New-Look Streaks Host Falcons

SEBRING - Homecoming is a double-edged sword.

The football game always attracts a good-sized crowd full of excitement and anticipation, but the players can easily be distracted by the week-long festivities.

Sebring High coach Jared Hamlin prefers to look on the positive side as the Blue Streaks host Jensen Beach for homecoming tonight at 7:30 at Firemen's Field.

"Homecoming is great for the kids," the fourth-year Blue Streak coach said. "The crowd is full of energy and the team can feed off that if they stay focused.

"We're looking forward to the game, and we need to play well to get our confidence up, because we start our district schedule next week."

Class 3A Sebring comes into the game with a 2-2 record after losing to Frostproof by a 35-0 score last week.

The Blue Streaks will have a new look with senior Steven Fortner starting at quarterback, as sophomore Jamarle Fletcher is no longer on the team.

Senior tailback T.J. Williams, who leads the Heartland with 327 rushing yards, and sophomore Daniel Burnett, who has gained 244 yards, give Sebring a potent backfield combination.

Class 4A Jensen Beach, which is 0-4, plays a 3-5 defense and the Falcons like to blitz a lot.
"Jensen Beach has an aggressive defense and good speed on both sides of the ball," Hamlin said. "We are going to run right at them and try and keep them from getting in the backfield.

"They haven't won a game, but they have played a pretty tough schedule and we can't afford to underestimate them."

The Falcons run a spread offense with freshman quarterback John Glenn running or looking down field for his receivers.

"We have to put pressure on the quarterback with our front four," Hamlin said. "We don't want to blitz because that leaves open areas, and we don't want to give up big plays."

The Blue Streaks hope to give a crowd-pleasing performance against the Falcons.

"This is a big game for us as a team," Hamlin said. "We need to execute on offense and defense and play with effort and emotion.

"If we do that, I think we can be successful."

Sebring High School Football Photo Gallery