Nature Coast moving on after Smith

Nature Coast Sharks

2015: 12-1, 6-0 District (No1 in Class 5A District 7)

Last Playoff Appearance: 2015

Head Coach: Justin Worden, 18-5 Record in 2 seasons (2015- 12-1 District Champions, 2014- 6-4)

Key Returners:

OT Niko DeVito (Blocked for team total 5,406 yards rushing, 675 yards passing, 80 touchdowns – 2015 Season)

QB Brian Haygood (848 all-purpose yards- 75 return yards, 63 receiving yards, 710 rushing yards – 2015 Season)

LB Matt Robinson (142 tackles, 4 fumble recoveries – 2015 Season)

Quotable: On defense being the key “…Last year, we gave up 19 points per game.  And, we had the luxury of scoring almost 40 points per game.  That definitely leads to wins.  But, eventually if you’re giving up 19 points per game, the wheels fall off.  So, we have to be a lot more disciplined on defense, force a lot more turnovers, and give up a lot fewer points.  I think if we can do that, we have a chance to maybe get back to the playoffs and make some noise this year”.  Justin Worden

The Scoop: Tales of the demise of Nature Coast football, due to the departure of running back DeShawn Smith, might be premature.  No program can easily bounce back after a prolific player like Smith has to be replaced.  But, the Sharks have options on offense that will still make them a team to beat in Class 5A.

The Story:  After going 12-1, winning a district title, and reaching the state quarterfinals on the strength of a record-setting season from running back DeShawn Smith, Nature Coast High School feels it has something to prove now that Smith has wrapped up his career as a Shark.  Head coach Justin Worden knows you can't easily replace a 3,000-yard rusher.  But, Worden has a plan for the Sharks to produce on offense.

“I think we have a great committee of guys.  We have 5, 6, 7 guys that can get touches and do some damage.  I think while one guy is not going to replace all that, we should be able to fill the void.  We'll just stick with the hot hand.  If someone is feeling it and playing really well, that's the guy we're going to ride until he cools off”.

Worden is especially pleased with the progress of the running attack.  And, offensive tackle Niko DeVito says he trusts in what the Sharks can also do in the passing game, especially behind an experienced offensive line.

“Our offensive line will allow us to throw the ball a little more so we don’t have to rely entirely on the ground game.  I have confidence in our quarterback (Brian Haygood).  We have the talent.  It all just depends on how we mold together and if we all buy in or not”.

The Sharks may have lost the swag Smith brought to the offense.  But linebacker Matt Robinson isn't focused on what they've done but on what their young defense can do.

“We don't have to prove anything.  We just have to step up our game on defense.  We're going to play physical and keep that up the entire season”.

Losing a spark plug like Smith for such a high-powered offense is tough.  But, the Sharks are banking on physicality on defense and a different approach to the running game to help them possibly top the school's best season ever.

2016 Schedule