The pre-summer heat has started to bake Richmond County, the afternoon thunderstorms pop up unexpectedly as they always do this time of the year, and the sound of whistles can be heard coming from the high school practice gridirons.

That can only mean one thing.        

Football season is right around the corner.   

While the Raiders were knocked out of the playoffs last year in the third round by Independence, Richmond head coach Paul Hoggard is looking to improve on that showing this season and bring home a state championship.

“We have returned a group of core players on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. The defensive line and the line backers are another year older and more seasoned players within our system,” Hoggard said.

That will be the key to this season for the Raiders. With the departure through graduation of running back Labarrian Jones, and quarterback Tedarrius Wiley, the Raiders will look to fill those two key offensive skill positions with returning senior QB Laron Ellerbe and senior running back Walter Ellerbe Jr.

While the challenge is there, Hoggard feels the Raiders’ quarterback and running back play will be strong.

LaRon Ellerbe got a taste of varsity competition last season when he filled in for an injured Wiley during the playoffs. Ellerbe is a strong runner, but Hoggard said there are no plans to revamp the offense.

“We’ll stick with the same system we have always used,” Hoggard said. “LaRon did really well in the three games he started last year.”

The third-round elimination by Independence will be a motivating factor as the Raiders prepare for 2010. With eight state championships, the Raiders have quite an established tradition, and both the returning players as well as the newcomers coming up from the J.V. are anxious to hit the field and put their own unique stamp on the storied local program.

Spring football represents their first chance to lay the groundwork for that.

“Spring practices help us get down to the simplest elements of football. They bring us back to the basics,” Hoggard said.

The Raiders will begin summer drills June 22, with practices scheduled every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The Raiders will start in the weight room from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and then go through their 7-on-7 drills Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m.

Contact sports reporter Travis Anderson at 997-3111 or via e-mail at tanderson@yourdailyjournal.com