NCT's Mission: A Perfect "10"

The number 10 has great meaning for the Nature Coast Technical program, well beyond the football field, and the significance continues to grow.

As the uniform number worn by fallen teammate Scott Avery, who died in a car accident over the summer, 10 weighs heavily on the hearts of the Sharks.

Now, as Head Coach Jamie Joyner pointed out, 10 has helped push the team forward as it pursues on-the-field glory in Avery's memory.

Nature Coast (8-0) has risen to the 10th spot in the Associated Press Class 3A state poll, the first ranking in program history. Plus if the Sharks can win their remaining two games, they will end the regular season 10-0.

"It's a huge motivation to go undefeated," Joyner said. "We're 8-0; this is the first time we've ever been here. I think we're one of seven teams in 3A still undefeated.

"Scott Avery was number 10. We're ranked number 10 and we want to be 10-0. That's motivation."

That should come in handy considering tonight's 7:30 p.m. game at Groveland-South Lake (5-3) has absolutely no implications on anything else.

Nature Coast has already laid claim to the Class 3A, District 6 title, assuring a home game in the regional quarterfinals regardless of what happens the rest of the way.

So coming off last week's district-clinching victory over Hernando, and with a contest versus bitter county-rival Central next Friday, this one has "trap game" written all over it.

"We talked to the kids about it being a trap game but our whole attitude this year is take it one game at a time," Joyner said. "Hopefully we come out this week and do the same thing.

"We've earned the number 10 ranking in the state and the respect that we want. I'm sure South Lake is playing for pride but we're still playing for pride as well."

The Eagles saw their playoff hopes dashed last week with an 18-10 loss to 4A-12 foe Lake Region. However, Joyner doesn't expect South Lake to roll over, especially with no reason to hold anything back.

Senior running back Titus Mobley (765 yards, 12 touchdowns) and junior quarterback Dylan Fairbanks (71-of-121, 1,126 yards, seven touchdowns, six interceptions) pace the offense.

Joyner noted the Eagles' size on both lines, particularly 6-foot-4, 280-pound senior Jonathon Harrison, an offensive tackle who has committed to the University of Florida.

"South Lake reminds me a lot of Pasco in regards to their speed and schemes," Joyner said. "Size-wise, they might be the biggest team we've faced this year. They gave us everything we could handle last year (33-20 win) and we're expecting that again."

The Sharks will have a significant hole to plug after losing sophomore defensive end/punter Gary Myrick for the season thanks to a broken right tibia suffered last week.

The 6-foot-4, 241-pound Myrick, who Joyner called a potential D-I prospect, had 50 tackles and 4.5 sacks along with a 40.4 yard average.

Placekicker Danny Colon will now handle the punting duties. Junior Justin Murray, questionable as he recovers from a concussion, and former starter Rockkhem Greene will try to fill the void defensively.

AP CLASS 3A STATE FOOTBALL POLL
1. Glades Central (15) 8-0       150
2. St. Augustine                   8-0           135
3. Naples                            7-1           117
4. Andrew Jackson              8-0           99
5. Dunbar                            8-0           84
6. Godby                             7-1           68
7. Ridge Community            7-1           57
8. Cocoa                             7-1           44
9. Lake Wales                      8-1           35
10. Nature Coast                  8-0           24
Others receiving votes: Arnold 6, Monsignor Pace 4, Palmetto 2.