The City of Tarpon Springs is defined by its heritage. Most notably it boasts the largest percentage of Greek-Americans in the United States. Tonight, the City of Tarpon Springs also becomes the epicenter of football in Pinellas County and most likely the front-runner for best atmosphere in all of Tampa Bay. Although the drama hasn’t exactly taken place on the field as dictated by the average margin of victory at nearly 2 TD’s, there’s plenty of hype to go around surrounding the potential shootout between two of the area’s best QB’s that have combined for 11 TD’s through only 2 weeks.
Tarpon’s Senior QB Louie Pappas enters the game as the undisputed leader of his squad, with Junior QB Pete DiNovo at the helm for East Lake. Both signal-callers have combined for 880 yards of passing offense through the 1st two weeks of the season, yet both have done it in different fashion. Pappas has accounted for 509 yards against Dunedin and Clearwater, while DiNovo has faced decidedly stiffer competition in the form of Clearwater Central Catholic and Countryside who has been a regional finalist the past two seasons in the highest classification in the state.
East Lake is coming off an excruciating loss to Countryside after clawing their way back from a 27-14 deficit with a chance to win if not for an untimely drop in the waning minutes. Tarpon demolished Clearwater 56-8 in a game that was over before it started. The Spongers have also added another dimension after the transfer of ATH Kenny Blanch from Palm Harbor University over the summer rushing for 177 yards in 24 carries and 2 TD’s. The Eagles counter with RB Tyler Lane who has been a workhorse for East Lake with 27 carries for 184 yards and a TD.
Tarpon and East Lake can also claim two of the best underclassmen WR’s in Tampa Bay with East Lake’s super Sophomore Artavis Scott and Tarpon’s Kenyatta Merriex. The pair are averaging over 100 yards receiving per game and each have 2 TD’s already through the first two weeks of the season. Over the past seven years, this series has been about streaks. From 2004-2008, Tarpon won 3 out of 4. Now, it’s East Lake attempting to make it 3 straight. While Tarpon has enjoyed unlimited success against much more inferior competition, they have still managed to average 46 points per game while only allowing 22 points combined. East Lake has survived an inspired CCC team in OT while dropping a heartbreaking loss to former district rival Countryside.
Ironically this game may not even come down to the offense, but who can make plays on defense and special teams which is usually the case in games that are considered to be even. Tarpon’s OL hasn’t always been an immovable force, while East Lake’s DL is licking their wounds haven been manhandled in the trenches by a much deeper and physical Countryside team. Whoever controls the line of scrimmage just might control the outcome of the game. Tarpon has the advantage on special teams with 2 blocked punts in 2 games, while the Eagles allowed a punt to be blocked last week setting up one of Countryside’s scores.
East Lake’s 2 best tacklers statistically are Sophomores which could be problematic if the experienced gunslinger Pappas has time to throw and they’re left out on an island. The key for East Lake to walk out with the victory will be for the Eagles to neutralize the duel-threat of the aforementioned Blanch, however if the Spongers cannot get pressure on DiNovo it could spell disaster for Tarpon if he can sit back and treat this as a 7-on-7 tournament. East Lake’s WR’s were able to get separation from Countryside’s DB’s and could very well have the same amount of success this week. Whatever the case, the emphasis for both coaches will be simple. Put the ball in your best players hands and watch them go to work.
It will be no surprise if the record attendance is set for a Pinellas County football game. This has been long recognized as one of the best rivalries in all of the area and in my opinion will most definitely be decided by less than the 12 point average margin of victory. When the dust settles, I expect East Lake to have corrected the mistakes that got them beat last week and look for them to rebound with a ‘W’ as they welcome Trinity Catholic and Largo in the next 2 weeks. The sense of urgency will play a major role in the Eagles performance. They will not want to be 1-2 staring at the realistic possibility of staring at 1-4 in what was supposed to be a wildly successful year for Coach Bob Hudson and the boys.
Final prediction: East Lake 30 Tarpon Springs 28.