Pinellas Park (4-0) vs Northeast (4-0)
Pinellas Park is 4-0 and has outscored opponents 126-41. Their wins have come against teams that have a combined record of 8-11 so far this season. Pinellas Park’s average margin of victory is 21.25. Seminole gave them a challenge two weeks ago, but Pinellas Park prevailed 14-6.
Northeast is 4-0 and has outscored opponents 149-28. Northeast has not been challenged this season. Their average margin of victory is 30.25 points against teams that have gone 9-9.
Both teams rely on their ground game, so I foresee a very physical contest. In fact, both teams run the ball exactly 77% of the time. Ball security and not falling behind the chains due to penalties always play a factor in smash-mouth football games like this. Pinellas Park is +8 in turnover margin while Northeast is +5 so both teams are taking care of the football quite well. Whichever team controls the line of scrimmage will stay undefeated tonight. Here are some playmakers to watch.
Pinellas Park 2022 LB Garrick Ponder 6’2” 225 lbs
Ponder has the build and physicality of a big-time LB. He reads well and finds the football. He is consistently disruptive which is reflected in his statistics. He leads the Pinellas Park defense with 33 total tackles, 21 solo, 9 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 6 hurries, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovery, a blocked punt, a forced safety, and a deflection which was intercepted. He will play a major factor in the outcome of tonight’s game. He will get his tackles. If he can get in the backfield and help force some turnovers, the Patriots will be in great shape.
Pinellas Park 2023 RB Isaiah Hampton 5’9” 165 lbs
Hampton is leading the way for Pinellas Park’s run game. He is a tough runner with enough speed to break for nice chunks of yardage. In four games, he has 495 yards and 5 touchdowns on 58 carries. He is averaging 8.5 yards per carry.
Northeast 2022 ATH D’Angelo Hutchinson 6’3” 185 lbs
Hutchinson is Northeast’s do-everything type player. Pinellas Park will need to keep tabs on him at all times or he will hurt them. His stat line is impressive. At QB, he has completed 12 out of 18 passes for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has carried the ball 31 times for 297 yards and 4 touchdowns. He has 1 reception for a 70 yard touchdown. He also has an 85 yard kickoff return touchdown and 2 interceptions returned for touchdowns. Defensively, he also has 17 tackles.
Northeast 2023 OLB Kha’jahn Hutchinson 5’8” 160 lbs
The younger of the Hutchinsons is Northeast’s leading tackler after four games. He has a great motor and hustles to the football every play. He shows a ton of heart and plays much bigger than he is. He has 32 total tackles, 8 solo, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, and a forced fumble.