Top 10 Games Around
1. #16 Kathleen (2-0) at #5 Lake Gibson (2-0) – Game of the Week for BCP! Lake Gibson has been a very consistent program since head coach, Keith DeMeyer’s tenure. Down, the street, coach Irvin Strickland has been building one block at a time at defeated both Lake Gibson and Lakeland last year. This contest will stand on some controversy from a massive 5 OT game just a year ago when several Lake Gibson fans said the win last year should not have counted because Kathleen had 12 men on the field during Lake Gibson’s final possession and the officials missed it. If true, I’m sure that 12-man defense was not by design. Some extra fuel on the fire as Kathleen relishes the underdog role and Lake Gibson plays best when they are the aggressor. Kathleen is posting nearly 26 point per game while the Braves are at 36 points. The Red Devils are coming off a big win on the road in Oakland, FL defeating Northeast 20-14. Lake Gibson will play at home for the first time this season after outscoring their first two opponents 71-17.
2. #12 Hillsborough (1-0) at #3 Armwood (2-0) – These two teams, coaches and players are very familiar with each other. Hillsborough has struggled to defeat Armwood since 2005. But they did top the Hawks in 2012, Armwood winning in 2013. Both teams enter this game after a tough contest a week before. Hillsborough posted 33 points against Jefferson and Armwood is averaging 37 points. Armwood has been great on the ground averaging 254 yards per game and Hillsborough has been very balanced offensively.
3. Gaither (2-0) at #7 Plant (1-1) – Cowboy fans are excited about their 2014 team and they should be. Gaither has been able to run the ball this season and have a few more dynamic players than years past. Cowboys are averaging 212 yards per game on the ground and 43 yards per game through the air. This Plant team is likely to take the road as past Panther teams and progressively improve as the season grows and be a force at the end of the season.
4. #4 Clearwater Central Catholic (2-0) at Jesuit (2-0) – Jeff Smith Jr. is playing big time football. In two games he is averaging 159 yards passing and 87 yards rushing. Jesuit’s Malik Davis is having a monster sophomore year averaging just over 160 total yards per game this season. CCC has yet to be challenged and Jesuit is putting the pieces together to be a playoff threat. Both teams boast a solid defense, CCC with a dynamic offense and Jesuit wants to push teams around. This game could be really good.
5. #11 Durant (1-1) at #6 Tampa Bay Tech (1-0) – The Titans punched their way out the corner versus a scrappy Newsome team. Durant is coming off a win versus Sickles and an early battle with Armwood. Both teams rely on the defense to create favorable field position. Tampa Bay Tech is much more balanced offensively and Durant likes their yards to come from the ground. Durant RB Chrispian Atkins ran for 104 yards versus Armwood and 130 yards versus Sickles. Two of the better defenses in the county. Deon Cain is Tampa Bay Tech’s primary ball carrier. Versus Newsome, Cain carried the ball 14 times for 86 yards and scored twice on the ground.
6. Zephyrhills (2-0) at Mitchell (2-0)
7. Freedom (2-0) at Wharton (0-2)
8. Lakewood (1-1) at St. Petersburg (2-0)
9. Mainland (Daytona Beach, FL 2-0) at #8 Lake Wales (2-0)
10. Newsome (0-2) at #14 Sickles (1-1)