Coach Ryan Sulkowski has been encouraged by what he is seeing with the Wildcat football team as he gets ready to start his second season as head coach. Sulkowski led the Cats to a 7-3 season in his first year and though he lost some key players, he is enthusiastic about what he has seen since the start of spring practice.

“The difference is night and day,” he said. “We are stronger and faster than last year and the kids are really buying into what we are teaching them.”

Sulkowski has averaged between 100 and 110 players out on the practice field this spring. He is enthused by the competition and pleased by the lack of injuries at this point. He has instituted a college-style practice with less below-the-waist contact in an attempt to keep his players healthy.

This Friday he will see how the work has progressed when the Wildcats face off against Trinity Catholic in Ocala at 7:00 pm. Coach John Brantley’s Celtics return nine starters from last year’s squad that won the state championship. The Celtics will be a real challenge for the Cats.

“We’re looking to see who will be on the bus when we go up to play Westminster High in Atlanta for the first game of the season,” said Sulkowski. “This game will be a way for us to see who will step up and challenge for a seat on that bus.”

The Cats have holes to fill and though Sulkowski is confident in his first string players, depth is an issue. Much of practice has been keyed toward discovering those players who will “be there when we’re throwing live bullets.”

Sulkowski also likes what he is seeing in some of the members of the 8th grade squad who will be incoming freshmen.

“Some of their football knowledge is very high and they are challenging for spots on the bus,” commented Sulkowski. The 8th graders can’t play in the jamboree but Sulkowski is considering suiting them up in a scrimmage on Wednesday.

Wildcat fans should come out early and enjoy the atmosphere and get a glimpse at what they will be seeing this coming fall.