BCP, September 27, 2019- With nearly a month and a half football in the rear-view mirror, we take a look at a few high out-put teams and a couple of notable players in prime, mid-season form (more to come don’t worry). Here is a mash-up of takeaways from this past week’s Friday night HSFB lights to entertain your stat brain, as we prep for week six ball.
- Tampa Catholic- In the rushing category, Tampa Catholic has been light and shifty on their feet, to say the least. As a top 20 rushing team in the sunshine state with 259.8 RYPG, only 18 programs in Florida are better at running the rock than the Crusaders. Tampa Catholic averages 42 points per game, posting a 4-1 record and are ranked 99th in the state thus far with second-year head coach Jeris Mclntyre leading the mentorship. Coming off a 67-0 blowout W against North Port, the boys in the green and white look to capitalize on the momentum, battling Berkeley Prep this Friday on the road and improve to 3-1 in away matchups.
2. Palmetto- The Tigers are everything that people thought they weren’t and more this year- sitting pretty at a flawless 5-0. Although the past two years haven’t been THAT rough for the team (8-3, 17’, 8-4 18’), narrowly achieving playoff status as wildcard 6 and 7 seeds; from 2013-2016, Palmetto averaged 5.25 wins a season in that four-year timeframe. Witty head coach Dave Marino and his boys in the red, black and white are at the top of their five-team Class 6A district 12 standings (with 174 points scored overall, tying Charlotte for the district best and are at the top in district points with 47), are ranked 11th in the state of Florida and hold the 100th spot nationally, per MaxPreps. Their biggest testament comes this Friday, against district rival, Braden River (2-3); in which the Tigers are seeking a 3-0 home record this season.
3. 2020 DB Devin White, Riverview- The Sharks have tallied a perfect five victories on the season so far, thanks to a key factor lurking in their secondary; versatile defensive back Devin White. Riverview is shattering national averages with 8 total interceptions and 124.4 TPG. In 5 games Devin has accumulated 27 total tackles with 5.4 TPG, 6 solos (fourth-most on team), 266 all-purpose yards, HALF of the teams’ INTs with 4 and 70 INT yards on a pic six, deflected 6 passes, 2 receptions for 25 yards, rushed 5 carries for 81 yards and returned a kickoff for 90 yards. Last week, White and the team dominated Strawberry Crest 49-6; this Friday, Riverview will look to continue the perfect streak, taking on Newsome with their home crowd.
Auburndale- The chase continues for first-year head coach Kyle Sasser and the Bloodhounds, as they grind towards playoff contention- something this resilient team hasn’t reached since 2016 (6-5). This year they’ve got tunnel vision for winning though, recording a 4-1 (first loss in week 3) start to the season. Their defense has only allowed 39 total points and the offense is second-to-none, coming in second place in the Points For category (only Dillard is ahead with 202 Points For) of 82 teams in Class 6A, with 183 scored. This Friday, Auburndale will take on Bayside (2-2) with home-field advantage, after beating down Bartow, 35-6.
2020 RB Johnny Richardson, Lake Wales- This athlete and UCF commit for the highlanders (47 state rank) is a game-changing player; always ready to explode on the run and turn the tables in their favor. The Highlanders lead Class 5A (of 82 teams) overall and have the most points scored with 319 total- only 2 TDs scored against their defense. His stat-line this season speaks major volumes, let alone his career accolades for Lake Wales. In five games pummeling opponents’ defensive efforts, he’s amassed 1,085 rushing yards on 62 carries (3,631 rush yards on 366 carries, averaging a first down with 56 total TDs in career), averaging 17.5 YPC, 217 RYPG, has 4 receptions for 43 yards and has recorded 19 rushing scores and even brought a kick off return to the house good for 80 yards last week, beating Clewiston 51-7. This week Johnny and Lake Wales seek a 6-0 overall this season, as they faceoff against Lely on the road.
Vaughan Sixbury, BCP Contributor