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Fulmer Asks Sophomores To Step Up Vs. Hudson

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By CRISTINA LEDRA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 19, 2007

Gulf coach Jay Fulmer asked something of his young players this week in preparation for tonight's district game at Hudson.

He said he needed his sophomores to play like seniors, because now that he has seen every team in Pasco County and a few outside the county, he believes the Cobras are going to be the toughest team to beat.

'I haven't seen a team that runs and passes as well as they do,' Fulmer said. 'And that includes Tarpon Springs.'

The Buccaneers, who had Thursday off from practice, are 2-0 in district play, but that has been against Sunlake and Wiregrass Ranch, both first-year varsity programs. The upcoming schedule pits them against Hudson, Zephyrhills and Pasco before ending the season at non-district foe East Lake.

'Everything they do they execute perfectly,' Fulmer said. 'If they run a screen, everyone is exactly where they're supposed to be. Their defense flies to the ball, they're very assignment-oriented, they're well-coached and I think that's what's going to be what gets them into the playoffs, and that's not a knock on Zephyrhills or Pasco.'

Hudson's offense has been downright scary with sophomore quarterback Zack Wynn, who has passed for 1,136 yards, 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions through six games.

At running back, Sean Scott has rushed for 984 yards and 15 touchdowns.

'What a difference a year makes,' Fulmer said. 'They took their lumps last year, and it's payback time and we know we're right in the path of that steamroller.'

Hudson beat Gulf 33-22 two years ago when the Cobras were Pasco County's team to beat, and last season the Bucs returned to favor with a 41-6 plastering at Hudson.

But with the Cobras playing without two of their best defensive players in tackle Travis Tindell and linebacker Paul James, that could turn the game into an offensive showdown.

Gulf's defense is mostly sophomores, and the unit is taking a beating during the learning process much like Hudson did last season.

The Bucs defense has given up 28 points per game.

Of course, the X factor in all of Gulf's games is senior running back David Williams, who remains unsurpassed in rushing yards with 1,495 in six games. Williams has 19 touchdowns on the season.

'Whatever happens happens,' Fulmer said. 'There's not much you can really teach your guys at this point in the season. But watching Hudson I can see they're hungry to get in.'

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