We continue our visitation notes from the spring with five teams exclusively from Hillsborough County giving you some insight to what we saw–and any of the story-lines that accompany them. We now give you our thoughts from Armwood, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Plant and Robinson–but stay tuned as the tour isn’t finished by a long-shot!
Armwood – As always–tough and scrappy–are the adjectives that immediately come to mind. They were in pads for the first time this spring when we there, which is sorta-kinda like a local holiday in our world. The roster is chocked full of young talent with guys like WR Warren Thompson (2018) and RB Brian Snead (2018) along with upperclassmen RB Erin Collins and QB Darrian McNeal. On the defensive side, Mekhi Lapointe’s ten interceptions last season weren’t a fluke. You (and we) can fully expect him to make another run at double-digit INT’s this fall. The Hawks are a part of the cluster that includes Strawberry Crest, Plant City and Tampa Bay Tech that will play at PC on the 19th.
Hillsborough – “I don’t think Hillsborough has ever had this much depth at the skill positions that I can ever remember. May not be the elite quality from top-to-bottom, but they have the depth and skill to have two starters at every skill position including going back to the days when I played and when I coached there.” You get one guess, and less than one-second to name that person we’ve quoted. That’s saying something given the fact that we already know about some of their defensive guys like Armand Chalk and Zachary Carter. Could be a big year for the Terriers, but first–a cluster with Freedom, Wharton and King awaits them on the 19th at King. 
Jefferson – Looked super fast out on the field in pads. They have a ton of speedy skill players–and players with size at that. The biggest question is no longer a question and that’s concerning Miami-comitt Cade Weldon. Although it appeared that he had put on a few pounds immediately following his injury–which is natural–Weldon has shed that weight and is slinging it around all over the damn place and looks fantastic in doing so. The Dragons are a part of the cluster with Robinson and Plant that will take place at Dad’s Stadium on the 19th.
Plant – Should they be deemed the high school version of Linebacker University? (Tease for next week) Well, things kinda appear that way and we can’t wait to get the full background on that topic–which is impressive to say the least. The linebackers are an obvious strength, but Head Coach Robert Wiener LOVES what he’s got at the skill positions with Juwan Burgess and Whop Philyor to name a couple. Judge Culpepper is obviously developing into bonafide power-five prospect at the tight end position, but watch him take on a double-team and you’re likely to have flashbacks of his father right before your eyes. Culpepper is an absolute monster right now on either side of the ball.
Robinson – The Knights went 5-5 last season and will have to replace Malik Tyson at the quarterback spot among others. Things could get interesting since there is definitely talent on their roster with their leading rusher Anfernee Alston and their leading tackler Eli Morris returning for their senior seasons among a few others. What makes it so interesting is that the talent not-named Alston and Morris lacks a little bit of experience and will be asked to make plays. Robinson plays Jefferson and Plant in their cluster next Thursday, the 19th.