Streaks Look To Pass The Test

The clanging of weights and the screams of effort reverberated off the walls of the Blue Streak weight room on Monday evening, as the Sebring football team continued its preseason workout regimen with day one of testing week.

Sebring head coach Jared Hamlin will put his players through a battery of tests all week to gauge not only their progress but how dedicated they were over the summer to getting better for the team.

"We've had great attendance during our summer workouts," Hamlin said. "We've had the kids on a three-day a week workouts, but about 30 players went one step further and committed to a fourth day.

"That shows me the dedication I like to see in my players."

Senior offensive lineman Kevon Daughma was not only seen but heard during the workout, as he could be seen verbally pumping up his teammates as they all went through squat testing.

Daughma's effort could be seen on his face and his celebratory yawp was heard by all after he powered through 535 pounds.

"I am just ready to get on that field," Daughma said. "I didn't miss a day of workouts and I made a point to work on getting stronger and faster this year.

"I'll be making some plays this year."

The importance of the summer workouts will definitely come into play this season, as the Streaks will be playing 11 sophomores and eight should be opening week starters.

"When you're playing young kids, there are always questions," Hamlin sad. "Because of the lack of experience, you don't know how the kids will respond when the Friday night lights are on them."

Hamlin and his coaching staff were pleased by what they saw during spring football practice, especially from his sophomore quarterback Matt Grubb.

"Matt showed me a lot of poise against Bartow in the spring game," Hamlin said. "He's got great arm strength and that last drive in the fourth quarter told me that he's our guy."

Grubb connected on a 46-yard pass with time running out against Bartow to put Sebring within striking distance, but the Streaks fell short in a 14-7 loss.

The sophomore quarterback was pleased with his performance and looks forward to the start of training camp.

"The spring game gave me a lot of confidence," Grubb said. "I was real nervous going into the game, but after the first snap I settled down.

"I just want to do anything I can to make our team better. I want to put us in a position to win every week."

Defensive back J.C. Howard strained against the resistance given by his teammate Trini Sutton using the tension band during defensive drills on Firemen's field.

Howard scored the only touchdown in the spring game against Bartow - a 23-yard interception return late in the fourth quarter.

"That won't be my last interception this season," Howard said.

The family atmosphere of the weight room can't be underestimated either. In years past, the weight room had become a war zone of egos and intense rivalries from teammates, but that dark cloud has seem to have been lifted since Hamlin took over in 2004.

"We're like a family," Daughma said.

Grubb agreed with his teammate's assessment of the Streaks.

"The team is real close," Grubb said. "We seemed to become closer over the summer. That's when the real bonding takes place. When you're working out together and everyone is making the same sacrifices."

Training camp for the Blue Streaks begins on Aug. 11 and they open the season with a road game against Tenoroc High on Aug. 29.