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GAME OF THE WEEK: Chamberlain at Middleton

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 7, 2007

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Abe Brown Stadium, Tampa

WHAT CHAMBERLAIN MUST DO TO WIN:

EXECUTE THE SPREAD OPTION: Junior running back Kelly Allen, junior quarterback Dontae Aycock and senior running back Devin Persaud can get the ball in this formation, and all are capable of running for big gains. Keep Middleton's defense guessing.

BLOCK MIDDLETON'S COLEMAN: Middleton junior defensive lineman Andre Coleman (6-foot-2, 270 pounds) is one of the top defensive players in the county. The Chiefs might have to double-team Coleman to keep him away from the quarterback and negate his ability to disrupt the backfield.

CONTAIN CARLTON JONES: Brandon held Middleton running back Carlton Jones to 24 yards in the season opener, but don't expect a similar performance tonight from the Tigers' go-to guy. Middleton is going to run multiple formations to give Jones room to run. He's big enough to run up the middle and fast enough to turn the corner, so Chamberlain is going to have to watch Jones at all times.

WHAT MIDDLETON MUST DO TO WIN:

PUT YOUR BEST DB ON SYKES: Chamberlain senior receiver Fred Sykes did not have a breakout game against Gaither, but he's still the quarterback's first option. Middleton coach Harry Hubbard said junior defensive back Travis Buie has the potential to be the next great cornerback at Middleton, and he could use him to play a lot of man defense. Buie will have a test in Sykes, one of the county's top receivers.

BE CAREFUL THROWING THE BALL: Chamberlain has arguably the best secondary in Hillsborough County, led by Division I recruit Justin Bell, Devin Persaud, Lonnell Green and Otis Scott. Middleton quarterback De'Andre Presley only threw for 80 yards last week as a result of too many dropped passes. This week, Presley will have to choose his receivers wisely if he doesn't want to give up an interception.

BLOCK FOR JONES: In the second game of the season last year, Carlton Jones rushed for 236 yards and three touchdowns. Middleton's offensive line is going to have to give Jones room to run and allow his confidence to grow throughout the game. Once he gets going, Jones will be hard to stop.

THE X-FACTOR: Middleton's fan support. The number of fans in the stands always seems to grow as it gets closer to halftime and dwindles closer to the fourth quarter. Yes, Middleton's marching band brings fun and entertainment at halftime, but the football team is just as exciting. Get there early and give the team some energy to feed off as they run onto the field.

FEATURED MATCHUP

DONTAE AYCOCK

POSITION: QB

HT/WT: 5-10, 190 pounds

CLASS: Junior

ABOUT AYCOCK: - Even though the team did not play a Kickoff Classic, Aycock didn't look rusty in the season opener as he ran for three touchdowns and threw two more to lead his team to a 41-17 victory against Gaither. It won't surprise if Aycock finishes the season with more than 1,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards.

DE'ANDRE PRESLEY

POSITION: QB

HT/WT: 6-0, 170 pounds

CLASS: Senior

ABOUT PRESLEY: Presley threw for 1,283 yards with eight touchdowns last season and was one of the top rushers for the Tigers. Middleton coach Harry Hubbard said Presley can even play at receiver at the next level. That's if he doesn't choose to play baseball in college.

HEAD TO HEAD

The two quarterbacks got a chance to look at each other during the summer in the 7-on-7 touch league and during the spring jamboree. Aycock compares his style to that of Daunte Culpepper, given his stocky frame and ability to make plays on the run. Presley said he is more like Donovan McNabb, possessing similar leadership skills and an ability to make a big play for his team when needed.

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