Pasco County football preview: Week 2

PLANTATION AMERICAN HERITAGE (1-0) AT PASCO (0-0)

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m./W.F. Edwards Stadium,

36850 SR 52, Dade City

COACHES: Byron Walker (American Heritage), Tom McHugh (Pasco)

LAST WEEK: Heritage 26, Clewiston 21; Pasco idle

LAST MEETING: Pasco 27, American Heritage 22 (2009)

NEED TO KNOW: Last season the Patriots came to Dade City with a little-known RB named Sony Michel. All the eighth-grader did was rack up 135 rushing yards. He's back and everyone knows who he is. McHugh said by the time Michel is a senior, he could be the top-recruited player in the state, if not the nation. ... The Pirates' first test out of the gate comes against a playoff team that returns a solid core of players on both sides of the ball. As was the case last season in this game, adjustments will be critical for the Pasco defense. The preseason game film the Pirates received from American Heritage likely features players who won't see much playing time for the Patriots, which was the case last season. Pasco's benefit is having played the Patriots last season and knowing what to expect.

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m./Mitchell Stadium, 2323 Little Road, Trinity

COACHES: Kent Reed (Ridgewood), Brian Wachtel (Mitchell)

LAST WEEK: Land O' Lakes 49, Ridgewood 6; Mitchell 41, River Ridge 0

LAST MEETING: Mitchell 20, Ridgewood 6 (2009)

NEED TO KNOW: Ridgewood had its hands full with Land O' Lakes' high-powered passing attack last week. This week, it will be the ground attack led by Ricky Trinidad. Trinidad ran for 142 yards against River Ridge and fullback Eddie Musto added 85. Mitchell totaled 192 yards on the ground while QB Matt Michaels only was 3-for-5 for 26 yards. In last year's matchup, Trinidad rushed for 181 yards on 23 carries. ... Cameron Rodriguez led the Rams with 93 yards rushing against LOL.

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m./Jim Valentine Athletic Complex, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey

COACHES: Ken Hollar (Gulf), Tim Stevens (River Ridge)

LAST WEEK: Gulf 21, Hudson 14; Mitchell 41, River Ridge 0

LAST MEETING: Gulf 43, River Ridge 22 (2009)

NEED TO KNOW: Buccaneers coach Ken Hollar, who was named interim coach just hours before the Hudson game, said that after watching film, it was obvious just how tired his players were after the game. The Bucs outgained Hudson 164 to minus-7 in the first half but gave up big plays in the second half. Sophomore Will Fulmer was consistent, completing nine of 16 passes for 68 yards. Austin Jackson was the big offensive spark, rushing for 137 yards on eight carries, including a 42-yard TD. ... The Royal Knights struggled to run the football and stop the run against Mitchell. Stevens said the offensive struggles were caused by miscommunication between the players and coaches as to where the Mustangs' blitz pressure was coming from. Stevens believes those issues have been corrected. The bigger issue for River Ridge going forward is injuries. Top WR Cameron Hokanson is out indefinitely after injuring his ankle in pregame warm-ups last week. LB Austin Schwarz (ankle) is expected to be fine.

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m./Strawberry Crest Stadium, 4691 Gallagher Road, Dover

COACHES: Matt Wicks (Anclote), Todd Donohoe (Strawberry Crest)

LAST WEEK: Both teams idle

LAST MEETING: First meeting

NEED TO KNOW: After going 0-10 in its first season, Anclote's Wicks knows how important this game is to his Sharks. A win finally would get that 0-fer off their backs and set the tone for the remainder of the season. Sophomore John Forgione moves into the starting quarterback role with last year's starting QB Phil Linton moving to center. Travis Hendrix (running back) and Marlow Bradham (fullback) will get the bulk of the rushing plays. ... Strawberry Crest also is a second-year program but the Chargers did get a win last year against fellow new school Steinbrenner. The Chargers played a split varsity/JV schedule, going 1-6 in varsity contests. The Chargers will run the triple-option, but will mix in the spread.

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m./Bulldog Stadium, 6335 12th St., Zephyrhills

COACHES: Jeremy Shobe (Wiregrass Ranch), Reggie Roberts (Zephyrhills)

LAST WEEK: Zephyrhills idle; Sunlake 43, Wiregrass Ranch 6

LAST MEETING: Wiregrass Ranch 13, Zephyrhills 7 (2009)

NEED TO KNOW: Last week was a tough pill to swallow for the Bulls, but Shobe promises his squad isn't as bad as it appeared last week. Many of the mistakes that led to the loss - four turnovers, bad positioning on tackles, etc. - can be fixed. Expect a different approach offensively as well. Wiregrass put the ball up more times last week than it did in three games last season combined. Look for a run-first approach, which will be done by a committee of backs, which includes Rudy Walker, Nick Lomba, Matt Terry and Jamel Nunez. RB Jamie Barone will be a late decision. ... Zephyrhills had the first week off, but defeated River Ridge 14-13 in the Kickoff Classic on Aug. 27. In that win, QB Chris Reaves went 12-for-24 for 139 yards and a TD; RB Jacobly O'Neal, who transferred from rival Pasco, had six rushes for 104 yards, including runs of 54 and 49 yards; and WR Jamal Roberts caught six passes for 77 yards.

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m./Cobra Stadium, 14414 Cobra Way, Hudson

COACHES: Justin Fenton (Hudson), Ben Alford (Wesley Chapel)

LAST WEEK: Gulf 21, Hudson 14; Clearwater Central Catholic 35, Wesley Chapel 3

LAST MEETING: Hudson 35, Wesley Chapel 10 (2009)

NEED TO KNOW: The Wildcats have tweaked a couple of pieces to their new spread offense and hope to capitalize after an anemic showing last week. Freshman QB Alex McGough will take over as the starter. Alford likes McGough's poise, his ability to be a pocket passer and his willingness to take the hit in order to get the ball to receivers. Despite taking several big hits last week, McGough dusted himself off and remained confident in his drops. Last week against CCC, McGough and Zach Zifer rotated at QB. Also, Dimon Bagwell's physical running style has earned him the start at RB this week. Defensively, Wesley Chapel must be disciplined and faithful to its fundamentals to defend Hudson's wildcat-style offense. ... Both coaches are looking for their first victory. ... The Cobras will look to avoid starting as slow as they did against the Bucs, allowing an early defensive TD. But the way they finished the game - scoring 14 unanswered points against the Bucs - might give them added confidence entering the contest.

WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m./3110 U.S. 92 E., Lakeland

COACHES: Matt Nardo (Bishop McLaughlin), William Dickerson (Santa Fe)

LAST WEEK: Bishop McLaughlin 38, Faith Baptist 21; Santa Fe 26, Mount Dora 0

LAST MEETING: Santa Fe 33, Bishop McLaughlin 8 (2009)

NEED TO KNOW: The Hurricanes are riding a three-game win streak, dating to last season. After scoring 21 points in the third quarter, Bishop played its second string for the rest of the game. Seniors QB Mitch Ritter and FB Gio Perone, along with help from Jordan Betancourt, led the offense, scoring the five TDs. Ritter had nine carries for 23 yards, but TDs of 1 and 9 yards. He was 3-for-9 for 105 yards and a TD pass, while Betancourt had a game-high 111 yards and a TD. Perone chipped in on both sides of the ball: 12 carries for 28 yards, but added two catches for 76 yards, plus threw in a sack, a blocked punt and 10 tackles at linebacker. Bishop brings its most experienced team ever under first-year coach Nardo after going 3-7 last season. ... Last week, Santa Fe shut out a Mount Dora team that went 1-9 in 2009. Santa Fe was 5-5 last season, and is led by QB B.J. Knauf (18 carries, 132 yards, TD), RB Jesus Rivera (145 yards, 90-yard KO return) and DE Michael Kutner (three sacks). The Crimson Hawks held Mount Dora to 43 yards and one first down.