As the 2013 season draws closer by the day, Thursday night will bring an intriguing contest between tradition rich Jesuit and newer school, Palm Harbor attempting to build a lasting tradition. The battle with in the battle, will be between competing senior quarterbacks, Tyler Kaminski (Palm Harbor) and Vincent Testaverde Jr. (Jesuit). Each with their own story and motivation; Both with a common goal.
Tyler Kaminski enters the 2014 season as a second year starter, filling the shoes of Palm Harbor recent legend, Billy Pavlock. Solid season in 2012 throwing for 1030 yards and rushing for another 256. Led his team to an 8-2 regular season and playoff birth.
This year, Kaminiski is charged up and ready to increase his personal numbers and help raise the win total for his team. An accomplishment that would be very fulfilling after a trying offseason losing a few key players to transfer and a lingering round 1 playoff defeat. The team has grinded all offseason and Tyler feels they are stronger mentally and physically. “Our strength and conditioning coach did a great job working us out. The workouts may have been hell, but it was worth it. Our bodies got a lot bigger. Our strength went up a lot and we’re in great football shape.”
There is no lack of motivation for this 2013 Palm Harbor team. Even though the Hurricanes were an impressive 8-3 team last year, the doubters still voice their opinion and it is making the Hurricane even stronger. “Our motivation is the people who keep telling us we don’t have a chance. They say we’re just ‘Palm Harbor’ and we’ll never be good. We want to go out and make a statement. Prove everyone wrong!”
The doubters may have less to say if PHU performs well aginst tradional Hillsborough County power, Jesuit. Even though it’s “Just” a classic and has not effect on the season record, this games means something to Kaminiski and his crew. “Yes, of course it means something. Jesuit is a great team. Known for football, has some great players like Vincent [Jackson]. So yeah, it would mean something to win.”
Will Palm Harbor be the most talented team on the field Thursday night? Likley not. However, they were not the most talented team on the field the 8 games they won last year. They work hard and hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard. Kaminksi says the strength in the team is the offense. “We have all come together as a team and put in work. We have great linemen that have been busting there butt since day 1! Our wide receivers are stepping up big time and we all have a great connection with each other.”
What does a good personal performance vs Jesuit mean to you personally?
“It would be nice to have a good personal game to be honest. it would be a nice boast in confidence! I’m just going to go out there and play ball the Palm Harbor way. Not turn the ball over and live to play another down.”