The Vero Beach High football team salvaged an undefeated regular season last Friday night when QB Carson Proctor connected with wideout MJ McGriff on a last-minute touchdown pass to squeak by Sebastian River High 14-10 at Shark Stadium.
The game was of little consequence going forward since both teams had previously clinched first-round regional playoff berths. The Indians (9-0) qualified as the champions of District 8-8A while the Sharks (6-3) secured the runner-up spot in District 14-6A.
However, for the players and fans of both schools and communities, this contest was more than just a warm-up for the playoffs. VBHS Head Coach Lenny Jankowski likened it to those traditional rivalry games on college campuses in late November. The matchup between these schools carries local bragging rights and assists the Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County.
Front and center this week for Jankowski, his coaching staff and players was the home playoff opener this Friday vs. Gateway High out of Kissimmee and District 7-8A. An unblemished regular season maneuvered Vero into the #2 ranking statewide in Class 8A.
Jankowski said the Gateway game will not be the first playoff game for VBHS if you understand the collective mindset of his players. “The week before our first district game (against Treasure Coast) the players came to me and said, ‘From here on out we are going into playoff mode each and every week.’
“We have taken that approach through the lead of the players. It’s worked out for us so far, so we’ll see if we can continue with that.”
Jankowski’s team has been tested on several occasions, most notably late in the games against Palm Beach Lakes and Fort Pierce Central – not to mention the high-wire act against Sebastian River.
“I mentioned to our team that I’ve got a great group this year,” Jankowski said. “They are very mature and self-motivated. I think these guys just want to be the best. And that’s very evident at practice. They enjoy practice. That’s not always the case this time of year when you have to put on that sweaty, nasty equipment every day – and smell the smell of a high school locker room.
“People lose sight of the fact that when the school bell rings at the end of the day, everybody else is done. For our players, the coaches, and everyone involved, the day is really just starting. A big chunk of it is practice time, and the commitment level from these guys is off the charts.”
Expect only a minor tweak or two as the second season commences. After all, why tinker with success? The injury report all season long has been mostly favorable, especially with the mid-season return of highly regarded defensive end Patrick Bethel.
“You always have some things in mind and certain guys will spark your interest with their effort in practice.” Jankowski said. “Some have stepped up late in the season may get opportunities they wouldn’t have gotten earlier. But we will not completely move guys around.
“We’ve had some minor shuffling on the offensive line trying to get our best five guys out there, but that’s fairly natural this time of year.”
The offense and special teams have been consistent all year long, although the two-touchdown output at Sebastian River was the first time a team held the Indians to under 30. The defense has been exposed at least twice – in the second half of those outliers against Palm Beach Lakes and Fort Pierce Central.
The coaching staff took note. “Third down – and even fourth down – is a definite concern for us on defense,” Jankowski elaborated. “There needs to be a sense of urgency from our players. We call those the money downs. We’ve already done the hard part on first and second downs and put somebody in a third or fourth and long situation.
“If we are able to get off the field the game never gets as close as that one did.” Jankowski was referring to Fort Pierce Central consistently converting money downs and turning a huge first-half deficit into a nail-biter at the end.
“Our players recognize that,” Jankowski added. “They know the other team is out there working hard as we are. They are giving their all to do what you are trying to keep them from doing. So we are emphasizing that and would like to see some improvements in those areas.”
As for Gateway and the opponents hopefully to follow, Jankowski says: “I learned at an earlier age that when you get to the playoffs and there is more at stake, coaches will extend practice time because they don’t want to leave anything out. It is just human nature to think that more is always better.
“I’ve actually gone in the opposite direction. As the season progresses, our practices get shorter. I want our players to be fresh on Friday night. I try to keep the playbook simplified. We emphasize playing with a lot of tempo. Our kids seem to like it when practices are abbreviated. That allows them to play at a faster speed.
“That’s been our mantra, so to speak, and it has worked out for us.”