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By RICHARD BURTON
Published August 26, 2005
THE VILLAGES - When he started up the program at the Villages High School four years ago, Richard Pettus looked to the day his team would get a chance to play for more than pride.
After a year of getting things prepared facility-wise,and two more seasons of independent play against JV and varsity teams, the Buffalo are excited about jumping into district play.
"It's kind of a relief to get started in a district," said Pettus, who played receiver at Memphis and also was the head coach at Lake Weir High.
Last season, VHS went 7-2 after playing a combination JV/varsity schedule. Its losses in six varsity games were to Tampa Cambridge and Nature Coast.
The previous year saw the Buffalo go 5-3 using the same type of schedule, which included an 0-3 mark against varsity competition.
This time around, the Buffalo will face Citrus, Lecanto and Nature Coast, as well as play in a tough district that features 2004 state playoff teams Crescent City and Wildwood.
State power Ocala Trinity Catholic, coached by former University of Florida quarterback Kerwin Bell, faces VHS in its season opener. Over the past two seasons, the Buffalo downed the Celtics on the JV level.
"I feel we will be competitive," Pettus said. "Only time will tell, but we have kids that give everything they have and worked real hard."
Aside from facing several Citrus County teams on the field, VHS has a Citrus County flavor to its coaching staff.
Former Citrus coach Larry Bishop is the defensive coordinator. Brady Bogart, another former Citrus graduate and coach, is the defensive line coach.
Bishop's top returning player is linebacker James Frazier, the team's leading tackler last season in its 4-4 scheme.
The key for the Buffalo, though, will be avoiding injury.
With 24 players on the roster, including seven seniors, VHS will have several key players starting on both sides of the ball.
"I don't like that we have to do that," Pettus said.
"But we are going to line up and play."
Perhaps the best two-way player is speedy running back Ricardo Gilliard (5-foot-10, 170 pounds). Last season, Gilliard rushed for more than 1,000 yards and brings a 4.4 time in the 40-yard dash to the table. Joining Gilliard in the skill-player department are running back Derrick Dempsey (5-8, 145) and receiver Rashad Jackson (5-8, 145), who both run under 4.5 in the 40.
Mike Kelly will start at quarterback after splitting time last season with Bryan Hinkle, who transferred to Wildwood in the spring. Kelly, though, will look to open things up for VHS, which averaged 26 points per game last season.
The line is led by guards Caleb Webb (6-4, 230) and Charlton Reiner (6-0, 210), the team's strongest player with a 330-pound bench press.
"We're not bad at all up front," Pettus said. "We just need some more depth at the skill positions."
[Last modified August 24, 2005, 15:25:11]
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