Sept. 9, 2007 — As the 2007 tackle football season approaches, the district's three high school football teams are in the middle of intense practices, with players and coaches alike hoping that the sweltering summer days will bring championship glory in November.
Though each team has a small set of returning players, local football fans will also be seeing several fresh faces, as new players and lesser used players from the previous season get the opportunity to help their team on the field.
Here's how each football camp is looking so far this year:
Charlotte Amalie Chickenhawks
The upcoming tackle football season looks promising for Charlotte Amalie High School, whose coach says his team — stocked with both rookies and returning players — is "properly prepared to compete."
Chickenhawks coach Robert Massey said during a recent practice that his players are already showing a lot of talent on the field. Although Massey said it was too early to single out star players, he said the team is working together as a cohesive unit.
Coming off a challenging 2006 season marked by injuries and scheduling conflicts, the Chickenhawks have more team spirit than ever before, Massey said. He added, however, that a few unresolved issues between IAA officials and coaches should come to a head this year.
CAHS won the district title last year due to a forfeit by the Private School Arawak Warriors.
Private School Arawak Warriors
Though the Arawaks may appear this year to be a smaller and younger team, coach Francisco Jarvis says his players — a combination of 23 rookies and 13 veterans — will make it up on the field with their athleticism.
Fighting off a few key injuries and holes on both offense and defense, Jarvis added that he is staying upbeat, saying that this year is going to be a "lot better than the last."
Speaking after a recent practice, Jarvis said he is working to correct mistakes that occurred during the 2006 IAA tackle football season, as well as resolve ongoing scheduling and financial conflicts with football officials. Since the team is currently subsidized mainly from contributions from parents, coaches have begun a dialogue to get extra financing from the league, Jarvis said.
In the meantime, the Arawaks' training continues. Jarvis said that spectators could keep an eye out for players such as Morgan Jones, Sheldon Ray, Leo Sibilly and Raul Wadwani, expected to be major impact players this year.
Ivanna Eudora Kean Devil Rays
"Keeping it simple" is the motto this year for Devil Rays head coach Ruba Augustine, who says a combination of teamwork and consistency will push his team toward the IAA tackle football title.
Trying to rebuild from last year's disappointing season, Augustine says that he is depending upon returning players who have experience from previous seasons — such as Jamal Industrious, Levette Ruan and Keith Richardson — to take the team's rookies under their wings, and get them past beginning bumps in the road.
Augustine says that Industrious (starting quarterback and cornerback), Ruan (fullback and linebacker) and Nicholson (tight end and linebacker) make up the core of the team. He added, however, that the rookies this year are very promising, coming in with a lot of skill and talent.
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