Bishop Moore rattled off 13 straight wins last season before falling to eventual state champion Plantation American Heritage in the 5A semifinal, 20-17.
That loss has given the team a boost of confidence knowing now that they can play with the most elite teams in the state.
“It’s a confidence booster, discouraging to lose but to understand that we were that close and it is realistic to think that if you play really well you can have a good football team,” Hornets head coach Matt Hedrick said.
“You get some breaks, things go your way and there is an opportunity to get to the Citrus Bowl and play for a state championship –I think there are a lot of teams in the area that feel the same way.”
This year the team returns one of its strongest classes of all time.
“It’s better from top to bottom, we’ve had some really good teams,” Hedrick explained.
“The 06’ team was really talented, last year of course was really good and 2010 was a really good team. There have been a lot of great teams at Bishop Moore but this is the most talented in terms of the entire roster, we have a bunch of kids that are good.”
The Hornets are likely to start 11 seniors on defense including key returners in LB Sam Savard, LB Austin Anderson, LB Rodney Taylor and DB Rayshad Lewis.
But it’s the offensive line who steals the show returning five-start recruit and Notre Dame commit Parker Boudreaux, beside him Jonathon MacCollister, Bradley Alexander, Nick Welch and Tripp Cannon.
Senior QB Collin Hartmann will return under center for the Hornets.
Click on the video link to hear from coach Matt Hedrick and QB Collin Hartmann.