Stevens: Apex should take Tri-8

The Tri-Eight Conference seemed to be in Athens Drive's control last year, that is until a late-season hiccup against Middle Creek. The conference ended up in a 3-way tie between the Jaguars, the Mustangs, and Fuquay-Varina.

This year, I don't think there will be a very dominant team, but my favorite to win it is Apex.

Apex returns their starting quarterback Houston Hawley, a player with three years of varsity experience. Last year, Hawley went 162 of 331 passing for 1,742 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Cougars had a 6-6 season in 2007, and that was with an injured Kevin Fogg.

Fogg will likely prove to be one of the top five running backs in the Triangle. The rising senior should have a big year in 2008, especially in conference play because the Tri-Eight will not have the best defensive teams in the area.

This year's Apex team will probably be on the most athletic teams Bob Wolfe has had some time. Wolfe, known for his running game, is expected to run a spread offense in the fall, which will help open things up tremendously. How Fogg performs in the open field in a spread offense will probably depend on how well the receivers play with Hawley.

All-Conference tight end Rob Fronk will return in the fall, as will wide receiver Brandon Carr, and one of those players will probably lead the Cougars in receptions.

The Cougars will have to replace several offensive linemen and defensive backs, but center Will Soares, a starter in 2007, will be back in the fall.

Speed will be a huge advantage for Apex. The Cougars have a number of players who have recorded forty times under 4.5 seconds, and they had success in the spring in track.

The not so usual role players

It has been several years since the Green Hope Falcons have had an impact in the Tri-Eight standings, but this year they could leave a mark.

The conference will be somewhat watered down this year, and if the Falcons could pull off an upset or two, they could drastically change the layout of the conference standings.

The Falcons' biggest problem over the last few years has been the inconsistencies at quarterback and wide receiver. After an impressive group of seniors led the Falcons to the Eastern Regional Final in 2004, the Falcons have not had a consistent offense.

This year, coach Steve Katz will have two options at quarterback: senior Marcus Varsano, a team captain, or sophomore Kameron Bryant. Katz brought Bryant up from junior varsity last year - his freshman year - after Varsano suffered an injury. Bryant started four games and played in six.

You will also see a good bunch of wide receivers, led by last year's leading receiver Matt Burke. Bryce Palmer will also return as a capable wide receiver, as will Aaron Womack. The Falcons also have the tight end position covered with Jake Trimble, a 6-foot-3 senior.

I think you'll see a much improved Green Hope team this year capable of winning a few games in the conference. Green Hope almost pulled off upsets over Apex and Athens Drive late last season, and they will be a bit stronger and more experienced this season.

The Falcons' biggest weakness will be their overall team speed. According to Katz, the Falcons are faster this season than last, but they still have some work to do.

Last year's top team will have some changes

As I said, Athens Drive was the best team in the Tri-Eight Conference last season, but this year coach Jeff Smouse may have some work to do. What do the Jaguars do without quarterback Nick DeMuro and wide receiver T.J. Kornegay? Well, they replace them.

DeMuro was one of the top quarterbacks in the Triangle area for the past two years, putting up impressive numbers, but Ross Snotherly will have to fill his shoes in 2008.

Snotherly is a senior this year, but being behind DeMuro, he didn't see much playing time in 2007. His sophomore year, Snotherly threw for 54 touchdown passes on the junior varsity team, meaning he had some receivers to throw to.

Three starting wide receivers return for the Jags this season, including four-year varsity starter Phillip Barren. The 5-foot-9, lightning fast wide receiver runs a 4.33 on the forty yard dash, and last season, even with star wide receiver Kornegay, he caught 71 passes for 1,172 yards and 12 touchdowns. Barren has been named to the All-Conference team every year he has been at Athens Drive.

The Jags also return seven players on defense, and they should have a better defense than they did last season. We saw the defense improve a lot over the course of the season, but with experience returning, I think they'll have the best defense in the Tri-Eight this year.

Some others?

Watch out for Middle Creek. The Mustangs will have a big hole to fill at the quarterback position, and they're also going to lose some other skill positions, but they showed some promise last year, tying for the conference title.

Over the last few years, the big men along the line have gotten faster, stronger, and overall - better. That will be a key for whoever the Mustangs put under center, and of course, whoever runs the ball.

Fuquay-Varina also could be dangerous yet again this season, although they lose almost their entire defense, as well as their head coach. Ryan Habich will replace coach David Riggs, and it is unlikely we will see many changes at Fuquay, at least as far as schemes go.

The Bengals have a good, solid foundation on the offensive side of the ball, though. Fuquay returns nine starters on offense, and that will be the strong part of their game in 2008

I'm really interested to see Cary and Lee County. I've been told Cary is having a hard time getting players to come out, but last season they were competitive with the top team in the area - Leesville Road. I think the Imps will probably use their non-conference schedule this season to prepare themselves for a dog fight in the Tri-Eight. Like I have said, the Tri-Eight will be pretty evenly matched this season.

Food for thought

Apex has never beaten Middle Creek at the varsity level in football. The Apex vs. Middle Creek game could be the conference championship game!

Nick's Projections

Apex
Middle Creek
Fuquay-Varina
Athens Drive
Cary
Green Hope
Lee County
Panther Creek