What to watch for in Hillsborough tonight

With a full slate of preseason games tonight involving Hillsborough County football teams, here are 10 things to watch:

• Plant's new additions: In QB Aaron Murray, we know Plant has a good one. But what about the team's other offensive players? Several talented skill players transferred in, but how will all the pieces come together on the field against Wharton?
• Will Freedom ring?: The Patriots went 1-9 in coach Marquel Blackwell's first season, but the coach is confident Freedom will show great improvement. Will the turnaround start tonight against Zephyrhills?
• Chamberlain's chemistry: Like Plant, Chamberlain, which plays Jesuit, has several newcomers via transfer. Even before these players arrived, the Chiefs had the talent to compete for a state championship. How much better are they now?
• The Wharton 'D': Against Plant, Wharton will have a chance to show what it's got. The Wildcats  defense, led by safety Jairus Jones, expects to be good, but will the group have any success against Murray and Co.?
• Jefferson's super sophs: Will the team's talented 10th-graders be as good as advertised? Led by quarterback Quentin Williams, the Dragons play always tough Titusville Astronaut, which will give them a great measuring stick.
• The new Armwood 'O': Because the Hawks are loaded at the skill positions, they implemented an offense during the offseason intended to get the ball into the hands of their playmakers. Will this system be as fruitful as the triple option was for the Hawks?
• The new guys: Several programs have first-year coaches. Some enter good situations. Some enter difficult ones. Keep an eye on Dale Caparaso at Spoto, a school many believe has the potential for big things.
• Offensive woes nevermore: Alonso's offense wasn't very good last fall. After a solid spring, expectations have risen. Will that success carry over into the fall?
• Back attack: The county is blessed to have several great running backs. Gaither's Jarvis Giles, a Tennessee commit, has gotten a lot of pub (and deservedly so), but another senior is worth watching -- Hillsborough's Lindsey Lamar, who is very talented -- and very fast.
• Emerging sleepers: Who will surprise this fall? Our suggestion: Watch out for Jesuit, which has at least two Division I-A prospects in its senior class and a favorable schedule. The Tigers have the unenviable task of facing Chamberlain tonight.

--KEITH NIEBUHR