The Tampa Tribune from Tampa, Florida • 51

7-HC Cirysttall HMven Early Games Tough For Pirates 1 IIHlliiilii yJ-t WS: THE TAMPA TRIBUNE, Saturday, September 4, 1982 ft 9 E5oTb.all ft "jry I vj Charles Brooks 225-pound defensive tackle Coach Tom Hybl Likes condition of squad Dale Pittman Tight end and linebacker Rusty Mullis at 6-0, 195 will provide power at fullback while Robert Lemon (5-8, 150) and Charles Dormer (6-0, 180) share the running back chores. They'll get running help from wingbacks Ted Kennedy (5-10, 155) and John Deem. (5-10, 135). The Pirates have a solid forward wall with Ken Frink (5-10, 185) at center and Jim Baker (5-11, 180) and Frank Wynne (5-10, 185) at the guards. Joe Vorwerk (5-11, 195) and Joe Ossmann (5-11, 185) are the tackles and Dale Plttman (5-10, 170) will be the tight end.

David Hicks (5- 10, 150) is scheduled to play split end. On defense, Plttman will be a linebacker, Vorwerk an end, Owens at safety and Baker moves to tackle. Derik Touchton (5-8, 210) will be the nose guard while Charles Brooks (5- 11, 225) moves to the other tackle position. John Deem will handle the other defensive end slot. Benje Thomas (5-8, 155) and Tim Jones 5-8, 145) will be the linebacker and cornerback respectively while Hicks or Andre Devaughn will bid for the other cornerback spot.

"I hope we're good enough to use the 50 defense but if we're not, we're going to use it anyway," Hybl said with a laugh. "On offense we're going to be a typical high school team. Our forte will be the running game and we may throw between eight and 15 times a game. We have a couple of kids who can catch but we're not going to take a chance on airing the ball out too much." By JACK NAST Tribune Correspondent CRYSTAL RIVER "The team came back to fall practice in good condition and we're a lot further along than we were at the same time last coach Tom Hybl says about his Crystal River football team. "We had 33 varsity players and we kept them from 7:30 in the morning to 6:30 in the evening in three-a-day practices the first week.

The kids were tough and had a great attitude." After that first week, Hybl pointed out that he had only 12 more practices before opening the season next Thursday against defending 3A-Section 2 champ Gainesville Buch-holz. Just eight days later his Pirates go against ever-powerful Wildwood and a week after that the opponent is Region 4 champion Hernando. Crystal River's 3A-District 6 competition begins on the fourth week with a battle against defending champ Ocala Vanguard. If the Pirates survive these four games without injury, they could be tough the rest of the way. "I like the idea of playing a good solid team for a season opener but not four or five of them in a row," Hybl said about the schedule.

"We're thinking about making some changes next year. We're kind of proud of the fact that we got through that schedule last year without getting anyone injured and we hope we can do the same this year. "Our kids are bigger, stronger and quicker than they were last year and we feel with all other things being equal, we'll win at least one game on conditioning alone. If we manage to knock off one or two of those good teams along the way, we could have a great season. "I don't expect miracles but this year I believe we can be competitive with anybody on our schedule.

At least we shouldn't be the recipient of any more 48-0 whippings," Hybl added. In his rookie season at the helm of the Pirates, Hybl set specific and realistic goals. His team took its lumps along the way as expected but also managed to improve in the way the coach had hoped. After going 0-5 in the first half, Crystal River came back to win three of the next five games. One of the keys to the improved second half was the introduction of Randy Owens to the quarterback slot.

He provided the leadership, agility and speed necessary to make the offense jell. At 5-11, 160, Owens "has all the tools to be a great one." 0 Wildwood 6 0 Hernando 41 0 Ocala Vanguard 34 6 South Sumter 35 7 Lake Weir 10 20 Sprlngtlead 0 12 North Marlon 7 0 Ocala Forest 31 34 Cltrus23 Athletic Director Tom Hybl Classification 3A School Colors Blue and gold Nickname Pirates Enrollment 1150 Head Coach Tom Hybl Assistant Coaches Bruce Kregloe, Joe Caro, Rich Echens 1981 Record 3-7 Home Field Pirate Stadium Capacity 2,000 Returning Starters 13 On offense: 9 On defense: 4 Hybl has done a lot of work with the Pirates' kicking game and is confident it will be a strong point in the 1982 team skills. With Mullis as punter and Dormer the place-kicker, Crystal River seems to be in good shape in that department. "The kids have dedicated the last year and a half to our program and have made drastic improvements. Pound for pound, it's the strongest football team I've seen." At A Glance School Crystal River Principal Frank Walker 1982 SCHEDULE Sept.

9 at Gainesville Buchholz Sept. 17 at Wildwood Sept. 24 Hernando Oct. 1 Ocala Vanguard Oct. 8 at South Sumter Oct.

15 Lake Weir Oct. 22 Sprlngstead Oct. 29 North Marlon Nov. 5 -Open Nov. 12 at Ocala Forest Nov.

19 at Citrus 1981 RESULTS Oys.Rv. Game Opp. 0 Gainesville Buchholz 48 Diary of a Rookie George Floyd defensive backs left in camp. No decision has been reached on the final number to be retained. "We kept eight last year," said Howard.

"One for sure will be dropped and probably one other will be put on the taxi squad. With the new rule this year allowing four additional players to be kept, it could change the club's feelings. "I do think the figure will be eight. There are two rookies left. One is George.

The other is George's roommate, David Dumars, a free agent out of Northeast Louisana." That is another pressure situation. Floyd and Dumars are probably thinking the same way. Is it me? Is it you? It can't make for anything else but a difficult living arrangement. Floyd does have something going for him. He can be used on specialty teams.

It has saved more than one player from being cut. George can return kickoffs and punts and' the Jets were pleased with the job he did in the first two games. George didn't play a down last Saturday night when the Jets lost to the New York Giants. "The starters played just about the entire game," said Howard. "Also, we had to cut 10 players and one final look was taken at the ones they felt were going to be cut, including a defensive back, who was released.

"I think not playing bothered George, despite the fact he was told it was nothing against him. But no player likes to sit and watch." One player who saved his job in the NFL for six years was Feacher. "I lived and died in the league with the specialty teams," said Feacher. "I waited for my time to play at wide receiver, Editor's Note: A total of 308 players now on rosters of the National Football League will be gone come Monday. Could George Floyd, a native of Brooksville, who is a rookie defensive back-punt returner with the New York Jets, be one of those? Or, will George survive the cut? The graduate of Eastern Kentucky University has been writing a weekly report for The Tribune i about what a rookie's life is like at training camp.

George requested to skip this week's report, because he wants to devote every minute to mental and physical preparation for the final preseason game tonight at home against Denver. We understand the pressure he's under. Tribune Sports Writer Walt Riddle talked with Jet Public Relations Director Ron Howard about this and with veteran NFL performer Ricky Feacher, a Brooksville resident, of the Cleveland Browns, a close friend of Floyd's, about what Floyd is going through. Floyd advised The Tribune he would be happy to continue his report next week. BROOKSVILLE The dream of many football players is one day to play in the National Football League.

George Floyd is no different From the time he was a 14-year-old starting in the defensive secondary for Hernando High Floyd has dreamed of one day being in the pros; George was a star from Day One with the Leopards. He was selected on the first unit of The Tribune'sAll-Area team as a sophomore. He was a repeater as a junior and senior. He was captain Final Cuts Mean Hard Work of the defensive team each Nothing changed when Floyd signed with Eastern Kentucky University. He was a four-year starter for the Division 1-AA team, helping them win the national championship his sophomore year and in reaching the title game his final two seasons.

He was a two-time Ail-American and a two-time defensive player of the year in the Ohio Valley Conference. Everyone expected him to go high in the NFL draft. He lasted to the fourth round. The Jets drafted him. He saw extensive service during the Jets first two pre-season games, returning punts and kick-offs and seeing action at safety.

He survived three cuts.The final and most important one comes Monday when rosters are trimmed from 60 to 49 for the regular season. One can see how close George is to seeing his dream comes true. He also realizes a poor performance when he sees action against Denver tonight, could send him packing. Howard told The Tribune the Jets have nine but busted my butt in between on specialty teams to earn a spot on the squad." Feacher said he never did relax until the final roster cut was made by the Browns for the past six years. "It does play funny tricks with the mind," said Feacher.

"I know what George is going through. I went through the same thing. This is the first year I have been able to relax. "I'm starting now. I see other rookies going through the same thing here.

I saw George on television when the Jets played Houston a couple of weeks ago. "He is doing well. George has all the capabilities of being a great player. I have worked out with him in Brooksville for the past four years. He can find the football.

He's a hard-nosed player. We talked at great length this summer about pro football. "I recommended my agent to him, and he is using him. I told George to take advantage of the situation with the specialty teams. That this more than his ability as a defensive back would help him stick during his first year.

"All pro teams are looking for people who are willing to help the team. I found this out early. I think he will make the squad." So do we. Feacher said he never did relax until the final roster cut was made by the Browns for the past six years. "It does play funny tricks with the mind," said Feacher.

"I know what George is going through. I went through the same thing. This is the first year I have been able to relax. "I'm starting now. I see other rookies going through the same thing here.

I saw George on television when the Jets played Houston a couple of weeks ago. "He is doing well. George has all the capabilities of being a great player. I have worked out with him in Brooksville for the past four years. He can find the football.

He's a hard-nosed player. We talked at great length this summer about pro football. "I recommended my agent to him, and he is using him. I told George to take advantage of the situation with the specialty teams. That this more than his ability as a 'defensive back would help him stick during his first year.

"All pro teams are looking for people who are willing to help the team. I found this out early. I think he will make the squad." So do we. UT Best of Luck Hernando in '32 HWY.50E.&SR41 Brooksville PORT RICHEY GULFVIEW SQUARE MALL 'We have all the clothes you need for your young men Want some good advice? Read Ann Landers In The Tribune. arw S4 YOUNG MENS SPORT SHIRTS by Ocean Pacific and Lightning Bolt Short Sleeves Asst.

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