You simply do not get the chance to play, coach or watch five-star talent in everyday life unless you were a member of the Tampa Catholic football team this past season as the Crusaders went barreling through their schedule until running into the juggernaut that is Jacksonville’s Trinity Christian in the final four thanks to the services of Nate Craig-Myers and crew.

The Crusaders averaged 37 points per game last season in the process of going 10-3 and making an appearance in the Class 3A state semifinals. The offense averaged 405 yards per game and they were as balanced as you could ask with the total yardage rushed at 2,463 and total yards thrown at 2,802. Of course, it helps when you’ve got a generational talent like Nate Craig-Myers lined up on the field–but it also helps that essentially every one of the weapons (minus Craig-Myers of course) is back for another season.

The questions remain to be answered, but the speculation that the Crusaders will sorely miss Craig-Myers in terms of their offensive production may be slightly overblown. One–or better yet TWO of those reasons are the return of Quarterback Austin Sessums–who, finished second in the final ballot for Class 3A Player of the Year–and WR/DB Darius Corbett–who, is primed to take over the role that’s been vacated due to Nate’s graduation and departure for Auburn.

The 6-foot, 160-pound junior caught 34 passes last season–second most on the team–for 825 yards and nine touchdowns–also second on the team behind Craig-Myers in receiving while Sessums threw for 2,777 yards, 32 touchdowns passing and two touchdowns rushing. Sessums rushed for just 16 yards rushing on 55 carries so obviously if Sessums can keep from being sacked, his totals on the ground should rise exponentially. Corbett’s the favorite target of Sessums even though Nate Craig-Myers was the alpha in the receiving corps, but don’t let us declare it so, just ask Sessums.

“I thought we had a really good season, but Darius man–he’s probably my favorite target. I think we have the most chemistry–even though Nate was the best receiver–Darius has tremendous hands. We have a level of trust, you know. If he’s running a fly or a go-route, I know I can put the ball in the air and trust him to go and make the play every time. It gives you a certain level of confidence knowing that whenever you don’t see anyone down the field, you can throw to an upon receiver like Darius and know that he’s going to up and get it.”

Sessums knows that the hemming-and-hawing is in full-swing over the departure of Craig-Myers and his 1,000+ yards receiving plus 16 touchdowns. He’s unequivocally aware that Nate’s a once-in-a-lifetime teammate when it comes to that kind of talent at the high school level, but it’s not the end-all, be-all in terms of dictating THIS year’s 2016 version of Tampa Catholic Football. The expectations–nor the pressure–haven’t lowered at all.

“Everyone thinks that because we’re losing Nate, our season’s not going to go as well this year–we still have a lot of talent on our team–Bentlee (Sanders) is an athletic kid and of course Darius–Devan’s a tremendous running back–and I think we have all the weapons coming back to have another solid year. When you have a receiver like Nate on your team–a high-profile player like that–you have a lot of pressure on you to get the ball to him. I welcome things like that, I’m not one to shy away from going at things head-on.”

The Crusaders have an 1,800+ yard rusher in the form of stud running back Devan Barrett that will join Corbett and Sessums. Along with the combined 43 touchdowns between Sessums and Corbett last season, you can add Barrett’s 23 total touchdowns on the ground and through the air to that impressive contribution list. They’ve even got Bentlee Sanders in the mix that could step up and be a major contributor, but the signal-caller also understands there’s got to be more from himself in the rushing category.

Sessums rushed for just 16 yards rushing on 55 carries so obviously if he can keep from being sacked, his totals on the ground should rise exponentially–plus give the Crusaders something they’ll definitely need. “I have the receivers, but I have the feeling I’ll be running even more so than last year. I think I’m going to have to use my legs a lot more if we want to win games.”

It’s not as easy as calling your own number and piling up yards though, which is something Sessums knows he has to keep into its proper perspective. He also understands that improvement from last year could mean even bigger things than last season for himself and his teammates. “Knowing when to run is important so I’m doing everything I can to prepare myself in all phases, just getting bigger-faster-stronger for next year.”