Patrick Burrows has a memory for life-changing moments. Like the time Hurricane Andrew moved he and his family south, leaving behind his friends he grew up with at Northwestern. He also recalled as a high school junior when his Killian football team played against a well-stocked Southridge team.

''It was like competing against a college football program,'' Burrows recalled. ``They were big, fast, stronger than anyone we went up against in the past and very, very talented. It was really not fair going against such a powerful team.''

Through the years, the Spartans would win football games, compete for championships and churn out players who went on to successful careers. Many were in awe as Southridge hit the ground running from the beginning and never looked back, earning state and national recognition within the first 10 years the school openned.

Talk about the storied Southridge past and the names come rolling off the top of your head. Roman Nelson, Harvey Reed, Todd Meiklejohn, Tony Smith, Patrick Young, Lamont Green, Sedrick Irvin, Robert Bailey, Winston Moss, Troy Davis, Darren Davis, Matt Word, Phillip Simpson, Talib Humphrey, Jameel Cook, Gana Joseph, Kevin Smith and so many others.

''They were so impressive,'' Burrows said. ``From the coaching to the players to the fans who cheered them on, there was no show like Southridge. They were worth the price of admission.''

TOP PROGRAM

If you talked about high school football in the 1980s and into the '90s, the conversation had to include a program that Jerry Hughes and Don Soldinger turned into one of the best in the nation. Forget Northwestern, Carol City, Central or any other power. The road to a state title went through Southridge.

While times have changed for this once impressive program, it's hard to believe that it's been nearly a decade since The 'Ridge has been a factor in the race for a state title. But that might be changing. Burrows comes over this spring from building Southwest from the ground up to bring back the glory days of this school.

''Honored to be a part of this program,'' said Burrows, who led the Eagles to their first district title last year. ``I really felt that my direction in life would take toward being a sports agent. No way I would have ever predicted that I would be coaching a program that had carved out such a solid reputation.''

With five appearances in the state title game and two trophies to show for the hard work and dedication, the Spartans have more than etched their mark in high school football lore in the state of Florida.

''What we did at Southwest was great,'' Burrows said with a smile. ``We took a program that was not used to winning and changed the atmosphere there. We want to bring that same atmosphere to the 'Ridge.''

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

The biggest difference between Southridge and Southwest is the expectations, not only of those that run the program, but many of the fans who were around for all that glory and all that success with Hughes, Soldinger and Mark Guandolo, who last led the Spartans to a state championship appearance 10 years ago.

''At Southridge, winning is very important, it brings the community together, it brings the students together,'' Burrows pointed out. ``That's what we seek to return. Many of these kids were 5 or 6 the last time this program had any real success. We have to show them that they can carve out their own niche.''

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