But it wouldn't be surprising if some of his most enjoyable dreams involve jogging out to the first day of spring practice and seeing about 60 eager faces staring back at him, ready to play football for the Gulf Buccaneers. Newton has been coaching football around here since long before his players were born. West Pasco County, by the standards of the rest of the state, is not a prep football hotbed. But things never have been this bad. Gulf is a Class 4A school, but right now, it has the turnout of your average Class A football team.
Football is labor intensive and high attrition.
Consequently, low numbers in football are worse than low numbers in any other sport. Because a football team essentially is three teams, offense, defense and special teams. Kickoff, kickoff return, punt, punt return and kicking team. The more players you have, the less fatigue is a factor on game night. The more players, the better the game preparation, as each player can focus on fewer, more specific responsibilities.