Spring Football: Baker optimistic with returning talent

By TRAVIS DOWNEY

travisd@nwfdailynews.com

BAKER - On one hand, Baker coach Bob Kellogg feels good about how his Gators are taking shape this spring.

Offensively, Baker returns a human highlight reel in second-year quarterback Cameron Domangue.

In his first year under center, Domangue rushed for more than 1,700 yards and 19 touchdowns as the Gators just missed the playoffs with a 4-6 record.

In fact, the entire Gator backfield returns as halfback Kellan Meeks and fullback Billy Whatmough are also back.

Receivers Tyler Holley and Josh Rose return to give the Gators offense a pair of experienced options on the perimeter as well.

Save for a few question marks along the offensive line, Kellogg is comfortable, if not excited, about the Gators' offensive outlook in '08.

"We're sitting here, really, with about all of our offense back," Kellogg said. "It's wonderful. You can tell going out there that we're experienced at those skill positions."

But when the discussion switches to defense, Kellogg's tone changes ever so slightly.

With Baker's roster light on players that fit a true defensive lineman mold, Kellogg instructed defensive coordinator David Oglesby to abandon his base 50 front in favor of a more linebacker-laden 3-5 scheme.

The hope is that the new alignment will allow Baker to better utilize the abundance of smaller, yet quicker, players on its roster.

Meeks, Rose and David Beck each return as experienced linebackers while newcomers Cameron Davis and Vada Moore have both turned heads with their play this spring.

"It's given us five linebackers and that's the type (of players) we've got," Kellogg said. "They can run and they're better (standing) up than they are trying to get up on somebody up front."

The shift in approach is not unfamiliar for the Gators or their coaches.

Just last season it was Kellogg who tossed aside his power-based offense for a spread look.

Now, the Gators will look to take a similar speed-based approach on defense.

Domangue, who will be counted on to man the safety position on defense, believes the new scheme fits this year's team.

"They're trying to make sure we utilize our speed," Domangue said. "We just have to make sure we have all 11 players going to the football."

Both Domangue and Oglesby agree, however, that only when the Gators line up against another team's starting offense will the effects of the defensive switch be truly evident.

"We'll find out," Oglesby says when asked how smooth the transition has gone thus far. "I have a lot of questions, but they're only going to be answered when we play somebody."