Anclote Football is enjoying success this season thanks to its players shaking off last year’s 0-10 season and trusting the process. The Sharks are 3-3 overall and 3-1 in District 5A-8 with their playoff destiny firmly in their control with games against leaders River Ridge and Zephyrhills–following a date with Wesley Chapel at home this Friday. Head Coach Matt Wicks has the benefit of a pretty special running back in the form of Braxton Johnson. The 5-foot-4, 170-pounder has rushed for 1,252 yards on 140 carries good for an average of 200+ per game and 10 touchdowns this season. Johnson has also caught 10 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown for the Sharks. As a sophomore, Johnson rushed for 733 yards in 9 games. Last week, Johnson rushed for 328 yards vs. Fivay.
Head Coach Matt Wicks was gracious enough to answer a few questions regarding the resurgence of his team and what it is he preached to the players during the offseason after experiencing that 0-10 season. He also points out why we should be paying much more attention to his running back.
Here now is Anclote Head Coach, Matt Wicks in his own words.
BCP: 0-10 last season which means y’all could only go upwards from here–what was the mantra this offseason?
Matt Wicks: Get better in spring ball, and commit to the summer program.
BCP: The Sharks control their destiny with River Ridge & Zephyrhills still left on the schedule sitting at 3-1. What’s the message to your team right now?
Matt Wicks: Exactly that, we control our own destiny, put the work in each week to get better and get ready for the next team. Have good uptempo practices with focus on the little things to help us with the bigs things.
BCP: Tell us more about your stud RB, Braxton Johnson and what it is we should be paying attention to when it comes to his game?
Matt Wicks: Humble, hard working kid with a 3.4 GPA. All about the team and winning. He is a physically strong player with incredible balance. He has the ability to score any time he touches the ball. Should break the school rushing record this week with 3 more games to play. And he is a Junior….