OK…We know, we know. BCP is right 99.9 percent of the time. Joke…more like 93 percent. But, we have been wrong. And not too prideful to admit it. We don’t have time to hit on everything we would like to. This is a start. So here we go…

WHAT WE WERE RIGHT ABOUT…
We saw this coming from Winter Haven. The reboot year. It is extremely difficult for a program to move on from the consistency of a QB as departed William Tate. Marcus Pritchard and Eric Williams have split the duties. The Blue Devils have yet to put back to back wins together. They are hovering around .500 which is not Blue Devil standards. The defense have given up 35 points twice and 55 points to Lakeland. The inability to hold the ball on offense may be contributing to the defense being on the field too long.

After the spring game we stated Bloomingdale was going to be a quality team. Sitting at 5-3 and second in the district, the Bulls are on the bubble to getting back to the playoffs. Head football coach Max Warner is an aggressive play caller. We figured “Bdale” would allow a lot of points, but outscore the majority of their opponents. Bloomingdale is scoring 32 points per game while allowing 23 points per game to opponents.

Visited George Jenkins in the spring and it was evident the culture was taking a turn for the better. The organization of the practice, tempo and high energy coaching along with the key players at key positions pointed in the direction of good things to come in 2017. Jenkins is 5-3 with their losses coming to Ridge Community, Gateway and Lakeland. Previous six seasons:
2011 0-10 HC Matt Thompson
2012 4-6 HC Eric Gallon
2013 2-8 HC Richard Tate
2014 1-9 HC Richard Tate
2015 2-8 HC Richard Tate
2016 1-8 HC Chris Canning

Graduation of two year starter Daniel Boon, three year starters Malik Davis and Travell Harris, offensive anchors Jake Moore and Mike Swenson…Jesuit would have an uphill battle this season. Even with the A+ coaching, the inexperience at several positions including a frosh QB, inexperienced running back and new faces on the offensive line (strength of the team in 2015 and 2016) would level the playing field for opponents. Jesuit is 3-3 only outscoring their opponents 56-24 in their wins. Tigers fans, take your bumps this season. It won’t last long. Jesuit will have a nucleus of young players who will produce really good teams in the near future.

Chamberlain would be competitive…yep! Saw this coming. We visited Chamberlain each Spring or fall the last three seasons and observed the evolution. Under head coach Jason Lane, the Chiefs have improved from two wins in 2015 to five wins in 2016. This season Chamberlain is 6-2 with Brandon and Strawberry Crest remaining on the schedule. The Chiefs could finish the regular season at 8-2. Most wins since 2008 (11-2 HC Billy Turner, District Champions).

WHAT WE NEVER SAW COMING…
Gaither kicking in the door (6-2). First year head coach Kirk Karsen took the job and never looked back. Gaither is playing extremely well and has captured the attention of Hillsborough County.

Zephyrhills winning the district. This could go in the next section because we thought the district would belong to River Ridge. Wrong! Bulldogs took it this season. 2006 was the last time The Dogs won the district: 8-3 HC Tom Fisher, District Champions.

Braxton Plunk 2019 QB, Plant City balling. New head coach, James Booth implemented a wide open offense which we anticipated transfer Ryan Overstreet to be running. It’s been Plunk putting up the numbers: 1699 yards, 212.4 Y/G, 16 TDs and 7 INTs. Plunk has passed for 200 or more yards in four of the Raiders eight games.

WHAT WE WERE WRONG ABOUT…
St. Petersburg winning or second place in the district. At no point would we have imagined The Green Devils would be winless in the district. 0-3 currently in 7A-8 with Seminole remaining on the district schedule. Green Devils faced hurdles this season with injuries to key players on both sides of the ball and a young, developing quarterback. Don’t turn away from St. Petersburg. Won’t be on the back side on that district long.

Boca Ciega winning 6 or more games this year. The Pirates are under .500 (2-6). Super surprising especially after the 2016 season going 5-4 (HC Max Smith, District Runner-Up). Boca is not scoring enough (23 P/G) and allowing too many points (27 P/G).

Plant’s defense being pretty good. They have been better than pretty good. Minus the Armwood game, the Panther defense has been great. Plant has four defensive shutouts this season and has only allowed double digit points to two opponents. They are allowing just 7.75 points per game. Allowed 27 points to Armwood. Besides that, the defense would be allowing 5 points per game.