Football Preview: Hillsborough High

plays one of the hardest schedules in the county when it comes to football, but last year that didn't stop the Terriers from attaining success.

With schools like Armwood, Plant and Jefferson on the schedule, the Terriers play against teams that compete for state titles rather than pushovers. Oftentimes, the Terriers are outsized by teams that garner the best athletes in the county, something head coach Earl Garcia has had to deal with for years.

"The one area where we are untried and untested is on the offensive line where we'll often be outweighed," Garcia said. "What we have to do is be effective passing the ball so that our play action is effective and we need to get the ball to our play makers in different ways like screens and draws. Coaches tend to focus on what they don't have, we just have to be tricky with what we do have."

Thus far, Garcia has been pleased with his young  team's preseason workouts. Only six seniors are starting. Throughout spring football and summer workouts, Hillsborough has avoided injuries giving them a full squad as they headed into their first practice with pads on Thursday.

"We actually start practice today if you ask me cause we're finally in pads," Garcia said. "Our next goal is to get fundamentally sound and get to the first game with a full roster. I've been very happy with the attitude of the kids thus far."

Garcia revamped the offensive side of his coaching staff after last season and has spent a fair amount of time this summer getting to know his new staff.

"It's just a matter of spending time together," Garcia said. "I hired these guys because they know football and they're all good guys. We're doing some things offensively to help us use our weapons. Last year was the only year I haven't called the plays but I'm going to get back to that role, which I'm looking forward to."

Last year, the Terriers had problems at the quarterback position where Garcia was forced to deploy his best wide receiver. But this year, sophomore Jeremy Agrinzonis has spent the offseason polishing his skills preparing to take the starting job.

If he fails, the Terriers also have an option in the form of an upcoming freshman, a type of depth Garcia hasn't been used to. Either way, new quarterback coach Max Warner has been charged with the task of straightening out Hillsborough's issues at the position.

"If we can't throw the ball for 1,500 yards this season we'll be in trouble," Garcia said. "We're working with the quarterbacks on plays where they get out of the pocket because of the concerns with our line. We hope we've addressed our issues with the quarterback position but there is a world of difference between seven-on-seven in practice and doing it in front of 5,000 people on Friday night, so we'll see."

Two players that will play crucial roles in the Terrier system this season are Jeremiah Green and Anthony Brown. Both spent their springs collecting accolades as part of Hillsborough's track team and both will make the transition from playing only defense to being play makers on both sides of the ball.

"My main concern with those guys is making sure they get rest on offense," Garcia said. "My priority is still defense first, special teams second and offense third. Last year we won without a real quarterback by playing defense, taking care of the ball and having a positive turnover ratio. If we can do that again, we're going to be tough to beat."