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Arianas, Shoun Are Leading Vocally

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By BART O'CONNELL

Tribune correspondent

Published: September 3, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - On a rainy summer day at River Ridge High, anyone who doesn't want to work out must answer to junior Stavros Arianas and senior Trevor Shoun.

Finishing up their sprints around the football field at the front of the pack, the Royal Knights backfield duo crosses the line, turn around and start urging their teammates to finish strong. Nothing mean, nothing embarrassing, just doing what leaders do.

Such vocal leadership has been lacking in the River Ridge program the past few years. Despite having more than 20 seniors on last year's squad, the Knights went 1-9, all of the losses by two touchdowns or more. Even the victory wasn't exactly cause for celebration.

"I had great kids last year but it was like a pin dropping out here; no one said a word," said third-year coach Tim Stevens. "It was like a morgue. I said, 'Why don't you guys talk? I mean, nobody gets excited.' They didn't know how to celebrate."

If anything, Arianas (the tailback) and Shoun (the fullback) have to tone it down every once in a while. They are relishing their role, not only as leaders, but also as the focal point of a new-look offense.

Gone is the finesse passing game from 2007, which scored in spurts but saw too many drives stall, and possessed the ball far too little for a defense which struggled. This year's team is going to pound the ball behind a large offensive line, and try to win games with toughness and ball control.

Stevens described both guys as "a little off-center ... they enjoy running into people." Shoun (5-foot-10, 230 pounds) has earned his playing time in the weight room and is trying to improve his quickness. Arianas (5-11, 190) was a backup last year who also has improved all-around.

"Our intensity level this year has pretty much doubled," said Shoun. "Just a faster-paced game. It's totally different from any River Ridge team I've played on. Everybody wants to hit hard."

Arianas is one of three options Stevens can turn to for big plays as he averaged 7.6 yards per carry in 2007. His goal for 2008 is to run for 1,000 yards. The Knights also have the versatile Mario Stewart, a state weightlifting qualifier known more for his speed, and receiver Shane Allen, who should help bring along quarterbacks Marco Custodio and Kenny Toce.

Arianas is more comfortable on this year's team, where he is taking a different approach than the leaders of last year.

"Last year we had a lot of conflict and fighting. I didn't get along with a lot of the seniors. A lot of the seniors looked down at the varsity players," he said. "And when people don't try to get along, then someone else does it and before you know it, the whole team is worrying about different things."

There are bound to be more ups and downs this year at River Ridge - they are in the competitive Class 4A-District 8. But Shoun and Arianas are vowing to stay upbeat, no matter what.

"This isn't like teams where somebody's getting in your face, screaming at you," Shoun said. "Everybody listens to everybody here. If we see you falling behind, we'll say pick it up. We always keep it positive."

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