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Sebring Sets A Solid Foundation

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: August 29, 2008

SEBRING - The Blue Streaks were one victory away from making the playoffs last season. With Hardee and DeSoto re-assuming their positions as the class of the district, Sebring will need to pull out all the stops if they hope to make their postseason dreams come true this time around.

Coming into 2008 with one of the youngest squads of his tenure, Blue Streak head coach Jared Hamlin has total confidence in his players, regardless of experience. If their maturation process is a quick one, the Streaks are capable of making huge strides and competing for their first playoff appearance since 2003.

QB

Sophomore Matt Grubb showed his commitment to the Blue Streaks during the team's summer workout program by never missing a day. Hamlin believes Grubb has the tools and the talent to take a huge leap forward in his maturation process as field general, as Grubb becomes the youngest starting quarterback of Hamlin's tenure.

"His confidence level couldn't be higher right now, and I know he's gained the respect of his players in the huddle," said the third-year SHS skipper. "He's learning more and more every day and he's showed me he has the poise needed to lead a football team."

Devin Clarke, also a sophomore, proved his versatility by winning the backup quarterback job during training camp with his arm and his ability to be a running threat on the option.

RB

Coming into 2008, junior Daniel Burnett won't be running in the shadows of All-Heartland Offensive Player of the Year TJ Williams, but blazing his own trail.

Burnett tallied more than 500 yards last season and is poised for a breakout season as the feature back for the Blue Streaks.

"Daniel is not real big, but he's as strong as they come," Hamlin said. "He's quick and agile to break a run to the outside and also the elusiveness to make people miss, but it's his strength that allows him to break tackles and punch through the line to pick up the yards to keep drives alive."

Sophomore Devin Clarke, who had some solid runs during the spring game against Bartow, can play multiple positions and will compliment Burnett in the Blue Streak backfield. Senior Uriah Harris is expected to be moved from offensive line to fullback.

WR

Hamlin calls his receiving corps the deepest position on the team and is excited about having so many weapons to throw at opposing defenses.

"What I like about our receivers is that they each bring something different to the table," Hamlin said. "It's going to be tough to pick starters each week, but I guarantee you that they'll all see a lot of playing time this season.

Senior Kevin Welborn is a solid route runner with good hands and a great football IQ, which allows him to be at the right place at the right time.

"Kevin is a tough kid who has continued to improve every year," Hamlin said. "Not only physically but also with the little things like body position and ball control, and it's helped him become so dangerous after the catch."

Junior Tony DeJongh will be used as a possession receiver and sophomore Evan Lewis could surprise defenses with his leaping ability, while junior Javarius Sanders' speed has him slotted to line up on the line with Welborn to give the Streaks a deep threat on both sides of the field.

OL

Sebring has an infusion of sophomores to go along with the smattering of upperclassmen that Hamlin says are head-and-shoulders better than they were at the end of last season.

"From what I saw of their play in May, they've improved tremendously from where they were in the fall," Hamlin said. "They're coming off the ball better and finishing their tackles to help open holes for our running backs."

Seniors Dewey Sebring and Kevon Daughma help shore up the left side with a dose of experience and leadership, while senior Tom Quigg and junior Sam Gulbrand are slated to man the right side and help protect their sophomore quarterback. Sophomore Jesse Baker has won the center job not only on ability, but by his work ethic in the weight room.

"I'm confident in how our offensive line has shaped up during training camp," Hamlin said. "Dewey and Kevon have all the tools you look for in a lineman. The quickness and tackling ability, but also that feel for the game that you just can't teach."

DL

With only two seniors, defensive line has become the youngest position for the Streaks, with as many as six sophomores getting significant playing time. But it's still the upperclassmen that'll set the tone for the season.

Juniors Gus Williams and Tevin Toney are the anchor points on the ends for the Streaks, while seniors Quinton Robinson and Wesley Jones return to the trenches and give Hamlin some stability when facing seasoned teams like Hardee and DeSoto.

"I think we're solid across the board on the defensive line," Hamlin said. "We're definitely young, but we've got plenty of big game experience. Gus and Jevin are great at getting to the ball and disrupting opposing offenses and are explosive off the line."

Junior Tijah McCullors and sophomore Zach Bullock have been impressive in practice, with Bullock showing great speed and agility to give him an effective pass rush this season.

LB

Starting since the second week of his freshman season, Kenny Daniels has turned into a coach on the field for the Streaks, as he leads a thin group of linebackers that are light on depth.

But Hamlin stresses quality over quantity.

"The worst thing an opposing team could do is underestimate the talent we have at linebacker," Hamlin said. "We may not have the numbers that most teams have at that position, but they're some of the best around.

"Kenny has been a leader since the day he got here and he's gotten better each year he's played. He outworked most of the older players and forced me to play him by how good he'd perform. What I like most about Kenny is that he backs his words up with his actions and work ethic. That's a natural leader."

Daniels, who led the Streaks in tackles last season with 150, has worked to improve his pass-coverage skills, and Hamlin says that the senior linebacker has great anticipation and could surprise many with his interception totals this season.

Senior Lorenzo Lowe and Calib McGee will team up with sophomore Cody Martz to give the Streaks a balanced rotation at linebacker.

DB

Senior JC Howard is the feature attraction on what Hamlin calls "the best secondary, top- to-bottom" he's had.

Howard will look to improve on a stellar junior campaign where he led the team with seven interceptions, and he'll draw the task of shutting down the opponent's best receiver week-in and week-out. The Blue Streak junior has a penchant for making big plays: At this year's spring game against Bartow, Howard picked off two passes and ran one back for a score.

"JC is always a terror for any opposing offense," Hamlin said. "He's a solid cover corner and open-field tackler and does a good job at batting down passes when it comes down to a jump-ball."

Senior Brad Price, along with junior Mike Grimes and sophomores Devante Pough and Clarence Counts, will battle it out in practice to see who lines up on the opposite end of Howard, but Hamlin believes that there are enough plays to go around.

"We may just play our secondary by committee," Hamlin said. "We have the ability to interchange our defensive backs based on opponent and situation. This is a luxury for me to have so much talent in the secondary."

ST

Junior Buck Schroeder, has shown his soccer leg by hitting 40- to 50-yard field goals in practice to earn starting kicking duties. Senior Caleb McGee will be the starting punter, while Sebring will be the long snapper for the Streaks.

"Caleb will give us another weapon with his leg," Hamlin said. "He's worked on his distance and hang time all summer and should help us pin down opponents deep in their territory where our defense can go to work."

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5827 or at choffman@highlandstoday.com.

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