We watched games, attended offseason events, covered 7-on-7 tournaments, attended spring practices and watched highlight videos.
Picking the best high school football players in Tampa Bay to rank was easy.
Picking only 100 was hard.
Putting them in order was harder.
Picking a No. 1 was hardest.
There was freakish athleticism to choose from in Deon Cain and George Campbell.
There were grown men to choose from in Byron Cowart and Shavar Manuel.
There were quarterbacks who scare the pants off defensive coordinators like Dwayne Lawson and Ryan Davis to choose from.
The final list changed daily. Last week’s No. 1 switched spots with this week’ No. 1.
We argued, a little.
Then we picked Sickles running back Ray Ray McCloud III.
While there were many factors, it really came down this: He will touch the ball, and you will hold your breath.
You, the fan, the defensive player waiting to make the tackle, the coaches who had to game plan all week to stop him.
Everyone.
When you breathe again, it’s only to oooh and ahhh.
That’s what the best players do to you.
Previous HomeTeam 100 installments: