Webber aims to build upon a family culture to rack up some wins
Second-year head coach Eric Potochney is trying to get his Webber International football team to play together and instill a winning culture.
That’s been his task since being named the head coach in last year, a season in which they went 2-8. Webber has not had a winning record since 2018, but Potochney said this year his players have the right mentality to snap that skid.
Potochney, who was the team's defensive coordinator for 10 years, believes that eliminating individuality, creating a family culture, and, of course, recruiting, is what it will take for the team to be a winner.
“We developed a good recruiting plan that we've been trying to work with, breaking some stuff up financially by positions and by offense and defense, so I think we have a better recruiting plan now. That's something we really didn’t have before and we kind of struggled over the past five years.
Warriors
Head Coach: Eric Potochney (2nd year)
Coaching Staff: Steven Speakman (Associate head football coach/S), Vincent Davis (Recruiting Coordinator/RB), D.J. Croley (OC), Hasan Craig (DL/Strength and conditioning), Rick Wimmer (LB/HC Team 2), Brandon Tate (WR).
2021 Record: 2-8.
Last time in Playoffs: Never.
Key player losses: Colton Cormier, Chris Williams.
Players to Watch: QB Cody Braden (GR., 6-1, 185); RB Tremon Bright (Jr. 5-7, 190); WR Jacob Moss (Sr. 5-9, 175); SS Devonte Harris (Sr. 6 feet, 215); CB Jamon Jones (Sr. 6 feet, 190); CB Trent Peacock (JR., 6-1, 175), LB Jaren Muse (Jr. 5-9, 195).
2022 Schedule
Aug. 27 — 1:30 p.m. vs. Lincoln University
Sept. 3 — 1:30 p.m. at Cumberland University
Sept. 10 — 1:30 p.m. vs. Atlantis University
Sept. 24 — 1:30 p.m. vs. University of Fort Lauderdale
Oct. 1 — 7 p.m. at Warner University
Oct. 8 — 7 p.m. at Southeastern University
Oct. 15 — 1:30 p.m. vs. Ave Maria
Oct. 22 — 1:30 p.m. vs. Florida Memorial University
Oct. 29 — 1:30 p.m. vs. Virginia University – Lynchburg
Nov. 5 — 12 p.m. at. St. Thomas University
Offense
Offensive coordinator Croley has returned to the and will provide offensive wisdom along with his familiarly with the program and the conference.
Croley will call the plays for Braden, who last year passed for 1,435 yards, nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Braden is in his third year as the starter.
The offense will be focused around all-conference running back Tremon Bright, who last season rushed for 1,024 yards and four touchdowns. He is the second running back in Webber history to rush for more than 1,000 yards.
Moss last year had 34 receptions for 502 yards and a school-record seven touchdowns.
The players will run multiple formations that will result in triple options, RPOs and vertical passing that will set up the short game.
Defense
The defense will be led by all-conference strong safety Harris who last year had 68 tackles, 1½ tackles for loss and one pick. But more than stats, he’s another leader that galvanizes the entire team.
Helping Harris in the secondary will be all-conference defensive back Jamon Jones. Jones in 2021 managed 37 tackles, an interception and eight pass breakups. Harris is a four-year starter and hands down Webber’s best cover guy.
Still, the leader of the defense is Peacock, who makes all of the secondary checks on the fly. Peacock racked up 52 tackles, a sack, two fumbles and three pass breakups.
Controlling the middle of the defense at linebacker will be Muse. Muse in 2021 produced 46 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup and one blocked kick. Muse has full grasp of the defensive scheme.
And Potochney, who has been running the defense for 12 years now, will have these leaders run a 3-3-5 scheme, which is very similar to what West Virginia runs.
“I think that scheme is good for us, especially with that recruiting pool in the state of Florida being that we can recruit so many different, what we call hybrid type guys — linebackers/safety kids,” Potochney said. “...But also with the depth we brought in on the defensive line, we’re going to play some four-man front and still not miss a beat…”
Outlook
A handful of players were able to stay over the summer and get some work in. But for the most part, players went back to their respective homes because the university isn’t able to house them. Potochney said that will be an issue he intends on fixing in the near future.
Coach’s comment
“I think it goes back to what our initial goal was in the beginning, and that was for us to be able to change our locker room culture and for us to get our guys to start playing together, and understanding that we have to pull together in order for us to be successful,” Potochney said.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Webber aims to build upon a family culture to rack up some wins
