Robinson

Coach: Shawn Taylor (second season, 4-6)

Last season: 4-6

Class/district:6A-8

Colors: Black, gray and white

Stadium: Jack Peters Stadium, 6311 S. Lois Ave., Tampa

Playoff history: 1963, 1967, 1971, 1977, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Last appearance: Beat Port Orange Atlantic 41-8; beat Lakewood 22-19; beat Pasco 49-21; lost 24-20 to Tallahassee Godby.

Season schedule

Aug. 29at Sickles, 7:30

Sept. 5at Plant, 7:30 

Sept. 12at Jefferson, 7:30 

Sept. 19vs. Armwood, 7:30 

Sept. 26at Leto, 7:30 

Oct. 2vs. Lennard, 7 

Oct. 10at King, 7:30 

Oct. 17vs. Chamberlain, 7:30 

Oct. 24at Blake, 7:30 

Oct. 31vs. Hillsborough, 7:30 

Mark your calendar

Armwood at Robinson, Sept. 19: With Robinson’s stadium undergoing repairs that have already forced the Plant game to be moved to Dads Stadium (with more changes possible), you may not get a chance to see the Knights at home for a while. For now, this will be the home opener, and if the Knights can’t beat Jefferson in the district kickoff the week before that, the game against the Hawks basically decides the season. Robinson will be in survival mode the first month of the season.

Huddle highlights

That schedule though: Sickles. Plant. Jefferson. Armwood. That just isn’t right. But it’s how, for the second straight season, the Knights will open their season. Last year, the rebuilding Robinson squad lost 17-0 to the Hawks, though the game was more competitive than the score indicates. It will be another tough start for the Knights, who are breaking in a new quarterback.

Shrinking roster: Shawn Taylor took over the team after the state semifinal run in 2012, inheriting a team gutted by graduation and heading into a tough nine-team district. Bad timing. He’ll have about 35 on his roster this year, but is pleased with the talent level and feels things are heading in the right direction. Offensively, the Knights have the potential to be explosive, though depth will be a concern. “We’ve got a lot of talent,’’ Taylor said. “We just can’t have any injuries.”

Crossing the Moat: Robinson instituted “the Moat” this season, a series of tests that every player had to pass to be on the team. Each player had to run 16 110-meter dashes under a certain time and perform six lifts in the weight room (both time and weight based on position). If they weren’t all completed, the players had to start over. “We wanted the feeling of entitlement eliminated from Robinson,’’ Taylor said, adding that some of  the players who skipped summer workouts and still expected a spot on the roster needed a few tries to complete the challenges. Those who did pass were “Knighted” and fed a meal fit for a king at a ceremony.

Settled under center: The Knights platooned Darius Autry and Travis Forehand last year at quarterback, with mixed results. Neither guy completed more than 42 percent of his passes, and they combined for 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Plus, quarterback rotations rarely work. Autry has decided to focus on baseball, and Forehand has moved to tight end, with promising junior Malik Tyson set to assume the starting role.

Known quantities

WR Jahrvis Davenport, Sr.: The Maryland commitment and No. 20-ranked player in the HomeTeam 100 might be the best wide receiver in Tampa Bay. A virtual unknown when last season began, Davenport filled his highlight video with sensational plays on the way to 667 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. His challenge this year will be escaping the double- and triple-teaming that will now be afforded him.

LB Damon Willis, Sr.: The team’s leading tackler with 61 last year, Willis is the heart and soul of the defense. He plays inside, and without him (like against Jefferson last year) the Knights aren’t as formidable.

RB Aivory Foster, Sr.: On all kinds of Ivy League school wish lists, Foster will get a bulk of the carries for the Knights after rushing for 181 yards last season.

RB Dakarai Renyolds, Sr.: Renyolds led the Knights in rushing last year with 445 yards and three touchdowns, another solid option in a potentially stacked backfield.

OL Jake Yancey, Sr.: The only returning starter on the offensive line, which has to undergo a makeover for the second straight season.

TE Travis Forehand, Sr.: He was a part-time starter at quarterback last season, but this year will catch the passes. At 6-5, he’ll be a top target around the goal line and should develop into a quality blocker.

Up-and-comers

RB Willie Johnson, Sr.: One of the team’s better defensive players last year (46 tackles, two sacks), Johnson will be used at running back, and Taylor thinks he will be a bigger complement to Foster. Taylor says Johnson is the fastest player on the team.

DL Keldric Preston, Jr.: Preston already has an FAU offer, and he is a magnificent-looking football player at 6-4, 245 pounds and only 15 years old. He had 32 tackles and two sacks last year, but he will blow up this season.

DB/RB Anfernee Alston, So.: A junior varsity call-up, Alston has impressed coaches enough that he will start on both sides of the ball.

DL DeMontre and DeAndre Moore, Srs.: The 6-3, 250-pound twins weren’t eligible last year, but they are back this season and should give a boost to the Knights defense.

DL Eli Morris, So.: Another budding playmaker on the defensive line, Morris (6-1, 245) should see lots of time.  

Coach’s corner

“We’re not deep, but the kids we have, at every position, there’s a lot of quality.” — Taylor

Professional photographer Melissa Bonacci often spent her free time taking photos of the Largo High School football team. During a preseason game against Dunedin last August, Bonacci’s son, cornerback Taj Taylor, came up to her on the sideline with a request.

“Mom, make sure you get some good pictures of me running,” he said before trotting onto the field for the third-quarter play.

Once the football was snapped, Bonacci panned alongside Taylor. Through the lens of her camera she watched him run downfield. She watched him go for the running back’s legs, head first. She watched his head hit the running back’s knee. She watched Taylor’s body crumple to the ground.

Bonacci ran onto the field before the play was even over.

“I had that moment hit me, I don’t know whether I’m running to my dead or paralyzed child right now,” she recalled.

Taylor was unresponsive on the field for more than nine minutes. Once paramedics arrived, they strapped him to a backboard and whisked him away to St. Joseph’s Trauma Center in Tampa, where he was diagnosed with a Grade 3 concussion — a concussion that can have prolonged symptoms and possibly even result in mild brain damage or coma.

Taylor’s accident that day serves as just one of many cases of football-related head injuries that have put the game and its safety under scrutiny. On July 21, California governor Jerry Brown signed into law a measure that limits contact in middle and high school football practices, in an effort to diminish the risk of such injuries.

For Bonacci, who still struggles with the memory of her child sprawled unconscious on a football field, it’s a step in the right direction. It’s also proof that Florida has some catching up to do.

• • •

Effective Jan. 1, 2015, California middle and high school teams will no longer be permitted to have full-contact practices in the offseason, and during the regular season and preseason, teams will be allowed no more than two 90-minute full-contact practices per week.

The new California measure also requires players who sustain concussion-like symptoms to have a physician sign off before he can return to play, a protocol similar to one enacted by the Florida state legislature in 2012.

The standard set by the California legislature is exactly the kind of thing to which Dr. Michael Reilly and the rest of the Florida High School Athletic Association Sports Medicine Advisory Committee members pay attention.

The 15-member committee, which is made up of doctors, trainers, and coaches, gathers biannually to help guide the policy-making process and discuss health-related issues affecting Florida high school athletes. For the past few years, Reilly said, the discussions have overwhelmingly been directed toward the issue of concussions.

Reilly, a family practice physician in St. Petersburg and former team doctor for the Tampa Bay Lightning, has been a member of the committee for 20 years. He’s quite familiar with its procedures.

“We don’t want to reinvent the wheel there. We want to stay with national standards,” Reilly said about concussion-related protocols. “As we see other things happening nationally, those things will be brought up for discussion.”

The return-to-play regulations formulated by the committee and signed into law in April 2012 are the latest actions the state of Florida has taken on the matter. And while Hillsborough High football coach Earl Garcia can understand the need for such a rule, he says its enforcement has led to complications.

Garcia said he had a player experience concussion-like symptoms during the first day of practice last season. Abiding by the new policy, the player couldn’t return until he had a permission slip signed by a doctor. The kid missed half the season, though, Garcia said, because his family couldn’t afford to send him to one.

Now in his 41st season coaching football, Garcia said the measures taken to diminish the risk of injury have drastically changed the game. It’s easier to be a football player, he said, than it’s ever been.

And he’s not sure if that’s for the better.

“It’s football. People are going to get hurt,” Garcia said. “I think if the mothers had their way, we’d do away with padded football and just play 7-on-7.”

• • •

After his accident, Taylor didn’t return to the football field for the rest of the 2013 season. He spent the next several months going through tests and visiting neurologists. He missed school because of the excruciating headaches and had to get blackout drapes put in his bedroom to avoid the light.

But amid the bad memories remained one valuable lesson.

“I would never go in for a hit like that again,” said Taylor, a junior who expects to have a more prominent role in Largo’s defense this fall.

That’s the exact thing new Largo head coach Marcus Paschal is trying to instill in his players. Paschal, a Largo alumnus and former NFL safety, said his professional football experience taught him to stay up-to-date with head injury studies, and he teaches his players the proper ways to tackle. With well-executed fundamentals, he said, comes safety.

“Ten, 12 years ago, it was just kind of, ‘Go put your helmet on somebody and run through them,’ ” Paschal said. “Now it’s, ‘Make sure you’ve got your head up, and tackle the proper way.’  That’s going to continue to help.”

Like Garcia does with his Terriers, Paschal said his team doesn’t typically engage in full contact during the practice week. And both coaches agree that, despite the precautions, freak accidents are still going to happen. It’s a fact that, Reilly said, will likely result in a decrease of youth participation in the sport.

But for the mothers like Bonacci, who just can’t rip their sons away from the game they love, it leaves behind a fear that will never subside.

“I witnessed my son almost die in front of my eyes,” Bonacci said. “I don’t want other parents to have to go through that.”

Contact Kelly Parsons at kaparsons@tampabay.com. Follow @_kaparsons.

We’re rolling out daily district previews for all 78 varsity football teams in the area. Today we look at a mixed Hillsborough/Pasco County district.

Overview

Sickles and Tampa Bay Tech were supposed to be the teams to beat last season, but the Titans stumbled down the stretch and Gaither sneaked in for the runnerup spot behind the Gryphons. But the Titans, who missed the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, are intent on getting back to the postseason. Gaither and the others will have something to say about that.

The favorite

Sickles has the best player in the district, and that’s enough to convince us that the Gryphons are still the team to beat. Ray Ray McCloud III will line up at running back and wide receiver, and is on a mission to win a state championship. Quarterback Isaac Holder had a good 2013 and could be great in 2014. The Gryphons have solid offensive and defensive lines, and very good linebackers. If they manage to get cornerback Nate Ferguson and athlete Trey Fullwood eligible, and cornerback Issac Levay decides he misses football and returns, they will be even tougher to beat.

Next in line

Tampa Bay Tech figured to contend for a playoff spot in the spring, but after a big summer the Titans are setting their sights on the district title. They return quarterback Deon Cain and wide receiver Daquon Green, are rebuilding the offensive line with big bodies and have a defense that might be the best in the district. That’s a winning formula only enhanced by the addition of three key transfers from Middleton who will all start and an influx of freshmen that should not only make the Titans one of the youngest teams in Tampa Bay, but also one of the best.

Sleepers

Any of the district’s other teams — Gaither, Steinbrenner, Freedom or Wiregrass Ranch — could sneak into the playoff picture, but it will require a herculean effort. Everyone but Wiregrass Ranch (Shane Bucenell) has to replace its quarterback from a year ago, and while each team has a star or two, none can match the depth of the favorites. The Cowboys may be the most dangerous group of the bunch, and coach Jason Stokes has a track record of getting teams you might not expect into the postseason.

Important numbers

8 Playoff victories for Gaither

6 Combined playoff victories of every other team in district

2 Teams that averaged more than 5 yards a rush last season: Tampa Bay Tech (5.4) and Sickles (7.2)

3 Rushing touchdowns last year by Freedom

26 Rushing touchdowns by Sickles’ Ray Ray McCloud III

.500 Combined winning percentage of district teams vs. non-district competition

Players to watch

QB Isaac Holder, Sickles, Sr.: McCloud may be the star, but with the Gryphons running lots of read-option stuff this season, Holder could follow in the footsteps of Deiondre Porter and Dwayne Lawson with a 2,000-yard passing, 1,000-yard rushing type of season. He’s got that kind of potential.

QB Deon Cain, Tampa Bay Tech, Sr.: The Titans will go as far as their leader takes them, and Cain is focused like a laser on going out with a huge season and proving he is more than just an athlete playing quarterback.

LB Jaye Miner, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch: The FAU commit led the district last season with 131 tackles. And though the linebacker corps is young, the 6-foot-3, 187-pound Miner is determined to use his leadership and athletic ability to hold the group together. 

WRs Johnny Rodicio and Sayff Saed, Freedom, Srs.: Both players are versatile, with the ability to get open and make catches as receivers or run the offense from under center if they have to. Their senior leadership will be important as the Patriots try to survive the loss of their best player, defensive end Scott Patchan, to IMG.

WR/KR Kezio Snelling, Sr., Steinbrenner: The Warriors’ top recruit had 1,341 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns last season. He has offers from several Division I programs, including Cincinnati, Rutgers and Purdue.

RB Curtis Wilder, Sr., Gaither: With a new emphasis on the run game, Wilder could produce a lot more than his 278 yards in 2013. Stokes will likely lean on the 5-foot-8, 180-pound running back to lead the way in the ground game. 

Mark your calendar

Gaither at Tampa Bay Tech, Oct. 24: The bigger game may be a week later when Tech hosts Sickles, but this one sets that up. Last year, the Cowboys beat Tech and went on to the playoffs, while the deflated Titans were beaten by Sickles the following week. It’s likely both teams will be in the playoff hunt when this game rolls around, and one team will leave heartbroken again.   

Returning district leaders 

Rushing yards: Sickles’ Ray Ray McCloud III, 2,316

Rushing TDs: McCloud, 26

Passing yards: Tampa Bay Tech’s Deon Cain, 1,945

Passing TDs: Sickles Isaac Holder, 18

Receiving yards: Steinbrenner’s Kezio Snelling, 556 

Receiving TDs: Snelling, 6

Tackles: Wiregrass Ranch’s Jaye Miner, 131

Sacks: Steinbrenner’s Andre Washington, 11 

Interceptions: Sickles’ Carter Mulroe, Freedom’s Aaron Cox and Tampa Bay Tech’s Isaiah Brown, 2

Predicted order of finish

From an anonymous coach in the district 

1. Sickles

2. Tampa Bay Tech

3. Gaither

4. Wiregrass Ranch

5. Steinbrenner

6. Freedom 

Final word

“There has not been a whole lot of talk about us and I like that. I think we’re going to be one of those surprise teams this year.” — Tampa Bay Tech coach Jayson Roberts

Staff writer Kelly Parsons and correspondent Jeff Odom contributed to this report.

Gaither

Coach: Jason Stokes (fourth season, 22-13; seventh overall, 38-28)

Last season: 5-6

Class/district:7A-7

Colors: Navy, silver, gray and white 

Stadium: Cowboy Stadium, 16200 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa

Playoff history: 1985, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013

Last appearance: Lost 34-14 to East Bay.

Season schedule

Aug. 29vs. Chamberlain, 7:30 

Sept. 5at Newsome, 7:30 

Sept. 12at Plant, 7:30 

Sept. 19vs. Freedom, 7:30 

Sept. 26vs. Durant, 7:30 

Oct. 3at Wiregrass Ranch, 7:30 

Oct. 17 vs. Sickles, 7:30 

Oct. 24at Tampa Bay Tech, 7:30 

Oct. 31at Steinbrenner, 7:30 

Nov. 7vs. Plant City, 7:30 

Mark your calendar

Gaither vs. Sickles, Oct. 17: Last season, Ray Ray McCloud III rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns as the eventual district champion Gryphons trampled Gaither 48-6. Coach Jason Stokes is looking forward to reversing that outcome. While he admits stopping McCloud will be tough, he’s not worried about motivating his guys for the district rivalry game. “No one on this team has ever beaten them,” Stokes said. “So it’s going to be a big deal.”

Huddle highlights

Penalty problems: In an effort to expand the playbook, Stokes installed two new systems in the offseason. And with only two weeks to teach it to the guys before the spring game, Stokes was pleased overall with how his team performed in an 8-6 spring game loss to Sickles — aside from the penalties. Mistakes may have held the Cowboys down, but it’s something they are working to fix before the regular season begins. 

Mazur’s time: Last season David Mazur backed up three-year starting quarterback Alex McGough. Now that the current FIU quarterback has moved on, it’s Mazur’s time to shine. At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Mazur is lighter than McGough. And while Stokes said his arm isn’t quite as good as McGough’s, his football IQ and the way he reads the field will be a huge advantage for the Cowboys. “He gets us in and out of plays a lot, which is one thing we didn’t do a lot with Alex. With David, we audible a lot with him and he sees it well.”

Run, Gaither, run: Gaither’s run game sputtered last season, as the Cowboys rushed for only 1,061 yards as a team. This year, Stokes expects that to change. It has to, he said. Running backs Curtis Wilder, Alex Rodriguez and Stanley Washington will take a front-and-center role, as Stokes intends to stress the importance of a run game to help his team control the clock and form an offensive identity. 

No more PB&Js: After Stokes witnessed his Cowboys lose focus last season during a midseason losing streak, the seven-year coach took away his team’s privileges. They lost access to their locker room and had to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches instead of catered meals before Friday night games. It appears, though, the Cowboys learned their lesson. “Fundamentally, we were just not consistent. Very rarely did we have 11 guys doing their job,” Stokes said. “I think this year, the guys are a little more focused.”

Known quantities

RB Curtis Wilder, Sr.: With a new emphasis on the run game, Wilder could produce a lot more than his 278 yards in 2013. Stokes will likely lean on the 5-foot-8, 180-pound running back to lead the way in the ground game. 

WR Sam Ford, Sr.: As the Cowboys’ leading returning receiver, Ford should be a big piece of an expanding offense, Stokes said. Last season, Ford had six receptions for 116 yards. And with last year’s three leading receivers gone, Ford should be able to bring a whole lot more.

RB Malik Huff, Sr.: Huff didn’t stand out last season, finishing with just 15 yards rushing and 72 receiving. But in the spring game against Sickles, he made sure people knew he was there. Huff scored the only touchdown on a 40-yard run and also threw a 27-yard pass on a trick play. 

Up-and-comers

WR Logan Young, Sr.: Though on the varsity roster in 2013, Young didn’t make a huge impact for the Cowboys. In Young’s final season at Gaither, Stokes thinks the 5-foot-10, 165-pound receiver could make a difference. Young should help fill the holes at wide receiver left by Jeff Suarez and Penn State signee Amani Oruwariye.

RB Stanley Washington, Sr.: Washington had just 71 yards rushing and one touchdown last season as part of a struggling run offense. But now that the Cowboys are devoting more of their attention to helping it grow, Stokes thinks the 5-foot-10, 178-pound back will be a huge part of its success.

QB David Mazur, Sr.: Though he served as McGough’s backup last season, the new starting quarterback has some reps under his belt. Mazur completed 7 of 28 pass attempts for 142 yards and a touchdown. Stokes has seen improvements and describes him as a “solid high school quarterback.”

Coach’s corner

“I don’t know if anyone can stop (Ray Ray). I think if we can just keep him off the field, that will probably be our best strategy.” — Stokes

Sickles 

Coach: Brian Turner (fifth season, 33-11)

Last season: 11-2

Class/district:7A-7

Colors: Green and white 

Stadium: Gryphons’ Lair, 7950 Gunn Hwy., Tampa

Playoff history: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013

Last appearance: Beat Plant City 17-10; beat East Bay 27-0; lost 19-14 to Kissimmee Osceola.

Season schedule

Aug. 29vs. Robinson, 7:30 

Sept. 5at Durant, 7:30 

Sept. 12vs. Newsome, 7:30 

Sept. 19at Steinbrenner, 7:30 

Oct. 2vs. Freedom, 7 

Oct. 10vs. Plant, 7:30 

Oct. 17at Gaither, 7:30 

Oct. 24vs. Wiregrass Ranch, 7:30 

Oct. 31at Tampa Bay Tech, 7:30 

Nov. 7at Alonso, 7:30 

Mark your calendar

Plant at Sickles, Oct. 10: The Gryphons will play more meaningful district games that determine whether they make the postseason, but Sickles is on the cusp of joining the upper crust of Hillsborough County’s football hierarchy. Wins over teams like Plant can get them there. It’s a rare statement game that reverberates statewide and could also put a stamp on Ray Ray McCloud III’s legacy. Last year, McCloud III had 27 carries for 159 yards in a 24-20 loss.

Huddle highlights

Record chase? Coach Brian Turner says McCloud hasn’t talked about the county rushing record, but Turner has mentioned it to him. The Clemson commitment begins the season with 3,832 career yards, and needs 1,745 yards to break Robert Davis’ mark. McCloud averaged 178 yards a game last season, so it’s easily within reach. Even though McCloud will see more time at wide receiver, Turner is hoping to lessen his load. If Sickles plays 13 games again, McCloud only needs to average 134 yards a contest.

Hold on: Sickles’ best offensive player so far this fall? Quarterback Isaac Holder, who is gunning for a 2,000/1,000 pass-rush season. “He has more of a grasp on the offense this year,’’ Turner said of his 5-foot-11, 175-pound signal caller. “The game has slowed down for him.”

Fingers crossed: Former Gaither all-county cornerback Nate Ferguson is waiting to see if he’ll be approved to play at Sickles, and talented athlete Trey Fullwood, who would excel in the Gryphons’ depleted wide receiver corps, is waiting to see if he’s eligible. If they can play, it’s a huge boon to Sickles’ playoff hopes. And if last year’s starting cornerback Issac LeVay decides to return to football, that will just be gravy.

Line them up: Last year’s injury to offensive tackle Zach Hudson might pay dividends this year. Because of it, Turner has to shuffle linemen around and some non-starters got more experience. This year, three full-time or part-time starters — Justin Gibbons, Josh Kaspari and Jack Westen — are back. Kaspari and Westen started every game.

There is no new Black: Sickles loses three defensive players, including Tampa Bay Times’ Defensive Player of the Year Josh Black, who had more than 100 tackles. Another linebacker, Jake Hampton, led the team with 120 and returns.

Known quantities

RB Ray Ray McCloud III, Sr.: The HomeTeam 100 No. 1 player. ’Nuff said.

LB Jake Hampton, Jr.: Hampton had a team-high 120 tackles last year, with 14 of those for losses to go with six sacks. He’ll head up another solid defensive unit.

DL Logan Braswell, Sr.: If you’re looking for someone to replace Black’s production, Braswell might be your guy. Last year at linebacker he had 82 tackles and 9.5 sacks.

DB Carter Mulroe, Jr.: Now a three-year starter, Mulroe is the top returning pass defender, with seven deflections and two interceptions, which tied for the team lead.

LB Cameron Miller, Jr.: Miller had 79 tackles and five sacks last year as a lineman, but will take his 6-2, 210-pound frame to linebacker this season.

QB Isaac Holder, Sr.: With Sickles running more option this year, the sky is the limit for Holder.

Up-and-comers

RT Adrian Morris, Jr.: Morris will transition from defensive end to right tackle this season.

ATH Anthony Quintana, So.: Played a lot as a freshman and provides some versatility with his ability to play running back and the slot.

DB Corey Woodard, Jr.: He would have started last season as a sophomore if not for an injury.

DT Chris Griffith, Sr.: He missed last season with an injury, but benches 475 pounds and squats 600. “He’s the strongest high school kid I’ve ever seen,’’ Turner says.

TE/DL Dante Tedesco, Jr.: A big kid at 6-4, 215, the Steinbrenner transfer can provide help on both sides of the ball but will start on defense.

Coach’s corner

“We can compete for the district title. We just have to make the playoffs, and then see what happens. I think we have a good chance to do something if we can.” — Turner

Steinbrenner

Coach: Andres Perez-Reinaldo  (third season, 8-12)

Last season: 3-7

Class/district: 7A-7

Colors: Gold and blue 

Stadium: Unnamed. 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz.

Playoff history: None

Season schedule

Aug. 29at Plant City, 7:30

Sept. 5at Alonso, 7

Sept. 12vs. Spoto, 7:30

Sept. 19vs. Sickles, 7:30

Oct. 2at Tampa Bay Tech, 7

Oct. 10at Wharton, 7:30

Oct. 17vs. Wiregrass Ranch, 7:30

Oct. 24at Freedom, 7:30

Oct. 31vs. Gaither, 7:30

Nov. 7vs. Jefferson, 7:30

Mark your calendar

Sickles at Steinbrenner, Sept. 19: Steinbrenner has never beaten its neighborhood rival in three tries. But don’t tell that to coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo. He believes the group has made big strides and will be ready for the challenge in its district opener against the Gryphons. Home-field advantage for the Warriors could play a major factor as well. The last time Steinbrenner hosted Sickles in 2011, an estimated, sold-out crowd of 3,000 packed the stadium.

Huddle highlights

Youth movement: Steinbrenner lost 22 players to graduation, leaving holes at key positions, including starting quarterback and running back. Perez-Reinaldo isn’t concerned though. He said this year’s group developed well in the offseason, which, for him, was “fun to watch.”

Airing it out? In past years, the ground game has been a catalyst for Steinbrenner’s offense. That may not be the case this season. The Warriors boast a polished receiving corp, headlined by seniors Kezio Snelling and Cody Burgess, that will give new starting quarterback Quentin Poteralski plenty of targets.

No excuses: Despite a daunting schedule, Perez-Reinaldo won’t shy away from having high expectations for Steinbrenner. He said a major shift in the culture and attitude of the program has convinced him that it can compete against the area’s best while still building for the future. “Since this school’s been open (in 2009), I feel like we’ve gotten better and better every year,” he said.

Solid secondary: Anchored by senior Trent Shaw and sophomores Josh Edwards and Grant Wilson, Perez-Reinaldo boldly predicted that this year’s crop of defensive backs will be among “the best in the county.”

Known quantities

WR/KR Kezio Snelling, Sr.: The Warriors’ top recruit had 1,341 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns last season. He has offers from several Division I programs, including Cincinnati, Rutgers and Purdue.

DL Andre Washington, Jr.: After missing time with an injury early last season, the 6-foot-1, 260-pound Washington rebounded to become a dominant force (70 tackles, 11 sacks).

QB Quentin Poteralski, Sr.: Poteralski is a first-year starter, but has plenty of in-game experience. Last season against Wiregrass Ranch, he stepped in after starter Curtis Fitch left with an injury and threw the tying touchdown that help lead the team to a come-from-behind victory.

DB Trent Shaw, Sr.: A leader in the team’s young secondary, Shaw had 32 tackles, four passes defensed and one interception last season.

DL Andres Bautista, Sr.: Bautista, the nephew of former Major League Baseball player Danny Bautista, is described by Perez-Reinaldo as the “absolute heart and soul of Steinbrenner football.”

Up-and-comers

RB Jayquese Dantley, Jr.: The former Gaither speedster should see plenty of playing time after being forced to sit out a year because of transfer rules.

DL Patrick Lukert, Jr.: The 6-foot-1 Lukert was in on three sacks against Alonso in the spring game and will benefit from a veteran-heavy front four.

Coach’s corner

“It takes playing (tough) teams to make your team better, and that’s what I’m priding ourselves on. These guys have got to take that as an opportunity. Each one of those games on that schedule is an opportunity to not only make yourself better, but to make a name for yourself and for Steinbrenner High School.” —  Perez-Reinaldo

Tampa Bay Tech

Coach: Jayson Roberts (fourth season, 22-11)

Last season: 6-4

Class/district: 7A-7

Colors: Navy, red and white 

Stadium: Titan Stadium, 66410 Orient Road, Tampa

Playoff history: 2000, 2001, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Last appearance: Lost 34-7 to Durant. 

Season schedule

Aug. 29at Newsome, 7:30 

Sept. 12vs. Durant, 7:30 

Sept. 19at Wiregrass Ranch, 7:30 

Sept. 26at Plant, 7:30 

Oct. 2vs. Steinbrenner, 7 

Oct. 10vs. Plant City, 7:30 

Oct. 17at Freedom, 7:30 

Oct. 24vs. Gaither, 7:30 

Oct. 31vs. Sickles, 7:30 

Nov. 7at Hillsborough, 7:30 

Mark your calendar

Sickles at Tampa Bay Tech, Oct. 31: Both teams will have a whole season to get ready for the game that should decide the Class 7A-7 playoff spot. The Titans play Gaither the week before, and will have to make sure that result doesn’t have the same effect on them that last year’s did, when the Titans fell  35-8 to Sickles after losing to the Cowboys. 

Huddle highlights

Starting over: After making the playoffs five straight seasons and winning four playoff games —  the first four in school history —  TBT was knocked out of playoff contention last season after consecutive losses to Sickles and Gaither. It was a bit of a shocker, as the Titans appeared loaded to make a run but fell apart on the way to a 6-4 record. The expectations weren’t as high in the spring, but the arrival of some transfers and freshmen over the summer has raised them. “The biggest, the hardest pill to swallow was not making the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. It was definitely a rallying point this offseason,” said coach Jayson Roberts.

Middle Titans? Middleton and Tech always seem to share players from year to year, and 2014 won’t be any different. Tech picked up three key players from Middleton via transfer that will all contribute. Jaquan Brown, who was second on the Tigers with 228 yards, has emerged as the primary ball carrier, and sophomore Jarrett Dickens (6-3, 275) will help shore up an offensive line returning just one starter. But the star of the group could be defensive back Marchalo Judge. Not only did he have passing, rushing and receiving yards at Middleton last year, he led the team with 88 tackles and added three interceptions.

Youth will be served: At this time last year, Roberts was raving about the potential of his freshman class, calling it the school’s best ever. This year? The freshmen are even better. Now, the Titans have the best set of sophomores and freshmen in school history, pointing to a very bright future. Some of the newbies are already the size of grown men, like defensive end Jonathan King (6-2, 220), wide receiver Levi Jackson (6-1, 180) and two other offensive linemen that Roberts says run 6-2, 250. Last year, TBT had eight freshmen on the roster; expect about the same this year.

Cain is able: Quarterback Deon Cain is out to prove he is more than just a nationally-ranked wide receiver recruit headed to Clemson. “He wants to show everyone he could have been a college quarterback, too, if he wanted,’’ Roberts said. Cain threw for 1,945 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, but expects bigger things this fall. That won’t stop TBT from trying to get him some action at wide receiver. Roberts said he’ll play 90 percent of the snaps under center, but the development of backup Trent Wyatt gives the coach some flexibility to mix things up.

Running men: Roberts is taking over the offense, and he expects to focus more on the run this season. Last year’s offensive coordinator, Anthony Palmer, is now coaching the running backs so the transition should be seamless. However, Manzy Velasquez (6-2, 250) is the only 2013 starter that returns on the offensive line.

QB Deon Cain, Sr.: Cain already holds school records for career passing yards (3,590) and touchdowns (23), according to Roberts. The leader of the team, how Cain plays and reacts to the tough times will determine how far Tech advances this season.

WR Daquon Green, So.: A terrific young talent, Green led the Titans with more than 20 yards a catch last season, and could double his production of 332 yards and three touchdowns.

CB Marchalo Judge, So.: He did a little bit of everything for Middleton last year, but he’ll be counted on to make plays for the Titans as one of the safeties.

LB Bruno Jean, Sr.: Jean developed into a starter last season, helped by a 15-tackle outing against Plant, and he’ll be the glue on a linebacking corps that will also start two sophomores.

Up-and-comers

WR Levi Jackson, Fr.: The brother of former Jesuit star and current USF Bull Vincent Jackson is a “manchild,” according to Roberts, and is destined to become a big-time recruit for the Titans.

OL Qu’Juan Spradley, So.: He was brought along slowly last year, but was groomed to take over the left tackle spot this season. At 6-2, 280 pounds, he is built for the challenge.

DL Deondre Jones, So.: He’s part of a defensive line that Roberts says is “scary good”. At 6-3, 328 pounds, Jones will start at nose tackle.

DE Jonathan King, Fr.: When Roberts saw King on the first day of workouts, he asked him where he transferred in from and King replied, “Stewart (Middle).” At 6-2, 220 pounds, he will be starting sooner rather than later at TBT.

DE Anthony Davis, Jr: He had a breakout game in the spring with two sacks and four tackles for a loss.

Coach’s corner

“There has not been a whole lot of talk about us and I like that. I think we’re going to be one of those surprise teams this year.” — Roberts

Wiregrass Ranch

Coach: Artie Meza (first season)

Last season: 4-6

Class/district:7A-7

Colors: Maroon, silver and white

Stadium: Unnamed. 2909 Mansfield Blvd. Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

Playoff history: 2010

Last appearance: Lost 40-8 to Springstead.

Season schedule 

Aug. 29vs. Gulf

Sept. 5at Hudson, 7:30

Sept. 12at River Ridge, 7:30

Sept. 19vs. Tampa Bay Tech, 7:30

Oct. 3vs. Gaither, 7:30

Oct. 10at Ridgewood, 7:30

Oct. 17at Steinbrenner, 7:30

Oct. 24at  Sickles, 7:30

Oct. 31vs.  Freedom, 7:30

Nov. 7vs. Wesley Chapel, 7:30

Mark your calendar

Wiregrass Ranch vs. Tampa Bay Tech, Sept. 19: The Bulls open their season with three opponents coming off mediocre 2013 campaigns, so it’s quite likely Wiregrass Ranch could have some success early. The Week 4 matchup against district opponent Tampa Bay Tech, though, could be its first true test. The Bulls lost to the Titans 32-0 last season, but if all the improvements coach Artie Meza swears by take form, Wiregrass Ranch could make a statement against the district title contenders.

Huddle highlights

Quick transition: Meza was hired to take over as head coach on July 24, less than three weeks before practice was set to begin. That being said, the former Pasco High School quarterback said the adjustment has been smooth for the players. Meza was an assistant coach last season at Wiregrass Ranch, and the Bulls return four assistant coaches on defense.“They see familiar faces,” Meza said. “So it wasn’t something where they had to learn a whole new coaching staff, a whole new system.”

Close calls: Though the Bulls finished below .500 in 2013, two of their losses — to Steinbrenner and River Ridge — came down to the final minutes and were decided by a single touchdown. Meza said it’s a fact that gives his guys confidence for the new season, knowing that fixing simple mistakes could easily reverse the outcome. 

Hoops help: Intrigued by the improvements the Bulls made in 2013, three players from the Wiregrass Ranch basketball team — Brandon Mosley, Myles Anderson and Jamarquis Hemphill — are taking their athleticism to the gridiron this season. Meza hopes Anderson and Mosley will help replace the running back talent the Bulls graduated. “You get a little bit of success and people want to come out and play,” Meza said.

Building on success: Last year at this time, the Bulls were preparing for a new season coming off back-to-back winless campaigns. Now that the Bulls have had some success — they won four games in 2013, including the first two games of the season —  Meza said there’s a night-and-day difference in his players’ confidence level. That, he said, can only help the Bulls in their quest to continue the growth.

Conditioning: For the first 20 minutes of Wiregrass Ranch football practice Thursday, the Bulls were running sprints and doing up-downs. The week before, Meza brought in some Marines, who, Meza said, kicked his players’ butts. Meza insists that when games are close, conditioning is key, so its something he’s stressing in his team’s preparation. “(Jimmy Johnson) says, ‘Fatigue makes a coward out of everybody,’” Meza said. “So our big thing from last year to this year to try and continue our growth was conditioning.”

Known quantities

LB Jaye Miner, Sr.: The FAU commit led the district last season with 131 tackles. And though the linebacker corps is young, the 6-foot-3, 187-pound Miner is determined to use his leadership and athletic ability to hold the group together. 

WR Mark Hutchinson, Sr.: FIU commit Mark Hutchinson had seven receptions for 113 yards last season, but as part of an offense that Meza said should work faster than it did last season, the 6-foot-2 receiver will likely make more of an impact this season. 

QB Shane Bucenell, Sr.: Last year Bucenell threw for more than 1,100 yards and six touchdowns while adding more than 200 yards on the ground. But after a summer participating in the 7-on-7 circuit, Meza can’t wait to see what else he can bring this season. Meza said the biggest thing the third-year starting quarterback gained through the experience wasn’t a skill set, but rather confidence in the abilities he already had.

WR Zach Davidson, Sr.: With 194 yards receiving last season, Davidson comes in as the Bulls’ leading returning receiver. But that’s not all the 5-foot-11, 175-pound athlete can do. Davidson also tried his hand at quarterback some last season, completing 6 of 19 pass attempts for 71 yards and a touchdown. 

Up-and-comers

DL/OL Austin Stroup, Sr.: Stroup had 27 tackles, seven for loss last year, and Meza thinks the veteran Bull can do even more in his final season. He’ll anchor a defensive line that struggled at times as the Bulls gave up at least 30 points in four games.

OL/DL Konner Briody, Sr.: A standout on defense because of his work ethic, Meza said, Briody has the potential to bring a lot more than the 27 tackles he had last season. At 6-foot-4, 205, Briody has the size to be a big help on both the offensive and defensive lines. 

WR/DB Taylor Bleistein, Jr.: Though listed as a wide receiver on last year’s varsity roster, Meza said Bleistein has found his niche on the defensive side of the ball, and he thinks the 5-foot-10, 155-pound junior could have a breakout year in the secondary. 

WR/DB Brendon Kozicki, Jr.: At 5-foot-9, 150 pounds, Kozicki is a bit undersized, but Meza insists his toughness makes up for it. The first-year coach expects Kozicki to excel in what he calls the “Wes Welker position,” a slot receiver. 

Coach’s corner

“What we’re trying to do within what we do, it’s going to be different. I don’t want to say a whole lot about it. You guys come out on Thursday the 21st, and you’re going to be like, ‘Oh crap.’ ” — Meza on his new offense

Freedom

Coach: Todd Donohoe (third season, 6-14; eighth overall, 19-47)

Last season: 3-7

Class/district: 7A-7

Colors: Red, white and blue 

Stadium: Freedom Stadium, 17410 Commerce Park Blvd., Tampa 

Playoff history: 2006, 2009

Last appearance: Lost 17-7 to Countryside

Season schedule

Aug. 29at King, 7:30 

Sept. 5vs. Middleton, 7:30 

Sept. 12at Wharton, 7:30 

Sept. 19at Gaither, 7:30 

Sept. 26vs. Strawberry Crest, 7:30 

Oct. 2at Sickles, 7 

Oct. 17vs. Tampa Bay Tech, 7:30 

Oct. 24vs. Steinbrenner, 7:30 

Oct. 31at Wiregrass Ranch, 7:30 

Nov. 7vs. Riverview, 7:30 

Mark your calendar

Freedom at Wharton, Sept. 12: The Patriots open with winnable games against King and Middleton. And if the are indeed an improved team, they can walk out of the Week 3 New Tampa rivalry with a winning record, which would be huge considering their recent history against the Wildcats, who they haven’t beaten since 2009. That game will also lead into the district opener against Gaither. And by then we should know if Freedom will be a contender for one of the two playoff spots. Freedom has been .500 following Week 3 just once since 2006, so a good start could help in changing the team’s fortunes.

Huddle highlights

Optimism central: You won’t find too many coaches more optimistic year-to-year than Todd Donohoe. While he says getting Freedom turned around has been in a lot of ways harder than when he started the Strawberry Crest program, he truly believes the Patriots are turning the corner. He has added a handful of coaches to the staff and now has 17, including a run game coordinator and two line coaches. And he thinks heading into his third season, after years of coaching changes, the players have found a comfort and confidence level with the staff. The Patriots lost to Steinbrenner 17-15, then won their next two games to close out 2013 and head into 2014 on a roll.

Key loss: Freedom was stung by the transfer of Miami commitment and defensive standout Scott Patchan to IMG. Who replaces him? Everyone, Donohoe says. “Obviously no one can replace Scott, he’s a special player. We’re going to be more of a team-oriented type of defense. Scott was a special individual player.”

Cheery O: The Patriots have not been able to muster much offense the past few seasons, and they will have to change with an improved offensive line blocking for new quarterback Nasir Core and running backs Trent Burnett, Carlos Rodicio and Calvin Bido-Vega. The Patriots rushed for 373 yards and have averaged 2.2 and 2.7 yards a carry the past two seasons. “We should be better this year,’’ Donohoe said.

Reinforcements: Freedom’s junior varsity team only lost one game last season (by a 7-6 score) and allowed just two touchdowns, and Donohoe is expecting some of that team’s better players to make contributions this year, like sophomore linebackers Chris Clapham and Kalijahe Spann.

Air control: The Patriots’ strength will be their defense, which kept them in some games last season, allowing fewer than 20 points in games against Middleton, Wharton, Gaither, Steinbrenner, Wiregrass Ranch and Riverview. The defensive line is young, but the linebackers are good and the defensive backs are some of most underrated and unappreciated players around, Donohoe said.

Known quantities

WR/ATH Sayff Saed, Sr.: One of Freedom’s best all-around players, Saed (6-0, 175) spent the summer with Team Tampa and also helped the Patriots to a 7-on-7 title. He had seven catches last year and could also see some action at quarterback.

WR Johnny Rodicio, Sr.: A slot receiver with good hands and speed, Rodicio (5-8, 160) is another player who can help out at multiple positions on offense.

T Cody Cox, Sr.:  At 6-5, 255 pounds, Cox is one of the Patriots’ returning starters on offense, and a key if Freedom is going to get its run game in gear.

LB Taurus Rowell, Sr.: Donohoe really likes his linebackers, and Rowell is one of the better ones. He is the team’s top returning tackler with 50.

LB Lee Carabali, Sr.: The 5-11, 200-pounder was second on the team with 4.5 sacks last year, and will be one of those helping to fill the hole left by Patchan.

DB Aaron Cox, Sr.: He had two interceptions and five passes broken up, and Donohoe said he is one of the best he’s ever coached. Donohoe said Cox compares to Nate Godwin, now at USF, and Nate Ferguson, now at Sickles.

Up-and-comers

DB Isaiah Smith, Jr: Smith played in every game last season and should emerge this season as one of the top backs around.

RB Carlos Rodicio, So.: This quick and elusive back also packs a punch.

RB: Trent Burnett, So.: He spent a little time on varsity last season but could emerge as the primary ball carrier.

LB/DB/QB Derrio Kelly, Sr.:  No matter where he plays him, Donohoe is expecting big contributions from Kelly, who had 42 tackles last season.

Coach’s corner

“We’ve definitely turned the corner. The stability, the structure and the discipline is there now. We had a good summer.  — Donohoe

Canterbury's Kama Woodall, the Times Pinellas County pitcher of the year, committed to North Carolina State Friday night.

"I just fell in love the school," Woodall said.

Woodall said she also had interest from Arizona State, Boston College and Stanford. NC State was the only that had offered and Woodall decided to commit there after visting the campus this weekend.

The Wolfpack finished 36-18 and advanced to the NCAA regional final.

"NC State has an amazing coaching staff," Woodall said. "The softball program itself is in the top 30 and (going there) will give me the opportunity to make a real difference. It was just the perfect fit."

Woodall, a sophomore, led Canterbury to its second straight Class 2A state title this past season. She finished her freshman year 14-4 with a 0.86 ERA and 196 striekouts. In her final seven games, she had six shutouts and allowed just five hits. 

Woodall is the third Canterbury player from the heralded 2017 class that has already committed to a Division I program. The others are shortstop Taylor Bump to Michigan and catcher Danielle Romanello to Florida.

"It's an amazing feeling of relief (to commit early), but now that I've got that out out of the way, I have to work harder than ever," Woodall said.

This year’s high school golf season could be awfully similar to last year’s golf season. Of the six 2013 Tampa Bay Times Players of the Year in the North Suncoast and Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, five return. They are Donnie Gabrelcik (Mitchell), Kelly Harris (Sunlake), Tyler Bakich (Newsome), Terese Romeo (Freedom) and Blake Dyer (St. Petersburg). Only Countryside’s Madison Glennie has graduated.

Four of those five are seniors (Harris is a junior) and all have the goal of returning to the state tournament.

Perhaps no player is more motivated than Romeo. She earned a spot in the Class 2A state tournament at the Mission Hills Golf Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills as a junior. After two rounds she was in a three-way tie for the individual championship, which included Glennie.

After an eight-hole playoff she eventually settled for second behind Kadi Pallastrone of Sarasota Riverview.

“I still think about it a lot,’’ Romeo said. “It really stung when it happened. But I realize now that I played hard and I never gave up. All I can do is try to get back into that position and see what happens.’’

Romeo certainly has momentum. She was invited to play in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship in Seattle in July. In fact, she recorded a hole-in-one on the par 3, sixth hole during her first round. She hit a 4-hybrid from 170 yards. It was the first ever ace on the front nine in that tournament, and officials placed the ball in the USGA Hall of Fame.

“Really cool,’’ Romeo said.

She has also fared well in other individual and team events leading up to the high school season.

“I’m really looking forward to this season,’’ said Romeo, who is verbally committed to Mercer University. “I like playing high school golf. It’s a lot different than junior golf. It’s a team atmosphere and we have a lot of fun.’’

Like Romeo, St. Petersburg’s Dyer has his eyes on a state championship. Dyer played seven junior tournaments this summer, five out of state.

He would like to follow in the footsteps of former teammate Jack Maguire, who ended his senior year with a state title.

“Just being around Jack Maguire two years ago and seeing how he prepared and played really helped me,’’ Dyer said. “He won the district tournament, then the regional tournament and then the state tournament. That’s a perfect way to go out. That’s what I’m hoping to do.’’

Dyer recently committed to play at the University of Florida, where his dad also played. Also like Romeo, he said he can’t wait to start his senior season.

“I love the high school season,’’ Dyer said. “I take it very seriously. I just think it’s really cool to play for your school. It’s a short season so you want to be playing well from the beginning. I’m looking forward to it.’’

Bakich, who has orally committed to Florida State, tied for second at the Class 3A state tournament and Newsome finished second overall. And Gabrelcik played well late in the season. He helped lead Mitchell to sixth place at the 2A tournament. Teammates Mike Spinger and Anthony Swinford both return. Both can shoot under par.

“Donnie really came up big for us late in the season,’’ Mitchell coach Rick Hyatt said. “We’ve really got 1A, 1B and 1C players. And there’s some good players behind them.’’

Expect the Tampa Bay area to be well represented at this year’s state tournament.

Boys players to watch

Tyler Bakich, Sr., Newsome: Won the district as a junior and finished second at the region and state tournament. Committed to Florida State.

Liam Doherty, Sr., Freedom: Won the region tournament as a junior.

Blake Dyer, Sr., St. Petersburg: Pinellas County player of the year, Dyer has been a starter since his freshman year.

Martin Fennemore, Sr., Clearwater Central Catholic: A second team all-county selection last season, Fennemore should have a big season.

Donnie Gabrelcik, Sr., Mitchell: The North Suncoast Player of the Year last season, Gabrelcik helped lead the Mustangs to the state tournament. He shot 1-under 70 at the region tournament.

Andrew Heric, Sr., CCC: With Fennemore, he’ll be key in helping the Marauders get to state.

Ryan Hicks, So., Countryside: Summer season was cut short by mononucleosis, but he should be the Cougars’ top golfer this fall.

Chris Kern, So., Plant: Had a big freshman year with second-place finishes at the district and region tournaments.

Ajani Liggins, Sr., King: Played well in summer tournaments, including 12th at the PGA Junior Championship.

Karim Oliver, Sr., Shorecrest: Capable of shooting in the low 70s any time. He will lead the Chargers this season.

Greyson Porter, Jr., Shorecrest: A consistent player as a sophomore, Porter shot 74-72 at the Class A state tournament and tied for 15th.

Jake Roberts, Sr., Sunlake: A qualifier for the Class 2A state tournament, Roberts was also third in the district and region as a junior.

Matthew Ruel, Jr. Jesuit: Just one of many talented players for Jesuit. Has been a top player for the Tigers since he was a freshman.

Nilo Sanchez, Sr., Tampa Catholic: A district champion last season, had a top-20 finish at the state tournament.

Mike Spinger, Jr., Mitchell: Had a solid sophomore season and tied for 21st at the state tournament.

Anthony Swinford, Sr., Mitchell: Won the Class 2A-14 district tournament and tied for 24th at the state tournament.

Key tournaments

Sept. 6: East Lake Invitational at East Lake Woodlands, 1.

Sept. 22: Outback Invitational at East Lake Woodlands, 10:30 (shotgun)

Sept. 29: Crutchfield Hawkins Invitational at Sebring

Oct. 2: Vinoy Classic, 1 (shotgun)

Oct. 4: CCC Invitational, Belleair CC

Oct. 14-15: District tournaments

Oct. 20-22: Region tournaments

Nov. 4-5: Boys state tournament. 3A: Deer Island Golf and Lake Club, Tavares.
2A/1A: Mission Inn Resort and Club, Howey-in-the-Hills.

Girls players to watch

Alison Armstrong, Jr., Cambridge Christian: Has been playing high school golf since her eighth grade year at Northside Christian.

Claire Becker, Sr., Steinbrenner: Should lead Steinbrenner after a district championship as a junior.

Shyanne Dove, Jr., Mitchell: Dove is only a few strokes behind teammate Kelly Harris and finished 50th at the Class 2A state tournament.

Haydyn Gibson, Jr., Osceola: Shot 1-under 71 at the district tournament and 76 a the region tournament. Could be Pinellas’ top golfer this season.

Kelly Harris, Jr., Sunlake: The North Suncoast golfer of the year, she tied for 46th at the Class 2A state tournament.

Ryanne Jackson, Jr., Northside Christian: She has played since her eighth-grade season. Averaged just under 40 strokes per nine holes as a sophomore.

Alyssa Lamoureux, Fr., Northside Christian: Can shoot close to par and should be one of Pinellas’ top golfers.

Terese Romeo, Sr., Freedom: Two-time Hillsborough Player of the year. Lost individual state title in a three-way playoff.

Emma Paschal, Sr., CCC: A Class A state qualifier as a junior, Paschal finished 28th at the state tournament.

Meghna Patel, Sr., Newsome: Tied for 16th at the Class 3A state championship.

Key tournaments

Sept. 18: Mustang Invitational at Seminole Lake CC, 1 (shotgun)

Sept. 29: Crutchfield Hawkins Invitational at Sebring

Oct. 14-15: District tournaments

Oct. 20-22: Region tournaments

Oct. 28-29: Girls state tournament. 3A: Deer Island Golf and Lake Club, Tavares. 2A/1A: Mission Inn Resort and Club, Howey-in-the-Hills

Jefferson

Coach: Jeremy Earle (fourth season, 23-9)

Last season: 10-2

Class/district: 6A-8

Colors: Blue and gold 

Stadium: Dr. Sam Horton Stadium, 4401 W. Cypress St., Tampa

Playoff history: 1975, 1986, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013

Last appearance: Beat Largo 25-17; lost 52-48 to Armwood.

State titles: 2010

Season schedule

Aug. 29vs. Alonso, 7:30 

Sept. 5at Hillsborough, 7:30 

Sept. 12vs. Robinson, 7:30 

Sept. 26at Armwood, 7:30 

Oct. 2vs. Leto, 7 

Oct. 10at Lennard, 7:30 

Oct. 17vs. King, 7:30

Oct. 24at Chamberlain, 7:30 

Oct. 31vs. Blake, 7:30 

Nov. 7at Steinbrenner, 7:30 

Mark your calendar

Jefferson at Hillsborough, Sept. 5: With last year’s state runnerup Armwood as the favorite for the top spot in the district once again, the race for No. 2 — and the playoff berth that goes along with it — could begin when Hillsborough hosts the Dragons. Last season, the Terriers led at halftime, but Jefferson scored four touchdowns in the second half to secure a 28-23 win against the district rival, and ultimately take the playoff spot from Hillsborough. Against a Hillsborough team determined not to miss the postseason again, Jefferson could have its hands full. 

Huddle highlights

Life after Deiondre: As last year’s starting quarterback, Deiondre Porter had a state-high 4,698 total yards (3,199 passing, 1,499 rushing) and 53 touchdowns. Since the Florida signee and Tampa Bay Times’ All-Tampa Bay Offensive Player of the Year scored 82 percent of his team’s touchdowns and rushed for 708 yards more than the next best Dragon last season, restructuring an offense in his absence could be the biggest mountain Jefferson has to climb. 

Front loaded: The Dragons open their season against what could be a tough Alonso team before meeting district rivals Hillsborough and Armwood within the next three weeks. If Jefferson plans to make a statement, it needs to do it early. 

Fresh faces: The Dragons return just three starters on offense and four on defense. Replacing Porter and last season’s top three leading tacklers with young, inexperienced players is certainly a challenge, coach Jeremy Earle admits, but it’s one he and the rest of the coaching staff have embraced. 

Rookie QB: Jefferson plans to start sophomore quarterback Cade Weldon, a recent transfer from Berkeley Prep. Weldon, son of former Florida State and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Casey Weldon, has zero starts under his belt, but Earle said he’s confident in his QB’s athletic abilities. “He loves studying the game,” Earle said. “He’s a gym rat.”

Known quantities

DB Quentin Rogers, Sr.: One of four returning starters on defense, Rogers, who had 25 tackles last season, will be part of a secondary of which Earle seems to be the most proud. 

DB Ernest Mills, Sr.: Mills, also a returning starter on defense, will join Rogers in the secondary, trying to add to his 41 tackles, one for loss, and one interception in 2013.  

RB Mondreas Lofton, Jr.: The only offensive returning starter not on the line, Lofton will be tapped to carry the load on the ground in Porter’s absence. Last season, he rushed for 791 yards and eight touchdowns. Now that he’s not sharing the work with Porter, we expect he can do a whole lot more for the Dragons.

LB Ceddrick Knight, Jr.: Since Jefferson graduated its top three leading tacklers from last season, Knight — whose 56 tackles, six for loss, was fourth best on the squad — should lead the way on defense. Knight, 5-foot-10, 200 pounds, also had a pair of sacks and a fumble recovery for the Dragons last year. 

ATH Jeremiah Baltrip, Sr.: At No. 81 in the HomeTeam 100, Baltrip excels just about anywhere on the football field. Last season he starred on special teams while adding four tackles and rushing for 40 yards. His size and potential lead us to believe he could have a much bigger role in 2014.  

Up-and-comers

QB Cade Weldon, So.: Weldon has never started a varsity game, but Earle said the former Berkeley Prep backup has all the tools to be successful — even against the tough competition Jefferson will see in the first few weeks of the season. He might not be experienced under center, but his 127 yards receiving and two touchdowns in Berkeley Prep’s spring game prove his athletic ability. 

LB Ashante Dennard, Sr.: Dennard started just the last four games last season at middle linebacker, but his impact was still grand — accruing 29 tackles, seven for loss, two sacks and an interception. Now that he’ll be a more permanent fixture, he should be an even bigger  threat to opposing offenses. 

WR Taj Jenkins, Sr.: Randy Bradford threw for 264 yards in Jefferson’s spring game, and Jenkins was one of his many targets who made a name for himself that night — with an 80-yard touchdown reception on the first play of the game. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound receiver was on the varsity roster last season but didn’t make a huge impact. This time around, Earle expects that to change. 

RB Cory Walker, Sr.: In addition to Lofton, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Walker should be a big part of the Dragons’ run game. As a junior, Walker rushed 148 yards on 15 carries. In a spring game win against Robinson, he led the way with 41 yards on the ground and a touchdown. 

Coach’s corner

“In high school football every year, every team makes its own identity. So that’s kind of the fun part about it. It’s something we’re forming now as we speak.” — Earle

Carrollwood Day starting quarterback Spencer Peek had surgery Monday after breaking several bones in a car accident, coach Lane McLaughlin confirmed. 

Peek, a junior, was driving on the wet roads in his neighborhood Sunday, McLaughlin said, when he hydroplaned and ran off the road. McLaughlin said Peek was alert when he visited him. 

Peek was the backup quarterback for the Patriots last season, completing the only pass he attempted for 42 yards. He also had a rushing touchdown and 11 tackles on defense. Peek missed the spring game because of an injury, McLaughlin said, and was looking forward to finally taking over the starting job.

"It's a shame," McLaughlin said. "He's lucky to be alive. He'll recover, and he'll be back. It's just a tough thing to happen."

Carrollwood Day will play a preseason game against Vero Beach St. Edward's on Friday. McLaughlin said he's not yet sure who will start at quarterback. 

We’re rolling out daily district previews for all 78 varsity football teams in the area. Today we look at an all-east Hillsborough  County district that loves tight games.

Overview

Districts probably don’t get much more even than this one, which last year featured a three-way district tiebreaker to settle things and true slobberknocker type of league scores like 14-13 (Plant City over Durant), 19-13 (East Bay over Plant City), 11-10 (Strawberry Crest over Durant), 10-7 (East Bay over Durant) and 12-10 (Durant over Brandon). Even the two bottom dwellers, Durant and Brandon, were just a few plays from contending. The Eagles lost  two of their district games by three points and Durant dropped three by a combined five points. East Bay eventually prevailed, with the runnerup spot going to Plant City. Truthfully, we think those are probably the two teams left standing again.

The favorite

As usual, Plant City is still the favorite, though IMG did the whole district a favor by luring  four-star receiver T.J .Chase to Bradenton. Still, the Raiders have more athletes than everyone else in the district, a potentially strong running game and the best defensive player in Sawyer Dawson. Turning all that talent into a district champion, though, has been the problem over the years. But if the Raiders can come closest to reaching their maximum potential, they are the team to beat.  

Next in line

East Bay has to revamp its backfield, but with a system in place that shouldn’t be as big a problem as it is at other places. But the reason we think the Indians will be chasing closest to Plant City is it defense, led by Tennessee commitment and HomeTeam 100 member Marques Ford. The defensive line is one of the best around, the linebackers are solid and the defensive backfield might quietly be the best in the district. But remember: the Indians won six games by seven points or fewer, including two one-point wins. A swing of fortune in the other direction can make the difference between first and last in this league.

Sleepers

Durant found ways to lose last season, and coach Mike Gottman says that can’t be repeated. The Cougars, who will field a potent backfield in new quarterback Erick Davis and returning running backs Chris Atkins and Kadarius Griffin, lost two district games by one point and another by three. If they can hold a lead or two this season, they could make a run at a playoff spot. Strawberry Crest was in the three-team tiebreaker last season and can beat anyone in the district, and Brandon seems to be heading in the right direction. Though a playoff spot might be a year away for the Eagles, we’d be surprised if they didn’t pull off an upset that affects the race.

Important numbers

0 Touchdown passes by Brandon quarterbacks last season

10 Blocked field goals by Brandon last season

6-4 and 6-5 Height of Durant’s two leading receivers from 2013, tight end Joe Williamson and wideout Garrett Rentz

100 Percentage of kicks Durant’s Derek Wells converted last year (6-for-6 on field goals, 9-for-9 on PATs)

2 200-yard games for Strawberry Crest’s Tristan Hyde before a season-ending injury last year. He’s back.

93 Percent of East Bay’s yards of total offense from last year that graduated, including 96 percent from the running game

19 Combined sacks last year by East Bay’s Marques Ford and Eric Latortue

1,175 Yards of offense Austin Carswell (now at Plant City) had for Strawberry Crest last season (930 passing, 216 rushing, 29 receiving)

Players to watch

DT Anthony Clayton, Sr., East Bay: While Marques Ford and Eric Latortue are highly thought of, coach Frank LaRosa believes Clayton could emerge as the best of the trio.

LB Sawyer Dawson, Sr., Plant City: Dawson led the Raiders with 87 tackles, 12 for loss last season, and will be back to lead a linebacker corps assistant coach Greg Meyer said should be the highlight of the defense. Dawson, a Purdue commit, also had two sacks, three interceptions, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal in 2013. 

RBs Kadarius Griffin and Chris Atkins, Durant, Srs.: Both rushed for more than 400 yards last season, but they can do better. Griffin has a ton of potential; and Atkins has been primed for a breakout season, but injuries have slowed him. He’s healthy now and looks ready.

QB Tristan Hyde, Sr., Strawberry Crest: Hyde is a three-year starter under center but will look to rebound after he went down in the third game of 2013 with a season-ending knee injury. He threw for more than 2,100 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore.

DB/OLB John Preyer, Sr., Brandon: Preyer is a throwback player who excels in the classroom. The honor roll student will be counted on heavily to seal the edge for the Eagles.

Mark your calendar

Plant City at Durant, Sept. 19: You can throw a dart at the district schedule and hit a meaningful game, but we think this is the one to open up your piggy bank for. The rivals played a thriller last season, with the Raiders coming up with a stop on a two-point attempt with five minutes left, then a defensive stop in the final seconds for a 14-13 victory. Durant opens with Armwood, Sickles and Tampa Bay Tech before starting league play vs. the Raiders, so how it survives that gauntlet could determine if it is a playoff contender.  

Returning district leaders

Rushing yards: Plant City’s Sterling Day, 514

Rushing TDs: Day, 7

Passing yards: Plant City’s Austin Carswell, 930

Passing TDs: Carswell, 13

Receiving yards: Durant’s Garrett Rentz, 294

Receiving TDs: Rentz, 3

Tackles: Plant City’s Sawyer Dawson, 87

Sacks: East Bay’s Marques Ford, 10

Interceptions: Brandon’s Damon Spencer, Dawson 3

Predicted order of finish

From an anonymous coach in the district 

1. Plant City

2. East Bay

3. Durant

4. Brandon

5. Strawberry Crest

Final word

“Our goal is to win a district title, and we feel like we’ve got a great shot at that. Even with the loss of the seniors, even with TJ leaving, we’ve gotten stronger. It’s almost been addition by subtraction.” — Plant City assistant coach Greg Meyer

Brandon

Coach: Dean Eychner (third season, 4-16)

Last season: 3-7

Class/district: 7A-8

Colors: Maroon and white

Stadium: E.F. McLane Stadium, 1101 Victoria Ave., Brandon

Playoff history: 1969, 1977, 1985, 1996, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011

Last appearance: Lost 37-0 to Tampa Bay Tech.

Season schedule

Aug. 29 vs. Blake, 7:30

Sept. 5 at Bloomingdale, 7:30

Sept. 12 vs. Riverview, 7:30

Sept. 19 vs. Strawberry Crest, 7:30

Sept. 26 at Chamberlain, 7:30

Oct. 2 at Middleton, 7

Oct. 17 vs. Durant, 7:30

Oct. 24 at East Bay, 7:30

Oct. 31 at Plant City, 7:30

Nov. 7 vs. Berkeley Prep, 7:30

Mark your calendar

Strawberry Crest at Brandon, Sept. 19: Brandon coach Dean Eychner scanned over his team's schedule and couldn't pinpoint a game that was more must-win than another. "We'll deal with the games one at a time." But in the stingy 7A-8, the district opener against Strawberry Crest will be huge. Last year the Chargers thumped the Eagles 46-0.

Huddle highlights

Growing pains: Brandon will have some big holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball. The Eagles graduated their top receiver, running back and quarterback. Speaking of quarterbacks, who will be under center? Two-year starter Brandon Jones, who took all the snaps last year and also added 679 yards on the ground, has graduated.

Down to the wire: Getting out of 7A-8 is going to be tough; and last year’s playoff teams were decided by a Monday tiebreaker. Brandon went winless in the district last season, and Durant will surely rebound from a down season. This could be the most even district, top to bottom, in the county. Brandon has to figure out how to win the close games. Four of Brandon's seven losses last year came by a touchdown or fewer, and the Eagles lost a pair of district games by three points total.

Known quantities

FS Damon Spencer, Sr.: Spencer is the most athletic player on the Brandon roster and has offers from Alcorn, Colgate and North Dakota State.

DB/OLB John Preyer, Sr.: Preyer is a throwback player who excels in the classroom. The honor roll student will be counted on heavily to seal the edge for Brandon.

DE Nick Summitt, Sr.: At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, Summitt is one of the strongest Eagles on the team.

DE Joe Tkacs, Sr.: Tkacs is a lunch-pail worker who will team with Summitt to give the Eagles a pair of solid bookends along the line.

Up-and-comers

RB Keith Cook, Sr.: Jones ran for 493 more yards than any other Brandon back a year ago. Cook is expected to fill that gap.

QB Isaiah Alexander, Jr.: After a strong offseason, Alexander will get the first crack to replace Jones under center.

ILB Derek Cromartie, Jr.: Cromartie finished with 82 tackles last year but should see that number spike with the loss of John Gianino (team-best 112 tackles).

Coach's corner

"We approach every day with the right attitude. And the work ethic to get better." — Eychner

Durant 

Coach: Mike Gottman (11th season, 70-48)

Last season: 3-7 

Class/district: 7A-8

Colors: Vegas gold and navy 

Stadium: Ron Frost Stadium, 4748 Cougar Path, Plant City

Playoff history: 2002, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012

Last appearance: Beat Tampa Bay Tech 34-7; lost 21-14 to Newsome.

Season schedule

Aug. 29 vs. Armwood, 7:30

Sept. 5  at Sickles, 7:30 

Sept. 12 at Tampa Bay Tech, 7:30

Sept. 19 vs. Plant City, 7:30

Sept. 26 at Gaither, 7:30

Oct. 2  at Strawberry Crest, 7

Oct. 10 vs. Newsome, 7:30

Oct. 17 at Brandon, 7:30

Oct. 24 vs. Hillsborough, 7:30

Oct. 31 vs. East Bay, 7:30

Mark your calendar

Sept. 19, Plant City at Durant: The Cougars start with Armwood, Sickles and Tampa Bay Tech, and things don’t get any easier with their district opener against the Raiders. But this hotly contested rivalry game will tell us right away if Durant will be a player in the 7A-8. “We have to beat Plant City,” said coach Mike Gottman. The Cougars had chances to win this game last year before losing 14-13 on a failed two-point conversion late, just the first heartbreaking close loss in a season filled with them. 

Huddle highlights

Bad news is good news: If there is a silver lining to losing four games by 11 total points, it’s that the younger players who are now starters understand the importance of finishing. Gottman has been preaching that while the team was 3-7 last year, with a little bit of consistency and determination in the waning moments of games, the Cougars could have easily been 7-3. “They know the fine line between winning and losing,” he said.

Backs are back: The Cougars’ rushing attack averaged 2,300 yards and scored 101 touchdowns the three seasons before last, when it slipped to 1,517 yards and just nine touchdowns. Can it get better this year? Maybe. Running backs Chris Atkins and Kadarius Griffin, who both ran for 400 yards last season, are back but only one starter returns on the offensive line, which is Durant’s biggest weakness. 

Air Gottman? The coach is high on new quarterback Erick Davis, who only threw five passes last year but is athletic, makes good decisions and has a good arm. He’ll also have big targets to throw to, and Gottman thinks the Cougars could do more damage in the air this season.

Youthful defense: The Durant defensive line will be small but quick, says Gottman, and the linebackers are young. The defensive backs will be the unit’s strength.

Known quantities

RB Chris Atkins, Sr.: Atkins begins his fourth season on varsity and has seemingly been on the verge of a breakout season for two years now. But injuries have slowed him down. For his career, he has 1,579 yards and 18 touchdowns, but is expected to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2014.

FB Kadarius Griffin, Sr.: Voted the team captain, he will be one of the Durant’s go-to guys this season. Gottman calls him “Little Derrick Brooks” for his ability to lead his teammates.

WR Garrett Rentz, Sr.: Rentz led the team in receiving last year with 17 catches for 295 yards, and at 6-5 he will be easy to spot. Teammate and second-leading receiver Joe Williamson is 6-4 and starts at tight end, and 6-3 Aaron Zofnas is another tall pass catching target.

LB Blake Moody, Jr.: The leading returner in sacks (two) and tackles (37), Moody is the only starter back and heads up a young linebacking corps.

PK Derek Wells, Sr.: Wells led the team in scoring last year and didn’t miss a kick, making all nine extra points and all six of his field goals.

QB Erick Davis, Sr.: It’s his first year as the starting quarterback, but Davis has previously impressed with his athleticism as a defensive back.

Up-and-comers

RB Jalen Forte, Jr.: Smaller at 5-8, 162 than Atkins and Griffin, Forte is a speedy back able to hit the holes and go.

OL Kensey Davis, Sr.: A huge (6-4, 330) pickup, the Mulberry transfer will be the Cougars’ best offensive lineman. Gottman says if he can learn to play with a mean streak, look out.

OL Steven Witchosky, So.: A junior varsity player last year, Witchosky (6-2, 210) has fit right in on the new offensive line as he battles to start at the left tackle spot.

OL Christian Valdez, So.: A 6-0, 235-pound addition to the offensive line, Valdez has had a solid camp.

DB Jaden Garrett, So.: A little undersized for a safety at 5-8, 155 pounds, Garrett has impressed with great instincts for the ball.

DBs Avry, Sr., and Xavier Walden, Jr.: Avry played on varsity last year, Xavier is making the jump from JV, and the brothers will start at corner this season.

FB/DT Kameron Joyce, So.: At a solid 6-2, 245, Joyce is an intriguing prospect on the defensive line and also at a fullback in an offense that often produces productive fullbacks. 

Coach’s corner

“Last year was a long year. We found ways to lose football games; it was one of those years. I think the kids didn’t realize you have to make winning happen.” — Gottman

East Bay 

Coach: Frank LaRosa (fourth season, 16-16)

Last season: 8-4

Class/district: 7A-8

Colors: Gray and red 

Stadium: E.G. Simmons Field, 7710 Big Bend Road

Playoff history: 1973, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2013

Last appearance: Beat Gaither 34-14; lost 27-0 to Sickles. 

Season schedule

Aug. 29vs. Lennard, 7:30

Sept. 5vs. Riverview, 7:30

Sept. 12at Alonso, 7:30

Sept. 19at Spoto, 7:30

Sept. 26vs. Wharton, 7:30

Oct. 2at Plant City, 7

Oct. 10at Bloomingdale, 7:30

Oct. 17vs. Strawberry Crest, 7:30

Oct. 24vs. Brandon, 7:30

Oct. 31at Durant, 7:30

Mark your calendar

Lennard at East Bay, Aug. 29 and Riverview at East Bay, Sept. 5:Although neither are district games, both opponents are the Indians’ closest rivals — and East Bay would like to defeat both on its home turf for area bragging rights.

Huddle highlights

Great expectations: After winning the first district title since 1973 a year ago, coach Frank LaRosa feels there is a new mindset on campus. And despite losing 24 seniors, including eight offensive and six defensive starters, this group does not want to be the one that misses out on the postseason. “The guys are definitely confident,” LaRosa said. “We saw what it took, the grit and hard work it took to make the playoffs.”

No sweating tight game: Six of East Bay’s eight wins last season were by a touchdown or fewer, which LaRosa said lets the returners know what it takes to win the close games.

Terrors on D: Defense will be the heart and soul of this year’s team. Tennessee commit Marques Ford, a defensive end, linebacker Eric Latortue and defensive tackle Anthony Clayton are the leaders. They combined for 174 tackles and 20.5 sacks a year ago. 

Known quantities

DE Marques Ford, Sr.: The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder, No. 16 in the HomeTeam 100, is expected to be a leader on and off the field.

LB Eric Latortue, Sr.: LaTortue, offered by James Madison with other offers to come, plays a vital role in the Indians’ defense and led the team in tackles for loss (22) in 2013.

DT Anthony Clayton, senior: While Ford and Latortue are highly thought of, LaRosa believes Clayton could emerge as the best of the trio.

OL Johnny Crews and Caleb Holley, Srs.: These key returners are vital to the offense’s ability to move the ball, especially with new starters at quarterback, running back and wide receiver.

Up-and-comers

QB Jordan Anderson, Jr.: He saw limited play spelling injured starter Chris Carpentier last season and now is entrusted to run the offense.

RB Diante Crutcher, Jr.: Up from the junior varsity, where he got extensive playing time.

Wide receiver Christian Ashford, senior: Time for him to come into his own and develop a relationship with Anderson.

DB K.J. Sails, Jr.: This returner is versatile enough to line up on the corner and at free safety.

Coach’s corner

“We had a fantastic season, a memorable one, but for us it’s really a brand new year. We’ve got a little bit of carryover from last fall, but it’s a crop of brand new kids.” — LaRosa

Plant City

Coach: Wayne Ward (fifth season, 25-17)

Last season: 8-3

Class/district: 7A-8

Colors: Aqua, orange and white 

Stadium: Raider Stadium, One Raider Place, Plant City

Playoff history: 1975, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013

Last appearance: Lost 17-10 to Sickles.

Season schedule 

Aug. 29vs. Steinbrenner, 7:30

Sept. 5at Wharton, 7:30

Sept. 19at Durant, 7:30

Sept. 26vs. Bloomingdale, 7:30

Oct. 2vs. East Bay, 7

Oct. 10at Tampa Bay Tech, 7:30

Oct. 17vs. Spoto, 7:30

Oct. 24at Strawberry Crest, 7:30

Oct. 31vs. Brandon, 7:30

Nov. 7at Gaither, 7:30

Mark your calendar

Plant City vs. East Bay, Oct. 2: Plant City was 4-0 last season when it traveled to take on the Indians, but East Bay, despite completing only three passes in regulation, won in overtime on a 23-yard touchdown pass, snapping the Raiders’ win streak. This season, assistant coach Greg Meyer said his team can’t wait to get another crack at its district rival. Plant City and East Bay have the potential to be the top teams in the district again, so aside from being a rivalry matchup, the game could essentially decide who will take the crown. 

Huddle highlights

Key transfer: The big news for the Raiders this offseason was the acquisition of Austin Carswell from Strawberry Crest. Carswell, who transferred in January, quarterbacked the Chargers and threw for 930 yards and 13 touchdowns. But that’s not all he can do. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound athlete also lines up at wide receiver and defensive back.

Quarterback competition: The Raiders planned to play Carswell at quarterback in the spring game against Armwood, but he was determined to be ineligible until the fall because of the transfer. The Raiders started sophomore Corey King instead and liked what they saw. Meyer said King will start the Raiders’ first game under center, but that Carswell, who will likely start at wide receiver and defensive back Week 1, could also compete for the job. 

Taking the place of Chase: Four-star wide receiver TJ Chase has Division I offers from just about everyone and could have been a big weapon for the Raiders, but Chase decided to take his talents to Bradenton’s IMG Academy. But with wide receivers like Carswell, Markese Hargrove and converted basketball player Deondre Gatlin at wide receiver, Meyer thinks the Raiders will be just fine. “They understand the opportunity with him being gone,” Meyer said. “I’m sure if you asked any of them, they’d love to be the guy.” 

Filling holes: The Raiders graduated 16 seniors, including several Division I signees. Despite the great loss of talent, though, Meyer isn’t worried about finding replacements to fill their shoes. Defensively, he admits, the Raiders are young up front, but a strong linebacker corp led by veteran Sawyer Dawson will be a big help. 

Senior class: The Raiders will feature far fewer seniors than in 2013, but Meyer said he’s been impressed by the new unit’s leadership abilities — a factor that could help Plant City be a contender for a district title. “These seniors came in and really ran practice in a way really no other senior class has done until this point,” Meyer said. “We just kind of put it on them to run the show, and they’re stepping up.”

Known quantities

ATH Austin Carswell, Sr.: Meyer can’t discuss the new Raider without speaking about his versatility, something that could help out Plant City immensely this season. Carswell had just two receptions last season for the Chargers, one of them being a 23-yarder, but his athleticism combined with the promise he’s shown in practice leads the coaching staff to believe he could be successful wherever he lines up. 

LB Sawyer Dawson, Sr.: Dawson led the Raiders with 87 tackles, 12 for loss last season, and will be back to lead a linebacker corp Meyer said should be the highlight of the defense. Dawson, a Purdue commit, also had two sacks, three interceptions, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal in 2013. 

RB Sterling Day, Jr.: Coming off a season in which he had 514 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, Day is the Raiders’ leading returning rusher. Day won’t be the only one carrying the ball for the Raiders, but the 5-foot-10, 185-pound running back could very likely lead the way. 

ATH Markese Hargrove, Jr.: Described as “Mr. Consistency,” Hargrove had 270 yards receiving and one touchdown while rushing for 164 more. Now that Hargrove — who had four receptions for 31 yards in a spring game loss to Armwood — is an upperclassman with a leadership role, Meyer is counting on him to deliver a whole lot more, and 

OL Evan Crowell, Sr.: Crowell, who missed six games in 2013 because of a hamstring injury, played defensive end and guard last year, but the 6-foot-2, 280-pound linemen has been moved to center this year, a role in which Meyer thinks the Crowell will shine. 

Up-and-comers

QB Corey King, So.: The Raiders’ next starting quarterback might only be a sophomore, but Meyer said you’d never know it by the way King carries himself on the field. The wise-beyond-his-years QB finished 9-of-12 for 72 yards and an interception in the spring game, and though he’ll continue to face competition for the starting job, Meyer is confident that, at least for game one, King is the guy. 

LB Kwest Fluitt, Jr.: Last year, Fluitt was unable to play for the Raiders because he didn’t have the grades, but Meyer said Fluitt has worked hard on his studies to earn back his eligibility. That hard work has been mirrored on the football field. Meyer thinks Fluitt, who he says has the perfect combination of size and speed, could have a big year as part of a linebackers group rich with talent.

DB Peyton Collins, Jr.: A starter at free safety last season, Collins had some big plays, including an interception in the red zone on the final play of regulation against East Bay to force overtime. Since then, the offseason has been good to Collins, and Meyer said he’s already witnessed a stronger, more confident athlete. 

DB/WR Javaris Whitsett, Sr.: Whitsett had 25 tackles last season, but now that standout defensive back and Temple signee Jyquis Thomas has graduated, Meyer said Whitsett has stepped up to lead the secondary. That’s a job that includes guarding some of Tampa Bay’s best receivers, which this season will include Wharton’s Auden Tate and Steinbrenner’s Kezio Snelling. 

WR Antoine Thompson, So.: One of many who will pitch in to replace Chase, Thompson could be big for the Raiders on offense. Meyer said the 6-foot, 165-pound receiver has had a great summer, which included flourishing at a Florida Tech camp, after which he received his first college offer from the Panthers. 

Coach’s corner

“Our goal is to win a district title, and we feel like we’ve got a great shot at that. Even with the loss of the seniors, even with TJ leaving, we’ve gotten stronger. It’s almost been addition by subtraction.” — Meyer

Strawberry Crest

Coach: John Kelly (third season, 10-10)

Last season: 6-4

Class/district: 7A-8

Colors: Black, crimson and silver 

Stadium: Unnamed. 4691 Gallagher Road, Dover.

Playoff history: None

Season schedule

Aug. 29vs. Bloomingdale, 7:30

Sept. 5at Spoto, 7:30

Sept. 12vs. Leon, 7:30

Sept. 19at Brandon, 7:30

Sept. 26at Freedom, 7:30

Oct. 2vs. Durant, 7

Oct. 10at Riverview, 7:30

Oct. 17at East Bay, 7:30

Oct. 24vs. Plant City, 7:30

Nov. 7vs. Armwood, 7:30

Mark your calendar

Plant City at Strawberry Crest, Oct. 24: This one carries all kinds of significance for the Chargers. It will be Strawberry Crest's final district game on the slate and a chance to erase the memory of last year's 41-14 loss, a defeat that helped torpedo Strawberry Crest's postseason hopes.

Huddle highlights

Start strong: The end of 2013 was pretty deflating for Strawberry Crest, so the season opener against Bloomingdale will be big for confidence. The Chargers lost the final two games of 2013 and the ensuing playoff tiebreaker. The Chargers were in the 7A-8 driver's seat but were manhandled in a late-season loss to Plant City that forced a three-way tiebreaker with East Bay and the Raiders. Strawberry Crest eventually lost the tiebreaker and failed to advance.

How will Hyde rebound? After an excellent 2012 in which he threw for more than 2,100 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore, Hyde lost most of 2013 to injury. In two full games last year, Hyde passed for 464 yards, and the Chargers expect he will return to his form of two seasons ago. There are also some unknowns regarding the other skill positions. The Chargers graduated leading rusher Chris Perez (team highs with 666 yards, 10 TDs) and top wideout Josh Hyde (team highs with 38 catches, 484 yards, six TDs).

Known quantities

DB Josh Engram, Sr.: Engram is a two-year captain and four-year player for the Chargers. An intelligent, instinctual leader, Engram is the strongest pound-for-pound player on the team and will also handle kick return duties.

QB Tristan Hyde, Sr.: Hyde is a three-year starter under center but will look to rebound after he went down in the third game of 2013 with a season-ending knee injury.

WR/DB Clay Cullins, Sr.: Cullins has had to wait his turn behind some talented wideouts the past few seasons, but the shifty 5-foot-11, 180-pounder could prove to be Hyde's favorite target this year.

OT/DE Cody McDaniel, Sr.: McDaniel started off as a basketball player at Strawberry Crest, but he's blossoming into an emerging star for the football team. McDaniel is soft-spoken off the field but at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, he has the size to dominate along the line.

DE/TE Farron Rainford, Sr.: Rainford flashed last year but will be counted on this season for consistent contribution. He could be the Chargers' breakout star.

Up-and-comers

LB/RB Bryce Blackmon Jr.: Blackmon will be all over the field for the Chargers, contributing in all three phases of the game.

LB/RB Chase Blackmon, Jr.: Blackmon gives the Chargers depth on both sides of the ball and the 5-foot-7, 170-pounder plays multiple positions on the defensive side.

OL/LB Jherri Green,  Jr.: Green, an outstanding pulling guard, will be counted on along the offensive line but can fill in at linebacker.

RB/LB Arjay Smith, Sr.: Coach John Kelly called Smith an "impact player" and he expects the 5-foot-10, 180-pounder to make splash plays on both sides of the ball.

Coach's corner

"Plant City. That was the point last season where we were not able to cross over the threshold towards a first-ever district championship." — Kelly, when asked about the game he has targeted