Hillsborough County football preview: Week 11

HILLSBOROUGH (6-2) AT TAMPA BAY TECH (7-1)

NEED TO KNOW: Although this is no longer a district game and both squads are preparing for the playoffs, Hillsborough must remember last season when TBT knocked it out of the playoffs for the only the second time in the past 13 years. With that in mind, this regular-season finale is an intriguing one, particularly considering the Titans are still hungry for respect from its county peers.

If both teams use their starters the entire game, this could be a physical contest. Both TBT and Hillsborough boast size and speed, and if they want to enter the postseason healthy, both squads need to be careful in this relatively meaningless contest. From that perspective, it will be interesting to see if the key player on both squads - Hillsborough quarterback Tarean Austin and TBT fullback Maurice Hagens - will see four quarters for action. If either of those athletes go down with an injury from this game, it would be devastating for both squads.

ROBINSON (8-1) AT PLANT (7-1)

NEED TO KNOW: South Tampa bragging rights are on the line in this classic neighborhood rivalry. Both teams are heading to the playoffs, with the Knights winning their first district championship since 1977 and the Panthers winning their fifth in a row.

Robinson will be charged with trying to stop a multifaceted Plant offense led by quarterback Phillip Ely and one-two ground game punch of T.J. Glover and James Wilder, Jr.

With the emergence of quarterback Blake Rice and running back J.J. Hubbard, the Knights have averaged 43 points a game. But that was mostly against 2A talent and they'll find room hard to come by against a stingy 5A Plant defense that has two players in double digit sacks - Wilder (11) and middle linebacker Mike Mirabella (10).

TAMPA CATHOLIC (8-0) AT JESUIT (8-1)

NEED TO KNOW: Yes, Tampa Catholic has lost nine straight to their arch rival. Yes, the Crusaders were arguably the favorites the past two years and still managed to lose. And this year, TC is undefeated, one of the state's top-ranked teams in Class 2B and, on paper, the arguable favorites.

But with Jesuit boasting one of its best teams in years -- and its first playoff squad in three seasons -- the Tigers could once again prove to be the Crusaders' undoing.

Essentially, this should come down to who can contain the other team's primary threats and minimize mistakes. TC's running game is its primary weapon, with quarterback Christian Green a breakaway threat on the option and running back Hank McCloud the type of back who can punish a team over the course of four quarters. The Crusaders also have one of the area's best blocking fullbacks, Hunter Joyer, who is also known for his power running. On the offensive and defensive lines for TC is one of the nation's top recruits, 6-foot-6, 295-pound senior Chaz Green. And if the Crusaders somehow get stuffed at the line by Jesuit, Green and receivers Austin Aikens and Conner Louis are still capable of carrying the load.

Jesuit, meanwhile, has enjoyed success through the air. Led by 6-4 senior quarterback Bobby Eveld, who has passed for more than 1,500 yards this season, and Bryce Walker, who had 26 catches for 452 yards, the Tigers have produced one of their most potent air attacks in years. Jesuit still has its usually beefy offensive line and a back to take advantage of it (Robby Garcia, 149 rushes for 725 yards) but its success against TC will likely be measured through the air.

ALONSO (4-5) AT ARMWOOD (8-1)

NEED TO KNOW: Both teams are bound for the playoffs, so each could use a win to enter the postseason on a positive note.

Ravens quarterback C.J. Bennett ranks among the area's leading passers with 2,018 yards and 21 touchdowns on the year, and he spreads the ball around - four active receivers have caught 20 or more passes this season.

Hawks quarterback Josh Grady has thrown for three touchdowns in each of his last two games, while running back Matt Jones has come on as well, topping the 100-yard rushing mark in each of his last two games while scoring four touchdowns.

BLAKE (1-8) AT PLANT CITY (6-3)

NEED TO KNOW: The Raiders are coming off a bye and hope to build up some more momentum for the playoffs against the Yellow Jackets.

Plant City has won five consecutive games and earned the district runner-up spot last week after Newsome defeated Durant. Raiders running back Dazmond Patterson has rushed for 100 yards or more in each of his last eight games.

Blake has managed just two offensive scores in the four games, both coming in a 14-13 win over Dixie Hollins on Oct. 23.

BRANDON (2-7) AT BLOOMINGDALE (0-9)

NEED TO KNOW: Pride will be the only thing on the line in this matchup of neighborhood rivals as neither team qualified for the postseason.

While Brandon's offense has struggled for much of the season, the Eagles' defense has had a few players put together good seasons. Defensive lineman Shawn Council has nine sacks, while defensive back Sean Watson has five interceptions.

Bloomingdale, led by running back Derrick Johnson, were shut out for the third time in last week's loss to Riverview. This is the last chance this season for the Bulls to earn a win under first-year Coach John Booth.

DURANT (6-3) AT KING (3-5)

NEED TO KNOW: The Cougars recently accepted an invitation to play in a postseason bowl game to their season won't end here, while the Lions enter this matchup hoping to finish the 2009 season on a positive note.

The Cougars need to shore up their defense. After allowing double-digit points just twice in their first seven games, Durant has surrendered 27 and 35 points, respectively, in consecutive losses to Plant City and Newsome.

Durant will be without senior running back John Hicks, who suffered a high ankle sprain in last week's loss to Newsome and was ruled out by Coach Mike Gottman.

King quarterback Greg Windham returned last week after missing two games, but the Lions offense struggled against Hillsborough and King suffered its first shutout of the season.

MIDDLETON (5-4) AT JEFFERSON (7-1)

NEED TO KNOW: The Tigers are looking for a positive end to the 2009 regular season, while the Dragons are hoping to sustain their current momentum before entering the state playoffs next week.

Middleton has lost consecutive games following a four-game winning streak, and the offense has struggled during that stretch, averaged just 15 points per game.

The Tigers will have to find a way to slow down Jefferson's passing duo of quarterback Quentin Williams and receiver Andre Davis, who have hooked up for at least one scoring pass in each game since the season opener.

BERKELEY PREP (6-2) AT ANCLOTE (0-9)

NEED TO KNOW: The Bucs have clinched a spot in the playoffs for the first time since coach Dominick Ciao took over the program in 2007. A victory would give Ciao his 150th career win and the Bucs first seven-win season since 2004. Berkeley dealt with various injuries and illness throughout the season, but are relatively healthy now.

Running back Nelson Agholor, the county's seventh-leading rusher, averages 110 yards and two touchdowns per game.

The winless Anclote Sharks have been outscored this season, 383-65. In last week's 18-7 loss to Zephyrhills, the Sharks managed only 175 yards of offense. Leading rusher Kris Aratchiysky averages 81.7 yards per game,

NEWSOME (6-2) AT GAITHER (1-8)

NEED TO KNOW: Gaither's challenging season comes to an end against the 5A-6 champion Newsome Wolves. With a very young and depleted roster, the Cowboys have struggled to find an identity on offense. Gaither's been outscored 310-47, including four shutouts. One of the bright spots has been the play of the defense, led by defensive back Jamal Allen, linebacker Josh Scarberry and lineman Derek Bavol.

Newsome discovered there is life after Conner Powers, who was lost for the season with a knee injury, and that offensive life is in the air. In their district championship victory against Durant last week, the Wolves put the offense in quarterback Matt Klenke, who threw for 324 yards and four touchdowns.

FREEDOM (6-2) AT LENNARD (3-5)

NEED TO KNOW: Freedom will enter Friday's game knowing it isn't its last of the season as the Patriots have secured a playoff berth. However, Friday will be the season finale for Lennard and Freedom should anticipate the Longhorns' desire to end their season with a victory.

It may be in Freedom's best interest for head coach James Harrell to bench some of his starters at the risk of injury, but could give his star players some snaps in preparation for next week's playoff game against Countryside. Senior quarterback Tyler Guy has been sharp and effective this season, completing nearly 59 percent of his passes for 1,262 yards and eight touchdowns.

Lennard is riding a two-game win streak, defeating first-year programs Strawberry Crest and Steinbrenner. Lennard will say goodbye to college-level seniors and team captains LeRoy Campbell and De'Myco Winston, who have been playmakers on both sides of the ball. Campbell, a 6-foot-1, 260 pound lineman, has 31 tackles and two sacks while Winston, a 6-5 wideout and free safety, leads all receivers with 21 receptions for 346 yards and five touchdowns.

SICKLES (7-2) AT WHARTON (2-7)

NEED TO KNOW: Sickles can breathe easy knowing its season will continue after the regular season. The Gryphons are coming off a surprising 41-21 over Alosno. Senior running back Carey White has been the most effective running back in Hillsborough County this season with 1446 yards and 12 touchdowns. Quarterback John Hendrick has passed for 801 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Wharton has lost six of its last seven and is on a three-game losing streak, the latest a 20-0 defeat to Tampa Bay Tech which eliminated the Wildcats from the playoffs. Last year, Wharton went 8-2 in the regular season and reached the Class 5A region semifinals. The graduation of current South Carolina freshman quarterback Andrew Clifford clearly affected the Wildcats offense this season.

Wharton won last year's meeting against Sickles, 28-6.

INDIAN ROCKS CHRISTIAN (6-3) AT CAMBRIDGE CHRISTIAN (4-5) (SATURDAY)

NEED TO KNOW: The Golden Eagles are trying to reach seven wins for the third consecutive season, while the Lancers are aiming to finish at .500 or better for the fifth time in the last six years.

Indian Rocks Christian has a balanced offensive attack, led by quarterback Blake Farver (1,122 yards, 14 touchdowns, 10 interceptions) and running back Tyler Ostheim (653 yards, six touchdowns). The Golden Eagles, who had their state playoff hopes dashed with a loss to Berkeley Prep last week, has not lost consecutive games this season.

The Lancers, who have split their last four games but managed just three total points in the two losses, are led by senior Chris Brown.

CARROLLWOOD DAY (8-1) VS. WINTER GARDEN FOUNDATION ACADEMY (5-4) (SATURDAY)

NEED TO KNOW: This is a Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoff game. The Patriots, who finished as the No. 2 team in the South Division, face the Lions, No. 2 in the North Division.

Carrollwood Day had its perfect season end last week with a loss to Canterbury, which kept the Patriots out of the conference championship game. Carrollwood Day senior Darius Bing needs 101 rushing yards to reach the 1,000 mark on the season.

Foundation Academy, led by running back Kenny Strong (1,210 yards, 15 touchdowns) enters this game on a two-game skid and has lost four of its past six.

Carrollwood Day and Foundation Academy met in the spring game; the Patriots won 52-20.