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Pinellas County football preview: Week 11

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By LEE DIEKEMPER

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 12, 2009

Thursday

East Lake (6-3) at Nature Coast (7-2)

A good tune-up for the playoffs. East Lake and its strong defense will face a solid running back (Tevin Drake, 1,322 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns) and a good quarterback (C.J. Baker, 10 touchdown passes). East Lake has not faced too many teams other than Countryside that are so well-balanced.

Friday

Clearwater (5-4) at Tarpon Springs (7-2)

The Tornadoes have a shot at a winning season despite missing the playoffs. They may have a chance in this game because it's not unlikely the Spongers will be resting some players.

Boca Ciega (4-5) at Gibbs (6-3)

There are few four-win teams better than Boca Ciega. The speed of the Pirates and the skill of Boca Ciega quarterback Shaquille Bradford (1,401 yards passing 19 touchdowns) will help Gibbs prepare for Manatee next week in the playoffs.

Lakewood (7-2) at Northeast (3-6)

Last year the Spartans sabotaged their postseason with injuries to key players in meaningless games. Like many teams, Lakewood faces the dilemma of whether to rest key players for next week's playoffs, or go at full strength against its cross-town rival.

Clearwater Central Catholic (5-4) at St. Petersburg Catholic (5-4)

Neither of these bitter rivals are going to the playoffs, and this matchup isn't quite as big as when Jock Sanders and Riley Cooper played and both teams flirted with state title hopes.

Palm Harbor University High (4-5) at Largo (7-2)

An upset win by the Hurricanes would prevent a losing season. Largo, banged up, will likely be resting or limiting quite a few players in advance of its playoff debut against Hillsborough. Don't be shocked if this game is close.

Dixie Hollins (0-9) at Pinellas Park (4-5)

The visiting Patriots have a shot of finishing the season with a .500 record, which is borderline remarkable for a team that hadn't won a game in the two previous seasons.

Dixie Hollins, meanwhile, has only twice held teams to less than 35 points.

Dunedin (1-8) at St. Petersburg (8-1)

The Falcons have had a tough season, worst in years. Even if the host Green Devils were to sit some players, not sure if Dunedin can reverse its season-long misfortune.

Shorecrest Prep (3-6) at Keswick Christian (1-8)

Both teams have had disappointing seasons, but Shorecrest Prep is coming off an impressive upset win over Admiral Farragut last week.

Shorecrest's Hunter Tremaine may be the difference. He leads the Chargers with 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Calvary Christian (4-5) at Northside Christian (6-3)

Northside Christian's running game might be too much for Calvary Christian. Chris Culbreth's 1,193 yards and 8 yards a carry average will be hard to stop.

Saturday

Indian Rocks Christian (6-3) at Cambridge (4-5)

Cambridge will have to pick its poison in order to stop Indian Rocks Christian. First, Blake Farver has 1,122 yards passing and 14 touchdowns. Tyler Ostheim averages more than 5 yards a carry.

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