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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Drifters surged as Farinet settled in

November 19, 2008 12:36 am

Knowing the enemy increases the chance for success.

Colonial Beach used that approach a season ago to reach the Group A state football semifinals and is following a similar path this season.

The unbeaten Drifters (11-0) will host the Franklin Broncos (8-3) at Monroe Park Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the Region A, Division 1 championship game. Colonial Beach won 28-24 when the two teams met in the fifth week of the season.

"Generally, we have done well when we have played teams more than once in a season," Drifters coach Jeremy Jack said earlier this week. "I think that bodes well for us.

"We take the time to carefully comb through everything and make sure we are well-versed in what the opponent is going to do. They line up in the Power-I and come right at you."

The Broncos' physical, smash-mouth style of play might frighten some opponents, but not the Drifters.

"We scope out the defense: We run, then we pass," star receiver T.T. Carey said in describing the Drifters' formula for success. "They [Franklin] are a fast team and hard-hitting. But we know how to get around stuff like that."

While Franklin's approach is fairly predictable, the same can not be said for the Drifters. Part of the reason for the Tidewater District champions' diverse attack is the emergence of Dylan Farinet both as a passer and running threat.

"The beginning of the season, he wasn't seeing the whole field well, but now he's gotten into a groove," two-way end Russell Fields reflected. "He's had quite a few games where he's broken big plays that I didn't think were going to happen.

"He's doing a good job of getting everybody touches here and there, and he's running the ball real well."

Farinet admitted to being nervous when he started as a sophomore for the varsity last season against Rappahannock. Although winning 36-0, Farinet viewed it as a wake-up call about how much he needed to improve to adequately replace starter Brent Steffey.

Looking to build his strength and bond with the veteran players, Farinet worked regularly in the Drifters' weight room during the offseason and followed the regimen used by all-state lineman DeShawn Viers.

Bulking up helped the junior break tackles and withstand the hits of charging lineman, but his passing game took a while to get untracked.

"I played well in our scrimmage against Spotsylvania and I thought I was going to have a really good season," he said. "I didn't play too good against King George and that got into my head. I'm comfortable now."

Although expected to carry his fair share, Farinet bought into the team concept where the Drifters shared the responsibility for success.

"As coach says, I think we're playing a lot better as a team," said Fields, a key for the Drifters' potent ground game, which has amassed over 3,000 yards this season. "Brandon [Foster] was a big-time player last year and he made big plays whenever we needed it. We depend on each other more."

While Carey is Farinet's favorite target, the 6-foot-2 quarterback has diversified his passing attack and has even changed plays at the line of scrimmage on occasion.

"Usually I go to T.T. [and] try to see if he is open," Farinet said. "But the defense keys on him a lot more. After that, I look for the open man. Chad [Inscoe] and DeShawn are blocking for me. I have so much time back there."

With a desire to keep Carey where he could do the most damage, the Beach coaching staff debated in the preseason whether Nick Peterson or Farinet would take the snaps from center.

It did not take long before a decision was reached.

"He's performed beyond expectations," Jack said of Farinet. "We were hoping to find a comfort level where we could just plug him in.

"But he's really started to redefine the position for us. It has been a running position for us the past four years. This year, it is really 50-50 with over 600 yards passing and rushing."

Kurt Nicoll: 540/374-5441
Email: knicoll@freelancestar.com