The football vernacular is loaded with names — derby, duel, controversy, quagmire — for quarterback competitions. We’re not going to affix any such label to those occurring locally. Suffice to say, some county jobs are up for grabs. Here are some more prominent vacancies, and those vying for them.
Alonso
2012 starter: Senior Brandon Hawkins was entrusted with an uncommon amount of responsibility by second-year coach Brian Emanuel. Hawkins, the son of a coach, had virtual autonomy over the Ravens’ in-game audibles and constantly made suggestions to coaches about what plays might work best during games. He completed 54 percent of his passes for 1,691 yards and 16 touchdowns and four interceptions.
2013 candidates: No one else threw a pass for the Ravens last year, meaning they’re virtually starting from scratch with rising senior Mark LaRosa and rising sophomore Chris Oladokun. LaRosa will have to work hard to hold off Oladokun, who beat out 70 quarterbacks to win the inaugural Tampa Quarterback Challenge hosted by the John Kaleo QB Academy and DeBartolo Sports and Events. “He is a smooth character,” Emanuel said of Oladokun. “Even if he doesn’t win the job, he’s going to play a lot of snaps.”
Chamberlain
2012 starter: Senior Ronnie Scott and junior Dakarai Highsmith, both more natural runners, split snaps last season as the run-heavy Chiefs showed signs of a resurgence under first-year coach D.J. Mayo.
2013 candidates: At this juncture, Mayo says rising sophomore Dupree Falls (6-0, 170) and junior-to-be Seth Jordan (6-1, 175) are sharing reps. Jordan is more of a dropback guy, Mayo says; Dupree is the dual threat.
Jesuit
2012 starter: Senior Leland Saile, the starter at season’s outset, eventually was replaced by junior Vincent Testaverde (16-for-35, 152 yards, one TD, four INTs).
2013 candidates: As the most experienced guy, Testaverde got the initial first-team reps, but he is being pushed hard by classmate Trent Wessel and rangy rising junior Wesley Eveld, who is trying to become the third sibling in his family to start for the Tigers. “It’s a wide-open competition that won’t be decided until the fall,” offensive coordinator Chris Taylor said.
Robinson
2012 starter: Zain Gilmore Jr. In his only season at Robinson, the Eastern Kentucky signee was downright dazzling (2,334 total yards) in leading the Knights to a 12-2 mark.
2013 candidates: Through seven days of spring drills, the battle remains wide open between rising juniors Darius Autry (5-10) and Travis Forehand (6-5), coach Shawn Taylor says.
Top cats
MaxPreps has confirmed something Tampa Bay high school football fans have known for quite a while now: Plant does a lot of winning.
According to the MaxPreps database, Plant tied for 29th place nationally with a total of 65 wins since 2008. The Panthers’ record over that span was 65-6, including three state championships.
However, it appears MaxPreps has counted at least one forfeited victory over Armwood in 2010. The Hawks have not officially forfeited that loss, which would drop the Panthers’ win total to 64 — good for an eight-way tie for 43rd place.
Which, of course, is still a lot of Ws.
Clairton (Pa.) finished in the top spot with 78 wins. The only other schools from Florida to appear on the list were Bolles in Jacksonville and St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, who both had 65 victories.
Compiled by staff writers Joel Anderson and Joey Knight.