All kinds of games on the schedule plus a few jamborees mixed-in means we’ve got some story-lines to watch for this evening. We quickly rundown what we are looking for from seven different games plus a few others.
Wiregrass Ranch at Pasco
The Bulls have plenty of talent and are healthy following a destructive season with injuries in 2015. College coaches are finding Wiregrass on the map more often than not these days, and this is a match-up that produced nearly 100 points last season in the spring. Can Pasco turn things around? Or will Wiregrass be the Pasco County’s most-improved team this season?
Wesley Chapel at Weeki Wachee
Darn good quarterback match-up on the Nature Coast this evening when the Wildcats travel to Weeki–QB Jacob Thomas leads Chapel, while Weeki is paced by Alec Cromie. Who steps up for both teams to become the playmakers on offense to support these two guys?
Brooksville-Central at Boca Ciega
This game has playmaking potential written all over it. The Bears come down from the Hernando County to face the Pirates in South Pinellas. Boca Ciega features WR Sam Thompson among others and the Bears have De’vonta Smith who is one of the best athletes around. These are two teams that could surprise folks come this fall. Can they step up?
Cambridge Christian at Calvary Christian
Cambridge makes their way over into Pinellas County and brings a loaded–absolutely loaded–squad with them, but Calvary isn’t going to just roll over like a puppy dog. They’ve got the talented Richie Mize at the QB position and Alonso-transfer Alex Laccabue behind him, so will Calvary improve from last season?
Hernando at Sunlake
The Leopards make their way down the Suncoast Parkway to face the Seahawks in a game that Sunlake won 10-0 last season. Not much has been made of Sunlake’s beef in the trenches, but after tonight and once the season gets cranked up, we could be talking about them–and their playmakers on offense–as one of the best offenses in the county. We will get a sneak peek if the Hawks can continue to be one of Pasco’s most-dominant and consistent teams as they’ve been.
Nature Coast Tech at Palm Harbor University
Life without Mr. Football Deshawn Smith begins for the visitors from Brooksville, while the ‘Canes are looking to explode this fall after finishing 6-4 last season bringing back most of that team. NCT’s Defense is pretty darn good and PHU will be tested. This game could end up being a track meet or points could be at a premium, there shouldn’t be an in-between. Good–no,GREAT test for both.
River Ridge at Tampa Catholic
This game produced one of the most-memorable performances of the spring with River Ridge’s Chris Schwarz rushing for 40+ times and the Knights mere feet from defeating the Crusaders. The scene is slightly different this season with both losing their best playmakers (TC lost Nate Craig-Myers), but they’ve got tons of playmaking ability left on the offensive side. River Ridge may not have the highest of numbers on their sidelines, but make no mistake, this is a team that prides itself on being one of the toughest–mentally and physically–in the ENTIRE region, much less the county.
Other games we will be watching story-lines for:
Bayshore at Port Charlotte
Bartow at Sebring
Bell Creek Academy at Lake Placid
Bishop McLaughlin at Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy
Dunedin at Seminole
George Jenkins at Frostproof
Hardee at Mulberry
Jordan Christian Prep at Melbourne-Holy Trinity Episcopal
Ocoee-Legacy Charter at Bradenton Christian
Carrollwood Day School, and Victory Christian with Lake Highland (Jamboree at Southeastern University)
Lake Region, Ridge Community and Kathleen at Kathleen (Jamboree)