All-Time series of a few games this week
Lennard v Blake: FIRST MEETING
Not sure what could happen here. Lennard won’t have the talent Blake will have, but they didn’t have the talent Middleton had either and we know the result. This game is up for grabs, but Lennard will enter as the underdog.
Robinson v Spoto: 1-1
Talent galore! Both Robinson and Spoto need this win to stay in the district hunt. Speed kills and Spoto has it, but will they use it in a manner that will beat a sound Robinson defense? Can Robinson wear down a fast Spoto defense with their tough running game? Can Geronimo Allison contain Byron Pringle? Questions with answers coming tonight.
Strawberry Crest v Leto: FIRST MEETING
Here we go. The most talked about game this year. The two teams who have allowed the most points to their opponents and are winless, faceoff tonight. Who are the impact players? Keep an eye on Leto’s Fransico Salcedo and Andre Simpson. Both should have their best game of the season. I was high on Karel Hamilton of Strawberry Crest in the preseason, but he was slowed by injury and just a tough season. I like Hamilton to post big numbers tonight.
Steinbrenner v TBT: FIRST MEETING
Steinbrenner was hyped up prior to the Gaither matchup, but Big Brother Gaither quickly pushed the Warriors back in their place. Warriors smashed Riverview, now on to TBT. Too much talent on the TBT team and they are getting better each week. No matter the past games, each team has to have this win to stay in the playoff conversation.
St. Pete Catholic v Tampa Catholic: TC LEADS 16-12 (18-14 INCLUDING BISHOP BERRY)
RBs, Ryan Green (SPC) vs. Jordan Rich-Rogers (TC)…The stars will be out. SPC has struggled, but Ryan green had a game that usually only happens in youth league. TC needs this win and a CCC win over Berkeley Prep to possibly have a shot at the post season. On the outside, TC should handle SPC, but Green gives SPC a legit shot at an upset.
East Bay v Plant City: PLANT CITY LEADS 14-6
How will Plant City respond after their 12 round battle with Alonso last week? If they come out still hung over from last week, East Bay can win this game. If they step on the field about business, PC should be victorious. East Bay will run some form of the option with plenty of misdirection. PC has to play discipline in defending the East Bay offensive attack. The Indians cannot be intimidated by Plant City’s athleticism or record. Ball security is key for the Indians.
Jesuit v Lakewood: JESUIT LEADS 4-0
The best match up of the weekend. Maybe even better than Notre Dame and USC. Strength vs. Speed, swagger vs. confidence, Pinellas vs. Hillsborough; the signs point to a war. I tend to think, the district title is won at this game. Everyone raves about how well coached Jesuit is, but so is Lakewood. Everyone raves about how fast Lakewood is, but Jesuit has speed of their own. Ball security, field position and special teams play will be the key factors of this game. Whoever wins this game, it will not be a surprise.
Jefferson v Sickles: JEFFERSON LEADS 5-1
Pride and bragging rights are on the line here. Both teams are on the outside of the post season race looking in with hope in King to upset either Armwood or Hillsborough to force some kind of tie breaker for a playoff spot. But, this game has all the ingredients for a great main course. Jefferson will need to stop the Sickles ground game. Sickles will need to tackle well in space as the dragons will attempt to work the perimeter. Both have the ability to score fast and are looking to end their season on a high note.
Alonso v Plant: PLANT LEADS 6-1
Not real sure what to expect from this game but defense. I don’t think either team is going to light up to scoreboard on each other nor do I think either team is going to hurt themselves with turnovers or bonehead mistakes. The Wildcat formation with Holloway and Witter (Alonso) worked well against Plant City, but I doubt they will run down Plant’s throats with that. The Panthers will be prepared. PC hurt Alonso with the outside zone, but defended the inside zone fairly well. If Alonso can stop the inside zone and the Jumbo backfield set by Plant, they will force the Panthers to beat them in the air.
Hillsborough v Armwood: ARMWOOD LEADS 9-3
Each year both teams enter this same game with similar records and each year this game is hyped up to be a clash. Each year, sparks fly during pregame and each year both teams have their fair share of great plays. But, each year Armwood wins convincingly. Hillsborough has not beaten the Hawks since 2005. New year, will it be the same result? Hillsborough is one of the few teams to have some offensive success against the stingy Hawk defense the last few years. Totaled over 300 yards of passing offense in 2009 and 2010 regular season contest. Terriers have had a fair share of success blocking the Hawks pass rush and making the Hawk secondary work. But, the Hawks have had success wearing down the Terrier defense with a healthy dose of the ground attack and plain old success scoring more points. Hawks don’t need to get fancy. They need to do what they do best, run the ball downhill. Terriers need to protect upfront and have some success throwing the football. I don’t see Armwood overpowering the Hillsborough secondary and I don’t see Hillsborough running the ball down Armwood’s throat.
1991 42-12 Hillsborough
1992 29-12 Hillsborough
2003 24-14 Armwood
2005 21-20 Hillsborough
2006 19-9 Armwood
2006 32-7 Armwood*
2007 17-0 Armwood
2007 35-0 Armwood*
2008 46-7 Armwood
2009 34-21 Armwood
2010 34-14 Armwood
2010 39-6 Armwood*
*= Playoffs