For years, the Southwest High School football team was one of several underperforming programs in Miami-Dade County. Six years ago, Patrick Burrows took over the Eagles and rebuilt them into playoff contenders.

This year, Burrows undergoes a new challenge in his coaching career -- trying to turn Southridge High School into the champion it once was. In one of several off-season coaching changes, Burrows jumped from Westchester to South Miami-Dade, where the Spartans have an established program that consistently has been able to find quality talent.

``At Southridge -- talent wise -- I don't have to start from square one,'' Burrows said. ``The expectation level is a lot higher.''

Southridge, which was the class of Dade County in the '80's and '90's, has struggled in recent years and has not played for a state championship in 10 years.

Last season, the Spartans went a disappointing 3-6 and have gone a combined 6-13 since 2007. The last time Southridge made a significant push into the post-season was in 2006, under former coach Rodney Hunter. That year, the Spartans went 10-2 and eventually lost the regional semifinal to Miami Central.

REBUILDING

When Burrows took over at Southwest, the football program was in complete disarray and the team was consistently at the bottom of its district. After several rebuilding years, Southwest narrowly missed a post-season spot in 2007. The following season, Burrows led the Eagles to the schools' first district title.

``Through the help of my assistant coaches, we were able to teach those kids how to become winners,'' he said.

Burrows credits his former coaching staff with helping change a ``culture of losing'' that he says was hanging over the Southwest program.

He will have considerably more talent at Southridge to cushion the transition, but he insists he will continue his same coaching style that brought success to the Eagles.

``At Southwest, I always had to pay close attention to details. I carry that same approach to Southridge,'' Burrows said. ``I teach everything from the easiest to the most difficult.''

SENIOR TALENT

This season Southridge returns 15 senior starters and has some of Miami-Dade's rising stars on its roster, including linebacker Ralph Williams. Williams, who transferred from Gulliver Prep, is considered one of the most versatile players in the county and is ranked 21 on the Miami Herald's Preseason Top 25. While at Gulliver, Williams had a break-out season, recording 81 tackles with 18 sacks. At 6-2 and 210-pounds, he is a much sought-after recruit who has already given a verbal commitment to Tennessee. He is expected to sign with the Vols in the spring.

But Williams is not the only defender Burrows is expecting a big year from. Senior nose tackle Carl Waters was described by Burrows as one of the senior leaders.

``He's the anchor of our defense and comes to work every day,'' Burrows said of Waters. ``He never complains and has a good attitude.''

In the defensive backfield, Burrows expects seniors Andrew Johnson (free safety) and Philip Warren (strong safety/linebacker) to ``fly to the ball.''

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