What's in the Forecast?

Few children ever bypass Nick at Night or the Cartoon Network.
But not every kid is Hernando High senior Joshua Douglas Ross.
As a small child Ross said, "While all the other kids were watching cartoons, I was watching The Weather Channel. It's kinda what I did."
You see, Ross aspires to be a meteorologist.
A year from now, he'd like to attend Western Kentucky University and concentrate on becoming a weatherman.
According to Ross, "If that doesn't work out, I'd like to do something in football, like coach or become an agent. I just love football, too."
 
Ross 101
 
Josh, 17, is middle of three children to Brooksville's Paul and June Wagner.
The family relocated to Hernando County from Brandon in 2004.
To date, 6-foot, 175-pound Ross has served primarily in the background of the Bell Ave. campus.
In 2004, he played as an eighth grader for ex-Gator standout Dwayne Mobley on the Parrott Middle School team that won the County Championship despite an uncharacteristic 3-2 won-lost slate.
He played mostly in a back-up capacity at linebacker and saw action on special teams.
Once he matriculated to Hernando High, he played at the junior varsity level as a defensive end and linebacker as freshman and sophomore. He lettered as a varsity football player as a junior.
Ross is expected to start at defensive end this year and will probably split time at quarterback, behind starter junior Kall Daniel.
Though this will be his fourth season at HHS, Ross has mostly played in the shadows. You see, he has never carried the football in a varsity game, never caught a pass or never made a tackle.
Yet, he exudes confidence about his teammates and coaches.
 
Turnaround
 
How will the Leopards snap a five-year losing skein?
"Offensively, we had a hard time (executing) against South Sumter (in last week's 42-0 exhibition loss)," described Ross. "They're a great team. But we showed some glimpses of what we could be. I think we'll be much better this year because of our O-line.
"George (Smith) and David (Hines) are pretty solid on the right side," he commented. "Trent (Tracy) is coming along. If we get Joe (Bristol) back that will help us stabilize the left side. We're alternating there now, to keep 'em fresh.
"Pass blocking-wise we did awesome against South Sumter," he noted. "We've still got to work out some things on our run blocking."
 
What about weapons?
 
Quarterbacks are measured by in large part their teammates' successes.
So how is the Leopard arsenal of weapons?
"We've got a lot of potential," indicated Ross. "Clay (Kessler) will really help us once he gets cleared to play. But Chubbs (Alvin Delaine), Jamel (Byrd) and Robby (Lane) can all catch the ball. I have faith in all our guys."
How's the transition been to your third head coach in three years?
"There wasn't much difference from Coach Smith to Coach Byrd, but there are a lot of differences between last year and this year," answered Ross. "Coach Palmer is the type of coach that will do anything to get the best out of you. If he feels like he needs to yell at you, he will. In the hall ways during school he's a real nice guy, but in practice we understand it's time to get to work."
Can the Leopards contend for a 3A-6 title?
"I think with the level of talent we have and hard work we've put in, we could contend for districts," suggested Ross, who carries 3.0 grade point average and has already scored a 1280 on his initial SAT. "We've kinda got a chip on our shoulder. Nobody is expecting us to do anything. If we all dig deep as players, we can make it happen."
What will it take to open the season on the right foot against Central?
"Number one, we all have to play together," he said. "No matter what happens, every player, me included has to pick up the slack."
What are Josh's individual goals?
"All I want to do is give all I've got every play," he said. "If I'm not at quarterback, I'll do it at whatever position coach wants. Whatever the team needs, I'm willing to do."