The classics are done and it’s time for the games that count. Looking forward to week 1 match ups, Plant vs. Jesuit and Clearwater Central Catholic vs. East Lake are the most attractive. Four really good teams saturated with several really good prospects.

Before we look forward, let’s look back at the Armwood cluster of teams and a few scores from other Tampa Bay Area teams.

From Armwood:
Tampa Bay Tech appeared to have a solid approach of how they want attack defenses. Simple actually, get the ball to the playmakers and let let them make plays.

Everything that could go wrong for Jefferson, did go wrong. Don’t count out the Dragons by far. They still are a very well coached team and talented team. The reason for a preseason game is to figure out what needs to be fixed.

Armwood was too much for Gibbs. Hawks are fast and hungry. The defense will win a lot of games for Armwood as the offense continues to get better.

Tough to gauge how Gibbs will be this year. Armwood makes some of the best teams look bad.

Zacari Gibbons is a PLAYER for Gibbs. He moved the chains and wanted the ball in his hands.

If you didn’t know, Armwood safety Kyle Gibson is a human missile. Every other tackle, he was trying to detach the ball from the carrier.

Richard Benjamin started the season with a bang. Big time plays made from a big time player.

Leon McQuay gets lot of attention for the eye grabbing plays he makes. However, not enough is made of the plays he makes that aren’t highlights. Friday, he blocked a punt…that will be a highlight. However, after he blocked the punt, he did go scrambling after the ball. He made THE block to spring the TD return by his teammate. Great Football play.

Offensive line play by Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech was not outstanding, but solid. Pretty good pass protection and push on running plays.

Quarterbacks Darryl Richardson, Armwood and Deon Cain, TBT played VERY well! Both made good decisions with the football, managed the game and showed a presence in the huddle. Richardson has a chance to put up big numbers if he can stay healthy and Cain can lead his team to a district championship.

Secret weapons: Tampa Bay Tech slot, Donzell Polite and Armwood RB, Caylon Holloway. Lots of production from these players throughout the season.

Jonathan Moore, Jefferson receiver is special. As we expected, he will be “The Guy” for Jefferson in their pass attack.

TBT defensive line versus Armwood defensive line…flip a coin. Both lived in the offensive backfield Friday night.

OTHER SCORES
Scores for a preseason game can be misleading. Depending on how a coaching staff chose to coach the game, substitution patterns and what a staff wanted to see, could make for a score that may not be indicative to the strategy of the game.

Alonso 31 Spoto 6
Alonso is expected to be pretty good this year with the number of returning veterans and talented players. But, Spoto is traditionally more competitive. They have always made the most of a shallow roster with scrappy play and good players. 24 point spread was surprising.

Countryside 35 Lakewood 7
Countryside is the team to beat in Pinellas, but did not expect them to beat the most talented team in Pinellas by four scores.

East Bay 55 Chamberlain 20
East Bay is capable of posting big points. They have big time players in an offense designed to get the big time players in position to make plays. But 55 points? Word is Chamberlain sat several defensive starters, which is believable because the head coach is a disciplinarian. Even if, would not have expected such an impressive explosion of offense by East Bay on Chamberlain.

Strawberry Crest 29 Freedom 0
Strawberry Crest pounded this summer. Several good summer showings and gained lots of confidence. Looks like it has carried over into the padded season. Surprised the Chargers won, not at all. Surprised how they won and the margin of victory, yes! Shutouts don’t come often. To shutout any team is to be commended.

Sunlake 23 Fivay 7
Sunlake has the potential to be very good. But, Fivay is expected to be a playoff team. Something had to give and it looks to have rolled in Sunlake’s favor. Sunlake winning is not the surprise. However, same as Strawberry Crest, the margin of victory and defensive showing was impressive. Holding a potential playoff team to just 7 points is to be commended.