Victory Christian (0-2) at Northside Christian (2-0)
The Storm have not started 0-3 since Lewis arrived. Victory Christian is coming off their fifth consecutive loss to Berkeley Prep last week in a shutout and have managed to score just six total points through the first two games–albeit against stiff defenses in the aforementioned Berkeley and their season-opener at Pasco. Northside Christian is averaging 340 yards of offense through the first two games albeit against 1A-Lafayette from the Big Bend Region and 2A-Calvary Christian. The Mustangs are also averaging 33 points a game in those contests and will look to their QB Griffin Alstott (26/43-371-3-3 on the season) and their wide receiving tandem of Demetrius Jackson (8c-164-2) and Derrick Wright (9c-134) to get the fireworks started. Jackson has four interceptions on the season as well. All of this points to a comfortable Northside win…or does it? Light the fuse…
Durant (2-0) at Newsome (2-0)
Newsome has owned this “neighborhood” rivalry the past decade and the last four meetings have been drama-filled to say the least. Durant hangs their hats on ground-and-pound with opportunistic play-action to their TE and Newsome is all about ground-and-pound with their Wing-T to pair with an obstinate defense. Durant has started out with impressive victories over Hillsborough and Spoto–while Newsome started with a defensive battle over Bloomingdale 10-7 and then a blowout last week 47-7 over Strawberry Crest. Expect a fast clock, but points will be scored and fireworks will be going off in this east county battle. Light. The. Fuse.
Tampa Bay Tech (1-1) at Wharton (2-0)
The Titans are coming off a tough loss to Sickles in which they were without one of their main weapons in Marchalo Judge–the senior was suspended due to an ejection he received in the preseason classic versus Blake–but somehow didn’t get adjudicated till after the first week by the FHSAA. The Titans are physical on defense and will always be a play away from breaking chunks of yardage with their offensive firepower. The Wildcats are ready to go head-to-toe with anybody in the county when it relates to physicality and have started fast with authoritative wins versus King and Robinson. The ‘Cats know how to control the clock–and they can match TBT’s physical nature. Even if the points are at a premium, expect things to be tense throughout this game. Light the fuse.
Weeki Wachee (1-1) at Hudson (0-1)
The Hornets travel south across the Hernando-Pasco County line to face a Cobras squad that’s probably a little ornery following their loss to Nature Coast in their season-opener last week. Weeki’s already matched their wins from last season at (1) when they defeated Belleview 22-10, and will look to double that with a collection of offensive assets led by Shawn O’Gorman who’s racked-up 626 all-purpose yards already through the first two games. The Cobras are licking their wounds, but a wounded animal is dangerous and Hudson won’t lack for confidence to continue their mantra of playing physical and controlling the clock against Weeki. Look for all kinds of drama to ensue if these teams play to their potential and for plenty of points to keep the scoreboard operator busy. Light the fuse.
Bishop Verot (2-0) at Lakeland Christian (2-0)
The Norse Bowl: Vikings vs. Vikings–if you’re a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity it’s a Viking Party! (inside joke, of course)–this could also end up being one of the best games played in the entire region on Friday Night. Bishop Verot has 12 sacks as a defensive unit through the first two games against Cardinal Mooney and Cape Coral-Mariner. Verot averaging 39 points per game and over 400 yards of offense in their fist two games…sophomore RB William Scott (5-10/170) is their stud–Scott rushed for over 1,200 yards and 18 touchdowns as a frosh–the score was 7-0 at the half last week before the Vikings scored 36 unanswered points. Scott is averaging 163 yards on the ground through the first two games. Verot can also lean on another sophomore Devan Thompkins (3 touchdowns) if they need to. Lakeland Christian’s Ben Sirmons (RB) and Tyler Wilkerson (QB) have filled-in nicely with the departures of TJ Simmons and Christian Alexander respectively…Sirmons is averaging a gaudy 15 yards per carry on the season and Alexander has thrown five touchdowns and no interceptions.