Byrd feeling special vibe again as Pirates gear up

Pasco High's Jamie Byrd is used to setting the bar high and reaching it.

He made the move to the varsity level at the end of his junior varsity season as a freshman and never looked back. The following season, Byrd, who is a hybrid safety/linebacker, led the Pirates in tackles. It wasn't a fluke because he did it again last season as a junior.

During his sophomore season in 2008, the same season the Pirates fell one win shy of playing for the Class 4A state title, there was a certain vibe Byrd felt. A willingness to work hard, overcome naysayers and collect wins. He's feeling it again.

"They want it, you can see it," Byrd said of his teammates entering this season. "I think we can get it this year. There are certain years when you think you can (compete for a state championship), but you know you won't be able to. This year (we) have the skills to do it. You can only hold yourself back. If we keep working hard like we're doing, we'll get to where we want to be. They have that same look we had from my 10th grade year."

Coach Tom McHugh doesn't like predictions, but he smiled and offered: "If he says so."

McHugh believes if competing for a state title is what his team is dedicated to doing, then there's a certain way his players have to play.

"We had some warriors on that (2008) team," McHugh said. "I tell the guys that all the time. I refer to them as That Team and what you want to work for. You want to be known as That Team.

"You want to usurp That Team and take its place. If they can do that ..."

This year's bunch might be a step closer - at least on paper - to rivaling at least one piece of That Team. McHugh is convinced his defensive backs have the potential to be better than that 2008 group.

That's a start.

Z'Hills' Roberts goes to Canton

Think of it as training camp for coaches.

First-year Zephyrhills coach Reggie Roberts got the experience of a lifetime when attended a July23 coaches clinic at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Roberts, a Bulldogs linebacker and tight end from 1986 to 1990, was asked by USA Football and the NFL to represent Florida. He got the opportunity to meet NFL coaches and Hall of Famers, while learning and gaining knowledge of the game.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing and you just can't dream of something as great as this," said Roberts, a 38-year-old former Bethune-Cookman linebacker and Orlando homicide detective who takes over at Zephyrhills after a 2-8 season without a definitive head coach. "It was just amazing because we had dinner and a whole night at the Hall of Fame."

Roberts made time to see the bust of his former coach at Bethune-Cookman, former Miami Dolphins guard Larry Little. Little was the coach who came to Roberts' house to recruit him.

Roberts took in all the courses provided, including ones on heat and hydration and concussions. He said he also picked up a few new tricks that will be implemented soon.

"I've already used some of it in practice and it will definitely be used during games," Roberts said. "(The clinic) was a lot of work and there wasn't much free time, but I almost wish I could go every year."

Time to shine?

Hudson RB Kyrie Rodriguez has been a bright spot in practices, and the biggest surprise for new coach Justin Fenton and assistant Andy Schmitz, who is also the athletic director.

Fenton said he believes Rodriguez has a strong chance of being among the county's elite backs, especially considering that Hudson's offense figures to change from a spread option passing look to a single-wing scheme. Fenton said he even discussed Rodriguez with Florida Gators defensive coordinator Dan McCarney, after McCarney inquired about DL Gary Myrick.

"Nobody knows about him," Fenton said of Rodriguez.

Rodriguez had only seven carries for 30 yards last year, while seniors Zack Wynn and Dylan Luke combined for 244 of Hudson's 259 carries (94.2 percent). They combined to run for 1,310 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Rodriguez figures to stand the best chance to duplicate those numbers.

Seahawks chirping

There isn't exactly a lot of tradition when you look at the Sunlake football program.

Since its inaugural season in 2007, the squad has compiled a 5-25 record. Sounds rough, but each year the team has shown signs of improvement.

Last year's 4-6 campaign was its best, and during this summer's six-week 7-on-7 passing league competition it appeared the group was coming along.

"We've done very well," Coach Bill Browning said. "We've gotten the work we've need to get done and we've played a lot of different mixtures of kids, like everyone else really has, and it gives the kids a chance to have some fun."

There was plenty of energy from the Sunlake side of the ball - whether it was defense or offense - during the final session of the passing league at Wiregrass Ranch. There was plenty of talking back and forth, a likely sign the team won't allow itself to be pushed around this season.

Offensively, maybe some of that excitement is the fact there is a sure starter at quarterback in Jacob Jackson, who came on late last season.

"Offensively, we're going to be able to mix up the run and the pass much better," Browning said.

In addition to the time in the passing league, the squad came together for a team camp at Stetson University in DeLand.

"It's really important," Jackson said of the time the team spent together this summer. "We just have to keep working as hard as we can.

"Our team goal is win districts. We're trying to go further than that, but right now, we're taking it one game at a time."