Chamberlain
Coach: Richard “Cam” Jones (second season)
Last season: 4-6
Class/district:6A-8
Colors: Green and gold
Stadium: John Adcock Stadium, 9401 N. Blvd., Tampa
Playoff history: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Last appearance: Beat Gaither 54-6; beat Wharton 42-21; lost 40-20 to Lakeland
Season schedule
Aug. 29at Gaither, 7:30
Sept. 5vs. Leto, 7:30
Sept. 12at Lennard, 7:30
Sept. 19vs. King, 7:30
Sept. 26vs. Brandon, 7:30
Oct. 2at Blake, 7
Oct. 10vs. Hillsborough, 7:30
Oct. 17at Robinson, 7:30
Oct. 24vs. Jefferson, 7:30
Oct. 31at Armwood, 7:30
Mark your calendar
Chamberlain at Armwood, Oct. 31: With no hesitation, Chamberlain coach Cam Jones jumped on the regular-season closer as the game that stands out to him. Clearly the Chiefs’ leader isn’t intimidated by the head honchos of the monster that is Class 6A, District 8.
Huddle highlights
Not far from the lead pack: To crack into upper-level status with Armwood, Jefferson and Hillsborough, most would think the Chiefs have a monumental task. But the margin is slimmer than that: last year Chamberlain nearly pulled it off, losing to the Terriers, Dragons and Robinson by six total points in a three-week span.
Confidence boosted:“Last year we didn’t know if we could compete with those guys, but when you look up and you’re leading in the third quarter... now, these guys believe,” Jones said.
In passing, a lofty projection: Even though the Chiefs have yet to decide on a starting quarterback — with senior Seth Jordan and sophomore Reggie Wester the candidates — and Chamberlain only attempted a handful of passes per game and had just two touchdowns in 2013, Jones promises a “super aggressive” up-tempo attack.
Not a big hit: Because Chamberlain’s roster is in the low 50s, Jones says there hasn’t been a “whole lot of contact” in practice to this point. “We want to be playing in November, so I’ve been concentrating on staying healthy,” he said.
Known quantities
LB Danzell Rolle, Sr.: Rolle is a leader, one who “exemplifies what we’re trying to do,” according to Jones. He adds that Rolle makes the players around him “exponentially” better.
OG/NG Robert Mosley, Sr.: The sturdy interior lineman will see plenty of action, if not be on the field for every play. He has a mean streak in him, and Jones thinks Mosley will be a “steal” for whatever college picks him.
LT Zach Bendure, Jr.: The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder is the leader, not just in performance but vocally, of the offensive line.
DB Lee Martin. Sr.: Martin is in charge of taking over the secondary and has the ability to be the team’s lockdown corner. He’s a three-year starter who can also play slot receiver.
Up-and-comers
FS/WR DJ Daniel, Jr.: Also a great student, Daniel should be the top target for whomever wins the starting quarterback job.
MLB Deran Baker, Sr.: This is the guy who will have to step in for Anthony Davis, now at Toledo. Baker (6-2, 225) passes the eye test. “I’m not a small guy by any means but... he’s got some guns on him,” Jones said.
OLB/RB Tahwan Keels, Sr.: Keels is another player who will be relied on to step up his production at the linebacker spot. He can also rush off the edge and run the ball on offense, and is a sprinter in track.
Coach’s corner
“I love it, more than anything. I want to be the main event. I want Chamberlain to be the team that people want to see on their Friday nights.” — Jones on playing in the powerhouse nine-team district