Contributed by Eric Clark, Kyle Bennett, Chris Girandola, and Preston Jackson
#1 Armwood
Flex (strength): Defensively the Hawks are devastating. They have only give up 30 points all year and have strung together four shutouts.
Soft spot (weakness): But, the Hawks strongest points can reveal a soft spot. Without argument, the Hawks defensive line has been the strongest part of the defense for years. They have a relentless pass rush to where they can apply heat with only 3-4 rushers. Because the rush is so good, the secondary rarely has to cover for an extended period of time. The secondary is aggressive and sits on many short to intermediate routes; BECAUSE THEY CAN depend on the ball coming out fast. If a team can block upfront, the backend of the Armwood defense can be up for a fight. Not because they do not have the talent or skill to cover, but because they are not accustomed to having to cover a man or be responsible for a zone for an extended period of time. Armwood’s Offense can be slowed. Against Bishop Gorman and Jefferson the Hawks scored 20 points – its fewest of the year. They average 200 yards on the ground per game, but just over 100 through the air. If a team can slow down Matt Jones and Co. the Hawks can be beat.
Road to state: (can they get there, who stands in the way): The Hawks will be the odds on favorite to make it to Orlando, but may have to face a resurgent Mainland team and then either Central or Northwestern to bring the ring back to Seffner.
Not on Schedule but (another top 5 team BCP team): Well this game IS on the schedule so let’s make an exception. Logically the choice is Plant and we get to see that come to life in 10 days. Armwood’s Defense would be the difference in this game just like it was last year at Dad’s. Plant defensively is good enough to take away the weapons the Hawks have on offense, but could they score enough points to offset that? Last year’s total points scored was 17. I’d set that over/under right about the same this year with Armwood winning an excruciatingly close one again. Hypothetically speaking, I would like to see Armwood and Countryside play just because the Cougars have a knack for doing what nobody expects them to do. Their defense would keep it close, but when C’Side has the ball against AHS’ Defense is a different story.
#2 Plant
Flex: Experience is the strength of this team. Many of the returners either started or played significant minutes on the 2010 state runner up team. Understanding what it takes to be a champion and know how to win big games will carry this team far.
Soft spot: “That Guy”. The Panthers are 6-0. A record earned not given, but they still have question marks. As a team, they make plays by committee, but in years past, they have always had a guy to depend on. That is not the case this year. There is not a player on that roster, that “can’t be stop”. No Murray, Wilder or Charles. No one that strikes fear in the heart of the opponent. Do they need “That Guy”? After 6 games, they have proven they don’t. But as we are use to seeing the Panther win games on the back of a few players, the question arises, “How deep can they go without a superstar”?
Road to state: Plant is expected to win their district which means they will face the runner up of the East Lake / Palm harbor district and then possibly a rematch with Alonso in round 2. From there the road gets tougher, but in no way should you ever count the Panthers out.
Not on Schedule but: Unforntunately Countryside and Plant would be a monster game this year. Plant is very balanced on offense while Countryside depends heavily on the success of their run game. Both teams have a stingy defense. Something would have to give.
#3 Countryside
Flex: The strengths of this Cougar team includes their opportunistic defense and ground game led by Diomi Roberts (711yds and 11td’s). All season Countryside’s defense has been a turnover machine and when you give a talented RB like Roberts a short field, it will typically turn into points.
Soft Spot: The passing game. While they have shown flashes of life it has yet to be seen whether they can pass the ball to win a game against a “GOOD” defense. They had to pass to beat Palm Harbor but the Canes secondary is nothing to rave about. Currently on the season Gray Crow has 1039 yards 7td’s 8int’s with a 55% completion percentage. His numbers have actually gotten better since earlier in the season with games against Wiregrass Ranch and Seminole to help pads the stats. It is still a mystery if this passing game will suffice for a team like Manatee or Venice.
Road to State: Speaking of Manatee or Venice it is looking more and more like Countryside may have a VERY tough road to state. The challenges ahead are daunting and not promising for the Cougars. Countryside will either face Venice or Manatee in the 1st and 2nd rounds. That is where the challenge begins. If they can get by both of those teams then they should cruise until they would have to meet up with Dwyer or Defending state champs and the juggernaut that is St. Thomas Aquinas. The road for the Cougars is not an easy one, but whoever comes out of the 7A South bracket will likely be favored in the 7A state title game.
Not on Schedule but: This one will be no surprise but the one team in the top 5 that we would all like seeing the Cougars play would be Plant City. That is a game the Cougars could win by controlling the clock and forcing turnovers which they have a knack for doing.
#4 Plant City
Flex: Team’s strength is it’s leadership. They’ve now shown that faced with obstacles they can pull it together and get the job done. Will need that strength the farther they go in the playoffs.
Soft spot: Raiders are very balanced on offense, but they will need to be even more balanced specifically within the passing game. They can run, but can they throw to more than just one guy?
Road to state: 1st 2 rounds I don’t see why they wouldn’t be favored in each. If the playoffs started tomorrow they’d be pitted against TBT or Gaither, then face the winner of Durant/Newsome v TBT/Gaither in the 2nd rd. The prospect of a 3rd rd. Regional Final vs Kissimmee Osceola or Lakeland would be huge. Teams that share the top half of the bracket with the Raiders include names like Lincoln, Fleming Island, First Coast, Edgewater, Evans, and of course Lakeland. It will be the stuff that only Hollywood could make up if they get to O-Town, but why not? Anything could happen.
Not on Schedule but: Would love to see Plant City vs. Countryside. Only way this could actually happen is if the two teams make it to Orlando. Might be the most evenly matched teams in the Top 5. If they played 10 times, you’d probably see a 5-5 record. Right now, if forced to pick I’d say Plant City in an OT thriller, but Jared Davis and his Staff would probably make me regret that pick eventually.
#5 Jesuit
Flex: Jesuit is scary good on offense. The five-receiver set with Tommy Eveld at the helm can score points quick. Eveld knows how to thread the needle, sling it deep downfield or check down to tight ends or running backs when blitzed. He causes fits for most defenses. The balance – 1,934 passing yards and 1,486 rushing yards – by the Tigers on offense has caused fits for opposing defensive coordinators and will continue throughout the rest of the season. With an offensive line that is “workman like” in its protection, Eveld is a Tom Brady clone in the way he calmly stands in the pocket and delivers the ball with precision. Travis Johnson is a dependable receiver and Bryce Walker is lightning-quick when he gets the ball and goes.
Soft spot: There are actually two glaring ones that could spell trouble come the playoffs – the secondary and kickoff coverage. Over their last two significant games (not counting the Lennard debacle for obvious reasons), the Tigers have allowed an opposing receiver with 90 yards or more. Spoto’s Geronimo Allison had six receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown and then on Friday, Dunedin’s Chris Askew blitzed the Tigers for 155 yards and two touchdowns. The upcoming meeting with the ultra-athletic Lakewood team will determine how deep the Tigers could go in the playoffs. The other concern is on kickoff coverage. The Tigers surrendered a 97yd return for a touchdown to Spoto’s Eric Moate a little over two weeks ago and they almost had Dunedin’s Alex Koehl record a 100-yard return on them, only to be saved by a holding call away from the play and on the other side of the field. Jesuit needs to get this fixed quick because every little thing matters come playoff time.
Road to state: First, the Tigers must take care of business this Friday against Lakewood to make their bid for district champ more comfortable. If they do that, then the biggest hurdles for Jesuit to reach states will be Bradenton Southeast, Lake Wales or Pasco, each ranked in the most recent Associated Press top 10 poll for Class 5A.
Not on Schedule but: Well, since Armwood looks unbeatable this in the regular season (or pretty much any season), I have to move down the list. Jesuit has already faced Plant and lost and actually, this is the team the Tigers would have the best chance of beating, but alas, they are out as well. The two teams left, Countryside and Plant City, would put up big numbers against Jesuit’s defense because of the skill personnel the Cougars and the Raiders have. That being said, Plant City had to battle tooth-and-nail with Alonso last Friday and the Tigers are significantly better than the Ravens.