As seniors depart, area teams look to fill roster holes headed into 2012
By Jeff Odom / BCP Staff Writer

After plenty of Hillsborough County teams experienced success in 2011, it may not be so easy next year with the loss of impact seniors.

Here are five teams that have questions surrounding themselves and could have more roster holes than Swiss cheese to fill entering the spring practices and the 2012 season.

 

Armwood

Key Departures: Eric Striker, Matt Jones, Derrick McClendon, Cody Waldrop, Cameron Dees

It’s hard to imagine a powerhouse like Armwood having to retweek and retune its lineup, but the loss of offensive lineman Cody Waldrop and defensive back Eric Striker are tough shoes to fill. But the Hawks have defensive depth all around including on the junior varsity side, which, unless the FHSAA hammers them with violations, should keep them in the hunt for another state title next year.

 

Plant

Key Departures: James Few, Grant Van Aman, Erick Juarez, Tate Rogers, Patrick Wright, Maronte Gilbert, Tommy Hankin, Michael Dvornik

The Panthers have more gaps than 2010, when they lost Phillip Ely to graduation. However, the success and dominance that kept Plant successful as ever this season can be credited to its defense and rocket-armed QB, James Few. Head Coach Robert Weiner will be forced to groom a new quarterback for the third time in as many seasons, but I still don’t see a major change as far as wins and losses are concerned. After all, it is Plant.

 

Jesuit

Key Departures: Tommy Eveld, Aaron Paulsen, Bryce Walker, Issac Edwards, Robert Gibbons, Evan Young

The Tigers’ main issue will lie with the quarterback position. After both Eveld and Paulsen leave, Head Coach James Herrell will have to turn the ball over to unproven sophomore Issac Holder which may take time to make work. But after a year in the system, including guidance from Eveld, it should pan out the way Jesuit wants it to.

 

Steinbrenner

Key Departures: Zach Jones, Danny Fernandez, Alex Vega, Andrew Feldhaus, Tyler Hampton, AJ Brown, Zack Boryla

The young Warriors made huge strides to contend for Class 7A-District 7, and they can thank their second ever graduating class for the best record in school history in 2011. However, the loss of most of Steinbrenner’s offensive line could cause headaches for a team that relies heavily on the rushing attack.

 

Gaither

Key Departures: Josh Scarberry, Eddie Pastrana, Carlos Perello, Tyler McCollum, Mikail Reece, Joey Brabham

The Cowboys achieved more than most thought was possible under newly hired coach Jason Stokes. While quarterbacks Shug Oyegunle and Alex McGough are returning for their senior seasons, the defensive playmakers that guided this team to the third round of the Class 7A playoffs. The loss of Pastrana, a state record holder with five interceptions in one game against Steinbrenner this year, McCollum, a great linebacker with a huge presence on the field and of course Scarberry, my pick for one of the top three in North Hillsborough, will be greatly missed and could possibly put Gaither in a reverse position temporarily.

Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter @JeffOLutzNews