Coach Jimmy Buckridge said this group of players is the best he's coached in his 11 years with the school.
Coach Jimmy Buckridge was there for the creation of Timber Creek football.
For the past 11 seasons, he has directed the Wolves on the field. After his squad won the district tie-breaker Nov. 7 to earn the Class 8A, District 8 title, Buckridge made a proud observation.
“This is the best group of kids I’ve ever had in 11 years,” he said.
It was not a statement made only in the excitement of the moment. A day later, Buckridge expanded on why this year’s group is so memorable.
“They are the best as a team. It is their unity, character and the way they respect each other,” he said. “It has been fun to coach them … in all facets.”
Timber Creek Athletic Director James Priest said he’s also seen this year’s team develop into a remarkable group of young men.
“It is a special group. They are a tight, tight-knit group that get along and hang out together and with each other. With football, you usually have cliques, but that has not been the case,” he said. “They want to learn. They want to listen. That is a big reason that they have had great success.”
Game time
Coordinator Marc Jackson said he’s hoping that character and team unity will translate into the school’s first win in the state playoffs. Timber Creek will host Apopka in first round of the playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18.
“Apopka has been our nemesis,” Buckridge said. “We played Apopka the first couple years, and we can’t seem to get over the hump. I think we’ve lost to them in the playoffs four times.
“They (Apopka) are playing really good football right now. They play really well on defense. We’re fortunate to have a home game, and I think we’ll have a packed house.”
“They are the best as a team. It is their unity, character and the way they respect each other.” Jimmy Buckridge
The Wolves plan to present some problems to their opponents on the field by mixing up their routine on offense.
“We have three different looks,” Buckridge said. “We’re mainly a running team with Kyle Snead getting 25 carries a game. The Wildcat formation is just another way to get Jimmy Roberts the ball. We’ve also put in a spread package.”
The offense counts on the leadership of quarterback Zach Barrett and lineman Billy Walsh while the team’s defense features linebacker Matt Verdon and safety Shawn Risbrook,
The squad bounced back from a disappointing loss to Winter Park on Nov. 4 to a victory over the same team in the tie-breaker three days later.
The whole package
Football and academics are not always seen as a complementing each other, but Timber Creek football players disproving that stereotype.
“They have been very good in the classroom,” Buckridge said. “We tell our kids that they are the leaders of the school and it is a privilege to play sports. If they act badly in the classroom or on the plaza, that reflects badly on the team. They should be here to help the administration and the teachers.”
Priest credits Buckridge and Jackson for the group of kids they’ve turned out.
“I wouldn’t trade those two (Buckridge and Jackson) for anything,” he said. “They care about the kids and life after football. They are teaching them about doing right and building character in life.”
Buckridge also credits the successes to the team attitude.
“We don’t have great athletes, but we have great kids. We put them in the right spots and good things happen,” Buckridge said.