Robinson High Football Reloads for 2012

As the football team wrapped up a 9-3 season in 2011, head coach Mike DePue had a prediction.

"We're going to win a state championship next year," DePue said.

DePue was really referencing a healthy crop of developing players who return for the 2012 season. Rising sophomore running back Michael Duclos and all five starters on the offensive line return this fall, the result of which has the Robinson coaching staff buzzing with excitement.

"This is the best starting five we've had at Robinson," said offensive coordinator Rob Burns. "It makes our job even easier with two phenomenal running backs."

Burns calls it a "luxury" you don't normally have in high school football. He is of course referencing Duclos and rising senior Martin Ruiz. The pair combined for more 1,200 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2011.

The six senior offensive lineman who DePue says he will take against any in Hillsborough County are left tackle Conner Rafferty; left guard Bruce Hector; center Ryan Woehler; right guard Chris Duvall; right tackle Ted Kelly; and Brooks Lovely, who, when he gets back from injury, will move in at right tackle and shift the line in.

Having six seniors on the line makes for a high potential season for a team already known for its gritty run game.

"If you want to play physical, you want to play for Robinson this year," DePue said.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Knights should benefit tremendously from the return of rising senior Carlos Duclos, Michael's older brother. Carlos missed virtually all of 2011 due to a leg injury. He should be back and at full speed by fall, providing a big boost to the pass defense.

"He's a sparkplug defensive back/cover corner, and he's worked really hard to get back for this spring," DePue said.

The Knights are holding auditions to replace some of the overall speed and speed at wide receiver they lost in graduating senior Byron Pringle. They will also seek to find a replacement after kicking ace Cody Thomas graduates this spring. Outside of that, coaches at Robinson are very excited about the 2012 season.

When asked about that state title prediction again, DePue replied, "every year you start out thinking that's what you want to do".

DePue also realizes that just making the playoffs can be a mountain in and of itself.

"We have to make sure we get out of this district," he said. "You maybe can stumble once, but if you stumble twice, you're out."

DePue cites an early-season district loss to Jesuit as really putting the pressure on his team in 2011. He confesses that if you lose two district games, "you're probably sunk."

DePue and staff will have the spring and summer to close up the gaps before hitting the fall schedule. They open the regular season with a three-game road trip, including at Dunedin (Sept. 7) and at Jesuit (Sept. 14).

First up is a spring jamboree game this Thursday.

IF YOU GO:

What: Spring jamboree, one half vs. Jefferson High

Where: Leto High School, 4409 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 24

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Robinson Knights 2012 Fall Football Schedule:

Aug. 31 - @ Jefferson

Sept. 7 - @ Dunedin

Sept. 14 - @ Jesuit

Sept. 21 - vs. Lennard

Sept. 28 - @ Blake

Oct. 5 - off

Oct. 12 - vs. Gibbs

Oct. 19 - vs. Spoto

Oct. 26 - @ Lakewood

Nov. 2 - vs. Middleton

Nov. 9 - vs. Plant