How wide open is the 6A-8 district? After Armwood, the runner up spot is up for grabs. Neither team looks like a solid pick after week two. They more so show flashes of greatness and signs of vulnerabilities. The drama will surely unfold in a few weeks when district play commences.
Armwood 2-0
Solid district winner projection
Hillsborough 1-1
The loss to Plant is not bad, but it’s how the Terriers lost which puts them in the pool with the rest of the 6A-8 (excluding Armwood) instead of outside the pool as the favorite for the runner-up spot. The Terriers are accustomed to playing in the post season and the goal has not veered. But, a lack of offensive productive will hinder their chances of defeating the district competition. Only producing 20 yards of second half offense last Friday, does not scream playoff dominance. After a disappointing loss to Plant, the Terriers will need to rebuild their armor of pride to fend off the teams clawing for the same playoff spot.
Jefferson 1-1
Positive: Jefferson has played two playoff caliber teams in their 1st two contests. Losing to a skillful Robinson team and fighting blow for blow with “Rocky [The movie]” of the Hillsborough County (Newsome), has hopefully built character in the Dragon locker room. The speed bumps should bring the team closer before they start district play. Can they defend the high powered air attack of Armwood or King? Can they stuff the run game of Hillsborough or Sickles? For the Dragon’s sake, let’s hope so. But, the Dragons must decrease the points allowed as a team, which currently is a 29.5 per game average. That is far too many points to allow the majority of the teams in this district and expect to win the game.
King 1-1
Are the Lions the team we thought they were? Only time will tell, but allowing a Titan team to post 35 points and consistently having your D1 quarterback hurried, hit and sacked, screams out that King has to clean up some protections issues and or balance out the run/pass attack. The strength of the Lion team is QB, Greg Windham carving up the defensive back 7. Armwood, Hillsborough, Sickles and Jefferson all possess a relentless pass rush. King cannot afford for those teams to “T-off” on their QB if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Leto 0-2
A positive start for Leto this year. Scoring 3 points for the current season, considering the Falcons were scoreless until game 7 of the 2010 season; finishing with 13 points on the year. Leto is arguably the hardest coaching job in Hillsborough County. A school that has not seen an above .500 season since 1999 (8-4). Will the Falcons be a playoff contender this year? Anything is possible, but the Falcons have a hard wall to bust through in order play 11 games this year.
Sickles 2-0
The Gryphons seem to be playing with a chip on their shoulder; “Us against the world” attitude. When the districts were first released, Armwood was a lock for the #1 spot and then a tossup for district runner up. However, Sickles was not one of those teams mentioned. Since the season started, head coach, Brian Turner’s Gryphons are 2-0 defeating an improving Steinbrenner squad and talented, but wounded Wharton team. The Gryphons are going to have to prove to the “naysayers” that they can beat the better teams in the county in order to gain respect from the competition.
Strawberry Crest 0-2
Tough start to the season for what seemed to be a program on the rise. But, starting the 2011 season has been rough. The Chargers have given up 109 points in 2 games, 54.5 points per game average, while only mustering 12 points of their own in those two contests combined. Injuries have plagued the Chargers. Starters such as QB, Trey Vandergrift and WR, Karel Hamilton have hampered the Charger offensive production. In a district that has 4 playoff teams from 2010, Strawberry Crest is fighting a steep uphill battle.