ROGER LALONDE / Staff

Dennis Marcelin, who has won the Lely Trojans quarterback battle, looks good on a broken play where he ran until he found an open receiver, Jeff Charelus, in practice on Friday.

ROGER LALONDE / Staff

Lely High's Romanthi Mathurin makes a catch in a make-shift end zone during a Lely practice on Friday. The team is on a practice field as the Trojans football field gets an artificial turf makeover.

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The Lely and Clearwater-Countryside players will have chips on their shoulders Thursday when they play their spring game in Clearwater.

Both teams are smarting from missing the playoffs last season.

The Cougars reached the playoffs in 2006 and were district champions the previous three seasons, but didn’t contend last year.

Lely was 5-5 in 2007, but had a chance to get into district play. The Trojans tied with Golden Gate and Immokalee for second place in the district, causing a three-way playoff. Lely tipped Golden Gate in a 12-minute playoff game but lost to Immokalee, who went on to the playoffs.

Both Lely and Clearwater lost key players in the offseason, and both teams are anxious to see how the players respond after the 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

The Cougars do return starting quarterback James Chmelik, who tossed a touchdown pass against the Trojans in the 2007 spring game at Lely, which Countryside won 27-14.

“They lost key runners, a strong defensive lineman and will need to replace most of their secondary,” Lely coach Steve Pricer said of Countryside. “Actually, we are both undergoing rebuilding situations.”

Lely lost its entire offensive backfield, but Pricer is happy with what has happened in spring practice.

“Dennis Marcelin will be our starting quarterback on Thursday,” Pricer said. “Sean (O’Regan) will be in on several series, but right now it is Dennis who will get the majority of the snaps.”

In 2007 it was Fortin Faustin racking up offensive rushing yards, but it looks like Lely will have the luxury of two backs.

“Frankie Pugh is the early leader, but Darion Hall has been improving quickly, and it seems to me they are neck-and-neck. Dylan Lynch will also be a key as our blocking black.”

Pricer said he likes the way the offensive line is coming together and is happy about the return of tackle Cotorey Seals, who is playing his way back into shape after missing last season with a knee injury.

“He hasn’t played a game in a year so it will be interesting to see what he can do,” Pricer said.

On defense, the line is inexperienced.

“We don’t have a Louga Isme to make the big plays,” Pricer said of the defensive tackle who intercepted or stole the ball seven times from the opposition, running three back for touchdowns and stalling many drives with solo tackles.

Because they have little experience, Pricer hopes that he can get strong play from his linebackers and safeties

Linebacker Emmanuel Edouard, who missed all of last season recuperating from a broken ankle, is back.

“Edouard is back at full strength,” Pricer said. “He’s had a great couple of weeks and will be a great help with our linebackers. Neil Keaney at inside linebacker and Errol Boyd at safety will have to play well.”

Pricer said the spring game is important.

“It sets the tone for the summer and establishes momentum,” he said. “We’ll play everyone. The game will give us direction.”