Hillsborough football preview: Week 1

HILLSBOROUGH (0-0) AT JEFFERSON (0-0)

This is a huge season opener on multiple levels. For starters, it's a rematch of last year's Week 1 game that Jefferson won, 16-15, thanks to a late touchdown and two-point conversion. Second, it features two of the area's top programs and two of the best veteran coaches, Hillsborough's Earl Garcia and Jefferson's Mike Fenton. And arguably the most important aspect -- each program needs to find out just how good it is.

At Jefferson, expectations are high after the Dragons went to the Class 3A state semifinals last fall before losing to eventual state champion Pensacola. With their star quarterback, Quentin Williams, and top receiver, Andre Davis, returning, Dragons fans have good reason to be excited about the 2010 campaign. Williams passed for nearly 3,500 yards last season along with tossing 35 touchdowns and is one of the best in the state. He's the type of player that can put a team on his back - and does.

Hillsborough, meanwhile, is seeking a return to the 4A playoffs. The Terriers made it last year but went out in the first round. To improve on that performance won't be easy because Hillsborough is breaking in a new quarterback for only the third time in eight years, Durant transfer Jeremy Agrinzonis, as well as new tailback Tim Randolph. With the addition of linebacker Rodney Williams and the rise of nose tackle Earl Moore, the Terriers' defense is expected to be greatly improved. But to stop Jefferson's high-powered offense, they'll have to be a lot better.

NEWSOME (0-0) AT ARMWOOD (0-0)

Both teams are coming off big preseason wins. Armwood blew past Middleton, 42-0, while Newsome edged a tough Spoto squad, 13-12.

The game should come down to how Newsome's power ground game, behind fullback Conner Powers, can perform against Armwood's tough defense, led by its touted linebacker corps.

Newsome has never had much luck against the Hawks, losing all three previous meetings by an average of 40 points. The Hawks, who will be without WR A.J. King (knee sprain), also are extremely tough at home, losing only once at Lyle Flagg Field since the start of the 2003 season.

GROVELAND SOUTH LAKE (0-0) AT TAMPA CATHOLIC (0-0)

On paper, this is a Class 6A team, South Lake, taking on a 2B squad, Tampa Catholic. But when the two squads met last season in Groveland, TC romped to a 28-14 victory.

But several of the players who powered the Crusaders to that win are gone, including running back Hank McCloud and quarterback Christian Green, who were involved in all four of their team's touchdowns. South Lake, meanwhile, is dealing with the loss of four of its five offensive linemen but does return most of its skill players.

The question is how well has TC reloaded a program that has reached the state finals two of the last three seasons? The Crusaders still have star fullback Hunter Joyer, but the offensive line in front of him is young and mostly untested. TC coach Bob Henriquez will find out a lot about his team from this game, answers he was hoping to get last week until a soggy field forced the cancellation of his squad's preseason game against Boca Ciega. South Lake also saw its dress rehearsal rained out last week, as well.

PLANT (0-0) AT TAMPA BAY TECH (0-0)

This is one of the most intriguing matchups in the county. TBT is the one team that put a loss on Plant last season en route to the Panthers' state title in Class 5A. In that setback - aka "The Gag at Dad's" -- Plant posted a 24-0 lead only to lose, 32-30.

Despite exiting the 5A playoffs in the second round last fall, the Titans are out to prove that win over the Panthers was no fluke. They will have to deal with the graduation of star fullback Maurice Hagens, but the Titans still have a powerful backfield with tailback Cludner LeCount, fullback Devontae McCloud and third-year varsity player Johnathan Williams. And TBT once again has a solid defense, maybe one of the most athletic in the county.

Plant, meanwhile, is out to show that the team that got drubbed, 48-10, by Manatee is not truly indicative of this year's potential. The Panthers did not look good in any particular facet of the game, but the hype of that nationally-televised game might have gotten to some of their players. If the Panthers can correct some of the mistakes that led to turnovers and missed tackles, and if star running back/defensive end James Wilder can find his Superman cape again, Plant could bounce back in a big way.

EAST BAY (0-0) AT PLANT CITY (0-0)

Wayne Ward's regular-season debut as Plant City's new coach will come in front of the home fans as the Raiders host the Indians.

Both teams enter this game coming off preseason losses. East Bay lost to Lennard, 7-6, in a game shortened to a half, while Plant City fell to Tampa Bay Tech, 14-7.

The Raiders defense will have to play disciplined against East Bay's tricky wishbone offense, which gives teams fits every year.

East Bay defeated Plant City 17-14 last season. The Raiders haven't won a season-opener since 2007.

ROBINSON (0-0) AT LETO (0-0)

The Mike Jalazo era at Leto will officially begin when the Falcons host the Knights, who are expected to be a state title contender in Class 2A.

Leto's defense, which yielded 22 points in a shutout loss to Blake in its Kickoff Classic, must find a way to slow down Robinson's potent offense, which features QB Blake Rice, WRs Ruben Gonzalez and Frankie Williams and RB J.J. Hubbard.

Robinson, which squeaked past Bradenton Bayshore, 19-13, in its preseason game, won last year's meeting against the Falcons, 27-0.

MIDDLETON (0-0) AT KING (0-0)

Both teams enter coming off losses in preseason matchups. Middleton lost to Armwood, 42-0, while King fell to Lakewood, 8-3.

King's defense played extremely well in that preseason loss by posting a shutout (the only points scored were on a kickoff return and a safety). Also, Lions QB Greg Windham shook off a slow start to finish with a respectable showing, and WR Reese Sturgis was able to provide a big play, which should give the Lions offense some hope.

Middleton's offense struggled mightily against the Hawks, but the Tigers should get a boost tonight with the return of starting QB Aaron Midthus, who sat out last week with a tight hamstring.

LENNARD (0-0) AT BLOOMINGDALE (0-0)

The Bulls are still looking for their first taste of success under Coach John Booth as the Longhorns make their way to Charley Harris Stadium.

If Bloomingdale is going to get into the win column, the Bulls defense must do a better of job of preventing the big play than it did in last week's preseason loss to Wharton. Bloomingdale allowed three touchdowns of 50 yards or longer in that 24-6 setback.

The task will be tough, however, against Lennard's offense and versatile QB Fred Porter, who accounted for the winning score with a rushing touchdown in a 7-6 preseason victory over East Bay.

Lennard won last year's meeting against Bloomingdale, 19-7, which marks the only time the Longhorns have won their season opener in the program's short history.

CARROLLWOOD DAY (1-0) AT CAMBRIDGE CHRISTIAN (0-0)

While this will serve as the season opener for the Lancers, this will be the Patriots' second regular-season contest. Due to a scheduling conflict, and with approval from the FHSAA, CDS' game last Saturday against Merritt Island Christian, a 38-3 Patriots win, counted as a regular-season game.

Newcomer Robert Davis led the Patriots in their season-opener with 206 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while the Patriots defense also played a big game by forcing three turnovers.

Cambridge enters coming off a 14-10 triumph over Shorecrest in its Kickoff Classic. The Lancers defense posted a shutout in the second half of that game, and quarterback Michael McDermott looked good, throwing for 128 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

This is the second career meeting between the two teams. CDS won last year's game, 37-0.

WHARTON (0-0) at SPOTO (0-0)

Wharton defeated Bloomingdale in the preseason classic, 24-6, led by running backs David Larry and Jonathan Mahan. Larry rushed nine times for 100 yards with a touchdown while Mahan carried the ball nine times for 83 yards with a touchdown.

Spoto lost to Newsome in the final minutes last week, 13-12. Spoto had a 12-7 lead but during a Newsome punt with 5:55 remaining, a Spoto defender ran into the kicker, giving the Wolves a first down. Senior Danny Taylor led Spoto with 144 yards rushing on 21 carries.

Spoto's defense has been one of the best in Hillsborough County the past two seasons, so it will be interesting to see how Wharton's backfield and senior quarterback Ryan Hatter handle the Spartans pressure.

RIVERVIEW (0-0) at FREEDOM (0-0)

Riverview and Freedom have something in common heading into the season opener - neither team scored in the preseason classic.

Although the game was canceled with 3 seconds remaining in the second quarter due to severe thunderstorms and lightning, Riverview lost to Brandon, 27-0, with all of Brandon's points coming in the second quarter.

Freedom lost to Alonso, 29-0, and was its own worst enemy with 19 penalties, 15 of which were called in the first half.

Riverview returned just three defensive starters and has three seniors starting on offense, while Freedom is replacing its starting quarterback, running back and go-to receiver. Getting a game (that doesn't count) under their belts is probably what both programs needed.

Sickles is coming off a 49-21 preseason win over Steinbrenner, led by senior running back Cary White's 210 first-half rushing yards and three Touchdowns.

Gaither lost its preseason classic to Durant, 18-6. Running back DaVonta Martin led the Cowboys with 106 yards on eight carries. Gaither's lone score came late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Shug Oyegunie found Josh Bultron for a 67-yard touchdown pass.

Sickles may have one of the highest scoring offenses in Hillsborough County this season, so Gaither's defense will have its work cut out for them.

LAKELAND KATHLEEN (0-0) at JESUIT (0-0)

Jesuit tied with Countryside, 7-7, in the preseason classic. Jesuit's lone score was a 53-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Patton Chillura to Aaron Paulsen. The Tigers had an opportunity to win the game at the end, but a 45-yard field goal attempt fell short.

First-year coach James Harrell has to be pleased with his offense, despite the score, as Jesuit finished with 360 total yards on offense.

The Kathleen program is recovering from a dramatic 2009 season, in which the Red Devils had six games forfeited by the FHSAA for use of an ineligible player. One of those games was a 27-14 victory against Jesuit in the season opener.

SEFFNER CHRISTIAN (0-0) at CENTRAL FLORIDA CHRISTIAN (0-0)

Seffner Christian, playing in its first season of football, is coming off a 12-6 preseason victory over Winter Haven All Saints'. Garrett Saunders caught a 38-yard touchdown pass with 1:11 left in the fourth quarter, then made a game-saving interception on the goal line as time expired to lead the Crusaders.

Central Florida Christian finished 4-6 last season and was outscored, 359-190.

DURANT (0-0) at CHAMBERLAIN (0-0)

Like a lot of teams, Chamberlain struggled to defend the aerial assault of the Jefferson Dragons last week. The Chiefs only managed to keep Jefferson out of the end zone once in its first eight possessions. Luckily for Chamberlain, the Cougars don't air out as often as the Dragons.

Three-year starting quarterback Je'Twan Smith doesn't have a lot of experienced supporting help and a Chiefs defensive unit led by linebacker Reshay Hubbard could expose that inexperience. Durant took advantage of several Gaither miscues in last week's Kickoff Classic victory and is ready to pounce if Chamberlain provides similar opportunities.

Chamberlain has mixed some spread into its almost exclusive wing-T offensive scheme to take advantage of a beefy offensive line and the versatility of quarterback Thadeus Baxley.

ALONSO (0-0) at BRANDON (0-0)

Both teams are coming off Kickoff Classic shutouts, with Alonso blanking Freedom, 29-0, and Brandon defeating Riverview, 27-0. And both teams are led by stout defenses and strong ground games.

Alonso's defense starts up front with Anthony Chickillo, a player the Ravens will move around, and caps off with another Division I prospect in the secondary, defensive back Tyree Clark. Brandon's led by defensive linemen Shawn Council and Cory Mustain.

Speedy Brandon Holloway pounds the rock for the Ravens, while Tyrell Garner should get the bulk of the carries for the Eagles. He led Brandon with 88 rushing yards, including a 39-yard touchdown run in only two quarters of action last Friday.

ST. PETE CATHOLIC (0-0) at BERKELEY PREP (0-0)

Berkeley opened its playoff season last year with a one-point victory against St. Pete Catholic.

The Barons staged a fourth-quarter rally where they scored 18 unanswered points, but a missed extra point was the difference. Berkeley Prep's focus this year is on "finishing the game" after several fourth quarter lapses last season.

The Buccaneers return the bulk of their starters from that team, including Division I prospect wideout/defensive back Nelson Agholor and quarterback Destin Nichols on offense and defensive linemen Reggie Barnes and Max Burke.