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FOOTBALL: Hillsborough Previews

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By Charles Gonzalez and Gregg Becnel, Tribune correspondents

Published: September 27, 2007

Freedom at Alonso
Where: Alonso Stadium
Records: Freedom 0-3, Alonso 3-1
Outlook: The Patriots are off to a woeful start. They have been outscored 81-6 in three games and were involved in an ugly brawl in last week's loss at Tampa Bay Tech, resulting in six Freedom players being ejected. Ravens RB David Bankston rushed nine times for 94 yards and two TDs (5, 57) in a 21-9 win against Leto. Alonso's three wins have come by an average score of 22-7.

Armwood at Jefferson
Where: Sam Horton Field
Records: Armwood 4-0, Jefferson 1-2
Outlook: The Hawks' 42-3 win last week against previously unbeaten Newsome continues to prove Armwood is in a class by itself. Through four games, the Hawks have outscored their opponents 146-15 and haven't given up a touchdown since the second quarter of the season opener – a span of 14 quarters. Jefferson is off to a disappointing start after last week's 27-17 loss against Gaither. QB Zack Grossi (9-for-27 for 137 yards last week) needs to rebound and have a smart, productive outing for the Dragons to have a chance of keeping it close. Armwood won last year's meeting 13-6.

Sickles at Bloomingdale
Where: Charley Harris Stadium
Records: Sickles 3-1, Bloomingdale 1-3
Outlook: The Gryphons' impressive start has made everyone forget they came into this season with a 12-game losing streak. Sickles coach Pat O'Brien has gotten steady play from QB (and son) Cullen O'Brien, who threw two TDs passes to AJ Bose in last week's 21-14 win against Wharton. The Bulls are coming off a 27-0 loss against Plant City and have given up at least 21 points in every game, including 50 in the season-opening loss against Tampa Bay Tech.

Durant at Brandon
Where: E.F. McLane Stadium
Records: Durant 2-2, Brandon 2-2
Outlook: The Cougars and Eagles are both looking to win consecutive games for the first time this season. Durant QB Jeremy Fussell accounted for three TDs (two rushing) in last week's 30-6 win against King. Brandon is coming off an emotional 17-16 win against East Bay when K Brad Keefe nailed a 27-yard field goal as time expired. The Eagles had two 100-yard rushers in Samir Baker (112) and Marquel Gilmore (105). Brandon won a 27-26 squeaker last year.

East Bay at Chamberlain
Where: John Adcock Stadium
Records: East Bay 1-3, Chamberlain 2-2
Outlook: The Indians have been in a three-game tailspin since their season-opening win against neighborhood rival Riverview. A couple of plays here or there, however, and East Bay could be 4-0, having lost its three games by a combined seven points, including last week's last-second 17-16 loss against Brandon. The Chiefs, who were without Coach Billy Turner, snapped a two-game losing streak with a 28-0 win against Blake last week. Turner has been released from the hospital and could be with his team for Friday's game. East Bay shut out Chamberlain a year ago, 14-0.

Gaither at Jesuit
Where: Alumni Field at Corral Memorial Stadium
Records: Gaither 2-2, Jesuit 3-1
Outlook: Cowboys RB Jarvis Giles is probably salivating about the prospects of running on Jesuit's fast artificial turf field. The speedy Giles has found his groove the past two games and is coming off a monster outing in last week's 27-17 win against Jefferson. Giles rushed 33 times for 217 yards and three TDs (63, 1, 14). The Tigers, who have scored 67 points in their past two games, look for their third consecutive win. In last week's 34-15 victory against Robinson, Chris Kavouklis and Erick McGriff scored two touchdowns apiece: Kavouklis on 2- and 14-yard runs, and McGriff on a 90-yard kick return and a 33-yard reception.

Hillsborough at Riverview
Where: At J. Vince Thompson Stadium
Records: Hillsborough 4-0; Riverview 1-2
Outlook: Hillsborough's dominant defense took a back seat to two underclassmen in last week's 35-32 victory over Middleton. Quarterback Tarean Austin found wide receiver Terrence Mitchell for a 27-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The Terriers defense has recorded two shutouts in the first four games. Riverview must bounce back quickly after a 43-22 loss to Plant last week. The Sharks defense gave up 368 yards total offense and the offense wasn't any better allowing five sacks and two turnovers.

Leto at Lennard
Where: At Lennard Stadium
Records: Leto 1-3; Lennard 0-4
Outlook: Leto was plagued by turnovers, sacks and penalties in a 21-9 loss against Alonso last week. The Falcons had three turnovers, three sacks and 15 penalties for 115 yards, which offset the 246 yards total offense. Lennard hung with St. Petersburg Catholic in the first half, playing to a 14-14 halftime score. However, the Barons ended up pulling off the victory 35-21. Lennard QB Andrew Burdick went 7-for-17 for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

Robinson at Newsome
Where: At Newsome Stadium
Records: Robinson 0-4, Newsome 3-1
Outlook: Despite a school record 99-yard kickoff return by Imani Wadeset, Robinson still couldn't capture its first victory. The Knights were outscored 21-9 in the second half by Jesuit in a 34-15 loss. Newsome experienced its first loss of the season with a 42-3 road loss against Armwood last week. The Wolves offense couldn't get anything going, being held to 55 yards total offense.

Plant City at Wharton
Where: At Wharton Field
Records: Plant City 3-1; Wharton 2-2
Outlook: Plant City running back Sirchauncey Holloway rushed for 245 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns in a 27-0 win over Bloomingdale. However, the Raiders had to finish the game without their starting quarterback, Clinton Stearns, who left the game with an injured arm in the third quarter. Wharton fell short in its comeback in a 21-14 loss to Sickles last week when QB Andrew Clifford's last-second pass was broken up. Wharton defeated Plant City last year, 14-0.

Tampa Bay Tech at Spoto
Where: At Spoto Stadium
Records: Tampa Bay Tech 4-0; Spoto 2-2
Outlook: Tampa Bay Tech's defense recorded its third consecutive shutout this season with a 19-0 district victory over Freedom last week. However, the Titans will be without five players who were suspended after the first-quarter fight that occurred in the win. Following consecutive victories, Spoto took a step backwards with a 40-0 loss to Palmetto last week. The Spartans defense will need a better showing against Tampa Bay Tech after allowing 437 yards of total offense last week.

Orlando Lake Highland at Berkeley Prep
Where: At Newman Stadium
Records: Orlando Lake Highland 2-2; Berkeley Prep 3-0
Outlook: Berkeley Prep comes off its bye week and is looking to stay undefeated with Lake Highland coming into Newman Stadium. The Buccaneers defense has led the way in two of the three victories, allowing 17.3 points per game so far this season.

Cambridge Christian at Keswick Christian
Where: At Titan Stadium
Records: Cambridge Christian 2-2, 0-1 1B-6; Keswick Christian 3-0, 0-0
Outlook: Cambridge needs to get a big district victory this week after losing 28-0 last week against Bradenton Prep. The Lancers were unable to score a touchdown last week despite average 23 yards per carry on the ground. Cambridge did have two turnovers in the loss.

SATURDAY
Blake vs. Middleton
Where: Raymond James Stadium
When: Saturday
Records: Blake 0-4, Middleton 2-2
Outlook: Maybe the emotion of this long-time rivalry will wake up the Yellow Jackets from their season-long slumber. Blake, which was blanked 28-0 last week by Chamberlain, has scored just 22 points in its four games. After starting the season 2-0, the Tigers have lost its past two games, including last week's thrilling 35-32 setback against Hillsborough. Blake's lethargic offense might be just what Middleton's defense needs to regain some confidence. After giving up just 17 points in their first two games, the Tigers have surrendered 70 in the past two. Middleton won last year's meeting 19-12 and holds a 3-1 advantage in the series since its renewal in 2003.

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