Former Tampa Bay Tech offensive lineman Tyree St. Louis, who transferred to IMG Academy following his freshman season with the Titans, orally committed Tuesday afternoon to the University of Miami.

The Tampa resident, who devleoped into a 6-foot-6, 300-pound force and one of the top lineman recruits in the country, picked the Hurricanes over his other finalists: Florida, Mississippi State and Tennessee.

“The main reason I committed to Miami was [offensive line] Coach [Art] Kehoe – he’s the best in the business, and I know playing under him will give me a great shot at getting to the next level,” St. Louis said, according to a news release issued by IMG. “It’s been a great process and I’ve been to some great places, seen great facilities and met some great people, but my recruitment has come to a close with the University of Miami.”

St. Louis is entering his final season at IMG. 

MIami is on a roll recruiting the Tampa Bay area, already having picked up commitments from linebacker Bowman Archibald (Pasco), quarterback Dwayne Lawson (Hillsborough) and defensive lineman/linebacker Scott Patchan (Freedom).

John'Ta Edwards has transferred to Gibbs for his senior season. Edwards, a defensive back, was at St. Petersburg last season. He recorded 34 total tackles in 10 games and had four pass deflections.

"He's been here for about a week,'' Gibbs coach Rick Kravitz confirmed. "I really don't know much about him right now.''

Edwards is the second player to transfer to Gibbs recently. Tyrell Hubbard-Smith transferred from Lakewood. Kravitz said Hubbard-Smith will likely play quarterback and defensive back.

This is also the second player to recently transfer from St. Petersburg. Defensive back Anthony Foster transferred to Lakewood three weeks ago for his senior season.

Tom Hilbert, who was Dunedin's head baseball coach for 16 years, has accepted the same position at Palm Harbor University. PHU athletic director Larry Lopez confirmed that Hilbert has been chosen to replace Joel Slawinski, who transferred to Dunedin to be an assistant football coach.

Hilbert, 44, resigned as Dunedin's coach after the 2013 season and became a volunteer coach at St. Petersburg College. He won 360 games and 13 district championships while at Dunedin. The Falcons were state champions in 2008. Hilbert also spent his first four years as a head coach at Dixie Hollins.

"I love Dunedin high school and Dunedin baseball, but I'm very excited about this opportunity,'' Hilbert said. "I think Palm Harbor is a diamond in the rough. I can see myself being here for a very long time.''

PHU was 11-14 last season and finished last in Class 8A, District 8. Slawinski was 30-37 in his three years at PHU

Baylor's Tim Holmes, who finished fourth in the 400 hurdles at NCAA Division I track and field championships last month, has transferred to Florida.

Holmes, a former standout at Lakewood, made the move to be closer to his family and becauseit  was a better fit for him  to excel in the hurdles, said Lightning Bolt track coach Garlynn Boyd, who coached Holmes at the club level.

"TJ (Holmes) just felt this was a better fit for himself," Boyd said. "His family will be able to see him more, and the hurdling technique he will get at Florida will help him get to the nexy level."

Holmes, who will be a sophomore this upcoming season, picked Baylor over Florida when he was a senior at Lakewood in 2013. After battling hamstring injuries, Holmes came on as a freshman for the Bears during the outdoor season. Besides finishing fourth in the 400 hurdles at the NCAA meet, Holmes also ran a leg on Baylor's 4x400 relay team that placed seventh.

Holmes departure means he no longer will be running with longtime friend Trayvon Bromell, the former Gibbs standout who won the 100 meters for Baylor at the NCAA meet. Both ran together with the Lightning Bolt track club growing up and were teammates this past season with the Bears.

"TJ is extremely grateful for the opportunity that Baylor gave him," Boyd said. "This is just a move that he felt was best for him."

Admiral Farragut senior safety/wide receiver Jestin Green committed to Florida International University in Boca Raton after visiting the school on Thursday, according to coach Ryan Hearn. Green, 6-foot-1, 165, has been a varsity player for the Blue Jackets since his sophomore year.

Green also had interest from Connecticut, S.E. Missouri St. and Southern Illinois.

Countryside running back Mekhi Reynolds transferred to Armwood this week.

Reynolds said the reason was because his family moved.

Last year, Reynolds rushed for 164 yards on 26 carries and scored twice in four games as a sophomore. He was supposed to share the rushing load with Dante Satcher this year.

"I don't know how much playing time I'll get (at Armwood)," Reynolds said. "That's not really my main focus right now. I'm still upset about moving."

Tom Hilbert, who was Dunedin’s baseball coach for 16 years, accepted the same position at Palm Harbor University. PHU athletic director Larry Lopez confirmed Hilbert has been chosen to replace Joel Slawinski, who transferred to Dunedin to be an assistant football coach.

Hilbert, 44, resigned as Dunedin’s coach after the 2013 season and became a volunteer coach at St. Petersburg College. He won 360 games and 13 district championships with the Falcons and a state title in 2008. Hilbert spent his first four years as a head coach at Dixie Hollins.

“I love Dunedin High School and Dunedin baseball, but I’m very excited about this opportunity,’’ Hilbert said. “I think Palm Harbor is a diamond in the rough. I can see myself being here for a very long time.’’

PHU was 11-14 last season and finished last in Class 8A, District 8. Slawinski was 30-37 in his three years at PHU.

Freedom defensive lineman Scott Patchan announced Sunday that he transferred to IMG Academy.

"It was a last-minute decision," Patchan said. "The facilities are great, and it's a place that will help me get better and get ready for college."

Patchan, a Miami recruit, is rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and was part of the Tampa Bay Times' HomeTeam 100 top 10. Last year, Patchan had 47 tackles, six sacks and three fumble recoveries for the 3-7 Patriots.

"The decision to go to IMG was tough," Patchan said. "I'm leaving teammates that I've played with for years, but this was the best place for me."

Patchan is the eighth player from the bay area to join IMG since it started playing high school football as an independent last year. Five of those transfers have come this offseason.

Nature Coast offensive tackle Christian Pellage will announce his college commitment Friday at 2 p.m. at the school’s gym.

The three-star 2015 prospect said he doesn’t have a list of finalists, but he holds more than two-dozen offers, including Florida State, Florida, Alabama and Ohio State. The 6-foot-7, 285-pound Pellage was No. 13 in the Times’ HomeTeam 100 list of the area’s top football players. 

Rivals considers him the country’s No. 40 offensive tackle and the state’s No. 58 overall recruit; 247Sports also ranks him among the top 60 players in the state and at his position.

He’ll be Nature Coast’s third FBS recruit in the past three seasons. DE Rohan Blackwood signed with USF in February, and RB Matt Breida will be a sophomore at Georgia Southern.

Boca Ciega pitcher/first baseman Tanner Watkins has committed to Hillsborough Community College, according to Pirates coach Ralph Rogers.

Watkins pitched 69.2 innings as Boca Ciega's ace and had a 1.31 ERA and 90 strikeouts. He also hit .394 with 14 RBIs and nine doubles.

Watkins will likely play both pitcher and infield for HCC.

As Corey Luckenbill prepares to snap the football, he can feel the laces between his fingers. He can hear his teammates’ shouts, smell the sweat and freshly cut grass.

What the Admiral Farragut Academy reserve center cannot do is clearly see the players around him. 

Corey, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound sophomore, is legally blind. 

He was born with stationary cone dystrophy, a congenital eye disease that affects the cone cells in the retina. He has 20/400 vision, which means he can only see objects close to him, and he is highly sensitive to light. He wears sunglasses day and night to protect his eyes. 

So what spurred him to spend time on a football field?

“I usually try to do the things everyone else does,” Luckenbill said. “I try not to do anything different, try not to limit myself.”

While his parents, Kraig and Michele, do not have the disease, his older sister, Madi, 22, does. His brother, Casey, is a senior at Admiral Farragut and also played football until a season-ending knee injury in the spring. 

Corey has always tried to emulate his big brother. If Casey rode his bike through the neighborhood, Corey wasn’t far behind. 

“Most kids who have something like I do wouldn’t be out riding bikes when they are 5 years old,” Corey said. “I was just trying to keep up. I’ve definitely fallen more than enough times. I’ve hit my share of stuff. What can you say.”

And he always kept getting back on the bike. 

So when Corey asked to play in a local flag football league like his brother, Kraig didn’t hesitate.

“I’ve always told him, all you can do is live with it,” his father said. “You can get out there and try to do the things you want to do or you can go sit in the corner. He’s never let it slow him down.’’

His brother has always had the same message for Corey.

“There’s no choice,’’ said Casey, who transferred from Tarpon Springs after his junior year. “There’s no giving up.”

The disease does come with limitations. Corey will never be able to drive; most days, Casey drives him to and from school. Corey, an above-average student, still must sit at the front of the class to see the teacher, and his handouts must be copied in larger print. 

On the football field, he has no peripheral vision. He can see objects directly in front of him, but the farther they move away, the more they just look like blobs of color. 

He also has a note from his pediatric opthamologist explaining his disease and how it might be difficult to diagnose a concussion since his eyes do not dilate. 

And the Luckenbills are currently trying to get permission from the Florida High School Athletic Association for Corey to wear a tinted visor to further keep light from his eyes. Completely tinted visors are not allowed because trainers have difficulty seeing players’ eyes. 

Corey has always known about the risks of playing football, but that hasn’t kept him off the field.

“I like playing center,” he said. “There’s not too much running laterally. It’s just downfield blocking. That’s why I don’t play defense. I’m just a mess. I can run around and hit people, but I’m not really worth anything. I’ll just be running around not seeing anything and getting hit from the side.’’

That’s not to say there haven’t been incidents while playing the position.

“One time (during a youth league game) I couldn’t find the ball on the ground,” he said. “My quarterback had to move me around the field so I could find the ball. All that green on the field and I just lost it.”

Yet Admiral Farragut coach Ryan Hearn didn’t hesitate when Corey asked to come out for the varsity team. In fact, Hearn believes he will make an impact by the time he graduates.

“I could see him being our starting center as a junior or senior,” Hearn said. “He’s not an overly big kid yet, but I think he could be. And he’s not afraid to get in there and hit people.”

This season, Corey’s play will be limited. The Blue Jackets do not have a junior varsity team, so he will patiently wait for his chance. And when that time comes, he won’t take it easy on opponents.

“I’ve always wanted to show people what I can do,” he said. “Some people think it’s crazy that I’m playing football, but it’s just normal for me.”

Contact Rodney Page at page@tampabay.com. Follow @RodneyHomeTeam.

As 2015 wide receiver Auden Tate sat flanked by his parents in the principal’s conference room at Wharton High School for his commitment ceremony Tuesday, his mother Nicki admitted to the crowd of people that spilled out into the hallway that she didn’t think the day would ever come. 

It was just four years ago that her son — who had always been a small child — tried out for the Dutch Fork Middle School football team and was cut.

“I was like, ‘Well, baby, maybe you’ll try a different sport,’ ” Nicki Tate recalled.

But for Auden Tate, that moment only made him want it more. 

“It made me real hungry,” he said.

In the years since, Tate went from being a kid his middle school team didn’t want to a four-star recruit with offers from 20 Division I football programs. And Tuesday morning, in front of a crowd of more than 60 crammed into the small room in the school’s front office, Tate announced his commitment to Florida State, peeling off his T-shirt to show one from the defending national championship underneath.

Tate, who still plans to take official visits to Florida State and Michigan this fall, said his decision came down to the Seminoles or Maryland — making him one of several top recruits in the Tampa Bay area considering the Terrapins. 

In the end, Tate said it was interactions with strength and condition coach Vic Viloria that helped him make up his mind. Viloria, he said, didn’t fill his head with what could be empty promises; all he guaranteed him was an opportunity to compete for a spot on the field. 

With numbers like he put up last season for the Wildcats, that’s exactly what Tate could do in Tallahassee. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound junior had 49 receptions for 815 yards and five touchdowns in 2013. And despite Wharton bringing in two new young quarterbacks this season, Tate said he doesn’t expect his output to change.

“They’re going to progress a lot, so it’s my job to help them feel comfortable in the offense,” he said. “But I feel like they know what they’re doing.”

St. Petersburg City Council chairman Bill Dudley, formerly a longtime wrestling coach at Northeast High School, will be inducted into the Florida chapter of the Wrestling Hall of Fame on Saturday at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort in Orlando.

Dudley is one of seven who will be inducted. The other local inductee is longtime referee John Niles, who also coached at Lakewood High.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” Dudley said. “At first, I almost didn’t believe it when I got the call. I thought they were yanking my chain.”

Dudley coached at Northeast 33 years and had 340 dual-meet victories. He also started the St. Petersburg City wrestling tournament, which is going on its 21st year.  Dudley’s only state champion, Phil Rizzo, will be his presenter.

“To me it’s a tremendous honor, “ said Dudley, who invited more than 200 friends and family for the event. “I mean, it’s part of the national hall of fame.

Gulf High School didn't have to look very far for its new girls basketball coach.

Bruno Buonsanto, an assistant coach with the program the past two years under Clare Ennis, was selected from five applicants, according to athletic director Shari McFarlane.

"It was a very tough decision,'' McFarlane said. "But Bruno is very familiar with the program and that was important to us. We wanted to make sure the transition was a smooth one. This is going to be a young team and we think he's the perfect coach for them.''

The Buccaneers were 23-4 last season and advanced to the Class 5A region quarterfinals. Since the 2009-10 season, Gulf has won at least 21 games per season and advanced to the region final in 2011-12.

Buonsanto will be the third Gulf coach since the 2008-09 season.

"I have big shoes to fill, no doubt,'' Buonsanto said. "The expectations are high. We've lost five seniors and only have one senior returning so it could be a tough season. But what I've been telling the girls, and it's kind of an overused phrase, but there's no excuses. If they can buy into that then we should be okay.''

One of the changes Buonsanto plans to implement is a junior varsity team. Gulf did not have one last season.

"That's the key to our future success,'' he said.

Fall football practices for Tampa Bay football teams officially kicked off this week. We’re rolling out daily district previews for all 78 varsity teams in the area. And independent teams, we didn’t forget about you. You’re up first:

Overview|
A year ago, Bishop McLaughlin (3A-4), Shorecrest (3A-5) and Keswick Christian (2A-5) all were competing in districts. Declining numbers and fear for players’ safety against more seasoned, deeper teams led the trio to join Tampa Bay’s independent ranks for 2014, along with Citrus Park Christian and Seffner Christian. But hopes of reaching the playoffs aren’t lost for some of these teams. Bishop, Keswick and Seffner all compete in the Bay Division of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference, which is comprised of 27 state teams and offers its own postseason schedule. 

Huddle highlights
New men in charge: After two years with former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Dave Moore at the helm, Shorecrest is looking to ex-St. Petersburg Catholic coach Steve Dudley to get the Chargers back on track like his predecessor did in 2012. At Bishop McLaughlin, former assistant Craig Moore steps into the head role for a team that has one of the thinnest rosters in Pasco County. “Kids want to compete for a state championship,” he said. “But if we can compete this year, maybe we can get those (better county) kids to come here.” And Adam Hill, formerly the offensive quality control coach of the Tampa Bay Storm, takes over at fledgling Citrus Park Christian. 

Growth spurts: This is the fifth season of football at Seffner Christian and with time comes experience. Steve Lewis, the only head coach SCA has ever known, said he expects to have 42 players on the roster, most in Crusader history. Lewis credits the increasing numbers to a growing middle school feeder program. And second-year Citrus Park Christian has doubled its roster size, boasting 30-35 athletes.

Important numbers
3,169 Combined offensive yards gained by Seffner Christian RB Robbie Shell and QB Caleb Newman — both graduated —  in 2013. 

543 Combined offensive yards for the rest of Seffner Christian’s team a year ago. 

44 Receptions needed this season for senior TJ Muscarella to break Keswick Christian’s career record. From 2003-06, Keswick’s current receivers coach, Tony Anderson, caught 127 passes from the current head coach, Blake Englehardt. 

0 Keswick Christian was the only current area independent to go winless last year. 

Players to watch
QB Sam Grant, Sr., Shorecrest: Despite splitting time with Travis Dugan last season, Grant will see the majority of the snaps. His knee is 100 percent, and if Shorecrest has any hope of success, Grant will need to remain healthy for all 10 games.

TE Will Potosky, Sr., Bishop McLaughlin: He had an impressive 30 catches at the wideout position last year but will transition to tight end, which befits his 6-foot-5 frame. Prototypical tight end.

TE Zach Pruitt, Sr., Citrus Park Christian: Pruitt carried the team from the quarterback position in 2013. Hill moved him over to tight end to better utilize his sturdy frame (6-0, 200) to block and his downfield speed to create mismatches. Hill notes that Pruitt is as big as the opposing linemen he will face, but has the speed to run with their skill players.

RB/NG Marcus Richardson, Sr., Seffner Christian: One of two Crusaders remaining from SCA’s inaugural team and the team’s leading returning rusher, Richardson has been a starter since eighth grade.

OLB/WR Asher Thompson, Jr., Keswick Christian: Thompson was one bright spot on a weak defense, leading the team with 92 tackles as a sophomore. During the last five games of 2013, Thompson emerged as a weapon opposite Muscarella at receiver. He reeled in 28 passes for 442 yards during that span and ended up leading the team with five touchdowns.

Returning leaders
Rushing yards: Seffner Christian’s Marcus Richardson, 457 

Rushing TDs: Richardson, 6

Passing yards: Keswick Christian’s Parker Holland, 1,514

Passing TDs: Holland, 12

Receiving yards: Bishop McLaughlin’s Will Potosky, 599

Receiving TDs: Keswick Christian’s Asher Thompson, 5

Tackles: Seffner Christian’s Trent Puleo, 153

Sacks: Seffner Christian’s Richardson and Christian Becker, 4.5

Final word
“If we were in Class A, we’d beat every team to within an inch of their lives.” — Citrus Park Christian’s Hill. Class A is reserved for small teams in rural areas across the state.

More on these teams
Bishop McLaughlin

Citrus Park Christian 

Keswick Christian 

Seffner Christian 

Shorecrest

Compiled by staff writer Jacob Lynn and correspondents Darek Sharp, Andy Warrener and Brandon Wright. 

Bishop McLaughlin

Coach: Craig Moore (first season)

Last season: 2-8

Class/district: Independent

Colors: Blue and gold

Stadium: Unnamed, 13651 Hays Road, Spring Hill

Playoff appearances (FHSAA): None.

Season schedule 
Aug. 29at St. Stephen’s, 7

Sept. 5at Northside Christian, 7 

Sept. 12vs. Keswick Christian, 7

Sept. 19at Santa Fe Catholic, 7

Sept. 26vs. Cambridge Christian, 7

Oct. 3vs. Seffner Christian

Oct. 17vs. City of Life, 7

Oct. 24at Windermere Prep, 7

Oct. 31TBA (Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs), 7

Nov. 7TBA (Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs), 7

Mark your calendar
Bishop McLaughlin at Northside Christian, Sept. 5: Admittedly, some of new coach Craig Moore’s marking this one down on the calendar has to do with squaring off against a fellow former pro football player in Northside head coach Mike Alstott.

Huddle highlights
Stepping out of the district: After struggling mightily in an incredibly loaded 3A-4 district — that’s the one with powerhouses Tampa Catholic, Berkeley Prep, Frostproof, Fort Meade and Lakeland Christian — the Hurricanes chose to become an independent team this year.

Playoffs still possible: Though ineligible for the Florida High School Athletic Association playoff system, the Hurricanes still have something to shoot for as members of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference. With 27 members now, the SSAC conducts a three-round state playoff system among independent schools. The Bay Division includes Keswick Christian, Seffner Christian and Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic among its eight members. Last year, Seffner won the Bay Division and fell in the state semifinals to eventual state champ Leesburg First Academy.

Numbers crunch: The Hurricanes have one of the thinnest rosters in Pasco County. Moore will, sensibly, try and create an offense that takes the air out of the ball. Bishop McLaughlin’s approach will be to “slow the game down,” concentrating on the run game and utilizing the tight ends.

Known quantities
C/DT Will Beatty, Sr.: The anchor of both lines. Moore said if Beatty wasn’t needed to play offensive line — and by the way, if anyone gets hurt he can fill that position — he would be getting plenty of college looks as a defensive tackle. Beatty can play every position.

RB Eric Pitton, Sr.: Top returning running back had 332 yards on the ground last year — but that was factoring in a collarbone injury that caused him to miss a couple of games.

TE Will Potosky, Sr.: Had an impressive 30 catches at the wideout position last year but will transition to tight end, which befits his 6-foot-5 frame. He’s a prototypical tight end.

TE Colin Hankin, Jr.: As the aforementioned two tight end approach would demand, Hankin will lock down the other side of the offensive line.

Up-and-comers
QB Noah Clanahan, Sr.: A fullback last year, the senior is in the spotlight as the starter under center with valedictorian R.J. Perciavalle moved on. “He’s a tough hard nosed-kid,” Moore says of Clanahan. And just because he played fullback doesn’t mean Clanahan doesn’t have a decent arm.

DB/WR Joe Mastrino, So.: Made some small statistical dents as a freshman, but now has bulked up and gotten into incredible shape. No longer scrawny, look for Mastrino to be a constant playmaker.

ATH Kyle Kampsen, Jr.: Can play defense, slot receiver and a little running back.

Coach’s corner
“When I first heard we were going independent, I thought we were going backwards. Kids want to compete for a state championship. But if we can compete this year, maybe we can get those (better county) kids to come here. So maybe, for now, being independent is the best thing.” — Moore

Citrus Park Christian

Coach: Adam Hill (first season)

Last season: 1-6

Class: Independent 

Colors: Navy blue, gray and white

Stadium: Mac Center, 18701 Gunn Highway, Odessa

Playoff appearances: None. 

Season schedule

Aug. 28at Manatee (JV), 7

Sept. 5vs. Sarasota Out-of-Door, 7

Sept. 12at Bradenton Christian, 7:30

Sept. 19vs. Bradenton St. Stephen’s, 7

Oct. 3at St. Edward’s, 7

Oct. 10vs. Chaminade-Madonna, 7

Oct. 17vs. Winter Haven All Saints’, 7

Oct. 24 vs. Keswick Christian, 7

Oct. 31at Cornerstone Charter, 4

Mark your calendar
Being a Class 2A independent, there simply aren’t big district games to highlight the season. The fledgling Eagles are in just their second year of 11-man football and have some other objectives in mind. Settling scores is one of them. The first is a Sept. 5 clash with Sarasota Out-of-Door. The Thunder ran up the 42-0 score on an Eagles squad that started seven seventh-graders. This season it will be the Eagles’ first home game and they will field a bigger, more experienced team. Down the road is a contest against Chaminade-Madonna on Oct. 10. Chaminade is a 3A school that, on paper, should roll Citrus Park. Coach Adam Hill, however, believes he will have his team starting to jell by then and that his squad will measure up.

Huddle highlights
Home away from home: Citrus Park Christian built a very nice facility on Gunn Highway in Odessa, and the basketball and volleyball teams take full advantage. The football field, however, is little more than a set of goal posts and a field cut into a swamp.  “We need atmosphere, we need bleachers,” Hill said. “We had parents sitting in lawn chairs.” This year the Eagles will play their home games at the Oscar Cooler youth complex in Lutz. They played their spring game there, and the boosters threw a tailgate party. 

Moving at the speed of light: Hill took over the job in February and has been scrambling to bring a program from basically zero to where it is now. The team converted one of its storage sheds into a weight room, and is now struggling to get uniforms and helmets. Hill played the spring game without numbers on his linemen’s jerseys. As of this week, he has 20 white helmets and 12 blue helmets. But the numbers that stand out most are the 30-35 athletes on the roster, 18 more than a year ago.

Ample skill, scarce bulk:“We have enough skill players to platoon and not be weak anywhere,” Hill said. “Teams we play are going to have a hard time matching our skill guys.” Right now, it looks as though Hill is going to start two eighth-graders and one freshman on his offensive line.

Qualified coaching staff: Hill is the former offensive quality control coach of the Tampa Bay Storm. He also was the offensive coordinator of NAIA school Kentucky Christian and even worked a New Orleans Saints OTA in 2010. Defensive coordinator Kalen Smith played for Division II Tuskegee University; wide receivers coach DJ Mitchell played for the Armwood Hawks from 2003-05; running back coach Dominique Booker won a state title with Lakeland Victory Christian; DBs coach Bacari Flournoy coached at Division I South Dakota State; offensive line coach Bruce McCaleb played for Memphis, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and was recently with the Storm; special teams coach Matt Prewitt played for Hill at KCU; and QBs coach Ernie Leal was recently the defensive quality control guy for the Storm. 

Known quantities
TE Zach Pruitt, Sr.: Pruitt carried the team from the quarterback position last season. Hill has moved him over to tight end to better utilize his sturdy frame (6-0, 200) to block and his downfield speed to create mismatches. Hill notes that Pruitt is as big as many of the linemen on teams he will face, but has the speed to run with their skill players.

HB Josiah Wynn, Sr.: Wynn played everywhere last year but has settled into a halfback role. He will often line up on the same side as Pruitt and create problems for defenses.

OL Joseph O’Neal, Jr.: O’Neal (6-2, 225) is a home-schooled athlete who has taken full advantage of the makeshift weight room. He is a lunch pail player who works construction jobs in the summer. Hill is high on him as one of his top linemen and because he leads by example.

Up-and-comers
QB Jayson Carter, Sr.: A transfer from Middleton, where he rarely saw the playing field, Carter steps in under center. Hill said Carter can run the ball and has a beautiful throwing motion. “He’s smart, coachable and doesn’t make the same mistake twice.”

WR Jose Motta, Fr.: The hidden gem on the team, the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder “is as good as any receiver out there regardless of class,” according to his coach. Motta turned some heads at a recent 7-on-7 tournament in Orlando against Winter Park when he broke press coverage for a 45-yard touchdown on the first play of the game.

LB Dashard Hughes, Fr.: Hughes can play anywhere on the field but his instinct finding the ball makes him a promising linebacker. He could play inside or outside linebacker.

Coach’s corner
“If we were in Class A, we’d beat every team to within an inch of their lives.” — Hill. Class A is reserved for small teams in rural areas across the state.  

Keswick Christian

Coach: Blake Englehardt (second season, 0-10)

2013 record: 0-10

Class/district: Independent

Colors: Green and white

Stadium: Lipham Field, 10101 54th Ave. N., St. Petersburg

Playoff appearances: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Last appearance: Lost 21-14 to Orlando Pine Castle.

Season schedule
Aug. 29vs. Santa Fe Catholic, 7

Sept. 5vs. Windermere Prep, 7

Sept. 12at Bishop McLaughlin, 7

Sept. 19vs. City of Life, 7

Sept. 26vs. Bradenton Christian, 7

Oct. 10at Bradenton St. Stephen’s, 7

Oct. 17at Seffner Christian, 7:30

Oct. 24at Citrus Park Christian, 7

Oct. 31TBA (Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs), 7

Nov. 7TBA (Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs), 7

Mark your calendar
Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic at Keswick Christian, Aug. 29: Competing in a new conference means the Crusaders will see a variety of new teams instead of the usual suspects like Northside Christian and Shorecrest. One of the best chances for Keswick to break its winless skid will come in this SSAC matchup, which is a rematch of sorts. The Hawks, 1-6 in the conference last year, beat Keswick in the spring game, but the Crusaders held the lead with eight minutes to go. 

Huddle highlights
Depth will be an issue: Coach Blake Englehardt expects around 24 kids to come during preseason practices, but he is actively recruiting from the student body. Expect to see a lot of guys playing both ways, especially at the skill positions.

Getting defensive: The main task for the Crusaders will be figuring out how to stop opposing offenses. Keswick’s defense allowed an average of 42 points per game last season, including three games of 50 or more.

A bit more seasoning: A lack of experienced players definitely contributed to the Crusaders’ struggles a year ago. Jared Bragdon and Curry Stilwell were the only seniors on 2013’s sophomore-heavy team. This season, Keswick is bringing back at least five four-year players.

Record watch: Senior wide receiver TJ Muscarella will have a chance to break the school’s record for receptions in a career. From 2003-06, Keswick’s current receivers coach, Tony Anderson, caught 127 passes from Englehardt. Through three seasons, Muscarella has 84 career receptions.

Known quantities
MLB/DE/QB Parker Holland, Sr.: Keswick will likely live and die by the play under center. Holland threw for more than 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. But he will need to improve on ball control after throwing 16 interceptions and losing five fumbles a year ago.

OLB/WR TJ Muscarella, Sr.: Muscarella was Holland’s favorite target, leading the team with 50 receptions and 452 yards. He should be especially motivated in 2014, as he looks to set the school’s record for career catches.

OLB/WR Asher Thompson, Jr.: Thompson was one bright spot on a weak defense, leading the team with 92 tackles as a sophomore. He also forced a fumble and picked off a pass. During the last five games of the year, Thompson emerged as a weapon opposite Muscarella at receiver. He reeled in 28 passes for 442 yards during that span and ended up leading the team with five touchdowns.

Up-and-comers
DT Thomas Riggins, Jr.: Riggins spent last season playing for Boca Ciega on the offensive line. In addition to changing schools, the Crusaders’ coaching staff will ask the 6-foot-2, 340-pounder to swap positions. Keswick will look for the transfer to plug up the running lanes of opposing offenses. 

RB Juwuan Atkins, Fr.: Atkins played on Keswick’s JV team last year and appeared in one varsity game. Englehardt is excited about the potential of the young running back and expects to see him get some action behind senior starter Josh Joy. 

Coach’s corner
“It’s not easy going through a winless season, but our guys have really worked hard, and we think we can compete in this new league.” — Englehardt 

Photo: TJ Muscarella

Seffner Christian

Coach: Steve Lewis (fifth season, 21-17; 30th overall, 143-156-6)

Last season: 8-2

Class/district: Independent

Colors: Maroon and white 

Stadium: Plays at public high schools around the area. 

Playoff appearances (FHSAA): None

Season schedule
Aug. 29vs. Lake Mary Prep (at Tampa Bay Tech), 7:30

Sept. 5vs. St. Stephen’s (at Brandon), 7:30

Sept. 12at Windermere Prep, 4:30

Sept. 26at Calvary Christian, 7:30

Oct. 3at Bishop McLaughlin, 7:30

Oct. 10at Santa Fe Catholic, 7

Oct. 17vs. Keswick Christian (at Tampa Bay Tech), 7:30

Oct. 24vs. Shorecrest (at Armwood), 7:30

Oct. 31TBA (Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs), 7

Nov. 7TBA (Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs), 7

Mark your calendar
Seffner Christian at Windermere Prep, Sept. 12: Coming off an 8-2 campaign, Seffner Christian is optimistic this season could bring the school its first Sunshine State Athletic Conference Championship. To get there, the Crusaders will likely have to go through a tough Windermere Prep team on the road.

Huddle highlights
Growth spurt: This is the fifth season of football at Seffner Christian and with time comes experience. Steve Lewis, the only head coach SCA has ever known, said he expects to have 42 players on the roster, most in Crusader history. Lewis credits the increasing numbers to a growing middle school feeder program.

Size will be a concern: Especially up front. “Most teams will be bigger on paper,” Lewis said. “But it doesn’t mean they’ll be better.”

Boys of summer: Seffner Christian had its best summer yet, capturing the school’s first 7-on-7 championship at the Central Florida Christian tournament. The Crusaders went 7-0, knocking off Carrollwood Day School, Cambridge and Sebring before shutting out Foundation Christian in the title game.

Upgraded digs: The Crusaders opened the doors to a state-of-the-art weight room and new football locker room in June. “There’s no doubt that helped when our potential transfers came by for a visit,” offensive coordinator Travis Puleo said. “They were blown away. I think it’s the best in Hillsborough County.”

Home away from home: Without an oncampus stadium, the Crusaders will play regular-season home games at Brandon, Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech. Should Seffner Christian reach the SSAC championship, the game will be played at Spoto.

Known quantities
RB/NG Marcus Richardson, Sr.: One of two Crusaders remaining from SCA’s inaugural team, Richardson has been a starter since eighth grade.

OLB/RB Karmi Mackey, So.: Mackey possesses a quick burst through the hole and will share the backfield load with Richardson.

WR/S Tyler Flatt, Sr.: Puleo said he expects “big things” from Flatt, who will stretch defenses and has excellent hands.

LB Trent Puleo, Jr.: Puleo is a tackling machine who led the county with 153 last season.

Up-and-comers
QB Jacob Couch, Jr.: Couch will step in under center after playing seven-man football while homeschooling last year. Lewis said Couch “has great touch and accuracy.”

LB/WR Noah Randall, Sr.: Randall has good hands and was a starter at safety last year for Land O’Lakes.

LB/FB Nathan Bynum, Sr.: Bynum transferred in from Texas and Travis Puleo compared the 5-foot-10, 195-pounder’s running style to former Tampa Bay Buc Mike Alstott.

OT/DT Zack Skau, Jr.: At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, the Cambridge Christian transfer provides some much needed size up front on both sides of the ball.

G Ryne Stromsnes, Sr.: Opponents, beware. Stromsnes recently made headlines when he helped rescue a man from a lake — after dragging an alligator away by its tail.

Coach’s corner
“I take them one at a time as the good Lord gives me the strength. He’s given me the strength for this season. We’ll worry about the next one in January.” — Lewis, who has been battling Parkinson’s in recent years, when asked about the possibility of returning next season.

Photo: Marcus Richardson 

Shorecrest 

Coach: Steve Dudley (first season; eighth overall, 38-23)

2013 record: 2-6

Class/district: Independent

Colors: Gold and green

Stadium: Haskell Field, 5101 First St. NE, St. Petersburg

Playoff appearances (FHSAA): 1975, 1976, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005

Last appearance: Lost 66-7 to Belle Glades Glade Day.

Season schedule 
Aug. 29at Northside Christian, 7

Sept. 5at Canterbury, 7

Sept. 12at St. John Neumann, 7

Sept. 19vs. Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy, 7

Sept. 26at Indian Rocks Christian, 7:30

Oct. 10at Cambridge Christian (Skyway Park),  7:30

Oct. 17at Admiral Farragut, 7

Oct. 24at Seffner Christian, 7:30

Oct. 30vs. Bradenton Christian, 7

Nov. 7vs. Carrollwood Day, 7

Mark your calendar
Shorecrest at Northside Christian, Aug. 29: Even with the Dave Moore and Mike Alstott portion of the rivalry over, these teams still don’t like each other Over the past 10 years, the series stands tied at five. Shorecrest, however, has won the past three meetings. 

Huddle highlight
After two years with Moore at the helm, the Chargers are looking to former St. Petersburg Catholic head coach, Steve Dudley, to get them back on track like his predecessor did in 2012. Don’t look for a complete turnaround from Shorecrest though. Numbers will be a problem for the Chargers, and at least six or seven starters will be forced to play both ways. 

Known quantities 
DB/WR Mark Dowling, Sr.: Last season, Dowling led the team with 110 receiving yards. This season, he will need to do a little bit of everything for the Chargers. Expect to see Dowling all over the secondary and even get some time in the backfield.

QB Sam Grant, Sr.: Despite splitting time with Travis Dugan last season, Grant will see the majority of the snaps this year. His knee is 100 percent, and if Shorecrest has any hope of success this fall, Grant will need to remain healthy for all 10 games.

Up-and-comer
MLB Cooper Wolf, Jr.: Dudley is expecting big things from Wolf this fall. Put him in the middle of the defense with Ryan Lettelleir, and the Chargers’ linebacking core looks stout.

Coach’s corner
“If we have some success as we go forward and we finish the season strong, more kids will want to come out; we get that middle school program cranking, then more of those guys will want to stay here and be a part of what we’re doing. Next thing you know, we’re at 35 or 40 guys that have been in our system.” — Dudley

Photo: Sam Grant