Lennard was represented at One Buc Place by (from left) Offensive Coordinator C.J. Yockey, Head Coach George Edington, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director David New and Defensive Coordinator Ron Sainsbury, all of whom chatted with Bucs Head Coach Jon Gruden
On Friday, September 12, Lennard High School's George Edington earned his first victory of the season and the first of his head coaching career, defeating Sickles High School 21-14. As a result of the Longhorns' come-from-behind win, Edington was named the Tampa Bay Buccaneers High School Coach of the Week for Week Two of the 2008 season.
Trailing 14-0 to the visiting Gryphons, Lennard rallied back to score three consecutive touchdowns. Senior quarterback Andrew Burdick initiated the comeback with a 44-yard scoring completion to wide receiver Brandon Stephens, and on the ensuing possession Burdick connected with receiver Blake Kennedy for a 15-yard touchdown. Stephens then put the Longhorns ahead with a 5-yard touchdown run, providing enough cushion for Lennard to hold off the Gryphons' offensive attack for the final three quarters.
Edington, along with Offensive Coordinator C.J. Yockey, Defensive Coordinator Ron Sainsbury and Assistant Principal/Athletic Director David New, were invited to One Buccaneer Place Thursday morning for a tour of the team's practice facility and an opportunity to watch the Buccaneers' morning walk-through session. Following the practice, Tampa Bay Head Coach Jon Gruden greeted the group and congratulated Coach Edington on the first victory of his career. The two reflected on their first wins of 2008 as well as the significance of high school football in the Tampa Bay community.
"It was obviously nice to get our first win," Edington said. "Then to be named Coach of the Week and be able to come down here and see [One Buccaneer Place], it's impressive and almost overwhelming."
Along with a signed certificate and a personalized football presented by Coach Gruden, Edington received $1,000 towards the Longhorns' football program.
"We appreciate coming here, especially being a 2A school and a Title 1 school," Edington said after the visit. "The contribution that the Bucs made to our football program goes beyond anything that we could ever ask for. Our program needs it and it will definitely come in handy down the road."
The Buccaneers will honor ten high school coaches from West Central and Central Florida during this year's prep football season. A Coach of the Year, who receives an additional $1,000 for his football program, will be selected from the ten weekly winners at the end of the season. The Buccaneers and National Football League's Coach of the Week program aids in the development of youth football, which has a positive influence on young athletes and the communities in which they live.
