Plant City Raiders
2010 6-5 HC Wayne Ward District Runner-Up
2011 7-3 HC Wayne Ward
2012 4-6 HC Wayne Ward
The Plant City Raiders have literally “Turned Up.” The high paced practice had a small college feel. There was lots of movement, players sprinting from location to location, coaches involved and teammates holding each other accountable.
The offense was fast paced with a good mixture of the quick screen game and the intermediate route concepts. Landon Galloway and Rayquan Johnson are sharing repetitions at the quarterback spot, battling for the starting position. Both threw the ball extremely well at yesterday’s practice. Behind the QBs was rising sophomore Ervin Michael. Stands around 5 foot 6 inches, Michael is a shifty bowling ball. He has a similar running style to former Plant City RB, Daz Patterson.
The defense has a chance to be the strength of the team. An athletic defensive line with arguably the best defensive end combination in the Hillsborough County (John Broome and Sedrick King). The line backers are surprisingly athletic and showed good football instinct. In the secondary, Jy’Quis Thomas will play a big role. Able to play any position in the secondary, his experience and talent will be big for the young Raider defensive backfield.
SURPRISES
Hassan Bailey played a lot of running back yesterday and looked pretty good. Super strong athlete who ran well with the ball in his hands. Has played a number of defensive positions over the years and really thrived at LB last season for the Raiders. But due to depth chart issues, Bailey has taken reps at RB and will add an inside and outside runner to the RB group.
Sawyer Dawson, OLB did some really good things. Runs better than expected and more physical than he looks. Long 6-2/190 lbs frame looks good when pass dropping. Made several plays and sure tackles during the controlled scrimmage towards the end of practice.
WATCH HIM RISE
Tavares Chase is one of our top WR prospects, but will rise on others’ list with time. The 6-1/170 lbs rising sophomore WR is long and lean and catches the ball extremely well. Yesterday he showed crips route running during the scrimmage at the end of practice and also great hand eye coordination.