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FORT PIERCE WESTWOOD PANTHERS
FRIDAY NIGHT MOMENT
1979
SHOWDOWN BREAKTHROUGH
What happened: Fort Pierce Westwood stunned Fort Pierce Central 26-14 in the second edition of what is now known as Showdown. Why it mattered: Counting two forfeit losses because of an ineligible player, Westwood was just 2-16 in its two-year history heading into the game and had lost to Fort Pierce Central 42-0 in Year 1.
The defense produced four takeaways, including a 45-yard interception return by Craig Swoope that capped the scoring. David Pressley and Bobby Swoope had interceptions and Roger Darville recovered a fumble.
Key players: Quarterback Terence McGriff completed 10 of 17 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns — 30 and 16 yards to Clarence Weathers and 79 yards to Kenneth Byrd.
SCHEDULE
September 2 FP Central 9 at Treasure Coast 16 at Vero Beach 23 Jensen Beach October 7 at Boynton Beach 14 Martin County 21 Glades Central 28 at Suncoast November 4 at Bayside
STRENGTHS
7 7 7 7
Despite losing four key players to transfers, Westwood does have some talent. Quarterback Karnal Davidson has returned after playing for the Panthers two years ago as a sophomore. Lineman Innuka Rhaheed is dominating on the line of scrimmage. Linebacker/tight end James Robinson should be a playmaker. “We’ve got good hustle. Our guys are multiple, go both ways, and we have a lot of flexibility. Our kids are smart kids and footballsavvy,” Caoch Gene Clemons said.
7 7 7 7 7
DEPTH CHART OFFENSE Pos Name WR Artavious Pickle WR Marcarius Smith WR Tyon Davis TE James Robinson OL Chris Byrd OL Artevin McNair OL Na’im Walker OL Inuka Rhaheed OL Nalice Hart QB Karnel Davidson RB Malcolm Wilson K Makendy Medor
No 5 3 9 43 58 52 68 60 70 2 8 88
Cl Ht Wt Sr. 5-11 185 Sr. 6-1 185 Sr. 5-7 140 Sr. 6-2 225 Sr. 6-2 284 Sr. 5-10 225 Jr. 5-8 256 Sr. 6-3 285 Sr. 6-4 415 Sr. 5-10 158 Jr. 5-8 184 So. 5-7 152
WEAKNESSES
DEFENSE Pos Name DL Chris Byrd DL Inuka Rhaheed DL Sharieff Rhaheed LB Ralph Jhon LB Artevin McNair LB James Robinson DB Dwayne Watts DB Rashad Pierce DB Jinsly Jhon DB Dominick Walker S Artavious Pickle P Malcolm Wilson
No 58 60 15 23 52 43 4 10 24 13 5 8
Cl Ht Wt Sr. 6-2 284 Sr. 6-3 285 So. 6-4 225 Sr. 5-8 180 Sr. 5-10 225 Sr. 6-2 225 Sr. 5-7 160 So. 5-10 181 Jr. 5-9 175 Jr. 5-8 170 Sr. 5-11 185 Jr. 5-8 184
RESERVES Avery Young (17, Jr., WR/DB), Charles Barnes (22, Jr., WR/DB), Chris Major (25, Jr., WR/DB), Ericc Smith (28, So., WR/DB), Justin Tory (30, Sr., WR/DB), Victor Pegues (31, So., RB/LB), Rashaun Nedd (32, Fr., QB/DL), Jean St. Fluer (33, Sr., TE/LB), Kyle Crouch (34, Jr., TE/LB), Kendariud Sullivan (40, Fr., OL/LB), Calvin Miller (41, Sr., RB/LB), James Hurley (42, Fr., TE/LB), Frederick Johnson (45, So., RB/LB), Brett Crossman (50, Fr., OL/DL), Quamayne Jones (51, So., OL/DL), Jarvis Gamble (56, So., RB/LB), Travaris Phillips (57, Jr., RB/LB), Craig J. Stella (61, Jr., OL/DL), Jordan Thomas (65, So., OL/DL), Doriaus Hedgepeth (71, Fr., OL/DL), Milton Johnson (72, So., OL/DL), Keith Shepard (77, So., OL/DL), Clayton Long (80, So., WR/DB).
COACHING STAFF
Coach: Gene Clemons (first year) Record: 0-0 2010: 9-1, 4-0 District 13-3A Assistant coaches: Rick McGuire (defensive coordinator), James Gardner (linebackers), Freddie Gary (wide receivers), Michael Torres (defensive line), Tony Beckham (defensive backs), Anthony Calzadilla (running backs), Mike Harrelson (offensive line)
STADIUM LAWNWOOD STADIUM (5,000)
Playing surface: Grass Address: 1500 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce Directions: From I-95, take Exit 129 (Okeechobee Road). Stay right at the fork and continue east on Virginia Avenue. Take Virginia for 2 miles. The stadium is on the left. Main office: 772-468-5400 On the web: www.stlucie.k12. fl.us/fpw
RIVALS
■■ Fort Pierce Central ■■ Treasure Coast ■■ Martin County
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
ERIC HASERT/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS
Fort Pierce Westwood’s offensive/defensive tackle Inuka Rhaheed (center) works out with the team during practice.
Firm foundation
KEY GAME SEPT. 2: FORT PIERCE CENTRAL
Clemons is focusing on discipline, character with new Westwood program By Bill Whitehead Special to Treasure Coast Newspapers
FORT PIERCE — New Westwood head football coach Gene Clemons has a long-term plan for the Panthers football program, not a short-term quick fix. After losing a host of seniors and transfers, Westwood starts fresh for the second consecutive season with the 31-year-old Clemons, who joins the team after serving as head coach at The Vanguard School in Lake Wales the past two years. And Westwood fans may need to show some patience. “We’re trying to build a program, we’re not trying to build a team,” Clemons said. “We don’t want to have a two-year run. We want to have sustained excellence over a long period of time.” Fans donning the maroon have had it good on the gridiron in recent years despite turnover and turmoil on the coaching staff. Clemons will be the fourth head coach in five years, with Waides Ashmon II and Rodrick Lawson coaching two years and one, respectively, over the past three seasons. A standout receiver at Tampa Gaither High School, Clemons played in college at Fitchburg State and Arkansas Tech. He also
INNUKA RHAHEED
coached two seasons at Urbana University and was head coach at Randolph-Macon Academy. Clemons, an English instructor at Westwood, said teaching doesn’t end when school is dismissed for the day. “We’re really trying to instill discipline, and discipline doesn’t happen overnight. It’s something you have to build. But our staff understands that when you approach coaching, you have to approach it using the same philosophy you would in your classroom,” Clemons said. “You have to nip things in the bud and stay strict on that behavior until that behavior changes. I think what our kids now have started to understand, going through spring and summer, is that we have an expectation of discipline, and it’s coming along and we’re getting better at it. I really think that’s what we’re going to hang our hats on this year.” On the field, the Panthers lost 17 seniors and return just one starter — Innuka Rhaheed. Four prominent players — quarterback Travares Copeland, running back Wolf Shaw, lineman Zerie Patterson and defensive back Carl Chisolm — all transferred out of Westwood. Last year, with Lawson at the helm, the Panthers went 9-0 dur-
Senior offensive/ defensive lineman 2010 stats: 27 tackles and 3 fumble recoveries in 9 games Coach Gene Clemons: “He’s the anchor of both of our lines. He’s going to be a bear at nose guard.”
ing the regular season, ending it with a 22-21 Showdown 31 victory over Fort Pierce Central in a game that lived up to the hype in front of more than 10,000 fans at Lawnwood Stadium. But back at Lawnwood one week later, the Panthers fell 19-8 to Archbishop McCarthy in the playoffs. Despite the undefeated season, Lawson’s 10-game tenure was tarnished by moments of dissension and accusations of player favoritism. Somehow the team found a way to win every week and topped the Cobras by playing a backup quarterback. Lawson was fired last December. Clemons said the situation he inherits is much different than last year’s. “A lot of (last year’s problems) came because it was a difficult situation for a coach — to come in last minute, off a coach who had lots of success and off a team that was expected to have a really good year. (As coaches), we come in a better situation losing 17 seniors, starting fresh and having a couple of guys who were around good football but don’t have a lot of playing experience,” Clemons said. “This is a fresh take, a fresh start.” One based on character and discipline.
JAMES ROBINSON
Senior tight end/linebacker 2010 stats: Caught 4 passes for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns Coach Gene Clemons: “He’s going to be a playmaker for us at tight end and a ballplayer at linebacker.”
For starters, there aren’t many: Westwood returns just one and has just six lettermen back. The schedule is rough, particularly in September. The team plays Central right away, faces tough teams on the road in Weeks 2 and 3, then gets Jensen Beach at home. However, only one of those opponents — Jensen Beach — is a district foe. “We’re working on improving our technique. We’ve got a lot of new football kids. Not necessarily young, just inexperienced,” Clemons added.
St. Lucie County football fans were lining up early at the ticket window last Nov. 12 when these rivals met at Lawnwood Stadium. The Panthers won in thrilling fashion, and it will take a much better effort this year as Showdown 32 moves to Week 1 rather than the final Friday of the regular season. Much is expected of Central, so Westwood will have to step it up to keep the city championship trophy on Fort Pierce’s north side.
PREDICTION 3-6, 2-2 DISTRICT 14-5A
New head Clemons is starting with a clean slate, a thin roster, limited experience and a tough schedule. Getting out of September at 1-3 would be an achievement, but having that month, plus Glades Central in the district, will make for a trying “new beginning” at Westwood. All of that doesn’t bode well for a successful year in terms of wins, but the feeling here is that Clemons is aiming for a bigger payoff that may yield dividends down the road.
SEASON OF MEMORIES 1989 (10-1)
Why it was special: Three years after finishing 0-10, the Panthers completed their first undefeated regular season and won the District 13-4A championship. By the numbers: The Panthers allowed single-digit scoring in seven games and outscored opponents 237-66 in the regular season.
KARNAL DAVIDSON
Senior quarterback/ defensive back 2009 stats (as sophomore): Completed 19-of-38 passes for 346 yards and 2 TDs Coach Gene Clemons: “He’s back with us and has had a really good spring and summer.”
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