GAME OF THE WEEK
1-0 Berkeley Prep will host #15 Victory Christian who is also 1-0. The Bucs of Berkeley are coming off an impressive 44-6 win over Middleton and Victory put a good one on Admiral Farragut 35-12.
Several major college prospects on each team including Tennessee verbal commit LB Cecil Cherry and 2016 WR prospect Jacob Mathis. However the QBs are the most attractive battle starting at 7pm tonight. Brad Mayes will hit the field tonight starting for the 3rd season with high expectations. The Lehigh oral commit has all the tools to be a very successful college QB and will attempt to outshine the signal caller on the other sideline.
Caleb Lewis heads to Berkeley off a 3K yard passing season just a year ago and state class 2A runner up performance. Arguably a more talented team this season in an offense that will allow him to sling it all over the yard.
KEEP AND EYE ON
BO PEEK, Berkeley DT – Victory Christian has a solid offensive line and if they get going downhill on Berkeley, it could be a long game for the Bucs. This is where BCP IGNITE stud, Bo Peek better be ready to earn his dinner. Peek is a massive body who will need to be very disruptive tonight and cause the Victory offensive backfield as much trouble as possible. If he can attract double teams and split a few of them every now and then, Berkeley will have a great shot of winning the trench war and creating negative plays.
E’ANDRE SMITH, Victory Christian RB – Smith can be the hero tonight. He will have more than one way to affect the outcome of the game. All-purpose yard production will be the stat that matters the most. Kick Off Returns, Punt Returns and rushing yards will be crucial. His special team opportunities will create favorable field position for the Victory offense. He has a chance to be a real weapon!
#9 PLANT VS ROBINSON
Plant head football coach Robert Weiner has not lost to rival Robinson since 2004 (His first season as Plant’s head coach) when the Panthers ended the season 3-7. Since then, the two teams have played each season, Plant Victorious.
Panthers are coming off the road from a close 20-14 loss to (GA) Power, Lowndes. Robinson took one on the chin last week to Sickles 33-7. Plant and Robinson have played the last 55 seasons since 1959. This has been a very good rivalry over the years with Plant leading the series 31-22-2. Since 2000, Plant has won 11 of the the 14 games in that time period.
This is how it ended just a few seasons ago…
WATCH OUT NOW
KYLE HENDERSON, Plant DT – This week he may get going in a big way. BCP Xecutive DT shows quickness of the ball and very strong. Look for him to get a good push upfront for the Panther defensive line.
JAHRVIS DAVENPORT, Robinson WR – The BCP E7-Warner WR MVP had 4 catches for 63 yards last Friday vs. Sickles. A Maryland oral commit is one of the best receivers in the area and dangerous after the catch.
#2 EAST LAKE VS #11 LARGO
In years past, this was a ground game fiesta. Both teams have been extremely successful rushing the ball. East Lake has kept the formula, depending on a pretty good offensive line. Largo is transitioning to pass the ball more than previous years.
Pretty Good series the last 5 years: Largo leads 3-2. Since the two schools started playing each other in 1989, Largo leads the series 9-3 and has the only playoff win between the two teams in 2007 (19-7). East Lake holds bragging rights with a 22-0 shutout of the Packers last season.
East Lake will need to slow BCP Xecutive, WR Jonathan Crawford as much as possible. Not sure they can stop him, but they need to limit his production on special teams and offense.
Regis Steighner, East Lake DE is starting to “Come into his own.” Meaning, he seems to be playing with confidence and has a dominant presence on the edge especially against the run. Last week in a big win versus Palm Harbor, the BCP Ignite Showcase performer had 9 total tackles and 6 solos.