NORTH PORT — Last spring, when the North Port football team came out with swagger and confidence following a winless season, most people thought the team had lost its collective mind.
After all, the Bobcats never had a winning season and losing had been ingrained in people’s minds.
It seems the confidence was justified as the Bobcats finished 6-4, its first winning season in school history, and coach Garon Belser is working this spring to keep it that way.
There’s still the confidence and the hard work that goes into keeping it as they count down to the annual Spring Game at home against Island Coast on Friday, May 24.
Belser said the first week of practice went very well. The players are amped up and believe they can be better than last year.
“We have about 60 guys out here and that’s good for us. We don’t want anyone who’s not committed,” Belser said. “They’re more confident, that’s for sure.”
The Bobcats will remain an independent in the FHSAA this season, and with the success from 2023, Belser has amped up the schedule in 2024, with a game against Charlotte (who they haven’t played in years) to give the Bobcats more of a test.
“Last year, we took the wins we could against the quality of team, but we’re bringing on some tougher opponents and playoff teams. We want to be tested again,” Belser said. “We weren’t ready to go into a district and go against teams like Riverview and Venice who would be in our district.”
Teams always face issues with graduation, some more than others. North Port was among those teams with more than 20 graduating, including four starting offensive linemen.
“I expect us to do better. We have higher expectations. Those we expect to do well are Peter Kalphat, Isaac Smith at running back and we have some linemen we expect to do well.” Belser said. “We’re going to impress a lot of people.”
Nash Hudgens, a junior who has been a starter since freshman year, said the team is faster than last year, especially the defensive line.
“Last year was a great thing to be a part of, but this year we look even faster. The offensive line needs some work, but we’re close, we’re finding guys coming out and showing aggression,” Hudgens said. “We had all seniors last year so I have a sense of responsibility for this line.”
Last year’s team was predominantly a running team and this year should be the same. Smith said he’s seen a lot from the younger players and how everyone has worked to be better.
“This team prepares well, works and practices hard. We have a new coach helping us with the Wing-T and perfecting our craft,” Smith said. “We had a new group establishing a team chemistry and we all became better and wanted to win.”
Rising senior Gino Dibene will return as the starting quarterback. He had to learn to use his feet more as he was mainly a pocket passer before last season.
“Coming here, I was a better runner when the ball was in my hands. That helped to my advantage last year,” Dibene said. “The offensive line looks great this year. They got a lot of playing time and look just as good as the seniors last year.”
Kalphat said the bad attitudes are long gone from those losing years and the new guys with better attitudes are taking over, and that’s shown in spring practice.
“Everyone is working hard. Everybody has the desire to play the game, which is great,” Kalphat said. “We’re expected to run the ball the entire game.”
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