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Spongers armed with aerial weaponry

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BY ERIC HORCHY

SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF

Published: September 13, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - At this exact time last year, the Tarpon Springs High football team sat just as they do today: 1-0 after dismantling an overmatched squad from nearby Palm Harbor University.

Although only one game has passed, signs of being a year older, a year wiser and a year stronger already began to show during the Week 1, 36-13 thumping.

Tarpon is laden with not just upperclassmen, but upperclassmen with plentiful experience at key positions.

What jumped out last Friday night was the Spongers' continually improving offense that is loaded with dynamic potential.

Senior Quarterback Danny Reyes lit up the Palm Harbor sky for 344 yards on 18-for-27 passing, while hitting his favorite targets - four-year starters Bobby Vavlas and Drew Kier - 11 times for a combined 252 yards and three touchdowns.

The trio is more than familiar with each others styles and tendencies, Reyes said, noting that they've been playing ball together since they were 8.

"We all know each other," Reyes said of his comfort level with Vavlas and Kier and his other senior receivers. "I know what they can do and how they run their routes."

The medium-sized (listed at 6-foot, 190 pounds) three-year starter has developed nicely since his sophomore season, head coach George Kotis said, keying on his composure while checking down receivers in or out of the pocket.

Kotis said Reyes was more apt to tuck and run if flooded out of the pocket in years past, but showed his equanimity on multiple occasions against PHU by tossing accurately while rolling.

"I feel like we've got the best quarterback in the county," Kier said of Reyes. "He knows when to hit us and that when we're one on one, to give us a chance to go up for the ball."

The ability to go up and over defensive backs, or just simply beat them to a ball, continues to be the M.O. for both rangy senior receivers.

That style of play is also part of the offensive philosophy Kotis has instilled into Reyes' game.

"Here's our rule," Kotis said after the victory at PHU. "If (Vavlas or Kier) are covered, throw it, because both of them will just go up and get it. If there are two people, then find somebody else."

Receivers coach David Neil elaborated during a practice this week on his outside threats' all-around impact.

"They want to go out and be able to dominate they guy across from them, so by the second half he's mentally beat," Neil said, while emphasizing the downfield blocking work both have put in this summer.

"They're just great kids," he added. "I don't have kids, but if I had sons like those two I'd definitely be happy."

That element of coachability and positive attitudes among many of Tarpon's seniors is perhaps an X-factor that may help push the Spongers passed their 6-4 posting last season and back into the playoffs after a year layoff.

The 2008 version of the Spongers seems to be displaying an all-around cohesiveness that is led by its seniors; something Kotis said was lacking in years past.

"I feel like we're the ones that are looked up to this year to make big plays and be consistent," Kier said of embracing the leadership role.

If production levels similar to those racked up at Palm Harbor can be mirrored throughout a 10-game season, these Spongers' overall goals will become evermore reachable by each passing week.

"We definitely want to be district champs," Reyes said. "We haven't done that in a couple years and I'm not happy about that."

When asked how he ultimately wants to see this team finish, Vavlas said bluntly and without hesitation: "State champions."

It's now only Week 2 and Tarpon's main challenges are obviously yet to come, but the senior's response conveys a solid message if his lofty goals are to be attained: You've gotta visualize before you can realize.

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