CLEARWATER TORNADOES

2016:  10-1, Class 6A District 9 Champion (5-0), Regional Semifinalist

Last Playoff Appearance:  2016

Head Coach:  Don Mesick, 18-4 in two seasons at Clearwater

Key Returners:  WR Brannan Demeter (18 receptions, 195 yards, 3 TD), LB Anthony Hope (40 tackles, 2 sacks), WR Semaj James (7 receptions, 97 yards, TD), S Keanan Musgrove (2 interceptions, 26 tackles), OT Dre Patterson, G/DT Terrance Shaw, RB/S Jarius Williams (1105 yards from scrimmage, 11 TD)

The Scoop:  Clearwater’s quest to earn its third straight district title began exactly one week after the 2016 season ended.  The Tornadoes have been working out four days per week every week since then with the exception of some time off for holidays and exam weeks.  The Tornadoes have restocked a cupboard of departed Division I talent with some key transfer additions, including new quarterback Colin Wray.  The Steinbrenner transfer is a physical runner with an excellent arm.  Coach Mesick feels this could be the best defense he’s ever had, and he’s especially encouraged about the development of junior DE/LB Brandon Gary and 6’3 220 pound freshman defensive lineman Tim “Tank” Williams.  Clearwater has stacked its early schedule again, including a week 2 showdown with Braden River that Mesick believes will go a long way in getting his team ready for the playoffs.  The Tornadoes have transformed from a program that previously just hoped to compete into a team that “expects to win every week,” according to Mesick.

Quotable:  “Whoever wins those spots is going to be great.  And whoever doesn’t earn those spots is going to be a very valuable backup to our team.  So defensively, we are really, really set.”- Head Coach Don Mesick on having incredible depth at every position on defense this season

2017 Schedule:

Game 1- 8/25- Dunedin

Game 2- 9/1- @Braden River

Game 3- 9/8- @Countryside

Game 4- 9/15- @Northeast*

Game 5- 9/22- Mitchell

Game 6- 9/28- Osceola (Seminole)*

Game 7- 10/13- @Dixie Hollins*

Game 8- 10/20- Boca Ciega*

Game 9- 10/27- Largo*

Game 10- 11/3- @ East Lake

*Denotes District Game

Story:  After an eleven year postseason drought, the Clearwater Tornadoes stormed back into the spotlight the past two years.

The numbers tell the story: 18 wins, two district titles, and two trips to the playoffs.

“It fuels the fire,” senior wide receiver Brannan Demeter said.  “It just makes you work even harder because you know what the previous season has been like.  And it just makes expectations that much higher.”

“I think the kids kind of see how these other kids have been able to prosper in this system and with our coaching staff,” Clearwater head coach Don Mesick said.  “And they want a piece of that for themselves.”

A lot of the big names from those two breakthrough seasons are gone.

But Clearwater head coach Don Mesick isn’t worried.

A program that once struggled to get kids to come out now has close to 100 players working out year-round.

And the Tornadoes are deeper than ever.

“There are a lot of kids who were kind of sitting behind the superstars we had last year who felt like they were good enough to play,” Mesick said.  “So they’re extremely hungry to come out and work and earn a position.”

“I feel like we’re deeper this year because everybody’s committed to the program this year and is serious about it this year,” said senior running back Jarius Williams, who is the poster child of how that kind of commitment can yield results.

When he finally got his opportunity to run the rock last year, Williams immediately became a star.

Behind a stout offensive line, Williams is now the focus of the Tornadoes’ offense.

Mesick calls him the best back in Pinellas County.

“He’s going to have a full season playing running back this year,” Mesick said.  “He comes in knowing he’s the guy, but his attitude doesn’t tell me that he’s the guy because he’s still here busting his butt every day to get better.”

Clearwater’s defense has a nine man rotation on the D-line, eight starting-caliber linebackers, and six good defensive backs.

But ultimately, it’s the hard work and change in culture that have made the Tornadoes a force to be reckoned with.

“What (Mesick’s) saying is true,” senior wide receiver Semaj James said.  “You’ve just got to pay attention, buy into the team, be together.  Be a unit.”

We’re buying in, too. 

Another trip to the playoffs looks very likely.