Austin Eldridge spent the 2015 football season catching passes from Tate Whatley. This year, he’ll be catching Corey King’s.
Eldridge, a sophomore, officially transferred from Strawberry Crest to Plant City this month and was cleared for athletics Friday, Jan. 22. He had been attending Crest by choice, going through its firefighter/EMR program, but has decided to switch his career goal to sports medicine.
“I’m excited to get involved and meet new friends, play as many sports as possible, be active in the school, keep my grades up and, hopefully, do well in sports,” Eldridge says.
He has already begun practicing with the baseball team, in preparation for the upcoming season, and has been working out with the football team.
ON THE GRIDIRON
Eldridge was a two-way player at Crest, lining up at tight end and on the defensive line.
He made the biggest impact at tight end, totaling 456 yards and two touchdowns in his career, with an average of 12.7 yards per catch.
Last season, he hauled in 26 receptions for 328 yards and a score — second only to wideout Tyler Hood in each category. At 6-foot-3, Eldridge was one of Whatley’s favorite targets in the Chargers’ 0-10 season.
Plant City head coach Greg Meyer hasn’t revealed any plans for Eldridge yet but, with several of the Raiders’ most dynamic pass-catchers set to graduate, fans will likely see Eldridge lining up at tight end.
“He has shown a great work ethic in the weight room so far, and we are excited to have him at practice for spring football,” Meyer says.
Eldridge is the second Crest football transfer in as many school years; Austin Carswell, who nearly led Crest football to the playoffs in his junior season, joined Plant City during the 2014-15 school year.
ON THE DIAMOND
He is not the only baseball player to transfer from Crest for this season, however.
Joining Eldridge on the team is senior Matt Moclair, who had transferred to Plant City in August.
Eldridge and Moclair didn’t see much action last baseball season. Eldridge appeared in five games, struck out four times and reached base once, on an error. Moclair appeared in nine games, batting .154 with two hits and a run scored in 15 plate appearances.
Moclair will be the Raiders’ new starting catcher. Eldridge will play “everywhere,” according to head coach Mike Fryrear, and appears to be ready to go for the team’s preseason trip to Trinity Christian Academy Feb. 5.
“I want to thank Strawberry Crest for everything they’ve done for me,” Eldridge says. “I’m excited to get ready for the season and get it going with Trinity Christian … We’re ready to go get a district title and go win the ‘ship.”
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
