Bloomingdale @ Strawberry Crest
X Factor: WR Karel Hamilton – Strawberry Crest’s Karel Hamilton could be the best kept secret in Hillsborough County.
Advantage: Strawberry Crest playing at home, coming out the tunnel and hungry for their 1st win. All the Bloomingdale “History” hype will fuel the fire.
Countryside @ East Lake
X Factor: RB Diomi Roberts – If Roberts cuts up the Eagle’s defense for more than 100 yards, Countryside wins.
Advantage: Countryside offensive backfield. Gray Crow and Diomi Roberts are a dangerous combination that accounted for 315 yards in the game versus Boca Ciega.
Durant @ Alonso
X Factor: RB Ish Witter – Who is Ish? Ask Gaither. The Alonso running back rushed for 125 yards on the Cowboy defense.
Advantage: Durant defense. The Cougar defense will be riding high after last week’s shutout victory against Freedom.
East Bay @ Steinbrenner
X Factor: Steinbrenner offensive Line – You can’t measure the experience of the Warrior offensive line.
Advantage: Athleticism of the East Bay Indian running backs. Including the QB, East Bay houses 4 backs that have the ability of making guys miss and turning a 2 yard carry into a 92 yard scamper.
Gaither @ Leto
X Factor: DE Mikhail Reece- Leto is green (young and inexperienced) on the offensive line. This could make for a feeding fest of Gaither DE Mikhail Reece.
Advantage: Gaither’s line backing crew. Because of the Falcon’s troubles on offense, the Cowboy backers will be all over the field making plays.
Gibbs @ Lennard
X Factor: QB Devante White – The Gibbs QB’s ability to keep plays alive could prove deadly for Lennard.
Advantage: Gibbs athleticism can be detrimental to the Longhorns. If Gibbs starts fast, the Longhorns could struggle.
King @ Tampa Bay Tech.
X Factor: WR Chris Murray – TBT’s secondary gave up multiple big plays vs. Newsome, the level of difficulty will increase with the King receiver combo.
Advantage: King’s spread offense. Greg Windham is the best gunslinger in the Bay Area with plenty of targets. If King can protect him, the Lion offense will put up big numbers.
Lakewood @ Blake
X Factor: DE Dante Fowler – suspended for this game.
Advantage: Blake won this game fair and square between the lines last season and with Lakewood DE, Dante Fowler out for this game, the Yellow Jackets will be riding the wave of confidence into the contest.
Largo @ Pinellas Park
X Factor: ATH Jeremy Powell – No way around it, Pinellas Park’s Jeremy Powell will be the best player on the field and the Packers will be geared to stop him. He must still make plays.
Advantage: Largo has had 1 extra day to prepare for the Pinellas Park Patriots due to the fact they played on Thursday of last week. In an evenly matched game like this one, more preparations can be beneficial.
Newsome @ Jefferson
X Factor: RB Shaq Speights – Newsome allowed Tampa Bay Tech, RB Clunder Lecount to rush for 186 yards last week. With a more versatile Dragon offense, Speights could have a big game.
Advantage: Jefferson has been pounded enough for how they were downed by Robinson. Don’t think for one second that they have not absorbed all the criticism which will be funneled into motivation.
Wharton @ Sickles
X Factor: ATH Vernon Hargreaves – How will Sickles attempt to contain Wharton’s Hargreaves?
Advantage: Sickles will have a big advantage because they are playing at home and Wharton QB, Chase Litton will not play this game due to injury. This could force the Wildcats to move Hargreaves to QB, limiting the perimeter playmaking ability and decreasing the size of the offensive playbook.