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Many Players Change Locations

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By KATHERINE SMITH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 22, 2008

TAMPA - Technically, junior defensive back/running back Chris Frierson transferred to Chamberlain High.

Frierson's former coach, Alonso's Mike Heldt, has a different term for it.

"We lost him to free agency," Heldt said. "I guess Chamberlain has a bigger salary cap than us."

Frierson is one of several players who have transferred since the end of last season, lending a free agency feel to Hillsborough County football. So when spring games kick off tonight, make sure to get a roster to keep up.

Several starting lineups have changed, and not just because of the loss of graduating seniors.

There's tight end Orson Charles from Riverview and wide receiver Alan Sampson from Gaither now at Plant, wide receiver Anthony Williams from Jefferson at Chamberlain, quarterback Doug Williams Jr. from Jefferson at Tampa Catholic and running back Sirchauncey Holloway from Plant City at Armwood.

Those are just a few examples.

"It creates kind of a stir," Hillsborough County Director of Athletics Lanness Robinson said. "But change is sometimes good. I think the kids kind of get rejuvenated."

Nothing sparks debate among county football fans more than players transferring from one school to another. Some cry foul and allege recruiting and preferential treatment, while others point out coaches at successful schools don't need to "recruit," because their programs draw good players.

"Football is important to a lot of people in this area, and I know some get worked up over transfers," Robinson said. "All of this adds some intrigue to the upcoming season."

Coaching changes will also add to the intrigue. Since the end of last season, six schools posted job openings for head coaching positions.

Bloomingdale, King, Lennard and Plant City will debut new head coaches tonight and Friday night. Riverview will have an interim coach on the sideline tonight, while Spoto's Scott Palmer will be coaching his last game.

"That's not a lot of turnover for a county this size," Robinson said. "Being a head football coach is very demanding.

"It's very draining on your time, and there are a lot of expectations."

Those once-lofty expectations in Hillsborough County have been reached by several schools as the county consistently puts teams in state championship games, winning three titles the past five years (Armwood in 2003 and '04 and Plant in 2006).

Since 2001, at least one Hillsborough County team has reached the state finals. Tampa Catholic reached the Class 2A championship game last year, and Armwood was a win away, losing to eventual state champion Miami Booker T. Washington in the Class 4A state semifinals.

"Unfortunately, the way the playoffs are set up, our good teams beat up on each other on the way to the state championship game," Robinson said. "We could have several state champions if they didn't have to go through each other first."

Reporter Katherine Smith can be reached at (813) 731-8025 or ksmith@tampatrib.com.

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