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Game of the Week: Ridgewood at Land O' Lakes (7-1)

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 2, 2007

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Gator Stadium

WHAT RIDGEWOOD MUST DO TO WIN:

PRESSURE PASSING GATORS: Land O' Lakes rotates quarterbacks, using Ely Payne and Stephen Weatherford as it has done since Week 2, and has yet to lose. One of the passers is bound to enter the game cold and in need of time to get into a groove. Before that comfort arrives, Ridgewood has to hassle whichever signal-caller is in the game. Aaron Jackson leads the team with 12 sacks, followed by Ben Perry's six. In all, the unit has 34 sacks.

RIDE THE ARLINE EXPRESS: The more yards Byronell Arline gains and the less a defense can stop him, the better the Rams' chances are of winning. It's only obvious why Ridgewood is undefeated - a solid ground game. Arline has scored 30 of the team's 46 touchdowns.

WIN TURNOVER BATTLE: If this game becomes a tight, battle-for-field-position-type contest, Ridgewood has to be on the plus side of turnovers. With every turnover comes the opportunity to score. The Rams can't waste any opportunities against a defense that has allowed just 82 points, collected 18 sacks and had 24 hurries.

WHAT LAND O' LAKES MUST DO TO WIN:

CORRAL THE RAM: Make no bones about it, the goal of the Land O' Lakes defense is to stop Byronell Arline. Period. The Gators must force another player to step up for the Rams and make up for what the bruising back brings to the offense.

PLAY EFFICIENT OFFENSE: By using two different quarterbacks, Land O' Lakes introduces two styles to its offense. Whichever passer is in, he must connect with receivers, and those receivers must hang on to the ball. Also, the Land O' Lakes run-by-committee offense has to eat up yardage and run time off the clock.

FORCE RIDGEWOOD TO THE AIR: The Rams have thrown for seven touchdowns all season. Granted, because Arline is so efficient it isn't necessary, but the more the ball is in the air the more chances there are for interceptions. Additionally, the Gators have the area's leading interceptor in quarterback/safety Ely Payne (6).

X-FACTOR: Ridgewood's seniors have not experienced a victory against Land O' Lakes, but the Rams will make their first playoff appearance since 2002. A win would clinch the program's first district title. Conversely, the Gators will make the program's 16th playoff appearance - 11th in a row. Land O' Lakes also has a chance to win the program's 12th district title. If that happens, it will be the fifth district crown in six years.

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