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Football Preview |
Jays Look to Improve Photo: Head coach Shawn Larrimore. Shawn Larrimore's debut as the Seaford High School head football coach was anything but easy in 2002.
This year, Larrimore says he sees more commitment from his squad, from a football camp at the U.S. Naval Academy in June to the weight room during the off-season. Larrimore and his staff took five players, including starting quarterback Danny Hamilton, to the Navy football camp in June and came back with new blocking schemes and an appreciation for Hamilton's passing ability following his participation in 7-on-7 drills. Hamilton also improved at running the option, Larrimore said. Then, more Blue Jays reached the 1,000-pound club in weight lifting for the dead lift, squat, bench press, and clean this summer. Sixteen players achieved that milestone versus 10 a year ago. The result, he believes, will be an improved record despite the Blue Jays' presence in the rugged Henlopen Conference Northern Division. "We're going in the right direction with strength and conditioning," said Larrimore. "We're taking one practice at a time and staying positive every day and not being so quick to jump on teammates. We're keeping a positive mental attitude. When breaks go the wrong way, we're able to stay focused and play sound football. We want to be fundamentally sound. A long time before there were spread offenses and Kurt Warner throwing for 5,000 yards, there were blocking and tackling." The fundamentals start on the line, where returnees Mike DiCarlo, Bobby Drayton and Andrew Lamberton will man the guard positions, with Steve Freeman at center and Trey Vann and Chris Wright at the tackles. The Blue Jays have benefitted from a few transfers as Seth Pentoney, Antonio Roberts and Andrew Jenkins have come to Seaford from Sussex Tech, the state of Georgia, and Dover, respectively. Jenkins, a cornerback, is out for two weeks with bruised ribs. Nose tackle Anthony Randlolph, another newcomer, broke his arm in practice on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Terry West, meanwhile, returns to the team after a year off and was voted a team captain. He'll play slot back and safety. The Jays' projected starting fullback, Sonny Saint Phard, returned to practice on Wednesday after recovering from a shoulder injury. Following is a capsule preview of the Blue Jays' 2003 campaign. Head Coach: Shawn Larrimore (2nd year, 2-8) 2002 Record: 2-8 overall, 0-5 Henlopen North Key Returning Players: Matt Daudt (QB-CB), Mike DiCarlo (G-OLB), Bobby Drayton (G-DE), Steve Freeman (C-NT), Danny Hamilton (QB), Matt Holland (SE-DE), Andrew Lamberton (G-NT), Matt Morris (SE-CB), Herb Raymond (SB-S), Mike Ruher (FB-MLB), Trey Vann (OT-DT), Chris Wright (OT-DE),. Key Players Lost: Tommy Adamski (G), Steve Dorelus (OT), Grant Gray (LB), Virgil Greene (QB-HB), Ben Hastings (LB), Brandon Mariner (DE), Tim Martin (OT), Beau Moore (QB-S), Correy Savage (SE-CB), Ryan Shockley (K-P), Aaron White (FB), Jayce Lesniewski (OT), John Wheatley (TE-DE). Key Newcomers: Luke Hastings (OT), Andrew Jenkins (CB), Seth Pentoney (FB-OLB), Antonio Roberts (SB-CB), Terry West (SB-S), Anthony Randolph (NT), Justin Robins (RB), Shonny Saint Phard (FB). Coach Larrimore on the Henlopen North: "It will be tough, tough as always. Schools like Caesar Rodney have 1,700 students and we don't even have 1,000 anymore. We're at two opposite ends of the spectrum. Dover is returning a lot of starters. Sussex Central is always up there in the top five in the state. Cape has a new coach. Cape has always had athletes and with a new coach, they'll be excited and ready to play football. Sussex Tech has 120 student-athletes out for football, I understand. Every member of their staff, at one time or another, has been a head coach. Experience is on their side. It will be tough as always." |
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By the time the 2-8 campaign was over, Larrimore had dismissed 14 players from the team.