When head coach John Kelly introduced “hammer time” to his Strawberry Crest Chargers, everyone got on board. After all, the red-taped sledgehammer makes anyone who carries it look pretty awesome.
They may not have understood the reference, having all been born after MC Hammer’s star faded, but what some of these players do have in common with the pop culture reference is longevity. Several have been playing football together for nearly as long as they can remember.
Enter Tate Whatley, Austin Eldridge and Chase Lawson.
This trio makes up much of the core of the offense. Whatley is the team’s starting quarterback, while Eldridge and Lawson are catching his passes at tight end and receiver, respectively. All three have Plant City football roots dating back to before they could spell “offensive adjustments” and have also tasted gridiron greatness before starting ninth grade last year.
DOLPHIN DAYS
The story for this group begins about 10 years ago, when these then-5 year olds were learning the ropes on the Plant City Dolphins’ Mighty Mites team.
Over that 10-year span, there wasn’t a time when these boys didn’t play on the same team. They came up through the Dolphins organization and experienced success beyond the regular season: among their postseason activities were the TCYFCC Superbowl and the nationally-relevant UYFL National Championships.
“It’s like a family,” Whatley says. “We all became brothers. It was great bonding.”
Two years ago, the boys won the 14U division in the UYFL tournament with a 16-6 victory over a tough Brooklyn Renegades team.
It was a fitting end to their Dolphins careers, given the amount of work each put in on the field. With Strawberry Crest as the boys’ next stop, the game changed and presented a new series of challenges.
MOVIN’ ON UP
It goes without saying that, no matter what program it is, the high school game is much different from the youth leagues.
The boys learned that quickly on, perhaps faster than most; because of Crest football’s large 2013 senior class, they all had to move up to the varsity team as freshmen and contribute whatever they could.
“I’ve learned that it’s a whole different ball game,” Eldridge says. “A lot of bigger kids. You’ve got to go at 110% every single game.”
Eldridge likely got the most year-one experience of the three. Head coach John Kelly found use for him at both tight end and defensive end, and the freshman played in all 10 games. He recorded 10 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown throughout the season.
“I love both,” he says. “It’s even funner when you’re playing offense and, right when the offensive series is over, you go straight to defense.”
Whatley and Lawson were called up from junior varsity for five games. At quarterback, Whatley completed his only pass attempt — a 56-yard strike. A wideout, Lawson had four catches for 25 yards.
This season, Lawson and Eldridge have combined for 108 receiving yards. Fellow 14U Dolphins teammate Tyler Hood has caught six passes for 106 yards. On defense, Eldridge has two tackles. And Whatley, under center, is averaging 140 passing yards per game.
“This is probably the biggest transition, coming from JV to varsity,” Lawson says. “I’m just trying to make plays, not just play the game. I’m reading the defense, trying to play smart and adjust to the speed.”
The Chargers have gotten off to a rough start, opening against two quality football teams, but now could be the time where the boys start to turn things around.
“Right now, we’re struggling, but it’s gonna really come together,” Eldridge says. “It’s going to be a lot better.”
VS. MIDDLETON
Middleton has been little more than a doormat for some time now, putting up a 4-26 records over the past three seasons. Last year, the Tigers didn’t win any games. But that doesn’t mean the Chargers are going to take Middleton lightly, as things are now different in that corner of Tampa.
The Tigers decided last year to part ways with Jeff George Jr. (not the former NFL quarterback) and hired Fred Reid to take his place. So far, the Tigers have picked up a 34-6 win over Leto and lost to King last week by just one touchdown.
Kelly and the Crest coaching staff recognize the fact that Middleton has several great athletes on the roster. This especially shows on the defensive front, where the Tigers like to get creative on the line. Without any obvious rhyme or reason, the Tigers will stack anywhere from four to eight defenders on the line in an effort to confuse offenses and put extra pressure on quarterbacks when they least expect it.
Beating Middleton is doable, but it will require both composure on the offensive front and focus throughout the entire team.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
OTHER AREA ACTION
DURANT
The Cougars kept their momentum from Week 1 alive Friday, Sept. 4, at Spoto. The team picked up a 34-13, interrupted by an extended power outage. Sophomore quarterback Carlton Potter went 7-for-7 with 102 yards and two touchdown passes to Steven Witchoskey. Cameron Myers and Jake Harris each scored rushing touchdowns. The bulk of the Cougars’ work came in the form of a 21-point first quarter.
Newsome also has a 2-0 record and is also coming off of a blowout win (47-7 over Strawberry Crest). Whenever the Wolves and Cougars play each other, blood seems to boil and the games get tight — this may end up being the most aggressive game Durant has played thus far, and it should be a grinder.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Newsome High School, 16550 Fishhawk Blvd., Lithia.
PLANT CITY
The Raiders got their first win of the season Friday, Sept. 4, surviving an athletic ground assault from Jefferson with a 23-14 win that was closer than the final score suggests. It was, however, a return to form for both Markese Hargrove and the defensive unit. Hargrove finished with two rushing touchdowns and several big plays under his belt, and the defense intercepted the Dragons four times.
Brandon, the Raiders’ host for tonight, is also coming off of a tight win. Last week, they went to East Bay and picked up a 14-7 victory, fueled by quarterback Isaiah Alexander’s two rushing touchdowns. Alexander and his receivers couldn’t do much by air, but the Eagles’ ground game hung nearly 200 yards on the Indians. The Raiders will likely have to take the same approach to this one as they did last week, when facing a potent run game.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Brandon High School, 1101 Victoria St., Brandon.