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Top 10: Hillsborough looking to rebound in '09

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By BILL WARD | TBO.com

Published: August 24, 2009

No. 3 Hillsborough

The Tampa Tribune and TBO.com are counting down the top 10 football teams in Hillsborough County. The rankings were voted on by the Tribune's four staffers who cover prep football.

Of all the county teams ranked in this fall's Tribune/TBO.com preseason top-10 poll, Hillsborough is the lone program that failed to make the playoffs in 2008. So why do the Terriers find themselves holding such a lofty spot in the rankings?

Put a good part of it down to veteran Terriers coach Earl Garcia and his assistants. This is a staff unaccustomed to sitting out postseason play. Last year represented the first time Hillsborough wasn't in the playoffs since 1993. Even then, the school wound with a winning record at 6-4.

As a result of the setback, Garcia was determined to make his squad bigger and stronger. The Terriers also spent more time preparing their offense over the summer and, led by senior quarterback Tarean Austin and running back Antonio Chow, even came out on top of the prestigious Sling & Shoot 7-on-7 touch football tournament at the University of South Florida.

Hillsborough has also landed what is undeniably a bevy of talented players who have transferred to the school since January. Among them are athletes who are probable starters: linebackers Michael Scaglione and Chris Oliver, running back Rodney Johnson and offensive linemen Andre Gunn and Trey Gonzalez.

One key to success for Hillsborough this fall will be staying healthy. The Terriers no doubt boast some of the top recruits in the county, including defensive back Terrence Mitchell, who has been offered scholarships by nearly every school in the Southeastern Conference, and junior receiver Charles Lovett, who has been on the varsity roster since he was a freshman and last year produced a team-high 34 receptions. But the Terriers are also lacking in depth, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines.

If the Terriers can avoid major injuries to its key starters, as well as shore up a defense that gave up more than 26 points a game last season, they should return to the state playoff series.

Still part of Class 4A, Hillsborough still has to deal with two-time state champions Armwood within their own district. But with the squad Garcia has assembled for the 2009 campaign, don't expect the Terriers to sit out postseason play this fall.

"We've worked extremely hard as a staff since the season ended last year and the kids have come to work every day and done what exactly they needed to do without complaining," Garcia said. "Now we have to go out there and prove ourselves again but I have all the confidence in the world we will do that."

KICKOFF CLASSIC: Aug. 28 at Bradenton Southeast

SEASON OPENER: Sept. 4 vs. Jefferson

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