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Brandon: Spring football capsule

By Keith Niebuhr, Times staff writer
In print: Tuesday, May 13, 2008

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Around the county in 30 days

A daily spring preview of every football program in Hillsborough County.

Brandon

Coach: John Lima (third season, 10-12)

Last season: 7-4 (lost in first round of Class 5A playoffs to Lakeland)

District: Class 5A-7 (Bloomingdale, East Bay, Newsome, Plant City)

Key losses: LB Wale Agbede; RB/LB Samir Baker; QB Tracy Burr; WR Jeremy Tillman; DL Westly Williams.

Who's back: OL Chaz Austin, Sr.; TB/DB DeAndre Bowers, Sr.; TB/LB Jarquez Bradshaw, Sr.; OL Danny Gonzalez, Sr.; OL Ben Harrison, Sr.; WR/DB Dominique Lee, Sr.; WR/DB Sean Watson, Jr.

What's new: Just about every face at the Eagles' skill positions. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Yes, Brandon had tons of talent at those spots in 2007, but Lima said the players who are set to take their places, many of whom were on the junior varsity last fall, have enormous ability. In fact, he said they could end up being better than the group before them, which is saying quite a bit. Quarterback Dillion Lassiter is one player to watch. Much like his predecessor (Burr), Lassiter is a genuine dual threat under center who not only is a solid runner, but has a strong arm. If Lima has a major concern right now, it isn't talent; it's classwork. "We've got the talent to do even better," he said. "Our current freshmen and sophomores are very talented, but they need to work on their grades."

Audible: "Our No. 1 goal is to practice like a championship program. Each year, the kids have gotten a little more dedicated and focused. They need to take another step to be able to win that first-round playoff game and move on." — Lima.

Did you know?: Brandon has reached the playoffs three straight seasons. That's a program first.

Spring game

May 22 vs.

Bloomingdale

2008 schedule

Aug. 29 at Sickles

Sept. 5 at

Middleton

Sept. 12 vs. King

Sept. 19 vs.

Armwood

Sept. 26 at

East Bay

Oct. 3 at Durant

Oct. 10 at

Newsome

Oct. 16 vs. Blake

Oct. 31 vs.

Bloomingdale

Nov. 07 vs.

Plant City

Nov. 14 at

Riverview

Keith Niebuhr,

Times staff writer