Football playoff preview

CLASS 5A

PLANT CITY (7-3) at PLANT (8-1)

WHERE: Dad's Stadium, 2415 S. Himes Ave., Tampa

WINNER ADVANCES: To the regional semifinals to play winner of Alonso-Newsome.

NEED TO KNOW: It's not easy for opponents to claim a victory at Dad's Stadium in the postseason. The Panthers haven't lost at home in the playoffs since Robert Weiner took over as head coach in 2004.

In its fifth-consecutive playoff appearance, which includes two state titles, Plant is led by a balanced offensive attack. Quarterback Phillip Ely (81-of-146 for 1,090 yards and 12 touchdowns) has come into his own since recovering from a lower back stress fracture. T.J. Glover and James Wilder Jr. lead a ground attack that has opened up the passing game. Defensively, the Panthers feature one of the top linebacker corps in the county with Mike Mirabella and Josh Varon. Plant has three players with double-digit sacks - Wilder (12), Mirabella (10) and David McCarthy (10).

Plant City has won six in a row by a combined score of 191-39, including three shutouts. Like Plant, the Raiders present a balanced offensive attack, led by quarterback Bennie Coney (136-of-219 for 1,488 yards and 13 touchdowns) and running back Dazmond Patterson, Hillsborough County's second-leading rusher with 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns.

EAST LAKE (7-3) AT TAMPA BAY TECH (8-1)

LOCATION: Titan Stadium, 6410 Orient Rd., Tampa

WINNER ADVANCES: To the regional semifinals to play winner of Freedom-Countryside.

NEED TO KNOW: TBT fans are no doubt hoping for a regional final against Plant next month, but the Titans must first take care of business against East Lake in this first-round playoff game. Although the Eagles were a district runner-up, they represent a very formidable opening opponent for the Titans.

East Lake will be one of the most balanced squads TBT has faced this fall. The Eagles boast a standout quarterback, senior Sam Shaffer, who has passed for nearly 1,000 yards this season, and a receiver, junior Tyler Higbee, who has a knack for making the clutch catch. Higbee has 29 receptions and has accounted for more than 40 percent of Shaffer's passing yards. On the ground, the Eagles feature Jamaal Wilburn, a hard-running senior who has rushed for 1,088 yards and 13 touchdowns.

TBT, meanwhile, continues to improve each week as a multi-faceted offense. Yes, the Titans can play smash-mouth football with just about anyone because it has a big offensive line and a punishing fullback in Maurice Hagens, a University of Miami-bound senior who has 1,1127 yards and 14 TDs this season. But led by junior quarterback Johnathan Williams and receivers Cludner LeCount and C.J. Jackson, the Titans have struck through the air for big plays.

Not to be overlooked is a TBT defense that is one of the best in the state. The Titans have held half of their opponents to less than 10 points, including two shutouts, and even state-ranked Armwood (4A) could only muster nine points against this stingy defense.

ALONSO (4-6) AT NEWSOME (7-2)

LOCATION: Newsome Stadium, 16550 FishHawk Blvd., Lithia

WINNER ADVANCES: To the regional semifinals to play winner of Plant City-Plant.

NEED TO KNOW: The Ravens and Wolves, both seeking their first playoff win in program history, meet in a rematch of a Week 3 regular-season game, which Alonso won 35-10.

Newsome hasn't lost since that setback to the Ravens, winning seven consecutive games on its way to claiming the program's second consecutive district title. The offense, behind fullback Vince Pennington, wingback Keller Powers and quarterback Matt Klenke, hasn't missed a beat since standout fullback Conner Powers suffered a season-ending knee injury a month ago. The defense has performed well despite losing several key players as well, holding opponents to 20 or fewer points in six of the last seven games.

Alonso is the only Hillsborough County team with a sub.-500 record to reach the postseason. The Ravens are led by senior quarterback C.J. Bennett, who has thrown for 2,083 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. Bennett has plenty of accomplished targets - Justen Davis, Jameel Gay and Brandon Holloway each have at least 29 receptions - and he had a big game in the win over Newsome earlier this season (251 passing yards, three touchdowns), so the Wolves' secondary, led by senior Niko Anthony, needs to be on top of its game tonight.

FREEDOM (7-2) at COUNTRYSIDE (9-1)

WHERE: Cougar Stadium 3000 State Road 580, Clearwater

WINNER ADVANCES: To the regional semifinals to play the winner of East Lake-Tampa Bay Tech.

NEED TO KNOW: Freedom is making its second overall playoff appearance since the school opened in 2002. In 2006, the team advanced to the 4A playoffs as district runner-up and lost to Winter Haven, 21-13, in the quarterfinals.
At 7-2, this is Freedom's best season. First-year coach James Harrell has established a pass-first offense, led by 6-foot-4 senior quarterback Tyler Guy, who has thrown for 1,481 yards and 10 touchdowns. Senior T.J. Mutcherson leads all receivers with 617 yards and three touchdowns while running back Amonty Deliscia has rushed for 742 yards with six touchdowns. Stopping Countryside's rushing attack will be key for the Patriots.

Countryside senior running back Alton Taylor leads the team with 1,149 yards and 24 touchdowns. Taylor will have to push his way through 300-pound senior defensive lineman Jahari Morre and junior linebackers Anthony Harrell (115 tackles) and Keith Lewis (81 tackles). The Cougars reached the playoffs last season, but have lost in the first round in its last four playoff appearances (2004, 2005, 2006, 2008). They are 3-9 overall all-time in the postseason.

CLASS 4A

HILLSBOROUGH (6-3) AT LARGO (8-2)

LOCATION: Packer Stadium, 410 Missouri Ave., Largo

WINNER ADVANCES: To the regional semifinals to play the winner of Sickles-Armwood.

NEED TO KNOW: By now, it's clear what Hillsborough can and cannot do. The Terriers offense can produce plenty of points, both on the ground and through the air, but their defense has struggled most of the season trying to stop the run. Hillsborough's poor run defense was evident in losses to Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech, where the Hawks' Matt Jones and the Titans' Maurice Hagens romped through the Terriers' defensive line.

Now comes Largo, a team known for its beefy offensive line and strong ground game led by senior tailback D.J. Key (144 carries, 932 yards and 13 TDs). If the Terriers can't stop him and freshman sensation Juwan Brown at quarterback, they could be in for a first-round exit from the playoffs.

Terriers coach Earl Garcia is confident his team can handle the Packers -- if they can limit mistakes and turnovers and produce on offense. For Hillsborough, that means no turnovers, another solid showing from senior quarterback Tarean Austin (106 of 187 passing for 2,011 yards and 20 TDs) and junior receiver Charles Lovett (43 catches for 1,078 yards and 8 TDs) and enough of a running game to keep the Packers' defense honest.

SICKLES (8-2) AT ARMWOOD (9-1)

LOCATION: Lyle Flagg Field, 12000 U.S. 92, Seffner

WINNER ADVANCES: To the regional semifinals to play the winner of Hillsborough-Largo.

NEED TO KNOW: This will be a matchup of one of the area's most surprising teams and one of the most dominant. The Gryphons, making just their second playoff appearance in program history, hit the road to face the Hawks, who are 8-0 in playoff openers this decade.

Sickles will be without starting quarterback John Melvin Hendrick, who won't play after undergoing surgery to repair a wrist injury suffered last week. One of the team's top defensive players, linebacker Scott O'Donoghue, will step into Hendrick's role under center, but the Hawks' biggest challenge on defense will be to slow down junior running back Cary White, who had a county-best 1,521 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns in the regular season.

Armwood's offense, led by quarterback Josh Grady (1,669 total yards of offense, 22 total touchdowns) and running back Matt Jones (614 rushing yards, eight touchdowns), is explosive and well-balanced, and the Hawks can attack the Gryphons in a variety of ways. The key for Sickles will be to try and make Armwood one-dimensional.

HUDSON (5-5) at GAINESVILLE (9-1)

WHERE: 1900 NW 13th St, Gainesville

WINNER ADVANCES: To the regional semifinals to play the winner of Ocala Lake Weir-Tarpon Springs.

NEED TO KNOW: Hudson returns to the playoffs for the second time in three years, but the first time in Class 4A.

The Cobras have one of the top quarterbacks in the area in Zack Wynn (182-of-330 for 2,235 yards and 17 TDs) but Wynn will be without his favorite receiver James Tello, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury suffered in Hudson's season finale against Land O' Lakes. Of Hudson's 580 offensive plays, Wynn has been involved in 445 of them (330 passing, 115 rushing).

The Cobras defense is led by middle backer Eric Bickhardt, who recorded 104 total tackles. According to Hudson coach Mark Nash, containing Gainesville middle linebacker Kevin Nelson, a Miami commitment is key. "He's the best athlete at that position I've ever seen in high school," Nash said.

CLASS 3A

LAND O' LAKES (9-1) AT JEFFERSON (8-1)

LOCATION: Sam Horton Field, 4401 W. Cypress St., Tampa

WINNER ADVANCES: To the regional semifinals to play the winner of Lakewood-Pasco.

NEED TO KNOW: The Gators and Dragons have been model programs for consistency in their respective counties. Land O' Lakes is making its 13th consecutive playoff appearance, while Jefferson is postseason-bound for the 11th straight year.

The Dragons have arguably the area's best passing combination in quarterback Quentin Williams (2,666 passing yards, county-best 31 touchdowns) and receiver Andre Davis (1,017 receiving yards, county-best 17 touchdowns), and slowing that duo is the main priority for the Gators, who had success shutting down Hudson's passing attack last week. The Gators need a big push up front from defensive linemen Gary Myrick (8.5 sacks) and Spencer Michelson (10 sacks).

Jefferson, meanwhile, must find a way to contain Land O' Lakes' Stephen Weatherford, a dual-threat quarterback who has accounted for 2,262 total yards of offense and 28 total touchdowns. The Dragons defense, led by linebackers Fred Overstreet (123 tackles) and Christian Calle (97 tackles), has played well all season, holding opponents to 15 or fewer points in eight of nine games.

LAKEWOOD (8-2) AT PASCO (9-1)

WHERE: W.F. Edwards Stadium, 36850 State Road 52, Dade City

WINNER ADVANCES: To the regional semifinals to play the winner of Land O' Lakes-Jefferson.

NEED TO KNOW: Lakewood enters this contest with a sense of familiarity. According to Lakewood coach Cory Moore, his Spartans have faced teams like Pasco all season. They've faced the speed on offense, the speed on defense and the physicality on both sides of the ball.

That said, Pasco coach Tom McHugh understands this will definitely be a chess match. His Pirates have faced few teams with the collective team speed possessed by Lakewood. In fact, McHugh said he'd have to take facets of different opponents - Plantation American Heritage, Land O' Lakes, Mitchell, and South Sumter - to measure up to the talent the Spartans possess.

Lakewood has stressed fundamentals and will attempt to get the Pirates defenders into space and attack those gaps with QB Jermiel Douse and RB Bernard Reedy. Pasco will counter with 1,500-yard passer D.J. Clower, receivers Chaise Dunn, Hakeeme Ishmar, Mitch Wozniak and freshman sensation RB Janarion Grant.

CLASS 2A

ARCADIA DESOTO COUNTY (6-4) AT ROBINSON (8-2)

LOCATION: Jack Peters Field, 6311 S. Lois Ave., Tampa

WINNER ADVANCES: To the regional finals to play winner of Jesuit-Hardee.

NEED TO KNOW: The Knights are hosting their first playoff game since 1977 and making their first state playoff appearance since 2004, and they have a tough task on hand with the visiting Bulldogs, who advanced to the regional finals in Class 3A last season before losing to eventual state champ Cocoa.

Led by senior running back Marcus Shaw, a USF commit who has rushed for more than 2,000 yards in each of his last two seasons and enters tonight's game with 2,361 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns, DeSoto County has averaged 30.6 points per game in 2009. Robinson's offense, however, has proven it can score in bunches, too.

Behind quarterback Blake Rice (1,556 passing yards, 22 touchdowns), receivers Ruben Gonzalez (33 receptions, 535 yards, eight touchdowns) and Frankie Williams (27 receptions, 522 yards, seven touchdowns), and a handful of running backs, the Knights have averaged a county-best 39.8 points per game this season.

Robinson's defense has had much more success slowing down the opposition this season. The Knights have yielded just 12.3 points per game and posted four shutouts, while the Bulldogs have allowed 26.4 points per game and held opponents to 20 or fewer points in a game just twice.

JESUIT (9-1) AT WAUCHULA HARDEE (8-1)

WHERE: 830 Altman Road, Wauchula

WINNER ADVANCES: To the regional finals to play winner of DeSoto County-Robinson.

NEED TO KNOW: Absent from the playoffs for two years, the Tigers return with a well-balanced offense. Running back Robby Garcia (186 carries for 929 yards and 15 touchdowns) leads the ground attack, while quarterback Bobby Eveld, Hillsborough County's fifth leading passer, is quite capable of putting the games in his hands and in the air.

Jesuit is familiar with the Hardee football program. The Wildcats knocked the Tigers out of the first round with a 28-11 victory in 2006, the last time Jesuit was in the postseason. The 2A-6 champions don't let their opponents into the end zone often, limiting them to an average of nine points per game this season.

Junior running back Jarrius Lindsey leads the Wildcats offense with an average of 118.8 yards per game (132 carries for 950 yards and 15 touchdowns). Hardee has two other players capable of posting big numbers, Ezayi Youyoute (80 carries for 886 yards and 14 touchdowns) and Jacob Mayer (81 carries for 708 yards and five touchdowns).

CLASS 2B

FORT MYERS DUNBAR (7-3) AT TAMPA CATHOLIC (8-1)

LOCATION: Crusaders Stadium, 4630 N. Rome Ave., Tampa

WINNER ADVANCES: To the regional finals to play the winner of Orlando Lake Highland Prep-Cape Coral Island Coast.

NEED TO KNOW: Dunbar is what TC coach Bon Henriquez calls his team's most challenging first-round playoff opponent ever. The Tigers lost by just four points to district champion Island Coast and have since won three straight games by a combined score of 92-32. Dunbar is also a team that is very similar to TC in that it relies more on skill than size.

What makes Dunbar particularly difficult to deal with is a roster loaded with multiple weapons. Unlike the Tigers, who feature senior running back Hank McCloud, the Tigers don't have a lone player with 1,000 yards rushing. Instead, they have three backs -- Schon Thomas, Jonathan Jones and Darius Deloach -- with 300 yards each. They also possess two quarterbacks, Chris James and Tyrece Jiles, with more than 500 yards passing each. The Tigers' big-play receiver is Joel German, who has 31 catches for 606 yards and six TDs.

Defensively for Dunbar, watch for senior linebacker Keon White, who has a team-high 143 tackles, and senior defensive end Desmond Kearse, who has 16 sacks. Kearse is the cousin on former University of Florida star and current Tennessee Titans standout Jevon Kearse.

CLASS 1A

BERKELEY PREP (7-2) AT CROSS CITY DIXIE COUNTY (9-1)

WHERE: 16077 SE 19 Highway, Cross City

WINNER ADVANCES: To regional finals to play winner of Wildwood-Fort Meade.

NEED TO KNOW: Dominick Ciao has brought the Buccaneers back to the playoffs in his third year as head coach. Berkeley is going into the postseason on a three-game winning streak in which they have only given up six points. The offense, which has averaged 28 points per game this season, is led by quarterback Destin Nichols (50-of-99 for 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns) and running back Nelson Agholor (119 carries for 970 yards and 14 touchdowns).

The Bears limited opponents to an average of 12 points per game this season. They've done this with a stingy defense and a ground game that eats up a lot of clock. Dixie County's offense is led by senior running back Stephen Godbelt, who rushed for 1,035 yards and 15 touchdowns during the regular season.

Godbelt also starts at safety, where he's collected three interceptions.