Teams:
Freedom
Gaither
Leto
Plant
Sickles
Wiregrass Ranch
Wharton

So, it’s Plant and?
Regardless of the season-ending injury sustained by QB Rex Culpepper, the Panthers are in pretty good shape because of their playmakers on offense that surround him in addition to a fantastic defense that will help win many games for Plant this season. Take your pick as to who will finish second in this district, though. Freedom, Gaither, Sickles, Wharton and Wiregrass all have the ability to take turns harassing each other this season. The Cowboys went 7-3 last season and if they can find a way to control the ball on offense without mistakes, they’ve got enough defense to have them there while Wharton returns 14 starters on a team that went 4-6 and will be ready to roll. Sickles went 8-4, but graduate many of the ballers that helped them reach that mark yet will still be able to do some damage with a healthy Chris Oladokun at quarterback. Wiregrass will be one of “those teams” that’s got enough talent to cause concern for the teams in this district and with them being so young they could be a nuisance in this group for some years to come. Although Leto is in this group and they are working their butts off this offseason, it’s hard to envision them making a playoff push this season.

Save the date(s)…
First one is Gaither at Wharton on September 18th. These two teams have met in the preseason in recent years, but the last time they played in the regular season was 2010 when Wharton defeated the Cowboys 10-0. This series is tied at 3-3 over the last decade. Then there’s the rivalry games of Freedom-Wharton and Gaither-Sickles the following week that should be highly-contested games. October 9th should produce this district’ finest moments and provide some clarity heading into the final push for the postseason, however. That week, Freedom travels to Gaither, Sickles travels to Plant, and Wharton heads up the street into Pasco to take on Wiregrass Ranch. All three of these games should have significant playoff implications moving forward.

New Tampa, old hate..(and results?)…
If the Patriots and Head Coach Todd Donohoe are going to get to the postseason, it’s likely to hinge on a couple of match-ups with their rivalry against Wharton playing a prominent role. This season Freedom will host the Wildcats and Wharton’s 4-game consecutive winning streak will be put to the test. The Pats have beef up front and must start fast against Wharton or else they’ll be faced with seeing the Wildcats’ record in this series go up to 8-3 since 2005. Games against Wiregrass Ranch (an almost neighborhood rival in their own right) and Gaither, a series they trail 2-8 in will also tell the tale of their postseason fate. For now, all eyes will be in New Tampa on the 18th when the Cats and the ‘Pats go at it.