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Dragons Will Turn To The Defense

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By KATHERINE SMITH | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 21, 2007

TAMPA - How do you replace über-quarterback Stephen Garcia? You kick things up a notch on defense.

Jefferson has employed the fun 'n' gun offense for years, and that shouldn't change with Garcia gone. But a defensive scheme implemented last year will feature a lot of the Dragons' playmakers. The dominating defense is one of the reasons Jefferson is ranked No.3 in the preseason poll.

''Last year, we changed our defense and hired some new coaches and changed the whole philosophy,'' Jefferson coach Mike Fenton said. ''I know we're going to put points on the board, but we lost games in the past because the other team put up 30 on us.

''We've got guys flying around the ball.''

Jefferson lost 11 starters from last year's playoff team, but there were a lot of young players who benefited from plenty of playing time. The Dragons lost to Armwood by one point in the region semifinals (22-21), a sticking point with players who returned.

A stellar linebacking corps, headlined by Gorby Loreus and Troy Wolfe, goes on without C.J. Mills, who was killed in a shooting in April. Mills, a popular player with Division I potential, was killed outside his home, and the team is still mourning his loss.

Offensively, last year's backup quarterback Zack Grossi assumes the starting job vacated by the graduated Garcia. Given all that Garcia did during his tenure with the Dragons, Grossi is prepared for the inevitable comparisons.

''That's just how it's going to be, and I just have to accept it,'' Grossi said. "If I do something wrong and they say, 'Stephen did that better,' it doesn't matter. They can say I do stuff better than Stephen or he did stuff better than me. I don't pay attention to that.

''I'm just here to help this team and win a state championship.''

KICKOFF CLASSIC: Friday vs. Titusville Astronaut

SEASON OPENER: Aug. 31 at Hillsborough

PREVIOUS TEAMS: No. 10 Middleton, No. 9 Jesuit, No. 7 (tied) Gaither and Riverview, No. 6 Chamberlain, No. 5 Wharton, No. 4 Hillsborough.

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