Shorecrest
Coach: Steve Dudley (first season; eighth overall, 38-23)
2013 record: 2-6
Class/district: Independent
Colors: Gold and green
Stadium: Haskell Field, 5101 First St. NE, St. Petersburg
Playoff appearances (FHSAA): 1975, 1976, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005
Last appearance: Lost 66-7 to Belle Glades Glade Day.
Season schedule
Aug. 29at Northside Christian, 7
Sept. 5at Canterbury, 7
Sept. 12at St. John Neumann, 7
Sept. 19vs. Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy, 7
Sept. 26at Indian Rocks Christian, 7:30
Oct. 10at Cambridge Christian (Skyway Park), 7:30
Oct. 17at Admiral Farragut, 7
Oct. 24at Seffner Christian, 7:30
Oct. 30vs. Bradenton Christian, 7
Nov. 7vs. Carrollwood Day, 7
Mark your calendar
Shorecrest at Northside Christian, Aug. 29: Even with the Dave Moore and Mike Alstott portion of the rivalry over, these teams still don’t like each other Over the past 10 years, the series stands tied at five. Shorecrest, however, has won the past three meetings.
Huddle highlight
After two years with Moore at the helm, the Chargers are looking to former St. Petersburg Catholic head coach, Steve Dudley, to get them back on track like his predecessor did in 2012. Don’t look for a complete turnaround from Shorecrest though. Numbers will be a problem for the Chargers, and at least six or seven starters will be forced to play both ways.
Known quantities
DB/WR Mark Dowling, Sr.: Last season, Dowling led the team with 110 receiving yards. This season, he will need to do a little bit of everything for the Chargers. Expect to see Dowling all over the secondary and even get some time in the backfield.
QB Sam Grant, Sr.: Despite splitting time with Travis Dugan last season, Grant will see the majority of the snaps this year. His knee is 100 percent, and if Shorecrest has any hope of success this fall, Grant will need to remain healthy for all 10 games.
Up-and-comer
MLB Cooper Wolf, Jr.: Dudley is expecting big things from Wolf this fall. Put him in the middle of the defense with Ryan Lettelleir, and the Chargers’ linebacking core looks stout.
Coach’s corner
“If we have some success as we go forward and we finish the season strong, more kids will want to come out; we get that middle school program cranking, then more of those guys will want to stay here and be a part of what we’re doing. Next thing you know, we’re at 35 or 40 guys that have been in our system.” — Dudley
Photo: Sam Grant