Football Preview: Sarasota High

THE BASICS 

1000 S. School Ave., Sarasota 

Mascot: Sailors

Colors: Orange and black

2014 Record: 2-8

SCHEDULE 

Class 7A-District 11

*Denotes district game

**All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted

Aug. 28 at Cape Coral (7 p.m.)

Sept. 4 at Booker

Sept. 11 vs. Island Coast

Sept. 18 at Palmetto*

Sept. 25 BYE

Oct 2 vs. Venice*

Oct. 9 vs Tampa Jesuit

Oct. 16 at Lakewood Ranch*

Oct. 23 vs. North Port*

Oct. 30 vs. Braden River*

Nov. 6 at Riverview 

BY THE NUMBERS 

2013 — Year Sarasota won its last district title. 

46 — Players on this year’s varsity squad. 

6 — Games in which the Sailors allowed at least 30 points last season. 

1 — District games Sarasota won last season. 

26 — Average points Sarasota scored in its two wins last season. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Gerome Howard, junior, offensive and defensive line 

Xakari Hawkins, junior, quarterback

Dakota Cotner, senior, wide receiver 

UNDER THE HEADSET 

Brian Ryals, second year 

How would you characterize this year’s team?

“They are young and athletic. We’re still on the ground floor. We have a lot of freshman and sophomores. They are young men, who are still growing in terms of maturity and physically as well.” 

What are your expectations for this season?

“Growth and improvement. It’s going to be a very tough year at times, but I’m looking for those bright spots and game to game improvement from where we start out. It doesn’t mean its not going to be a difficult transition; but if it happens to be that, then I just want us to be able to play the hand that we’re dealt and execute. What we’ve got, in terms of the makeup of the team athletically, is moving in the right direction.” 

What would you say is the strength of this team?

“They haven’t won a lot of games, so they are hungry to win. When they played at younger levels, they might’ve gotten a taste of it. They’ve really worked together and grown throughout the spring and summer sessions; and we’re seeing that they have the potential to be pretty good. It’s a continuing process. They just have to believe and have the hunger and desire to do it.” 

What’s the one area that still needs improvement?

“Our experience. We only have four or five starters returning on both offense and defense. It’s a good problem to have because in the future we’ll have developed kids who have seen a significant amount of time.” 

What’s the main thing you try and tell your younger players heading into a new season?

“We have to focus on ourselves and the product we put out on the field, but more importantly, we want them to be respectable young men on and off of the field. It’s about consistency and playing together for one another.”