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Pinellas County Football Capsules: Week 3

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Lee Diekemper

Tribune correspondent

Published: September 17, 2008

Thursday
East Lake (1-1) at Tarpon Springs (1-0)
This matchup is arguably the county's biggest rivalry and certainly the game of the year as far as attendance. In years past, it has drawn 5,000 fans.

This should be a good game, too. As usual, East Lake has a strong defense. It needs it. The Spongers have possibly their best team in years. With the county's passing leader in Anthony Reyes and two receivers (Bobby Vavlas and Drew Kier) both with over 100 receiving yards each, the Spongers will give East Lake's defense a strong test.

Friday
Countryside (2-0) at St. Petersburg (1-1)
This is a crossroads game for both teams. While not a district game, a win by either team could vault have implications for the rest of the season.

Countryside coach John Davis raved about running back Dawrence Roberts before the season, and for good reason. The senior is averaging nearly 6 yards per carry. St. Petersburg will try to pound the ball with punishing fullback Ben Sams, himself averaging over 5 yards per rush.

Gibbs (1-1) at Northeast (1-1)
This could be for the battle of St. Petersburg. Gibbs already has a victory against Lakewood, but its offense sputtered against Countryside last week. But Gibbs' defense is strong. This game may play right into the Gladiators hands as Northeast has only two touchdowns this season.

Boca Ciega (0-1) at Dixie Hollins (2-0)
Can the Pirates' defense come up big on the road again? Boca Ciega's defense was impressive in the season opener when it held Dunedin's offense -- which is loaded -- to just one touchdown, a 25-yard quarterback keeper by Ryan Singer. This should be an equal test as Dixie Hollins has some pretty diverse weapons on offense.

After a strong showing to start the year, the host Rebels mustered just two touchdowns against Northeast last week.

Lakewood (1-1) at Clearwater (2-0)
Clearwater has yet to allow a point all season. That's the good. Now here's the bad: Clearwater's offense has yet to score a point and the team has only 10 points, a field goal in the season opener against Seminole for the game's lone score and Tarrence Jackson's 95-yard kickoff return in Clearwater's win over Osceola last week.

Lakewood has all its starting skill position players back from last season. After a sluggish start against Gibbs, the Spartans exploded for 44 points against Pinellas Park last week.

Osceola (0-2) at Dunedin (2-0)
Osceola has been struggling and things don't appear to be getting any easier against arguably the county's best team in Dunedin. Loaded at running back highlighted by South Florida verbal commitment tailback Darius Bellamy, the host Falcons took to the air scoring three touchdown passes in a 38-0 win over Seminole.

Palm Harbor (0-2) at Seminole (0-2)
The host Warhawks are in a rut. Not only have they yet to score a point this season, they haven't won a game since the close of the 2006 season. In short, Seminole has won just two of its last 22 games. Palm Harbor put up a fight against Tarpon Springs to begin the season, but were blown out last week at Largo.

Bradenton Prep (1-1) at Northside Christian (0-2)
If the Golden Eagles are going to rack up a victory, they've got to start scoring points. Northside Christian has only scored one offensive touchdown so far this season, a 75-yard touchdown pass. But if the defense doesn't play better than last week in a 48-7 loss to Orlando First Academy it may not matter.

Keswick Christian (0-2) at Shorecrest Prep (1-1)
A couple of cross-town rivals tangle again. It's not surprising to see Keswick Christian struggle after losing so much solid talent from one of the area's better teams in recent years. Still, being shut out in both games is a bit surprising.

Shorecrest has switched to the fad offense of the first decade of the 21st century, the spread option. The Chargers seemed to have ironed out any wrinkles in racking up 42 points last week, largely on the ground with 594 yards on 57 carries.

Admiral Farragut (0-1) at Winter Haven All Saints (0-2)
Someone will have to win this battle of struggling offenses. The two teams have combined for 31 points in three games. Noah Silverberg has the lone score for Admiral Farragut which might have to rely on its defense to chalk up its first win.

Providence Christian at Indian Rocks Christian (2-0)
Expect a blowout. The host Golden Eagles will get a chance for second and third team players to rack up a lot of valuable playing time.

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