Hollins’ Caparaso ready for last season as a head coach in 2022

Dale Caparaso has coached in Florida since 2002

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – Three games decided by eight points or less was the deciding factor in separating the Hollins Royals from being a above .500 team or below that mark.

The Royals ended the 2021 season with a record of 4-6, with narrow losses to playoff qualifying Gibbs, a 9-1 Land O’ Lakes team and Northeast. Hollins wasn’t far off the mark from being a good team under head coach Dale Caparaso, who is entering his final season as a head coach, with Jason Stokes serving as a head coach in waiting.

Hollins exited the spring feeling good about what they have on both sides of the ball, as Caparaso pointed out there’s a lot to like about this upcoming 2022 version of the Royals.

Photo courtesy of Hollins Royal Football

“Anytime you enjoy success it gives the team a positive approach to the next season, game or activity,” Caparaso said. “Spring was a big plus to us as we enjoyed the success we did and did not have four very key players out there. This included one 300-pound offensive lineman, starting slot receiver, starting running back and starting quarterback.

“Yet our replacement had 19 carries and 185 yards rushing. So it was a big plus for us as we head into a season where hopefully those young men ‘get it’ now and realize we do not allow undisciplined players to play.”

The offensive line could be Hollins’ strongest suit this season, as the Royals’ will be young up front but have three linemen who exceed 300 pounds. This could be a plus in the run game for Hollins, with Michael Carpenter and Teagan Davies at the guards and Jaylon Scurry, Tanner Hale are the offensive tackles.

The Royals went 4-6 in 2021 / Photo courtesy of Dale Caparaso

The player that coaches are raving about on the offensive side of the ball is quarterback/running back Joel Houedenou, who is getting Division I level interest. Houedenou is the player Caparaso pointed to rushing for 185 yards and he will be one to watch for this 2022 campaign.

Joel Houedenou: 6’4” 225, Ath. Dixie Hollins High, Tampa. College Coaches don’t let this kid slip through the cracks‼️ https://t.co/V7UrMwINSi

— Coach Jason Stokes (@CoachStokes1975) February 8, 2022

“The best of the bunch will be Joel Houedenou, who is a scholarship D-1 player,” Caparaso said. “He is a running back and part time quarterback. He is the young man who had 19 carries for 185 yards and two touchdowns in the spring. Beast and also a great linebacker.”

Hollins will kickoff the season on August 26th against Green Mountain High School of Colorado at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. The Royals will go into the season with a small roster, per Caparaso, but he believes the first game will be a great test for Hollins as they kickoff his last season as a head coach (previously coached in Massachusetts; Pasco High School, Spoto High School).

“At this point we are 100 percent all in on getting our small in numbers group ready to head to Orlando and play Green Mountain from Colorado in our first game,” Caparaso said. “We did this through KSA a few years ago and it was awesome.

“We will challenge ourselves right out of the blocks as Green Mountain went to the playoffs last season and only lost two starters. We will be challenged for sure which is what we wanted as coaches. This will be a great test for our kids.”

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.