Ravens' Teammates Close On, Off Field

Kory Strassberg played youth football for seven years and was never on a good team.

There were a couple of 0-10 seasons. He learned everything he needed to know about losing - enough to know he didn't like it.

The senior wide receiver learned about winning at Alonso High School.

"I do not like to lose," Strassberg said. "So whenever you do start winning, you don't want to lose it."

Strassberg shares that competitive nature with Ravens quarterback C.J. Bennett. Best friends off the field, Bennett's and Strassberg's familiarity carries over onto the football field.

"Trust and timing are the biggest things for a receiver and quarterback," Alonso coach Mike Heldt said. "They know when they're going to break and how they're going to react.

"To watch them develop from a new system to this is exciting."

The duo's second year in the spread attack Alonso implemented last year is showing signs of improvement.

"I feel a lot more comfortable," Bennett said. "Last year I had transferred from Tampa Catholic and I had to learn a whole new system. You think about things and make sure you're not messing up because everything is new to you. This year, everything is second nature."

More time in the system has been key, but Bennett also credits the Ravens' defensive line, led by FSU commit Demonte McAllister, with making him a better quarterback.

"This is definitely one of the top D-lines in the state," Bennett said, "and when I go against any opponent, I'm not going to see much better than what I see in practice so I think that definitely helps me.

"If I can elude Demonte McAllister, I'm doing pretty good."

Last season while sharing time with quarterback Geno Quintana, Bennett completed 34 of 62 passes for 416 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions.

"He knows how to read the defenses," Heldt said. "You have to in a spread attack because there is going to be somebody open every time. It's just a matter of getting the ball to them and knowing what's going on.

"A good receiver will help him with that and will come back and talk to him and tell him what's going to be open."

That's where Strassberg steps in. Never afraid to speak his mind, the senior wideout plays to his strengths on the football field.

"You just have to be smart," Strassberg said. "It's not all about how fast you are or how athletic you are.

"It's about knowing the offense and what the defense is doing around you."

Along with one of the top defenses in the county and an improved offense, expectations are high for the Ravens, who finished 5-5 last year, missing the playoffs.

"I feel like we can't have another season like we did last year," Strassberg said. "We have to get it done this year. There's no more excuses. We have the weapons. We just have to play as a team."