Cardinal Mooney football preview 2017: Cougars aiming for next playoff step
At a glance
Herald’s forecast: 7-3
The ground-and-pound Cougars improved drastically in the running game with Bryce Williams coming back from injury as a junior buzz-saw. Now as a senior, the Minnesota commit is the driving force for a Cardinal Mooney squad that isn’t content with just making the playoffs. The Cougars want to make some noise this year.
Deep at: Quarterback. There are four potential signal-callers this season.
Thin at: Offensive line. It’s an area that is always a concern for smaller schools.
Head coach: Drew Lascari
Career: Third year, 10-12
Needs a big season from: Bryce Williams, Sr., RB
Head coach Drew Lascari’s favorite stat is 256 carries, zero fumbles. That’s what workhorse tailback Bryce Williams produced during a breakout junior season.
The dynamic running back picked up several college offers before verbally committing to Minnesota during the offseason. Now the Cougars need an encore performance during his final high school season.
“I think Bryce is carrying us where we want to go,” Lascari said.
That would be competing at the state level come playoff time. The past two seasons yielded playoff berths, but first-round exits.
Mooney is poised to take the next step with 17 returning starters back in the fold this season. Williams is one of those players, and he’s expected to deliver in the running game once more.
“He didn’t fumble the ball once last year,” Lascari said. “It’s such an important stat that maybe people don’t even realize. The three games that we lost last year, we had three turnovers in each. We won every other game and (didn’t) turn the ball over three times. So being able to tote that rock is huge.”
Often overlooked is a running back’s ability to block. Lascari is pleased with how well Williams can block oncoming rushers and protect the quarterback.
“He’s not afraid to block the ends or blitzing linebackers,” Lascari said. “He’s so darn strong, and he’s also a bigger guy, too, so he can cover ground.”
That strength comes from a dedication to the weight room. Lascari calls Williams a “gym rat” for how much effort he puts into that aspect of his game.
Schedule breakdown
Who’s in: Winter Haven, West Park Prep
Who’s out: Bayshore
Upgrade: Adding a 7A opponent in Winter Haven provides another test to help get the Cougars ready for a postseason run. That’s far from a cakewalk for homecoming.
Impact newcomer
Tray Hall, Soph., DB/RB
A Sarasota High transfer, Hall was the Sailors’ top running back in 2016. He’s one of only two players that head coach Drew Lascari anticipates having to play two-way football – the Cougars are now equipped with enough bodies to avoid regular two-way play. With Hall, Lascari is getting varsity experience at the Class 7A level and someone who can spell Williams to keep the running game fresh.
Jason Dill: 941-745-7017, @Jason__Dill
2017 schedule
Games start at 7 p.m. unless noted
Aug. 25 | at Fort Myers Bishop Verot |
Sept. 1 | Largo Indian Rocks Christian |
Sept. 8 | Tampa Berkeley Prep* |
Sept. 22 | Englewood Lemon Bay, 7:30 p.m. |
Sept. 29 | Clearwater Calvary Christian* |
Oct. 6 | at Southeast, 7:30 p.m. |
Oct. 12 | at St. Petersburg Catholic* |
Oct. 20 | Winter Haven |
Oct. 27 | at Clearwater Central Catholic*, 7:30 p.m. |
Nov. 3 | West Park Prep |
*-Class 3A-Region 3 game
2016 results
Fort Myers Bishop Verot | W, 46-15 |
Tampa Berkeley Prep | L, 14-7 |
Largo Indian Rocks Christian | W, 42-7 |
Englewood Lemon Bay | W, 27-14 |
Clearwater Calvary Christian | W, 42-35 |
Southeast | W, 28-7 |
St. Pete Catholic | W, 38-6 |
Lakeland Victory Christian | W, 21-18 |
Clearwater Central Catholic | L, 41-28 |
Bayshore | W, 27-2 |
Class 3A playoffs | |
Melbourne Central Catholic | L, 56-34 |
This story was originally published August 23, 2017 at 7:20 AM with the headline "Cardinal Mooney football preview 2017: Cougars aiming for next playoff step."