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Hillsborough Football Previews: Week 10

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 2, 2007

Durant at Riverview
Where: J. Vince Thompson Stadium, Riverview
Records: Durant 4-4, 1-1 6A-6; Riverview 3-5, 0-2
Outlook: Riverview is coming off a big win over Wharton. Senior RB Jahleel Addae eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark for the season with a 181-yard, two-touchdown, performance, becoming the second running back in program history to post three consecutive 1,000 yard rushing seasons. Durant, riding a two-game winning streak, is coming off a bye week. This game has huge playoff implications for both teams, but nothing will be settled in the district by this game alone. Riverview needs to win and have Sarasota beat Sarasota Riverview to force a three-way tiebreaker. A Durant win and a Sarasota win gives the Cougars the district runner-up spot, while a Cougars win and a Sarasota Riverview win forces a three-way tiebreaker for the district title. Riverview has won the last two meetings and three of the past five between the teams, including a 42-0 win last season.

Newsome at Bloomingdale
Where: Charley Harris Stadium, Valrico
Records: Newsome, 4-5, 0-3 5A-7; Bloomingdale 2-6, 0-3
Outlook: Newsome has lost four straight and needs a win in its season finale to avoid the fourth losing season in the program's five-year history. Bloomingdale has lost two straight and failed to score a point in either loss. Bulls coach Corey Brinson is still one victory shy of tying former coach Todd Long for the most wins all-time (15) in program history. Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention. The teams have split four previous meetings, though Newsome won this matchup 38-0 last season.

Brandon at Plant City
Where: Raider Stadium, Plant City
Records: Brandon 6-2, 3-0 5A-7; Plant City 5-3, 3-0
Outlook: Both teams have clinched playoff berths, and this game will decide the district champion. Brandon enters with a five-game winning streak, and the Eagles have outscored their opponents 130-0 over their last three games. Eagles senior RB Samir Baker suffered an ankle injury in last week's win over Bloomingdale but will play. Baker's backfield partner, senior Marquel Gilmore, eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the fourth consecutive game in last week's win. Plant City is coming off its bye week, but won its last game against Newsome 17-0 on Oct. 18, getting a 180-yard performance from RB Keith Dawson. The Raiders haven't won consecutive games since the first two weeks of the season. Brandon has lost three of the past four to the Raiders, including a 14-7 loss last season.

Tampa Bay Tech at Hillsborough
Where: Chelo Huerta Field, Tampa
Records: Tampa Bay Tech 5-3, 1-2 4A-11; Hillsborough 7-2, 2-1
Outlook: Tampa Bay Tech has dropped three of four after beginning the season with a four-game winning streak, but still controls its own playoff destiny. If the Titans win and Middleton loses to Armwood, Tampa Bay Tech will clinch the district runner-up spot. The Titans defense has allowed 21 points or more in three of the last four games, including a season-high 48 in last week's loss to Middleton, after allowing 0 through the first four weeks (score against TBT in Week 1 came on kickoff return). Hillsborough snapped a two-game losing streak with a 31-7 win over Gaither last week, and the Terriers can reach the playoffs for the 14th time in the last 15 years with a win in their regular-season finale.

Jefferson at Plant
Where: Dad's Stadium, Tampa
Records: Jefferson 4-4, 2-0 4A-10; Plant 7-1, 2-0
Outlook: Both teams have clinched playoff berths, but this game will decide the district title. Plant, winners of seven straight, are coming off a big victory over Chamberlain, one of the toughest defenses in the county. The Panthers are led by QB Aaron Murray. Plant suffered a big loss in last week's win as WR Cornelius Gallon suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season. Jefferson won consecutive games for the first time this season with a win last week over Alonso, and the Dragons defense hasn't allowed a point during that span. Plant has won the past two meetings between the schools, including a 17-13 win last season.

Mulberry at Lennard
Where: Longhorns Stadium, Ruskin
Records: Mulberry 5-4, 2-2 2A-5; Lennard 1-8, 1-3
Outlook: One week after posting its first win of the season with a shutout, Lennard was on the other end in a shutout loss last week to Tampa Catholic. The Longhorns are led by QB Andrew Burdick and WR Blake Kennedy, one of the county's most prolific pass-catch combinations. Mulberry snapped a two-game losing streak last week with a win over St. Pete Catholic. Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention. This is the first meeting between the schools.

Robinson at Spoto
Where: Spartans Stadium, Riverview
Records: Robinson 0-8, 0-3 3A-11; Spoto 3-5, 0-3
Outlook: Robinson is the county's only remaining winless team, and the Knights are coming off a shutout loss to Sarasota Booker, the only time the team has been shutout this season. Spoto has lost three straight and has averaged just 7 points per game in that span. Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention. This is the first meeting between the schools.

Cambridge Christian at Academy at the Lakes
Where: Land O' Lakes Recreation Center
Records: Cambridge Christian 5-3; Academy at the Lakes 1-6
Outlook: Cambridge Christian is riding a three-game winning streak, one that has kept the Lancers' playoff holes alive. Cambridge Christian is led by senior RB Taylor Cabral, who set the school's single-season rushing mark in last week's win. Academy at the Lakes also picked up its first victory of the season last week, though it didn't come on the field. The team was informed Fort Myers Gateway Charter had to forfeit its season-opening win, giving the first-year program its first victory. This is the first meeting between the schools.

Alonso at Sickles
Where: At Gryphons Stadium
Records: Alonso 5-4, 1-1 5A-6; Sickles 6-3, 1-1
Outlook: Alonso and Sickles will be playing for a playoff spot Friday, since Chamberlain has already clinched the other spot. Alonso, the defending district champs, is on a two-game losing skid, while the Gryphons have won two of their last three. Alonso won 40-13 last season, but the game is at Sickles and the Gryphons are hoping to make their first playoff appearance.

Armwood at Middleton
Where: At Abe Brown Stadium
Records: Armwood 9-0, 3-0 4A-11; Middleton 4-3, 0-2
Outlook: Armwood, ranked No. 2 in the Class 4A state poll, has already clinched a playoff spot but the Hawks could be without standout running back Eric Smith due to injury. Middleton needs to win and have Tampa Bay Tech beat Hillsborough in order to force a three way tie for the district runner-up spot. Middleton running back Carlton Jones is also coming off a season-high 276 yards rushing with three touchdowns.

Blake at Leto
Where: At Mahin-Hoffman Stadium
Records: Blake 1-8, 0-2 4A-10; Leto 4-6, 0-2
Outlook: Blake won its first game of the season last week with a 17-10 victory over Sickles while Leto is coming off a 19-13 win over King. Jeremy Deering leads the Falcons with 638 rushing yards and four touchdowns and Willie Hoops and Tevon Mutchinson split carries for Blake. The Yellow Jackets won last year's meeting, 18-6.

Chamberlain at King
Where: At Bill Stewart Stadium
Records: Chamberlain 6-3, 2-0 5A-6, King 2-6, 0-3
Outlook: Chamberlain saw its five-game win streak snapped with a 29-22 loss to Plant. The Chiefs, who already clinched a playoff spot, need to a victory to capture the district title. King is on a two-game losing skid and has been outscored 165-117 this season. Chamberlain won last year, 23-13.

East Bay at Freedom
Where: At Freedom Stadium
Records: East Bay 3-5, Freedom 1-7
Outlook: East Bay has won two straight after suffering a five-game losing streak, and could finish the season at .500 with a win over Freedom and Spoto next week. Freedom earned arguably the upset of the season after defeating Middleton in triple-overtime, but the momentum wasn't enough to carry them over Armwood last week, losing 31-9. These two teams did not meet last season.

Wharton at Gaither
Where: At Cowboy Stadium
Records: Wharton 5-4, 2-0 5A-5; Gaither 6-3, 2-0
Outlook: Although both teams have clinched a playoff spot, Wharton and Gaither are playing for the district title. Wharton is not the 8-2 squad it was in 2006, but the Wildcats still possess weapons in Jairus Jones, Josh Powell and Dominique White. Both teams are coming off losses, Gaither to Hillsborough and Wharton to Riverview. Gaither won last year's meeting, 17-7.

Tampa Catholic at Fort Myers Bishop Verot
Where: At Bishop Verot
Records: Tampa Catholic 7-1, 4-0 2A-5; Bishop Verot, 6-2, 3-1
Outlook: Tampa Catholic sophomore quarterback Christian Green is on pace to surpass 1,000 yards this season, having recorded 779 passing yards with eight touchdowns with two game left in the regular season. The Crusaders have clinched a playoff spot, but can win the district title with a victory. Tampa Catholic won last year's meeting 39-7.

Berkeley Prep at Frostproof
Where: At Frostproof
Records: Berkeley Prep 4-4, 0-2 2B-6; Frostproof 7-1, 2-0
Outlook: Berkeley Prep is coming off a 41-6 win over Evangelical Christian, its biggest win of the season, which also snapped a four-game losing streak. Frostproof is in control of the district championship and needs a win to lock up the district title. The Buccaneers lost to the Bulldogs last season, 39-10.

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