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Football: Hillsborough Previews Week 8

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 17, 2007

Alonso at Chamberlain
Where: At John Adcock Stadium
Records: Alonso 5-2, 1-0 (5A-6); Chamberlain 5-2, 1-0
Outlook: Alonso's offense was shutout by Gaither's defense last week, but the Raven's defense put up a good effort against one of the state's top running backs, Jarvis Giles, by holding him under 100 yards. Chamberlain's defense and special teams won the game for the Chiefs last week in a come from behind win over Jefferson. Because Chamberlain handed Sickles a district loss earlier this season, the district champion could be decided in this game. Alonso won last year's meeting, 14-8, to win the title while Chamberlain settled for runner-up status.

Blake at Jefferson
Where: At Sam Horton Field
Records: Blake 0-7, 0-1 (4A-10), Jefferson 2-4, 1-0
Outlook: Blake was very competitive earlier in the season, suffering close losses to Jesuit, Plant City and Alonso, but has since been dismantled by Chamberlain, Middleton, Plant and Brandon. Jefferson is coming off a heart-breaking loss to Chamberlain, but can still clinch district runner-up status with a win over the Yellow Jackets, having defeated Leto already. Plant is the only other team in the district. The Dragons won last year's meeting 44-14.

Middleton at Freedom
Where: At Freedom Stadium
Records: Middleton 4-2, 0-1 (4A-11), Freedom 0-6, 0-2
Outlook: Of Middleton's final four regular season games, three are district. The Tigers are coming off a 35-10 win over Wharton, in which running back Carlton Jones rushed for two touchdowns. Freedom hasn't scored more than 20 points this season and is still playing without most of its top players who are serving suspensions. Freedom, a completely different team from last year's playoff team, beat Middleton 44-33 in the 2006 meeting.

Wesley Chapel at Gaither
Where: At Cowboy Stadium
Records: Wesley Chapel (4-3, 0-1, 5A-5), Gaither (5-2, 1-0)
Outlook: The Wildcats beat Sunlake 42-6 last week to snap a two-game losing streak and also welcomed back starting quarterback Greg Jenkins. Wesley Chapel, having lost to Wharton, needs a win Thursday to stay in the district run. Gaither, after starting the season 0-2, has won five consecutive games. Standout running back Jarvis Giles was unable to produce his usual 100 yard plus statistics, but the Cowboys' defense showed it can win games, also. Gaither won last year's meeting, 42-21.

Mitchell at Wharton
Where: At Wharton Field
Records: Mitchell (2-4, 0-1, 5A-5), Wharton (4-3, 1-0)
Outlook: Mitchell has lost three consecutive games, its worst a 42-13 loss to Ridgewood last week. The Mustangs defense has struggled this season and quarterback Tate Humphrey hasn't been playing at 100 percent since returning from an ankle sprain. Wharton's offense is still out of rhythm, but the Wildcats' defense has been stellar all year. Wharton won last year's meeting, 25-6.

Tampa Catholic at Mulberry
Where: At Mulberry
Records: Tampa Catholic (5-1, 2-0, 2A-5), Mulberry (3-3, 1-1)
Outlook: Tampa Catholic is coming off a huge win over Jacksonville Trinity Christian and is currently on top the district standings. Sophomore quarterback Christian Green threw two touchdown passes last week and senior running back Drew Zink is on point to surpass 1,000 yards. Jerrell Carr is the Panthers' leading rusher, but shares carriers with three other players. The Crusaders had a shutout victory over Mulberry last year, 37-0

Plant City at Newsome
Where: Newsome Stadium
Records: Plant City 4-3, 2-0 5A-7; Newsome 4-3, 0-1
Outlook: The Raiders played Armwood tough last week, holding the Hawks to 14 points. The key to playing the nation's No. 23 team so close was two turnovers Plant City's defense picked up. Newsome was up on Riverview 10-7 at halftime last week, but then relinquished 35 unanswered points in the 42-10 loss. The Wolves fumbled seven times, which Riverview recovered four, so obviously protecting the ball is all the more important given Plant City's penchant for creating turnovers.

Leto at Plant
Where: Dad's Stadium
Records: Leto 2-4, 0-1 4A-10, Plant 5-1, 1-0
Outlook: Leto suffered a disappointing loss to Bloomingdale last week and must avoid a big letdown against the defending state champs. The Falcons have held their own, even in losses, but Plant has been on a roll, both offensively and defensively, since dropping the regular season opener to Armwood. Leto has a strong secondary, but they'll be tested unlike any other game this season by Plant's standout receivers Derek Winter and Cornelius Gallon.

Riverview at Sarasota (Friday)
Where: Ihrig Field
Records: Riverview 2-4, 0-1 6A-6; Sarasota 4-3, 1-0
Outlook: Riverview poured on the offense in the second half of a 42-10 victory against Newsome last week. Jahleel Addae led the Sharks with 143 rushing yards and three touchdowns. After trailing 10-7 in the first half, Riverview proved they could come back thanks to four turnovers by their defense. Sarasota defeated Chaminade 30-14 after only four day's rest and gets another short week to prepare for the Sharks.

Spoto at Sarasota Booker
Where: Tornado Alley
Records: Spoto 3-3, 0-1 3A-11; Sarasota Booker 5-1, 1-0
Outlook: Spoto has surprised many this season, their first in varsity play, including Tampa Bay Tech. But in their 28-8 loss to Sickles last week, the Spartans looked every bit the young team that they are. Spoto's defense allowed 233 rushing yards in the loss. Given that Booker averages 171 rushing yards per game, this will be a tough road trip for Spoto. Booker handily defeated Southeast last week 35-20.

Jesuit at Palmetto (Friday)
Where: Harllee Stadium
Records: Jesuit 3-3, 1-1 3A-11; Palmetto 6-0, 2-0
Outlook: Jesuit enjoyed a much needed rest last week after losing its first district game of the season to Sarasota Booker on Oct. 5. Palmetto owns this district with a commanding lead and perfect record. Both teams rely on a strong ground game. Jesuit, led by senior Chris Kavouklis, averages 115 rushing yards, while Palmetto averages 162 yards on the ground.

Sarasota Cardinal Mooney at Berkeley Prep (Friday)
Where: Newman Stadium
Records: Cardinal Mooney 3-4, 0-1 2B-6; Berkeley Prep 3-3, 0-1
Outlook: Berkeley Prep has dropped three straight since winning its first three games. In their three wins, the Buccaneers averaged 33 points, but in their three losses, the offense managed only 14 points per game. A 35-yard Palmetto field goal was the difference in Palmetto's 20-17 loss last week. Palmetto was playing with a heavy heart five days after the apparent suicide of a former teammate.

Hillsborough at Armwood
Where: Lyle Flagg Field, Seffner
Records: Hillsborough 6-1, 2-0 4A-11; Armwood 7-0, 1-0
Outlook: This game could very well determine the district championship. The Terriers are coming off their first loss of the season, a 35-16 setback against Plant, but are confident they can bounce back. Hillsborough will look to win the battle up front with its offensive line and keep the ball on the ground with the backfield trio of Iziah Wyche, Lindsey Lamar and Marc Thomas. However, don't be surprised to see QB Tarean Austin get a chance to make some plays in this quick-strike Terriers offense. While the score of Armwood's win last week over Plant City (14-10) might not look like a dominant performance, the Hawks were able to move the ball offensively very well. The only problem was costly turnovers inside the red zone, an area Armwood's coaching staff believes will be improved this week. Senior RB Eric Smith (810 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns) has been great for the Hawks this season, but he's still looking for a bit of revenge against the Terriers after an elbow injury in the 2006 season opener against Hillsborough forced him to miss most of last season. Armwood has won the past three meetings with Hillsborough, including two last season (19-9 in regular season; 32-7 in 4A region playoffs).

Bloomingdale at East Bay
Where: E.G. Simmons Field, Gibsonton
Records: Bloomingdale 2-4, 0-1 5A-7; East Bay 1-5, 0-1
Outlook: Bloomingdale is coming off a 14-7 victory over Leto, one in which the Bulls got a touchdown pass from QB Jose Alvarez and a touchdown run from Eldred Hardy. Bloomingdale coach Corey Brinson is just one victory shy of tying former Bulls coach Terry Long (1992-1996) for most coaching victories in program history. Bulls LB C.J. Curran is averaging a team-best 11 tackles per game. East Bay is coming off its bye week and looking to snap a five-game losing skid. The Indians' first three losses in the streak were by a combined seven points, but in the final two losses they've been outscored 52-10. East Bay still boasts the patented wishbone offense. Senior RB Ryan Stubbs leads the way with 439 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while junior FB Chaz Burrows has 302 yards and two scores this season.

Sarasota Riverview at Durant
Where: Ron Frost Athletic Complex, Plant City
Records: Sarasota Riverview 1-6, 1-0 6A-6; Durant 3-4, 0-1
Outlook: Sarasota Riverview has just one win this season, but it came against district rival Riverview. The Rams came from 14-points down in that victory, scoring 21 unanswered to win. The Cougars are coming off a 32-13 win over Freeedom, but it proved costly as junior RB Ryan Rice, one of Hillsborough County's leading rushers, was lost with a shoulder injury. Rice, who has 880 yards this year, is expected to miss at least two weeks. Durant RB Marshon Shoemake filled in admirably in Rice's absence by rushing for three scores in the win, but don't be surprised to see senior QB Jeremy Fussell with the ball in his hands a little more with the Cougars' playoff hopes lying on the outcome of this game. Sarasota Riverview won this matchup 21-0 last year.

Lake Placid at Lennard
Where: Lennard Stadium, Ruskin
Records: Lake Placid 2-4, 0-2 2A-5; Lennard 0-7, 0-2
Outlook: Both teams enter on lengthy losing streaks in search of their first district victory. Lake Placid has dropped three straight and has been outscored during that stretch 141-14. Two of its losses have been shutouts. Lennard is still searching for its first varsity win in program history, and this could be the Longhorns' best chance at avoiding a winless season. Junior WR Blake Kennedy continues to impress. Kennedy tallied his fourth 100-yard receiving game of the season in last week's loss to Tampa Bay Tech, and he ranks either first or second among Hillsborough County's receivers in receptions (41; first), yards (692; first) and touchdowns (7; second). This is the first meeting between the schools.

Sickles at King
Where: Bill Stewart Stadium, Tampa
Records: Sickles 5-2, 0-1 5A-6; King 2-4; 0-1
Outlook: Sickles is coming off a 28-8 victory against Spoto and can secure the first winning season in program history against the Lions. Gryphons senior RB Josh Mendez had his best game of the season last week, running for 208 yards on 31 carries and scoring three touchdowns in the win. The Lions are coming off a 27-21 victory over Robinson, the first for interim coach Alex Gonzalez. Travis Campbell and Jarrel Livingston each returned interceptions for touchdowns in the win. This is the final game in the five-week suspension for King first-year coach Earl Garcia III. Garcia was suspended by King administrators for an altercation with referees following the Lions' loss to Bloomingdale on Sept. 14. King defeated Sickles 20-10 last season.

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