The East Lake Eagles take the field this evening against county foes Osceola in their spring game. Plenty of questions may have been asked to this point, but answers are being given whether we realize or not. Many of the “big” names are gone, but that doesn’t mean Head Coach Bob Hudson and his squad are going to relinquish their title as “Kings of Pinellas” anytime soon. In fact, before it’s all said and done this could be an Eagles team that shows us all that even sans the household names in the recruiting circles they could be one of the most complete teams in the county and region again. Here are few points we feel are relevant to tonight’s action.

1) First commandment of (defensive) football: Know thine assignment…
The Eagles play the Warriors this time of year to prepare for the upcoming Fall season when they must face a Wing-T program. This year, they’ll get the chance to see that action in full-force week four in district play versus St. Petersburg. Perhaps those reps in defensive assignment football become even more important as the week before that East Lake hosts Lake Brantley from Altamonte Springs in week three. Granted, it’s a little bit different than Osceola’s scheme, but the assignments don’t change. They run the Triple Option and have a 2017 running back named Trace Christian that looks like an Adarius Lemons clone. The more you know, right?

2) Don’t fall for the okie doke…
Just because East Lake doesn’t have the kind of playmakers that put them up 14-0 simply by getting off the bus doesn’t mean their win total won’t come close to what it was last season. The final scores may not be running clocks and we all may be doubting them in some sort of way at some point in the season, but you’ve been warned. Make no mistake about it, they’ve got all the tools to play ground-and-pound then make timely plays on defense to have themselves right back in contention for the #1 spot in the county come seasons’ end. They’ve also got some of the best coaching around which always helps.

3) About that coaching…
This point is relevant to the first one in that this game isn’t just another function of the end of the school year and a reason to watch football in May. If you notice the staff getting after every single detail even if the score dictates a deep breath and smile then it’s a function of the leadership that makes them a great-not-good program. The Eagles have known that in recent years they could hit up Artavis Scott or George Campbell and they would make it all better even if the defense was having some tough time adjusting to the scheme. Until the chemistry class has been passed on the offensive side of the ball, East Lake’s attention to detail and execution from start to finish this evening is the most important aspect besides staying healthy. Their memories will be fine when it comes to prepping for the Fall if they are completely self-conscious of the effort that will be demanded and expected of them by Hudson and his staff.