TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Wildcats' Jenkins Getting Healthy

ADVERTISEMENT

By EDDIE DANIELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 14, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - The first sign of trouble for Sunlake's football team was when Wesley Chapel quarterback Greg Jenkins was seen in football pads and not in street clothes.

The Wesley Chapel camp kept a tight lip during the week on Jenkins' chances at playing. One said there was a 'slight chance' he would see the field and another said it wasn't likely.

That fuzzy math equaled 2 1/2 quarters of playing time for the senior, who completed five of seven passes for 69 yards and a touchdown. He led the Wildcats offense to scores on the unit's first four possessions and completed his first four passes.

At the conclusion of Wesley Chapel's 42-6 victory against the Seahawks, Jenkins admitted he was a bit timid behind center - his first start since he suffered a contusion to his right, throwing shoulder against Zephyrhills.

From every indication Friday night, he's doing just fine now.

'It is doing better,' Jenkins said of his shoulder. 'It feels good to be back, but I want to play four quarters.'
Wesley Chapel coach John Castelamare assured that will be the case Thursday night against Class 5A-District 5 foe Gaither: 'You will next week,' Castelamare said. 'Big game.'

Friday's game served as a confidence booster for the Wildcats. Last week, Wesley Chapel (4-3) hosted Wharton, suffering a 31-7 loss to the other Wildcats.

Two fumbles - including one at the Wharton 6 - and four sacks did little to help Wesley Chapel's cause, which is why Friday's domination was so key to the psyche.

'The coaches did a good job this week,' Castelamare said. 'A team like Sunlake, they have nothing to lose and Coach Bill Browning does a good job. They can run reverses and they do a little quick set, trying to get us and we worked a lot on that; you'd be surprised how much we worked on that thing.

'We weren't doing it well in practice, but the kids did a pretty good job there, so they're going to be OK.'

The Wildcats' ground attack assured Jenkins would be settled in the pocket. Ray Rouch collected 150 yards and two touchdowns on four attempts, while Hunter Joyer rushed for two scores and 96 yards.

The victory marked a milestone in Castelamare's coaching career - it was win No. 100.

'The kids made a big deal about 100 wins. That makes me an old man, doesn't it?,' he said laughing. 'One hundred wins, shoot ...

'I like what I do. The coaches work hard, everybody works hard. It's happy day.'

And for Sunlake, Castelamare assured the group of players intermingled with his Wildcats, their happy day was coming as well.

'They're going to be better. They're a pretty good team,' he said. 'They stay together, they work hard, it's going to take a little time, but it's going to be a plus for them. I told them that we were in they're shoes, too, but we had to work hard to get to where we are now.'

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT