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Tribune Prep Football Review

A Tribune staff report

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 2, 2008

TRIBUNE TOP 10

Pos. School	Record	Points	Up Next
1. Armwood	9-0	50	vs. Middleton (1-7)
Hawks clinched Class 4A-District 11 title Friday
2. Plant	7-1	45	at Jefferson (5-3)
Panthers can claim fourth consecutive district title with win
3. Chamberlain	8-1	39	vs. King (3-5)
Chiefs will look to build some positive momentum heading into playoffs
4. Tampa Bay Tech	8-1	35	vs. Hillsborough (6-3)
A Titans win will put team in playoffs for first time since 2001
5. Wharton	7-2	28	vs. Gaither (4-5)
Wildcats on a roll - seven straight wins - entering Class 5A-District 5 title game
6. Tampa Catholic	6-2	21	vs. Fort Myers Bishop Verot (6-2)
Crusaders clinched Class 2A-District 5 title Friday
7. Hillsborough	6-3	19	at Tampa Bay Tech (8-1)
A Terriers win will put team in postseason for 11th consecutive year
8. Newsome	7-2	17	vs. Bloomingdale (6-2)
Wolves can tie program's longest win streak and earn first district title with win
9. Jefferson	5-3	15	vs. Plant (7-1)
Dragons have some momentum heading into Class 4A-District 10 title game
10. Bloomingdale	6-2	3	at Newsome (7-2)
Bulls look to continue dream season by winning Class 5A-District 7 title

Also receiving votes: Alonso (6-3) 2, Spoto (3-5) 1.

PAYING TRIBUTE

During halftime of East Bay's home game Friday night against Newsome, the Indians paid tribute to a beloved friend and former teammate who passed away earlier this year.

East Bay retired the No. 10 jersey worn by former quarterback Rex Ballenger, a 2008 graduate who died May 19 from injuries sustained in a car accident. Ballenger, nicknamed "Scooter," was a three-year starter for the Indians, and was an immensely popular student and football player at East Bay.

"He was a tenacious football player. He only weighed about 140 pounds, but he was tough as nails," East Bay coach Brian Thornton said. "It makes me happy to see his jersey retired because I want people to remember him, and there's not much more we can do, but I think this is going to help. We'll tell stories and talk about Rex as long as I'm coaching, I'll tell you that."

JUNK-FOOD KINGS

With special-teams play being Bloomingdale's Achilles' heel this season, first-year coach Jason Stokes decided to offer a bit of incentive to players who provide a big play for the units.

The reward? Junk food - everything from pizza to candy bars.

Well, the Bulls might be a little heavier this week. Bloomingdale's special-team units provided two touchdowns, two safeties and a field-goal block in Friday's 27-22 win against Brandon, which clinched the Bulls' first winning season and first playoff berth in program history.

"They're going to break the bank," Stokes said, "but I'll be happy to buy a bunch of pepperoni pizzas for them."

PERFECT TIMING

The Robinson Knights picked the perfect time to give Coach Mike DePue his first victory against Sarasota Booker.

Robinson's 24-21 win Friday against the Tornadoes was the first in five games against Booker with DePue as the head man on the Knights' sideline, and the win gives the Knights a chance to earn their first playoff berth since 2005.

Robinson hosts Spoto this week in a Class 3A-District 11 matchup that will decide the runner-up spot in the district.

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE

Plant quarterback Aaron Murray had front-row seats for his team's victory against Chamberlain. Murray was set up in the north end zone in a cushioned chair with his broken leg propped up on an ottoman.

It was the same area at Dad's Stadium where former wideout Cornelius Gallon sat to watch games last season after he tore his ACL in the Panthers' game against Chamberlain.

BY THE NUMBERS

Hillsborough County teams that clinched their first playoff berths in program history Friday night. Bloomingdale did so with a 27-22 victory against Brandon, while Newsome did so with a 17-12 victory against East Bay.

Times this decade Armwood has won at least nine regular-season games. The Hawks, who improved to 9-0 win Friday's win against Freedom and is Hillsborough County's only remaining undefeated team, will go for their third undefeated regular season this decade this week at home vs. Middleton.

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