropriate behavior" with a fellow NCT student, and of course at least two publicized skirmishes with archrival Central and let's not forget the melee last November at Groveland-South Lake.
Because of all of this, the NCT program is on probation by state's governing body, the Florida High School Athletic Association. Another slip-up could result in the death penalty — or the FHSAA shutting down all sports on the California Street campus.
To that end, NCT has begun to cleanup its image with a new hire, former University of West Virginia and Springstead High assistant coach Mark Lee.
His first order of business is to polish up his program's tarnished image and somehow recover from the loss of 32 players from last fall and reach the state playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.
"We're not gonna cry over spilled milk," explained Lee of his team's focus. "We had some guys here who had very successful careers and faced some adversity. What we're trying to do is build on the team success and improve on character.
"Some of these guys have faced adversity the past couple of years. That's over with," frankly stated Lee. "It's time to move on. This group had a possible state championship run taken away because of off-the-field stuff. We're trying to clean up that image. If our kids are role models to other kids in the community, then who cares if they win any games? By improving their character, they've strengthened themselves for the long haul."

NCT 101

Fortunately for Lee, the cupboard was not left bare.
The Sharks return nine starters (five on offense, three on defense and the holder on special teams), including its two-time All-State tailback, senior Tevin Drake. The 6-foot, 205-pound Drake rushed for almost 1,200 yards and tallied 20 of his team's 32 rushing touchdowns in nine games last fall.
Senior running back Antwan Story (688 yards, 6 TDs) joins perhaps the county's most versatile quarterback, senior C.J. Baker. Baker rushed for 441 yards and completed a county-high 62 percent of his passes for almost 700 yards and eight touchdowns last fall.
Up front, NCT again lost 4-of-5 O-line starters, but does return senior Cory Emerson and tight end Braddie Ellison. Last year's Shark O-line helped the team average 313 rushing yards per game.
"Coach (Mike) Lastra has done a great job in the past with our offensive line," said Lee. "I'm sure he'll have them ready again this year. What I like most is he teaches the proper technique and fundamentals. He doesn't accept a play, unless it's run perfectly. He's a lot like me."
Now, if defenses attempt to stack the line against the option-attack, Baker has plenty of other weapons besides the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Ellison, including a former Hernando High wide receiver, senior Jamal Byrd, and lightning-quick 6-foot-4, 182-pound junior JaJuan Story.
Defensively, Coordinator Charles Liggett lost nine of his team's top 10 tacklers from a year ago. He returns three players from a unit that forced 22 turnovers (12 fumbles recoveries, 9 interceptions, 1 blocked kick) and scored six touchdowns, including senior Justin Murray (who played only three games last fall due to a knee injury), senior John "C-Train" Carbone and JaJuan Story.
"Coach Liggett has done a terrific job with this group," commented Lee. "I know, because, we've had to face them in the past. He runs an attacking defense. We've got some athletes. I don't see a drop-off. It's no so much about rebuilding as it is reloading."
Special teams-wise, NCT must replace last year's place kicker (Danny Colon), punter (Gary Myrick), kickoff specialist (Myrick) and long snapper (Michael Fields). Only Baker returns as the holder on placements.
"Justin (Murray) helped plug a big hole as long snapper," Coach Lee said. "(Former Springstead receiver) Tyler (Callaghan) is our new kicker. Kicking is a concern because we don't have any experience there."

2009 NATURE COAST TECHNICAL SHARKS VARSITY FOOTBALL ROSTER

NO. NAME HGT WGT POSITIONS YR
01 Antwan Story 5'11" 170 TE/DB 12
02 JaJuan Story 6'4" 182 QB/WR/DB 11
03 Avery Clemmons 5'11" 185 RB/OLB 12
04 Tevin Drake 6'0" 205 TB/LB 12
05 Tyler Callaghan 5'9" 145 WR/DB/PK 11
07 Brenton Nuby 5'8" 154 TB/DB 11
11 C.J. Baker 6'0" 155 QB/DB 12
20 Jacob Perkins 5'10" 140 WR/DB 12
21 Anthony Carlucci 5'7" 145 RB/DB 11
22 Jamel Byrd 6'1" 184 WR/DB 12
23 Cameron Higgs 6'2" 150 WR/DB 12
24 Isaac Bailey 5'9" 150 TB/DB 11
25 Braddie Ellison 6'2" 230 TE/LB 12
30 Richard Hart 5'9" 168 RB/LB 10
42 Michael Lynch 6'0" 205 TE/DL 12
43 Chris Nazario 5'11" 171 WR/OLB 12
44 Justin Murray 6'0" 220 FB/LB 12
45 Aaron Kelly 5'7" 145 WR/DB 10
46INJ Cody Cabeza 6'0" 165 FB/LB 11
49 Luke McCarty 5'8" 155 FB/DL 11
54 Huberto Sabater 5'8" 155 DL 11
55 Blaine Walker 6'5" 200 OL/DL 11
56 John Carbone 6'1" 255 OL/DL 12
58 Jay Feret 6'3" 230 OL/DL 11
60 Brandon Cullen 5'8" 250 OL/DL 11
65 Keith Dodson 6'3" 193 DL 11
69 Chance Armstrong 6'0" 200 OL/DL 11
72 Cory Emerson 6'5" 240 OL/DL 12
73 Nick Ciucci 5'11" 248 OL 12
74 Justin Donovan 5'10" 185 OL/DL 11
78 Shawn Noble 6'0" 250 OL/DL 12
79 Greg Jarque 6'0" 265 OL 11
81 Justin Beetz 5'11" 185 WR/LB 12
82 Maxx Ruiz 5'11" 200 TE/LB 11

Head Coach: Mark Lee (1st Year)
Assistant Coaches: Billy Bond, Robert Kazmier,
Ed LaRose, Mike Lastra, Charles Liggett,
Jeff Swihart, Rudy Story, Ryan Wilson.

2009 Nature Coast Technical Sharks Football Schedule
Head Coach – Mark Lee (1st Year)

Date Opponent Site Time
09-04 Brooksville-Central* Away 7:30 p.m.
09-11 Spring Hill-Springstead*Away 7:30 p.m.
09-18 Crystal River+ Away 7:30 p.m.
09-25 Tavares+ Home 7:30 p.m.
10-02 Leesburg+ Away 7:30 p.m.
10-09 Bye
10-16 Dunnellon+^ Home 7:30 p.m.
10-23 Citrus+ Away 7:30 p.m.
10-30 Eustis+ Home 7:30 p.m.
11-06 Brooksville-Hernando*+ Away 7:30 p.m.
11-12 Tarpon Springs-East LakeHome 7:30 p.m.
11-20 1st Round FHSAA PlayoffsTBA 7:30 p.m.
^ Denotes Homecoming Game
* Denotes Hernando County game
+ Denotes Class 3A, District 6 game

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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