Purvis pumped for Pirate prowess

Already, new head coach Don Purvis has made his presence known throughout Braden River High School’s football organization.

On Aug. 9, the Pirates set out onto the fields after a summer of workouts to start their first practice of the 2010 season. But even for veterans, this year’s training schedule was a new experience. Purvis installed a new type of practice comprising 25, five-minute periods of intense work. And each day, Purvis handed a new schedule to the position coaches.

“I feel like the guys have given a lot of effort,” Purvis said. “They have a lot of new stuff to learn and everything we’ve done is new, and they’ve responded really well to that.”

The Pirates have had their share of change over the past two seasons with the tragic death of Doug Garrity and resignation of former head coach Josh Hunter. Last season, Ed Volz assumed the reigns but left Braden River after one season to return to Sarasota High School.

This year, Purvis takes the helm, and has brought two coaches with him — defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Clayton Dowdy and offensive line coach Greg Willford.

The changes in leadership won’t be the only challenges the Pirates will face this year. Its defense is particularly young. Because of Chris Calloway’s transfer to Palmetto along with the losses of Trevor Barnes, Mick Olitsky and Joey Meador, the Pirate defense has not only had to refill those positions but seek leaders who can have an impact on the team.

“That’s (defense) been our toughest thing right now, not only to replace all those players but put in a new defensive scheme. Not only do we have new guys, but we’re teaching something completely different that last year,” Purvis said.

Offensively, the Pirates have lost star running back Tevin Bryant and wide receiver Sharrod Neaseman-Glover.

Last season, the Pirates went 7-5 and made it to the second round of the playoffs for the second year and finished second in the district. The start of the new season brings a tough schedule that includes state runner-up Manatee on Homecoming game and a trip to Venice High School for the third year in a row.

“Lakewood Ranch, I know is a big one, and it’s the first game,” Purvis said. “Manatee. It’s Homecoming, and they’re a very good team. And Southeast. They’re the two-time district champs, so if we want to win a district championship, we have to beat them.”

Throughout training camp, three players — seniors Dakota Wilson, Ben Peacock and Keith Grafton — have shown promise as the leaders of this year’s squad.

“Those are the three guys that have been most vocal and led by example, and they’re also very good on the field,” Purvis said.

Peacock said he’s ready for the challenge.

“Leadership is a lot different this year,” he said. “We have more of the players that are stepping up and trying to get things organized.”

Wilson agreed and said the Pirates will focus on each game as they progress through the year.

“We should just take one game at a time, look to the next game ahead of us and go from there,” he said.

Braden River will face Cardinal Mooney during its annual Kickoff Classic at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 27, at Cardinal Mooney High School.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Keith Grafton (LB)
Ben Peacock (DB)
Dakota Wilson (OL)

SCHEDULE
All games start at 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 27: at Cardinal Mooney
Sept. 3: at Lakewood Ranch
Sept. 10: at Venice
Sept. 17: Sarasota
Sept. 24: at Bayshore
Oct. 1: at DeSoto County
Oct. 8: Southeast
Oct. 15: Manatee
Oct. 29: at Booker
Nov. 5: Lemon Bay