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Lake Placid Isn't Looking Back

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By MARK PINSON Highlands Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 29, 2008

LAKE PLACID - With only three weeks to install a new offense and defense, first-year Lake Placid coach Jason Holden didn't have long to change the losing culture that's gripped the Green Dragon football team the past few seasons.

Playing under its third coach in four years, LP is focused on changing directions under Holden, who replaced first-year skipper Tim Grant after the former Fort Meade coach left the Dragons for personal reasons.

Holden has since hit the ground running, and the Dragons have responded.

"I'm so tired of losing and I know the other guys are, too," said senior defensive lineman Travalier Sholtz. "We've been working hard in practice, we're in good shape and we have a better team attitude than in past years."

QB

Two seniors will see time under center for Lake Placid this season, and Zach Campbell and Chevontray Wilson bring different skills to the important position.

"Zach is smart, a hard worker and very coachable," Holden said. "He also has a strong, accurate arm.

"Chevontray is very quick, has a lot of athletic ability and understands the game. They'll both play, and we'll see how things work out."

RB

Lake Placid will keep the ball on the ground and run out of the I-formation.

Senior Gabriel Lara and Navahri Holden will split time at fullback, while Caleb Jones and Anthony Gonzalez will be at tailback.

"We want to control the tempo of the game and run the ball effectively," Holden said. "Gabriel and Navahri are physical players and good lead blockers.

"Caleb and Anthony are both quick and have the speed and ability to make big plays."

WR

Newcomer Avery Young has shown soft hands and the speed to be a gamebreaker for the Green Dragon offense.

The senior wideout is playing varsity football for the first time, but has quickly gained the respect of the coaching staff.

"Avery is a big kid and has shown a lot of desire to do the right thing," Holden said. "He is a big target for the quarterback and does a good job of catching the ball in traffic."

Harrison Hyre is the other wide receiver and gives the quarterback another sure-handed target down the field.

Wilson will also see time at split end when he isn't at quarterback, and he provides another fleet-footed receiver to throw to.

OL

The Green Dragons aren't big up front, but they'll rely on quickness and execution to move the chains.

Zack Reynolds, Addison Walker, Jose Valdovinos, Cameron Quigley, Anthony Canevari and center Alex Vega are being counted on to open holes for the Lake Placid running backs.

"Alex is the leader of the group," Holden said. "He's our anchor, but all of our guys have leadership qualities.

"We don't have a lot of size up front, but we do have good quickness and we need to get off the ball, execute our blocks and give our backs some room to run."

DL

Sholtz, the senior nose tackle, and Reynolds at the other tackle position, anchor the Green Dragons defensive line.

"We don't want anybody running the ball up the middle against us," Holden said. "Travalier and Zack need to shut that down and force everything to the outside where our pursuit can make the play."

Young will bring his quickness from wide receiver to defensive end along with Andre Wilson.

"Avery and Andre are quick and athletic and should give us good pressure from the outside," Holden said. ""We want our front four to take on the blockers and free up our linebackers to make the plays."

LB

Jose Valdovinos and Gabriel Lara are at outside linebacker, while Navahri Holden is the leader of the talented trio on the inside.

"We have a lot of versatility in our linebackers," Holden said. "Navahri is very strong and quick, Jose loves to hit and Gabriel is very smart and goes hard all the time.

"In our defense, the linebackers have to make the plays and those three all get to the ball in a hurry."

DB

Anthony Gonzalez and Alex Gort are the cornerbacks, while Campbell and Hyre are the safeties.

"Anthony and Alex are very quick and do a good job of tackling," Holden said. "Zach and Harrison are smart and have the ability to make plays and force turnovers.

"We stress forcing turnovers and making plays on defense that will change the momentum and impact the game."

ST

Steven Guelff will be the punter and the place-kicker for the Green Dragons.

"Steven worked hard over the summer and went to some kicking camps and has been kicking the ball great in practice," Holden said. "He also has good hang time on his punts and he should give us a real strong kicking game."

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or at mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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