- November 25, 2024
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SARASOTA — Austin Leach is headed in a new direction.
After spending the past six years running routes and catching passes, Leach is no longer moving forward on the field. Instead, the Sarasota High wide receiver now spends his time running backward — something he’s had to adjust to since switching to a new position at the beginning of fall practice.
Leach played wide receiver for the Sailors last fall, before injuring his ankle and missing the last five games of the season.
“It was hard not to be able to help the team win,” Leach says. “I didn’t really want to watch the game. I wanted to be involved.”
Now healthy, Leach will predominately play safety this season and occasionally play wide receiver.
The move caught Leach somewhat off guard, but over the past few weeks he’s adjusted to his new role on the opposite side of the ball.
“At first I didn’t handle it very well,” Leach says. “I’m going to do whatever the team needs me to do to win. If that means (playing safety), then that’s what I’m willing to do.”
Leach started playing football when he was 9 years old and spent his first two seasons playing quarterback.
“That’s what you want to play,” Leach says of playing quarterback. “It seemed like the best position on the field because you always have the ball in your hands.
But after intercepting a pass during a scrimmage game, Leach’s coaches moved him to wide receiver.
“The game is less complicated and you get play more,” Leach says of being a wide receiver. There’s less pressure.”
Leach spent his freshman year playing both wide receiver and safety for Booker. Then, when he transferred to Sarasota the following year, he started the first six games at wide receiver before the ankle injury occurred.
Tomorrow night, Leach will line up against his former teammates once again as the Sailors host the Tornadoes in their season opener. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Leach still talks to his former teammates and admits it’s different going up against some of your friends.
“It’s (different) playing against your friends and beating them,” Leach says. “It’s just a spot I’m put in to help the team win. I just want to be the best football player I can be.”
Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].
SPORTS SCHEDULES
Aug. 30 through Sept. 5
*Denotes district game
CROSS COUNTRY
Sept. 1
• The Out-of-Door Academy at Lipham Invitational (8 a.m.) — Keswick Christian School, 10101 54th Ave. N., St. Petersburg
GOLF (BOYS)
Aug. 30
• Sarasota at North Port (3:30 p.m.) — Heron’s Creek Country Club, 3401 S. Sumter Blvd., North Port
• The Out-of-Door Academy vs. Southeast (3:30 p.m.) — Lakewood Ranch Country Club, 7650 Legacy Blvd., Lakewood Ranch
Sept. 4
• Sarasota vs. Riverview (3 p.m.) — The Founder’s Club, 9000 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
• Braden River at Cardinal Mooney (3:30 p.m.)
• The Out-of-Door Academy at Lemon Bay (4 p.m.)
Sept. 5
• Sarasota Christian at Braden River, Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton Christian (TBA) — Rosedale Country Club, 5100 87th St. E., Bradenton
GOLF (GIRLS)
Aug. 30
• Sarasota at Venice and Lakewood Ranch (3:30 p.m.) – Capri Isles, 849 Capri Isles Blvd., Venice
Sept. 4
• Cardinal Mooney at Venice and Lemon Bay (3:30 p.m.)
Sept. 5
• The Out-of-Door Academy at North Port (4 p.m.)
FOOTBALL
Aug. 31
• Booker at Sarasota (7:30 p.m.)
• Riverview vs. Palmetto (7:30 p.m.)
• Cardinal Mooney at LaBelle (7:30 p.m.)
• The Out-of-Door Academy at St. Petersburg Catholic (7 p.m.)
SWIMMING
Sept. 5
• Sarasota at Venice Relay Meet (5 p.m.) – Venice YMCA, 701 Center Road, Venice
• Sarasota Christian School at Venice Relay Meet (5 p.m.) — Venice YMCA, 701 Center Road, Venice
VOLLEYBALL
Aug. 30
• Port Charlotte at Booker (6:30 p.m.)
• Keswick Christian School at Sarasota Christian School (6:30 p.m.)
Sept. 4
• Lakewood Ranch at Riverview (5 p.m.)
• Sarasota at Palmetto (JV 6 p.m., V 7 p.m.)
• Cardinal Mooney at Braden River (7 p.m.)
• Booker at Tampa Catholic (7 p.m.)*
• The Out of Door Academy vs. Tampa Bay HEAT (7 p.m.)
Sept. 5
• Sarasota at North Port (JV 5:30 p.m., V 6:30 p.m.)
