Competition, interest are up

The coaches agree that just about everything has improved this season in Hillsborough County flag football, from the top to the bottom.

"To get an idea, look at how many teams that got beat pretty badly last year that have come back this year and given some of the better teams a run for their money," Plant coach Bo Puckett said. "The coaching has improved and the interest is up overall."

Puckett has seen a few times firsthand. Early in the season, Plant (6-1) had to come back in the final minutes to beat Alonso 20-14. Thursday, Plant had to get some last-minute heroics to beat Jefferson 7-6.

"Jefferson is a perfect example of a team that has improved dramatically," Puckett said. "And this is a great thing because it serves to only make every team better."

Some might balk at Jefferson's 3-4 record, but Puckett said look at how many teams the Dragons played close. And, he reminded, don't forget that Jefferson handed Chamberlain its only loss of the season, 19-13.

Other teams of noted improvement include Alonso, Armwood, Newsome, Hillsborough, Lennard and Gaither, all of whom have either beaten or given heavily favored teams a tussle.

East Bay, no passing fancy

They may have lost their quarterback from last year, Dasia Daniels, but the East Bay Indians have come back just fine, thanks in large part to freshman quarterback Stephanie Williams.

Williams, in fact, has thrown for more touchdowns this season (29) than all the quarterbacks combined for the three previous seasons.

"Williams throws it great in every way," Indians coach Michael Cooper said. "She can throw it about 40 yards and she throws very accurately."

In what might seem as an ironic twist, Williams - stepping in after Daniels decided to concentrate on offseason basketball - might be best known for her experience.

"She only is a freshman but she's played flag football in leagues for years and years," Cooper said. "She knows how to play the game."