For 12 years, Jeremy Frioud roamed the sideline at Largo as an assistant coach. During the offseason he landed a head coaching job at Northeast. And wouldn’t you know it, the Vikings' first game of the regular season is at Largo.
“It’s going to be weird being on that other sideline," Frioud said. “I spent a lot of time over there. Before the game, I’ll shake their hands and after the game I’ll shake their hands. During the game, it’s all about football.’’
Frioud is not the only person in Pinellas who will experience a reunion on Friday. Palm Harbor University quarterback Brandon Swift will play against his old school, East Lake. Indian Rocks Christian running back Jacquan Fuller faces his old teammates at St. Petersburg Catholic. And Gibbs defensive back John’Ta Edwards goes up against his former school, St. Petersburg.
But none of them has spent more time at his old school than Frioud.
As a defensive assistant with the Packers, he has seen plenty more wins than losses. This trip to Largo could be a different story. He has an inexperienced team with few star players. Largo, as usual, is loaded with talent.
“(Osceola head coach) George Palmer used to say that teams get the ‘Largo Flu,’’’ Frioud said. “All of the sudden, players from other teams come up with some illness or injury when it’s Largo week. I just don’t want our kids to get the Largo Flu. (Largo) was up 42-0 at halftime in this game last year. I want it to be much closer than that.’’