By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
As the 2007 prep season prepares to kick off, Tampa Bay area fans, players and coaches can look back at an unprecedented season last year.
Between the heroics of top-notch quarterbacks, area teams going deep into the state playoffs, unheralded rushers and a Tampa (city) team winning a state championship for the first time since the 1960's, 2006 was quite a
season.
And a tough one to repeat.
So as teams prepare to forge their own identities, here's a look at how they'll do it.
At Tampa Plant and Tampa Jefferson, replacing stellar quarterbacks is the theme of the fall. In Aaron Murray, Plant may have more than an adequate replacement for Robert Marve, now at the University of Miami. Murray's preseason game against Tampa Wharton (266 yards passing with five touchdowns and two more rushing in a 63-14 rout) can attest to that.
At Jefferson, Zack Grossi steps in for Stephen Garcia, who signed with the University of South Carolina. Grossi threw for 200 yards and two scores in the Dragons' 26-13 preseason victory against Titusville Astronaut.
Standout rushers abound: In Riverview's Jahleel Addae, Tampa Gaither's Jarvis Giles, New Port Richey's Byronell Arline, Tampa Hillsborough's tandem of Lindsey Lamar and Iziah Wyche, Gibsonton East Bay's Chaz Burrows and Largo's Brynn Harvey, the area is dotted with exciting ball carriers.
Plant's attempt to repeat: The Panthers went 14-0 in 2006 and defeated Ponte Vedra Beach Nease 25-21 to win the Class 4A state title. Coach Bob Weiner's squad has plenty of offensive weapons back in the fold and a solid defense.
More contenders: Seffner Armwood in loaded as usual. In fact, the Hawks (who won state titles in 2003 and 2004) have been mentioned among the Top 50 prep programs on numerous lists this summer. We'll find out just how good they are on opening night when they host defending 4A state champs Plant. Jefferson and Hillsborough are also capable of making state title runs.
New programs: As the Tampa Bay area continues to grow, new schools keep joining the ranks. This season's new varsity teams include Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Ranch and Land O'Lakes Sunlake in Pasco County just north of Tampa and Riverview Spoto and Lithia Lennard east of Tampa.
So with summer camps done and the pre-season kickoff classics completed, here is the Tampa Bay pre-season Top 10:
1) TAMPA PLANT - Panthers have more than enough to figure in the state title
chase again.
2) SEFFNER ARMWOOD - Loaded Hawks aim for 2003-2004 back-to-back state
championship form.
3) TAMPA JEFFERSON - Graduated QB Stephen Garcia but have replacement set in
Zack Grossi and plenty around him.
4) TAMPA WHARTON - Waxed by Plant in preseason but the Wildcats still yield
a potent defense.
5) TAMPA HILLSBOROUGH - Terriers are consistently among the best in the
Tampa Bay area.
6) RIVERVIEW - Tailback Jahleel Addae alone makes the Sharks a threat.
7) TAMPA GAITHER - Running back Jarvis Giles and a standout defense will
keep Gaither in the playoff hunt.
8) LAND O'LAKES - Coach John Benedetto's squad is returning several key
players.
9) LARGO - RB Brynn Harvey may be the best running back in Pinellas County.
10) CHAMBERLAIN - The Chiefs return a Hillsborough County-high 18 starters
to its experienced lineup.
Honorable mention: Tampa Jesuit, Tampa Middleton, Dunedin, Clearwater
Countryside.