Only a year ago, the roles seemed reversed. A Nature Coast Technical team still trying to build its reputation traveled to take on a Dunnellon High team with an established winning tradition.
That season-opening match-up ended with a somewhat surprising outcome, the Sharks thoroughly dominating the Tigers in a 39-7 victory.
The Sharks went 7-4 and advanced to regionals for the second straight season. Meanwhile the Tigers finished 5-5 and missed out on the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
Tonight these two Class 3A teams again open the season with one another, as this time Dunnellon visits Shark Tank Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff - and perhaps the tables have turned.
"They're athletic across the board," Dunnellon Head Coach Frank Beasley said of Nature Coast. "Every position they've got great athletes. We'd better come with our 'A' game. They put it on us last year. Hopefully we can keep number four (All-State running back Tevin Drake) from scoring too many times.
"...We just want to stay in the game with these guys. We'll have to run the ball with some success, hopefully slow them down, slow their offense down a little bit."
No surprises
Though Beasley painted the picture of an overmatched Dunnellon club just trying to hang tough against a mighty foe to the south, Nature Coast Head Coach Jamie Joyner didn't quite see it that way.
"It's flattering, but they've got a good football team," Joyner said. "We know they're going to be ready to play. I think we kind of surprised them last year, but we know that's not going to happen again."
Still, Joyner has often talked about the Sharks making a name for themselves beyond just the general area. The Dunnellon win last year, coupled with competitive contests with state powers South Sumter and North Marion, proved Nature Coast could play with some of the traditionally best teams around.
The Sharks made another statement last Friday with an impressive 19-13 preseason win over Eustis, another perennial playoff team in 3A.
"We were happy with the way our offensive line played up front," Joyner said. "(Quarterback) C.J. Baker's decision making was good. We held onto the football. We're happy with the speed we played on defense. I thought we played real good assignment football.
"...Eustis was a good team to get us ready for (Dunnellon). They run the same defense and a lot of the same offense and they have a lot of the same type of athletes. Hopefully we'll be ready for (Dunnellon) Friday night."
The Tigers are unveiling a Wing T offense this season, which produced 377 rushing yards in a 51-14 win over Live Oak-Suwannee last week.
"We had six different kids run the ball last week," Beasley said. "We were fortunate enough to put the ball in the end zone.
"...We're excited to go down there and face a good team like Nature Coast. We know they've got good athletes. It'll be good for us to go down there and play someone of that magnitude."
For Joyner, he'd again like to see his team use a meeting with Dunnellon as a springboard for another successful season.
"It kind of sets the tone for the year," Joyner said. "We felt like we played a decent half against Eustis with the full varsity. Now we've got to play a full 48 minutes.
"We want to start off the season on the right foot. We were able to do that last year, it gave us a lot of momentum. We're trying to take it one game at a time, trying to get better every play, every game."
Pregame notes
Joyner reported no major injuries. Linebacker Alfredo Lindo, who sat out against Eustis because of an ankle injury, will play tonight.
Punter Gary Myrick will handle place-kicking duties after junior varsity call-up Matt Montano failed on two point-after attempts last week.
Also Joyner announced that Drake, a junior who has already run for 2,384 yards and 33 touchdowns in his prep career, received his first collegiate offer, a full scholarship from Florida International University, a Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) program.
BY THE NUMBERS: NATURE COAST IN SEASON OPENERS
Date Opponent Site Result
09/10/04 St. Pete-Shorecrest Prep Home W 35-21
08/25/05 Frostproof Home L 12-33
08/25/06 Frostproof Away L 10-27
08/31/07 Dunnellon Away W 39-7
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