TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Anderson To Take Pressure Off Hagens

ADVERTISEMENT

By BILL WARD

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 4, 2008

TAMPA - Fullback Maurice Hagens was something of a sophomore superhero for the Titans last season. He rushed for more than 1,300 yards, scored 10 TDs and, more importantly, led the Titans out of the misery of back-to-back winless seasons and into a new era with a 6-4 record.

It was TBT's first winning season in six years.

The only drawback was Hagens became a marked man. Opposing defense began stacking the line, just waiting for the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Hagens to get the ball. Most coaches figured if they stopped Hagens, they could stop TBT. And sometimes they were right.

This fall, however, Hagens hopes to have a few sidekicks to keep teams honest. Among those joining him in a quest for the playoffs is all-purpose running back Darius Anderson.

Think of Anderson as a slimmer version of Hagens, a guy who can not only break for long runs, but also block and catch the ball out of the backfield.

"I expect him to be a much bigger part of our offense this year," said Hagens. "I'd be in the backfield last year saying to myself, 'I'm about to run into eight people all looking to stop me.' Now, with Darius, we have a good blocker in front of me and a good breakaway threat."

Anderson, whom Coach C.C. Culpepper says was totally committed to the weight room, says he's ready for more responsibilities.

"I can run, catch the ball, I can block for Maurice or whoever's behind me," Anderson said. "I just want to do my best on the field to make big things happen for my team."

And if transfer quarterback Angel Rodriguez can perform like he did last season at Wiregrass Ranch, the Titans could possess a third threat in its Wing-T offense: a passing game. TBT also has a sophomore quarterback, Jonathan Williams, who has been throwing the ball well during spring and summer training.

"We're still a Wing-T team but I think we now have the ability to throw it deep and underneath defenses," Culpepper said. "We finally have that element to go vertical with it and that's something you have to have, especially in this district."

A big part of TBT's turnaround is a result of Culpepper and the discipline he has enforced with his players. Break a team rule on his squad and expect consequences.

"We have to say, 'Yes, sir, no, sir, yes, ma'am, no, ma'am' to everybody," Anderson said. "It's that way for us with our teachers, administrators, coaches - everybody."

Break a rule at TBT and you'll get "up-downs," a term they use for a player having to jog in place, hit the ground and get back up again each time a coach blows a whistle. Break a rule enough times and you're off the team.

"It's made the difference here," Hagens said. "It's why we have a good chance of making the playoffs."

Standing in TBT's path of that goal: two-time state champ Armwood, powers Hillsborough and Middleton and an improving Freedom.

"We just have to bring what they bring - only more," Hagens said. "And that's just hard work."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT