SARASOTA (SNN-TV) – For this edition of the Game of the Week we head to Booker High School for their opening classic against the North Port Bobcats.
Booker enters this season after a tough go of it last year, finishing 1-8, under head coach Baraka Atkins. As for North Port, things didn’t fare much better, going 3-6. Nevertheless, the Bobcats do have high hopes for this season under new head coach, Garon Belser.
Earlier this week, I stopped by Booker’s practice and spoke with Coach Atkins, and he detailed his expectation for his squad this season. “They’ve dedicated themselves over the summer to working on lining up right, executing, blocking and tackling…they’ll be ready for Friday night.”
With Coach Atkins’ expectations in mind, junior running back and linebacker Nate Williams said the key to a better season for Booker, comes down to one main objective. “Communication mostly. And just focus.”
The Tornadoes enter this one with anticipation and excitement, like most athletes do for the first game of the season, but with outside interference and unforeseen circumstances taking a toll, star wide receiver Gavin Stanford says this one means that much more to him. I’m excited, I’m ready. I’ve been waiting for this since our spring game got canceled.”
North Port enters Friday night’s match-up with one leg up on Booker and that’s at the quarterback position. With Booker’s signal-caller situation still in flux, North Port enters Friday with junior hurler Sean Silverberg at their disposal. Silverberg performed well in North Port’s spring game and looks primed and ready for a breakout season for the Bobcats.
Kickoff tomorrow from Booker High School is set for 7:30pm.
