Conchs hit the field for spring practice

Spring football is in the air at Key West High, where the red-helmeted Conchs learning to block and tackler on the school's Back Yard field are almost too numerous to count.

There are 77 players out for practice, including 26 eighth-graders, said coach Johnny Hughes, whose team will conclude spring drills with a game against Marathon at 7 p.m. May 20 at Tommy Roberts Memorial Stadium.

"There are no surprises so far," Hughes said. "The ones we expected to step up are doing that."

The Conchs are coming off a 6-5 season, which ended with a loss to Archbishop McCarthy in the Gold Coast Conference championship game. Gone from that team, which averaged more than 40 points a game, is Mehki Sargent, Key West's all-time rushing leader and touchdown scorer. Sargent ran for more than 2,000 yards in his senior season.

The Conchs will also be without Kolby Kelleher, another star running back, who is moving to Jacksonville. "A huge loss," Hughes said.

Hughes said the 2016 team will not have a superstar, though versatile junior-to-be Alvin Howard, the team's best athlete, could become one, both on offense as a running back or slot receiver, and as an interception threat on defense.

"We have to find a way to get him the ball," Hughes said.

The running game should still be a strength with three promising candidates -- Damien Alvarez, Jodel Deralus and Jesse Garcia.

Last season's two quarterbacks, Michael Cleaver and Carson Hughes, return.

Cleaver, who had the most playing time at the position last season as a 165-pounder, now weighs 185 after weight-room routines supervised by Conch strength coach Dustin Brunner, who was involved in the University of Alabama’s football program.

The Conchs will begin their third season in the Gold Coast Conference, which is independent of the Florida High School Athletic Association The league, which had six teams last season, now has 10 with the addition of Coral Springs Charter, Calvary Christian, Pompano Beach and Westminster Academy.

"We'll be fighting for a playoff spot," Hughes said.

This story was originally published May 7, 2016 at 8:16 AM with the headline "Conchs hit the field for spring practice."