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Football Countdown: No. 8 Middleton Ready To Build On Success

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By NICK WILLIAMS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 21, 2008

The Tribune is counting down the top 10 Hillsborough County football teams. Today: No. 8 Middleton. The rankings were compiled in a vote by the Tribune's four staffers who cover high school football.

Middleton missed the playoffs and finished 6-4 last season, but the Tigers posted wins against teams that made the postseason in Chamberlain, Wharton and Jefferson.

The defense will be the strong point for the Tigers, with plenty of veterans returning. Senior Andreal Coleman and sophomore Matt Parker return on the defensive line, while junior Greg Hickman will be a force again at linebacker.

The secondary might be the Tigers' best defensive unit, led by returning starters Travis Buie, Phillip Jones and Ernest Mingo.

On offense, Middleton lost two key players in quarterback DeAndre Presley (Appalachian State) and running back Carlton "Ty" Jones (Florida State), but Coach Harry Hubbard has young replacements who are eager to learn.

Freshman Greg Windham and sophomore Dorian Ferrell will split time at quarterback, Hubbard said, and the coach hopes to find a way to use the strengths of both in the offense. While some might see their youth as a problem, Hubbard is thinking long term.

"By the time they're seniors, they'll know the system," he said.

Junior Rodney Johnson, who transferred from Hillsborough, will get the nod as the starting running back. Johnson played behind Lindsey Lamar and Iziah Wyche with the Terriers last year, and as a freshman he played behind Drew Zink at Tampa Catholic.

KICKOFF CLASSIC: Aug. 29 vs. Jacksonville Sandalwood

SEASON OPENER: Sept. 5 vs. Brandon

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