When you win your first 14 games in your first season as head coach, you've set the bar pretty high for yourself and your team. Hillsboro's Scott Blade did just that with the Burros in 2006, his first as top dog after moving from California to replace Ron Aydelott last summer.
Although the Burros fell to a great Maryville team 35-10 in the state finals, Blade has set the mark high. There is only one way to do better in his second season, and that would be to lead his team to its second Class 4A state football championship. Consider that a very real possibility.
There is no question that Hillsboro has great talent. The Burros return the region's top quarterback, running back, and the top two receivers. Yes there were some losses across the line, but expect little drop off in performance upfront on either side of the ball. The line doesn't have to be great this year, because the skill position players are tremendous.
QB Matt Arent threw for 2500 yards and almost 30 touchdowns. He's 6-3, 215 lbs. and should know Coach Blade's offense even better with a season under his belt. All-everything running back Jacquese Seward may the most talented offensive player in the state. Seward ran for almost 2200 yards and scored 31 touchdowns on the ground last season, while catching 33 passes for over 500 yards and six scores.
Demtrous Garrett and Eric Gordon combined for 80 catches for 1400 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, and both should also enjoy a better feel for the spread offense. Every offensive player should be better in their second season in a new offense. Blade's spread formations depend on quick timeing patterns and the deceptively quick Seward picking holes through a spread-out defense.
Then there is the defense, which is the earmark of one of the best programs in the state this decade. With Gordon anchoring the defensive backfield, you can bet not many teams will successfully execute big plays in the passing game again Hillsboro.
The schedule is tough, with the Burros traveling to Whites Creek, Tullahoma, and Maplewood. The non-region slate is loaded, with Franklin coming in for Week 0 and a trip to MBA planned in Week 3. A loss in either of those games, and I think they are the only two teams with a chance to beat Hillsboro this year, won't mean a thing when the playoffs role around.
It is Region54a.com's prediction that Hillsboro will roll through the region and playoffs like it has four of the last six years, with a trip to the state finals the end result. The real potential for a state championship is within the Burros' sights in 2007.
