The Falcons football team still has some gelling to do as it donned full pads for the first since spring.
With the quarterback question still up in the air, Falcons receivers are doing the best they can to work on their timing. They have a lot of work to do, Dunedin High's new head coach said.
“Our passing game is a little bit more complex than our running game,” Smith admitted.
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“That’s what I’m working on the most right now," junior Christian O'Shea, "developing timing and relationship with whoever’s back there."
Key words: "Whoever's back there."
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Favored incoming senior quarterback Anthony Diviney recently returned to Clearwater Central Catholic over the summer. CCC, however, does not allow senior transfer students to play athletics, thus thwarting any opportunity for Diviney to land a spot on the football roster. Despite his skill, he now finds himself competing for his former position. Both Briggs Noun and Mack Benson, who stepped up to fill Diviney's cleats after he left, have showed progress, Smith said.
Eventually, Falcons receivers will have to do their best to develop chemistry with their starting quarterback — whoever lands the job.
As for the receivers, leading the way for the Falcons will most likely be senior Chris Askew, who is recovering from an illness but should be back out of the practice field any day. Smith said Askew is smart and experienced. He has great hands and is a good route runner.
Opposite Askew will most likely be senior Mike Singer, a Falcons veteran. Backing up Askew on the outside and potentially pushing for starting time, is junior Austin Ladd, who also has great hands and very good speed off the line of scrimmage, Smith said.
Ladd is trying to weather the quarterback three-quarterback Monte that is going on right now in Dunedin.
“I try to help as much as I can by running crisp routes and just catch as many balls as I can,” Ladd said.
Backing up Singer on the outside will likely be junior Kitron Miles. Miles also moves in and plays slot receiver.
O'Shea will contribute, also. O'Shea stands about 6 feet, 2 inches, so he might have the best height advantage at the position, Smith said. And he's a good worker. O'Shea caught most everything thrown his way at Thursday’s practice.
“Our passing game’s all about spacing and timing, once they get that, we’re gonna be fine,” said Smith.
[Updated 3:31 p.m., Aug. 15, 2011]