Position Breakdown: Class 8A Reginal Finals
Quarterback: TIE
Both, James Few (Plant) and Pete Dinovo (East Lake), started the season ranked in the BCP preseason player rankings. Few ranked as the #7 pro style QB behind Tommy Eveld (Jesuit) and Dinovo at #2, only behind King’s Greg Windham. Few has proven himself to be more than the guy who stepped in Phillip Ely on ’09 and ’10. He evolved into a leader, accurate passer and game manager. Dinovo on the other hand, has been waiting for this moment. Waiting for the opportunity to showcase his talents on the big stage, against a good team, when it matters. Both QBs have passed for greater than 2000 yards with nearly a .70 completion percentage. No advantage here.
Running Back: EAST LAKE
As Plant running back, Wesley Bullock is a personal favorite of mine, because of his toughness, “take no ____” attitude and gamesmanship, East Lake’s Tyler Lane is a Monster. 200 carries, 1400 yards and 20 rushing TDs. If Dinovo is the pretty paint on the Eagle 2011 Dodge Challenger, Lane is the big Hemi 6.2 engine that makes it go! If East Lake wants to win this game, a heavy dose of Lane is a must.
Receivers: TIE
Austin Aikens (Plant) is as tough of a match up for a defensive back as LeBron James trying to guard me once I get the ball in the low post (I’d take LJ6 to the rack…ha-ha). But, East Lake has their 1st 1000 yard receiver in sophomore Artavis Scott, who can give Keenan Stalls and Antonio Crawford a problem if they don’t come with their “A” game. Besides Scott, TE Stephen Buric is a big target for Dinovo and creates a tough task for any one of the Plant LBs and will challenge both Bostic and Madhu when either is responsible to cover him. If Dinovo can buy some time, Scott and Buric can have a respectable game.
Offensive Line: EAST LAKE
This could really go either way, but sophomore, East Lake offensive tackle, Mason Cole, gives the Eagles the advantage here, but not by much. Collectively both units are sound and could be #1 and #2 in Tampa Bay. However, Plant likes to bring pressure from the edges and mix in some interior pressures. Cole does a great job protecting Dinovo’s blind side and will have to as Mike Tate and Tate Rogers will come from everywhere tonight.
Defensive Line: PLANT
Shines, P. Wright, M. Wright and Dvornik bring an attitude that only Armwood can match. They are not the strength of the defense, but they are heart. The starting 3 or 4, with an additional 2 or 3 in rotation, provide Plant with a relentless rush and fresh legs. Dvornik has killed since last season and Shines has been great since the start of the playoffs. Easy pick here.
Line Backers: PLANT
The Great Tate! Mike Tate is the center piece to the Black shirt defense. If I really thought hard enough or long enough, I could probably find a reason or make up a reason why he is not the best inside backer in the BCP coverage area. But, right now, I can’t and because of him, Plant is able to be a simple, yet diverse and versatile on defense. Along with Tate Rogers, the Plant LB crew is vicious and flat out…a group of freakin football players! No way I go against Plant here.
Secondary: PLANT
I like East Lake’s Devin Abraham more and more each time I see him. He his quick, physical and knows the game of football. As a whole, the Eagle secondary is a young unit with a lot of promise, but not at the level of the Black Shirt Panther secondary top heavy with experience in big games. Plant defensive coordinators, Matt Johnson and John Few will take a secondary to Tarpon Springs that has 12 interceptions and 45 pass-break ups between the starting 4. Those numbers translate into a no fly zone for East Lake QB, Pete Dinovo. As good and talented as the Panther secondary is against the pass, they are just as good versus the run. The Panther defense requires that the secondary play a huge part in the run game and all 4 starters, led by Stanford commit, Drew Madhu, don’t shy away from contact and look to attack.