TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Sebring Hopes To Maintain Bragging Rights Over AP

Brian Gjurgevich, Highlands Today

Sebring junior Daniel Burnett will lead the Blue Streaks into tonight's rivalry showdown with Avon Park, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at Joe Franza Stadium.

ADVERTISEMENT

By BRIAN GJURGEVICH

Highlands Today

Published: November 7, 2008

SEBRING - Daniel Burnett may not have the playoffs to look forward to, but that doesn't mean he the junior running back can't daydream a bit about the future.

The trophy that's shared by the Sebring and Avon Park football team as a symbol of one of the state's oldest football rivalries is currently in the Streaks' possession, and the junior running back would like to keep it that way.

"I want to look at it when I walk in here my senior year and say, 'At least we got Avon Park,'" Burnett said with a grin after practice on Wednesday.

"We're looking the best we have all season. We're focused and we're playing for pride."

Sebring coach Jared Hamlin said he's proud of the Streaks' effort during a seven-game losing stretch after the Sebring won both its preseason and season opener.

"They haven't quit even though it's been tough," Hamlin said. "That shows their character."

Hamlin said records are meaningless in a rivalry game, and even though both Sebring and AP are out of postseason contention, the game is always a bit nerve-racking.

"The guys know each other, and it's always going to be a physical, hard-fought game," Hamlin said. "You're always on edge, because you don't know what can happen in this type of game."

Sebring senior linebacker Kenny Daniels said his defense needs to eliminate penalties and make their reads to hold off Avon Park's offensive weapons.

"We've got a lot of pride this week," Daniels said. "We know they're going to get after it."

Much of Sebring's young nucleus will be playing Avon Park for the first time at the varsity level, including quarterback Matt Grubb, who said he's confident in the running game and simply focused on making his reads.

"Daniel has the running game locked down, and that takes a lot of the pressure off," Grubb said. "It's a big game, it's a heated rivalry, and I'm ready for it."

Hamlin said he's not worried about his young squad, who've shown maturity beyond their years in big situations this season. With many playing in their first varsity game at Joe Franza Stadium, the fifth-year coach said he's expecting his group to be poised.

"These young kids, I don't think any of that bothers them," Hamlin said. "I just think they go out there and play when the whistle blows.

"I haven't been nervous for one snap this year."

Hamlin said his coaching staff decided early on to "throw as much at them as possible and see what kind of sponge they have," noting his younger players have shown they understand the game at a deeper level, taking notice of not only their role to the team, but the whole scheme.

"They're soaking it in," he said.

Hamlin said he knows the Devils have some trickery in their offensive arsenal, something the fifth-year coach noted is always tough to prepare for. He said the Red Devils have shown they can run and throw the ball with multiple playmakers, and that they're starting to become "very balanced."

"Andy's doing a good job with them," Hamlin said. "I know they're going to throw the kitchen sink at us, and we're trying to prepare for that.

"It's going to be a fun game. It always is."

Burnett said the trash-talking has already begun.

"Everybody's talking and I hear they made a song," Burnett said. "Everyone's talking about this game, and we're ready to play."

Blue Streaks vs. Red Devils

at Joe Franza Stadium

TONIGHT at 7:30

COST $5

Brian Gjurgevich can be reached at 863-386-5841 or bgjurgevich@highlandstoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT