Tarpon Springs Spongers
Head Coach: Atif Austin
2010 Record: 4-7 (Lost in 1st Rd of 4A Playoffs to Gainesville)
2011 District: 7-6A
Boca Ciega
Dixie Hollins
Lakewood Ranch
Largo
Osceola
Tarpon Springs
Saying Goodbye:
Zach Debell (OL)
Broderick Lee (DT)
Darius Daniels (RB)
Hello Again:
Louis Pappas (QB)
Runaldo Wright (WR)
Kenyatta Merriex (WR)
Pugh’s View: The Spongers lose some beef on both sides in Debell and Lee. They also lose their leading rusher in Daniels. All is not lost however since they return a potentially deadly triple-threat with Pappas throwing to Wright & Merriex who combined for 60 receptions, 1,1162 yards, and 11 TD’s. (And to think that they are known more or less for their running prowess.) New district, new outlook; the Spongers Faithful will lose their patience if they can’t put together a winning season with this schedule. The rubber meets the road their last two games as I see the district coming down to those three teams.
Must Have: Someone to step in and replace the three big seniors, as well as give Louis Pappas carte blanche to throw the ball.
Uh-Oh: If they have to depend COMPLETELY on the arm of Pappas. They still have to find balance although Pappas is a legitimate D-1 prospect.
2011 Schedule
9/2 Dunedin
9/9 Clearwater
9/16 at East Lake
9/23 Dixie Hollins*
9/30 at Northeast
10/7 at Lakewood Ranch*
10/14 Palm Harbor University
10/21 Osceola*
10/28 at Boca Ciega*
11/4 at Largo