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Hillsborough, Middleton get victories

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By JEFF BERLINICKE

Tribune correspondent

Published: May 23, 2009

TAMPA - At Hillsborough High, 30-year veteran coach Earl Garcia is hoping last season was a fluke. At Middleton, Jason Stokes is hoping to rebuild from the ground up.

Both got off to decent starts Friday at the jamboree at Gaither High. Garcia's Terriers, who missed the playoffs for the first time in 16 years last season, downed rebuilding Chamberlain 17-0. In the second game, Middleton turned to new quarterback Willie Clay, who led the Tigers to a 13-3 win against the Cowboys.

Hillsborough ruined the coaching debut of Chamberlain's John Colbert, who is replacing longtime Chiefs coach Billy Turner. Hillsborough scored early but it came at a cost. On the fourth play from scrimmage, quarterback Tarean Austin, one of the most highly recruited players in Hillsborough County, suffered what Garcia described as a hairline fracture to his left leg. Garcia said he didn't think it was serious.

He was replaced by Rayvon Bullard, who threw a long touchdown pass to Charles Lovett on his first play from scrimmage. Jamie Knott later scored on a 15-yard run to close out the scoring.

"Last year, we had a bad attitude and it showed," Garcia said. "I didn't like a lot of things about last year's team. This team has to redefine its personality and there won't be any excuses."

Middleton fell behind 3-0 early, but Antonio Chow scored from a yard out for the lead. In the final minute, Clay connected with Demario Buie on a 47-yard score.

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