2020 Tampa Bay Playoff Contenders Series-Sickles Gryphons
In this series, we’re going to look at Tampa Bay Area teams that are playoff contenders. Some of these teams fell just short of making the playoffs and others are a…
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Continue ReadingIn this series, we’re going to look at Tampa Bay Area teams that are playoff contenders. Some of these teams fell just short of making the playoffs and others are a constant participant, but with the ball bouncing the right way this year and improvement in key areas, these teams all have the potential to make the state playoffs in Florida.
Tampa Sickles football team finished 2019 5-5. Coach Murphy’s teams are always a tough out and despite the fact they lost some players on defense for the upcoming season, I fully expect the offense to pick up the slack and carry the load. They have a lot of offensive Firepower returning and some key pieces on defense as well that will lead to a turnaround. Sickles in my opinion has a great chance to make a return to the playoffs this year led by running back Kole Robertson and Center Nohl Settlemire. The defense will be revamped, but the strength will be the Linebackers led by c/o 22’s Ryland Ashe, Logan Fikar, and Nicholas Carson.
I reached out to Coach Murphy about the upcoming 2020 season and his outlook on his team. This is what he had to say:
“Our football team is dedicated to changing our habits that we deem hazardous to a successful season. We have reviewed last year’s film, players, coaches, and have come to the conclusion that we are our own worst enemy. The best part that many of the habits that we are looking to change for this year are not football-specific rather than overall good lifestyle choices. This team is learning the value of consistency in behaviors, accountability, work ethic, and effective teamwork. These are things that will benefit them long after they leave our program and it will ultimately create successful people in our communities in the future.
This team has the talent and the potential to be very successful and the season will go as they go. They will get out of the season what they put into it. As their Head Coach, it has been amazing to see our players want the change as much as the coaches. I am very pleased at the moment, but every day will be a brand-new test. We will be a day by day, drill by drill, and game by game team this year. Let’s get better today than we were yesterday. Things have been very uncertain with the pandemic, but it is very clear Sickles Gryphons have something to prove. We will focus on action rather than words”.
THE GRYPHONS DOSSIER
SCHOOL: Tampa Sickles Gryphons
HEAD COACH: Patrick D. Murphy, Offensive Co./QB Coach
2019 RECORD: 5-5
CLASSIFICATION: 7A District 9
TEAM COLORS: Forest Green, Gray, White
Players to watch
Offensive:
Nohl Settlemire OL/C-top three center in Tampa Bay, very smart, quick to get to the second level on his blocks, plays with good leverage and hand placement.
Kohl Robinson RB-best offensive weapon on the team. A slasher with good vision, speed, and has good hands out of the backfield. Could line up at receiver if they needed him.
Treson Everette (big-time player) WR-has prototypical D1 size at 6’3, does a good job at high-pointing the ball and has good hands. Route running needs some work, but the sky is the limit for him!
Defensive:
Logan Fikar LB– has a great build standing 6’2 225 lb, great job setting the edge and uses his hands to disengage blocks. Good tackler that brings violent intentions. Shows a good closing burst.
Ryland Ashe DL/LB-Extremely quick First Step, has a little Aaron Donald to his game. Has a high motor and never quit on a play. Show some decent pass-rush moves, but overall relies on quickness and hand technique.