[Times art: Jeff Goertzen]

Indian Rocks Christian Eagles face their typical situation
LARGO -- During preseason practices, it was a little difficult for Bill Nardozzi to see exactly how his first-team offense and defense fared against each other.

Three-year plan culminates in 2000 at East Lake
EAST LAKE -- After starting last season 5-1, East Lake lost three of its final four games, dropped out of playoff contention and finished 6-4, the same record it had the year before.

Dunedin continues rebuilding phase
DUNEDIN -- Mark Everett is the nostalgic type.

Countryside's optimism turns sour
CLEARWATER -- This was to have been the most brilliant autumn Countryside had known.

Unfamiliar players suit up for Dixie Hollins Rebels
ST. PETERSBURG -- Dixie Hollins fans might want to buy a program at the first few games this season. There have been many changes since the end of the 1999 season.

Clearwater Tornadoes want more out of playoffs
CLEARWATER -- The Tornadoes have made a habit of getting to the playoffs, going there every season since 1995, twice winning district titles.

It all starts at quarterback for CCC
CLEARWATER -- Last season's 6-4 record doesn't sound like a big accomplishment, but consider where Clearwater Central Catholic came from.

It's true! Farragut might contend
ST. PETERSBURG -- The story Admiral Farragut coach Mike Jalazo tells of a scheduling quirk speaks volumes of how far the program has come in his second year.

Boca Ciega coach finally has what he wants
GULFPORT -- If success begins in the trenches, as most coaches say, then Boca Ciega should have some success this season. The Pirates have five returners on the offensive line, and the average weight of the players is 250 pounds.

1999 season continues into 2000 for Tarpon Springs
TARPON SPRINGS -- Injuries. Inexperience. A brutal early-season schedule. All of those contributed to Tarpon Springs' 1-4 start last year.

Shorecrest Chargers look for return to normalcy
ST. PETERSBURG -- Death, taxes and Shorecrest making the playoffs were three things you could count on in recent years.

St. Petersburg Catholic Barons hope to speed by opponents
ST. PETERSBURG -- It would be easy to scratch St. Petersburg Catholic from the list of district title contenders solely on the grounds that Eric Jelks no longer is gaining yards on the ground.

Seminole Warhawks reload, eye district title
SEMINOLE -- Fullback Ryan Fowler signed with Duke, receiver/running back Loman Dorsey signed with Carson-Newman (Tenn.), and three offensive linemen graduated from Seminole's 1999 team. Yep, it sure looks as if the Warhawks could struggle on offense this season.

Odds stacked against St. Petersburg Green Devils
ST. PETERSBURG -- Their schedule is brutal. Their roster is dotted with underclassmen, and there is no true starting quarterback.

Pinellas Park: Bigger (at certain positions) is better
PINELLAS PARK -- Pinellas Park has a big fullback in 235-pound Anwar Jones, a big receiver in 6-foot-3 Solomon Johnson and a big quarterback in 6-1, 200-pound Gary Fiegel.

At Osceola, it's 'As the Teague Turns'
SEMINOLE -- Football is the ultimate team game, any coach will tell you.

Palm Harbor University Hurricanes undergo many changes
PALM HARBOR -- Mike June learned how to put a program together from one of the best. Rob Jenkins, the first coach of Palm Harbor University's nascent program, laid the foundation, and June watched as an assistant.

Players come and go, wins continue at Northeast
ST. PETERSBURG -- The running backs are different. So too are the receivers, a few linemen and, well, you get the picture.

Northside Mustangs' expectations remain high
ST. PETERSBURG -- Northside Christian coach Bob Dare is scanning his varsity roster when he makes a startling discovery.

Future Seminole set to play key role at Lakewood
ST. PETERSBURG -- Lakewood coach Brian Bruch wanted to two-platoon last season, so he rested two-way star Marcello Church on defense much of the time and used him just at running back.

Largo has a familiar look about it
LARGO -- While the prognostication game can be tricky, one thing can be confidently predicted of Largo: The Packers will look a lot like Clearwater.

Keswick Crusaders want to take next step
ST. PETERSBURG -- Keswick Christian enters its third season of varsity football with modest goals. The Crusaders would like to win their first district game, and if they can't do that, they'd at least like to be more competitive.

Hillsborough County
Things remain the same for Jesuit Tigers
Despite its youth, Jesuit once again should contend for the district championship.

Improved offense holds key to wins at Tampa Bay Tech
The defense helped the Titans improve last year. This year, they could pull off some upsets.

Gaither Cowboys have high expectations
Gaither won't be surprising anybody this season; not with Lydell Ross in the backfield.

Bigger is better at Temple Heights
The Eagles' roster has grown, leading to optimism that they can improve their record.

Chamberlain Chiefs' roster excites their coach
After an up-and-down 1999, Billy Turner believes his team has the potential for a good season.

It's a whole new game for Riverhills
And for some Falcons, that's literally true as the school enters its first year of 11-man football.

Berkeley Prep Bucs could finally return to playoffs
Berkeley Prep has enough veterans to make a run after a long drought.

East Bay Indians will run and run and run ...
Wouldn't you if you had three very capable running backs and a mobile quarterback?

Durant running backs will carry the load
The Cougars want a winning season, and the backfield will play a key role in achieving that.

Wharton Wildcats replace important cogs
Wharton lost 18 players from last year's team to graduation. Now it must reload.

Backfield makes Robinson Knights dangerous
Kwane Doster, Clark Green and a new-found depth could bring Robinson a district championship.

With star gone, King Lions stress unity
There is a lot new at King, including a stable of running backs to replace Fred Reid.

Riverview wants to keep improving
However, the Sharks must overcome a tough schedule and improve their defense to do so.

Tampa Catholic enters a new era
The Crusaders have undergone some changes. But coach John Diehl is optimistic.

Leto: 'We have a lot of talent to replace'
After consecutive playoff appearances, coach Andy Martin has another challenge.

Blake's rebirth remains on course
After winning four games -- including three in the district -- the Yellow Jackets are ready for the next step.

Jefferson has talent and coaching
The Dragons return several starters and have added some experienced assistants.

Brandon's schedule could hinder big season
Eagles coach Ernest Hayes says he likes the balance between young and veteran players.

Plant Panthers eye return to post-season
Coach Darlee Nelson wants his players to realize wins are more important than individual stats.

Pair of quarterbacks will lead Bloomingdale Bulls
Bloomingdale hopes to set a record for wins behind Quay Merida and Antoine Merrick.

Hillsborough Terriers might be better than in '99
After losing to the eventual state champs last year, this could be Hillsborough's year.

Goal No. 1 at Sickles: End the losing streak
Sickles enters the season without a win in its past 10 games, but it will get some help from a new quarterback.

Major talent resides at Armwood
An explosive offense and a solid defense could lead to the state title for the Hawks.

Pasco County
Recruiters focus on four from Pasco
Pasco County has had its jewels in recent years, from the Hambrick brothers to Ryan Pickett to Brett Cimorelli -- all four were heavily recruited and signed to Division I scholarships.

Could it be a streakless season in Pasco?
After the one letter we received following last year's wildly successful 20 questions, how could we not bring back what is now the longest running feature in Pasco County football tab history? This year, the Pasco Times has asked Leonardo DiCaprio to interview Pasco Sports Editor John C. Cotey about this upcoming season, despite protests from various news organizations that this would somehow undercut the public faith in the media. So after asking Mr. Cotey to lie down on a couch so he could sketch him, DiCaprio began:

Football is back
Shhh. Can you hear that?

Things that won't happen this season
In a perfect world ...

2nd place up for grabs
Land O'Lakes, after a 10-1 season in 1999, returns the district's best running back, offense and defense.

Coaches split duties at Zephyrhills
After a disappointing 0-10 season, coach Tom Fisher will guide the defense and has given control of the offense to Chris Bounnell.

'What ifs'' haunting Wesley Chapel
Making matters worse, the Wildcats will play the majority of their home games at Zephyrhills again this season.

River Ridge Knights ready to challenge for title
Led by a talented group of seniors, River Ridge is ready to battle through a tough district in order to win a championship.

It's time for Ridgewood Rams to turn the corner
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Now that the longest losing streak in school history is history, can Ridgewood finally turn the corner and build a winning program?

New players bring energy to Gulf Bucs
New players and new assistants have brought energy, competition and higher expectations to Gulf.

Second losing season not an option for Pasco
Pasco's success will depend heavily on rising star Joe Bain as the Pirates look to improve on last season's 4-6 record.

Jesuit again the favorite
Pasco County teams, lacking in depth and size, have an uphill battle to reach the playoffs.

If rivals are to meet it will be for a title
For the first time since 1990, conference champion Weightman will not meet rival Pine View in the regular season.

Pestana ready to carry Land O'Lakes Gators again
After posting a 10-1 record last season, Land O'Lakes returns experience and talent to almost every position -- except quarterback.

Pasco County Newcomers
PAUL CLAPSON -- RIVER RIDGE

Hudson eager to rekindle tradition
"We say around here that we're tired of being everybody's Homecoming game," Cobras quarterback Robby Mahler says.

Hernando County
10 questions for the 2000 season
1. WILL SPRINGSTEAD WIN A GAME?

Sneaking an early peak at unfamiliar opponents
So you know enough about Central, Hernando and Springstead. What about all these schools they're lining up against?

Central Bears have reason to be confident
Despite returning a small class of seniors, Central hopes to benefit from six home games and a little superstition.

Sophomore QB may be cornerstone for Hernando
After losing 25 seniors, sophomore Brad Wyatt will team with senior Dee Brown to help Hernando rebuild.

Losing forces Springstead's Vonada to search for answers
After reading books and talking with peers, the third-year Springstead coach has determined that preparation is the key.

Springstead Eagles trying to recover from 0-10
With experienced players returning at most positions, coach Bill Vonada is optimistic about Springstead's rebirth.

Confident Brown ready to lead Hernando Leopards
Dee Brown, the son of late NFL star Jerome Brown, will carry the load for Hernando as one of just two returning starters.

Citrus County
Madison never rests for Crystal River
With Nate Madison leading the Pirates offense and defense, Crystal River is favored to compete for another district title.

Staff Predictions
ORDER OF FINISH: 1.Crystal River 2.Central 3.Hernando 4.Citrus 5.Lecanto 6.Springstead

Madison never rests for Crystal River
With Nate Madison leading the Pirates offense and defense, Crystal River is favored to compete for another district title.

Three QBs, three unique personalities
Lecanto's Phil Reed is the dreamer, Citrus' Sam McLain is the thinker and Crystal River's Clayton Trenary is the gamer. All have different approaches to achieving the same goal: winning.

New coach, few changes for Pirates
Jere Defoor, longtime assistant to legend Earl Bramlett, takes over a talented Crystal River team.

Citrus depending on offensive line
The unit is the heaviest in the county and will be counted on to give skill position players time to develop.

Lecanto Panthers ready to play like believers
After 16 seasons of losing, Lecanto coach Dick Slack is preaching confidence to turn his players into winners.

Football Frankenstein
He's big. He's strong. He's fast. And we're ready to turn him loose.