Tampa Bay Playoff Contenders Series: Tampa Bay Tech
As we continue this series, we’re going to continue looking at Tampa Bay Area teams that are knocking on the door for the state playoffs. Some of these teams fell just short of making the playoffs and others are a constant participant, but with the ball bouncing the right way this year and improvement in key areas, these teams all have the potential to make the state playoffs in Florida.
Tampa Bay Tech is annually one of the top teams in Tampa Bay and is always a threat to make a run in the state playoffs. Every year they’re loaded with D-1 talent and are extremely well-coached by Head Coach Jayson Roberts and staff. Tech went 8-4 last year and lost by 7 points to State Powerhouse Lakeland in the playoffs. I believe without a doubt Tech will have a 10-win season this year with all the talent they have returning and specifically with an offense that averaged 30 points per game last year. Their offense is led by one of the best quarterbacks in the state in David Wright, and a loaded group of Division-1 skill players.
I reached out to Coach Roberts about the upcoming 2020 season and his outlook on his team. This is what he had to say:
“We feel we may have the most talented team from top to bottom depth-wise that we’ve ever had here at TBT in my 10 years as HC. We have David Wright returning for Sr year after throwing for 2,300 and 27 Tds last season. He has a duo of D1 WRs to throw to Greg Gaines c/o 22) 4 star with 20 plus power 5 offers and Jamari Gassett (University of Buffalo commit) may be the fastest player in the Bay. Armone Harris the slot WR is also back after posting 500 plus yards and 6 TDs last season as a Jr. This with the biggest Offensive line we had in years.
On defense we have 12 guys who could be starters in our front 7 anchored by DE Henry Hughes Henry Hughes 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL Tampa Bay Tech | 2021 FL (Rutgers commit) and LB Mathew Myles. The secondary has 2 D1 players at Safety Steven Parker (12 D1 offers) and c/o 23 Norris Davis has an offer from Penn state”.
THE TITANS DOSSIER
SCHOOL: Tampa Bay Tech
HEAD COACH: Jayson Roberts
2019 RECORD: 8-4
CLASSIFICATION: 7A District 8
TEAM COLORS: Navy, Red, White
Key players:
David Wright QB– Wright is one of the best quarterbacks in the state and threw for 2318 yds, 27 tds, and only 5 ints! Wright is very smart; he reads coverages well and is accurate delivering the ball; he could very well lead the state in passing yards this season.
Greg Gaines WR– Gaines is a c/o 22, 6’1-170lbs WR that is one of the best not only in the State of Florida but in the entire country. Last season he registered 39 rec 664 yds 8 tds. Gaines shows tremendous body control and high points the football with ease, he’s a natural hands catcher, good route runner, and also shows the ability to find the soft spots in zone coverages. The sky is the limit for him this season.
Jamari Gassett WR– Gassett is a transfer from Tampa Jefferson, he is a very smooth route runner getting in and out of his breaks. Gassett is very fast, but he knows how to use his speed when setting up routes, he splits defenders with ease and shows tremendous acceleration in the open field with the ball in his hands. Gassett hauled in 48 recs for 875 yds and 9 tds last season. He could double his receptions this season playing in Tech’s wide-open spread offense.
Henry Hughes Henry Hughes 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL Tampa Bay Tech | 2021 FL DE– as you can tell by his 6-6 frame Hughes was a basketball player, he uses his raw athleticism and length to make plays all over the field. He registered 3 sacks last year in 8 games; his first year playing varsity football. The sky’s the limit for this Rutgers recruit.
Matthew Myles LB– miles is 6-1 230lb and can play with his hand in the dirt or stand-up on the edge. He has a tremendous first step, shows good strength and can set the edge on run plays, and never quits on a play. He’s also very explosive, shows good closing speed, and that’s evident by the 6.5 sacks and 17 tackles-for-loss last year!
You Can Contact Shannon Jordan with a prospect or team information on Twitter @in_huddle or shannon.jordan.ib@gmail.com