Steinbrenner

At a glance

Coach: Andres Perez, 10th season

Class: 8A, District 11

Last season: 4-3, lost in region semifinals

Key players: MLB Colin Bernstein, Sr.; TE/MLB/OLB Keenan Cruz, Sr.; WR/CB Jayden Davis, WR Austin Kubel, Sr.; RB Kirby Vorhees, Jr.; 

Schedule

Aug. 27 at Hillsborough, 7:30

Sept. 3 vs. Tampa Bay Tech, 7:30

Sept. 10 at Newsome, 7:30

Sept. 17 vs. Sickles, 7:30

Sept. 24 at Armwood, 7:30

Oct. 1 at Alonso, 7:30

Oct. 8 vs. Gaither, 7:30

Oct. 15 at East Lake, 7:30

Oct. 22 vs. Chamberlain, 7:30

Oct. 29 vs. Palm Harbor University, 7:30

Nov. 5 Bye

Outlook

The Warriors are now a consistent playoff contender, especially after reaching the state semifinals in 2019 and the region semifinals last season. They also were one of five public schools in Hillsborough County to have a turf field installed this summer. Steinbrenner remained in 8A once the new classifications were done and are in a good position to keep their playoff streak intact considering they were the only team in 8A-11 to reach the region semifinals in 2020. Once the Warriors get to their district schedule, they will be battle-tested. Steinbrenner’s first three games are all against teams that reached the region final a year ago.  On offense, the Warriors will strive for balance. Kirby Vorhees, who had 438 yards rushing and eight touchdowns last season, will have an even bigger role in the backfield now that Deon Silas is a freshman at Iowa State. Jayden Davis (215 receiving yards, one touchdown last season) and Austin Kubel (149 yards, two touchdowns) are the top two returning targets in the passing game. Colin Bernstein, who was second on the team in tackles last season with 66, leads a solid group of linebackers.