Hillsborough County football capsules: Week 4

ALONSO (2-1) AT HILLSBOROUGH (1-1)

NEED TO KNOW: This might be a non-district game between a Class 5A squad (Alonso) and a 4A team (Hillsborough), but this matchup is intriguing because by the end of the night, both teams will know just how good they are.

Alonso has easily knocked off two teams it should have beaten -- Brandon and Newsome -- and its only loss came to 3A Spoto on a rain-soaked field at home. The Ravens and quarterback C.J. Bennett (45 of 75 passing with 699 yards and seven TDs) might be able to blame the setback to the Spartans on the conditions affecting their pass-oriented offense. But if they can't defeat or at least hang close with Hillsborough, what will be the excuse?

The key matchup tonight will be Bennett vs. the Terriers' star safeties, Terrence Mitchell and Carlton Walton, as well the three cornerbacks they rotate at the two positions, Toney Robson, Naijae Herndon and Eric Bass. When these teams met last season, Bennett threw the ball 56 times for 315 yards. But it was Hillsborough's ability to mix the passing of Tarean Austin with its running game that gave the Terriers a 41-14 victory.

Watch for the Terriers to debut their new back jerseys tonight. With fans expected to dress similarly, they're hoping for a "blackout." If the uniforms don't work, don't expect to see anyone at Hillsborough wearing them again any time soon.

CHAMBERLAIN (0-3) AT TAMPA BAY TECH (1-1)

NEED TO KNOW: After facing two of the top programs in the area (Plant and Armwood), TBT appears to be catching a break on its schedule with a game against Chamberlain -- or is it?

Yes, the Chiefs are 0-3 and have surrendered 91 points in that stretch. And it is true they lost a lot of key players to transfers since last season. But if first-year coach Joe Severino and his staff can find a way to contain Titans fullback Maurice Hagens and TBT's powerful ground game, the Chiefs might be able to make this interesting.

TBT, of course, might be looking to use this game to open up its passing attack. With the Titans "7-11 Combo" of receivers C.J. Jackson and Charles Davis, TBT is a serious threat in the air. It proved that in last week's loss to Armwood, when Jackson hauled in a bomb from quarterback Johnathan Davis that nearly gave it a chance to pull off a last-second victory.

TAMPA CATHOLIC (2-0) AT ORLANDO LAKE HIGHLAND PREP (3-0)

NEED TO KNOW: The Class 2B Crusaders enter this district opener on the road with plenty of momentum. They started the season with a convincing win over 6A Groveland South Lake and, following a game canceled by bad weather, knocked off last year's 2B state runner-up, Ocala Trinity Catholic, in similar style.

Problem is, Lake Highland Prep is on a similar roll. The Highlanders started the season by thumping 1B Orlando Pine Castle Christian, 40-8, and followed that with a 42-39 win over 2A Orlando Jones and a 26-0 shutout of 1A Berkeley Prep. Lake Highland Prep's go-to player has been running back Zack McCarrell, who has rushed for 453 yards and six TDs on just 23 carries.

TC, meanwhile, has been a multi-dimensional offense featuring running back Hank McCloud (343 yards on 43 carries in two games) and quarterback Christian Green, who has a combined 142 yards passing and rushing. If the Crusaders' defense can contain the Highlanders' ground game and the offense can produce similar results as it did on its first two games, they should remain undefeated.

PLANT (1-1) AT RIVERVIEW (1-1)

NEED TO KNOW: The Panthers rebounded for a season-opening loss to Tampa Bay Tech to pick up their first win last week against Jefferson.

The Panthers' offense played well - T.J. Glover ran for 135 yards and two scores, James Wilder ran for two touchdowns and Allen Sampson had 106 total yards of offense and a touchdown - but the biggest story in the Jefferson game was their defense. Plant limited the Dragons to 247 yards of total offense and forced two turnovers, one of which was an interception returned for a touchdown by Plant linebacker Josh Varon.

Riverview is coming off its first win of the season. The Sharks got a big game from running back Ronnie Johnson (163 rushing yards, three touchdowns) in that win over Lennard. The Sharks not only will need that type of production again from Johnson to have a chance, but they'll also need a great showing from their defense, which played well last week after allowing 49 points to Freedom in the season-opener.

Plant and Riverview have met in each of the last two seasons, with the Panthers winning both games. Plant has averaged 53 points per game in those two wins against the Sharks.

ARMWOOD (2-0) AT WHARTON (1-2)

NEED TO KNOW: Armwood's defense may have lost several standouts from last season, but the Hawks proved last week against Tampa Bay Tech this year's unit will be a force.

The Hawks defense kept the Titans in check until allowing a late score, and linebacker Jermaine McKinney (15 tackles, three sacks against TBT) seems to be emerging as the next Armwood defensive standout.

Armwood, which has won 27 consecutive regular-season games, has met Wharton in each of the last two seasons. Armwood has won both meetings, outscoring Wharton 95-12.

The Wildcats are coming off a tough one-point overtime loss to Gaither (15-14). Wharton's offense, averaging just 10 points per game, has struggled and will need a much better showing to have a chance against the Hawks.

BLOOMINGDALE (0-3) AT DURANT (2-1)

NEED TO KNOW: The John Booth era at Bloomingdale hasn't gotten off to a great start, but the Bulls have been very competitive and hope to turn the corner in the Class 5A-District 6 opener for both teams.

Quarterback Eugene Perry is averaging a team-best 92 rushing yards per game for the Bulls, while linebacker David Wright averaging 13 tackles per game to lead the defense.

Durant's offense still hasn't clicked and struggled against Jesuit with turnovers (three lost fumbles). However, senior John Hicks had a nice game in the loss to the Tigers with 123 rushing yards on 10 carries.

The Cougars defense, which has gotten big contributions this season from defensive linemen Rance Rutherford (31 tackles) and Josh Halferty (six sacks), linebacker Sean Kolanowski (24 tackles, four sacks) and defensive back T.J. Davis (26 tackles, two interceptions), led the team through the first two weeks. The unit will need to play big again for Durant to get back in the win column.

NEWSOME (0-2) AT PLANT CITY (1-2)

NEED TO KNOW: Newsome went through a brutal stretch to start the season with consecutive games against Armwood, Jefferson and Alonso. The Wolves are hoping to get on the winning track in their Class 5A-District 6 opener.

Fullback Conner Powers (258 rushing yards, two touchdowns) has been a force for the Wolves, but the offense has struggled to put up points and the defense has struggled to slow down the opposition.

Turnovers have been Plant City's Achilles heel thus far this season, and they played a big factor in the Raiders' most recent setback to Brandon. Plant City committed four second-half turnovers in the loss to the Eagles. The Raiders must protect the ball to have a chance against the Wolves.

ROBINSON (2-0) AT MIDDLETON (1-1)

NEED TO KNOW: This matchup is the Class 2A-District 5 opener for both teams, and it could play a large factor in whether either team makes the playoffs.

Robinson is off to its first 2-0 start since 2000 and coming off an overtime victory over King. Middleton is coming off its first win of the season against rival Blake.

Robinson receivers Frankie Williams (107 receiving yards, one touchdown) and Ruben Gonzalez (131 receiving yards, one touchdown) have played well, and running backs Tim Randolph (125 rushing yards, two touchdowns) and Robert Smith (94 rushing yards, two touchdowns) also have been efficient. Middleton's running attack behind Vasty Paul (136 rushing yards, two touchdowns) and Earnest Mingo (126 rushing yards, two touchdowns) also has fared well this season.

Robinson and Middleton have played three times since Middleton reopened in 2002. The Tigers are 3-0 against the Knights.

BERKELEY PREP (1-1) AT CLEARWATER CENTRAL CATHOLIC (2-1)

NEED TO KNOW: Berkeley Prep is coming off a shutout loss to Orlando Lake Highland Prep and hoping to get back on track in its Class A-District 6 opener.

Nelson Agholor (137 rushing yards, two touchdowns) and Christian Hardegree (78 receiving yards, two touchdowns) have been two of the biggest offensive performers for the Bucs thus far, while Schyler Miles (22 tackles) has double-digit tackles in each of the first two games to pace the defense.

CCC, led by quarterback Eric Miller, won its first two games before suffering a 28-14 setback to Mitchell last week.

The two teams have met each season since 2005. Berkeley Prep defeated CCC last season, 24-17, to end a three game losing streak to the Marauders.

CAMRBDIGE CHRISTIAN (0-2) AT KESWICK CHRISTIAN (0-3)

NEED TO KNOW: Cambridge Christian is still searching for its first points in 2009. The Lancers have suffered two shutout losses, a 37-0 setback to Carrollwood Day in the season-opener and a 28-0 loss to Bradenton Christian last week.

Keswick Christian hasn't fared much better this season. The Crusaders have been outscored, 112-24, in their three losses, including a 30-6 loss to Bradenton Christian in Week 2.

The two teams have met each season since 2004. Keswick Christian is 5-0 all-time against Cambridge Christian.

HERNANDO CHRISTIAN (0-3) AT CARROLLWOOD DAY (3-0)

NEED TO KNOW: The Carrollwood Day Patriots are off to their best start in program history and return home after winning their past two games on the road.

Quarterback Billy Embody (19 for 33, 474 yards, seven touchdowns, no interceptions) has been near perfect this season, and running back Darius Bing (504 yards of total offense, seven touchdowns) has been huge.

The Patriots defense has been a big surprise, allowing only 22 total points through the first three games. The unit allowed an average of 37 points per game in 2008.

Carrollwood Day lost to Hernando Christian last season, 29-6, in the only meeting between the teams. The two teams have faced one common opponent this season: Oviedo Master's Academy. Hernando Christian lost 19-12, while Carrollwood Day won 39-7.

LETO (1-1) AT BOCA CIEGAO (0-2)

NEED TO KNOW: District competition begins on the road for Leto. While the Falcons work out their identity on offense, the defense has clamped down early. Leto's defense held Bloomingdale to 150 yards of offense last week. Offensively, the Falcons got their ground game going against the Bulls. Terik Greensbury and Jeremy Deering combined for 243 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Boca Ciega has struggled to get its offense operating properly. Last week in a 34-14 loss to Lakewood, the Pirates managed only 138 yards of offense. Against Leto's stingy and speedy defense, they won't find a lot of room to run.

LARGO (3-0) AT SICKLES (3-0)

NEED TO KNOW: Sickles has gotten off to its best start in school history, defeating its first three opponents. The Gryphons' first district game of the season will gauge just how good this team is. It's also an opportunity for Sickles to defend the football honor of Hillsborough County, especially since Largo is the pride of Pinellas County.

Sickles running back Carey White, Hillsborough County's leader rusher, will have a tough task against Largo's defense, which gets a lot of credit for the Packers undefeated season so far.

Largo running backs D.J. Key and Sean Holte have produced over 500 yards of offense. But Holte is out with a torn ACL. Sickles front four and linebacker Scott O'Donoghue will be key in trying to halt the Packers ground game.

SEMINOLE OSCEOLA (0-3) AT JEFFERSON (1-1)

NEED TO KNOW: After its promising start with a victory against Hillsborough, the Dragons took a step back last week with a 46-13 loss to Plant. How big a step back remains to be seen. Plant's defense grounded the air attack of quarterback Quentin Williams and receiver Andre Davis, a combo that needs to get back on track. The offense will be without starting lineman Kevin Reeves, who was suspended six weeks for throwing punches in the Plant game.

Without starting defensive back Rodney Mills (dislocated shoulder), Jefferson's defense struggled against Plant's balanced attack. But this is a talented and fast Dragons defense and they should get little resistance from the Warriors. They have been outscored, 114-29, in their first three games.

STEINBRENNER (1-0) AT JESUIT (2-1)

NEED TO KNOW: Steinbrenner won the battle of the first-year schools with its regular-season opening victory against Strawberry Crest. Playing a junior varsity schedule since then, the Warriors get back into the varsity fold against the Tigers. And they're getting Jesuit at a bad time.

The Tigers are on a roll after back-to-back victories against Class 5A teams. Jesuit shutout Durant last week, thanks in part to quarterback Bobby Eveld's best game of the season where he completed nearly 65 percent of his passes. Eveld spreads the ball around to a variety of receivers, including Ben Gutowski, Travis Johnson and Bryce Walker.

The passing attack is complimented by a ground game, led by Robby Garcia's 209 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

GAITHER (1-1) AT FREEDOM (1-1)

NEED TO KNOW: Gaither pulled a mild upset over Wharton, 15-14, last week, led by a hard-fought effort from its defense.

Freedom's defense couldn't stop the run against Sickles last week, losing 17-14 in overtime while allowing 177 yards to senior running back Carey White.

Gaither's defense will be tested again this week against a high-scoring Freedom offense, led by senior quarterback Tyler Guy, who has thrown five touchdowns in two games.

Gaither won last year's meeting, 17-14.

BRANDON (1-2) AT EAST BAY (2-1)

NEED TO KNOW: Brandon earned its first win of the season last week, defeating Plant City, 21-12. East Bay, on the other hand, couldn't put any points on the scoreboard, losing to Spoto, 42-0.

In this matchup, fans should expect a hard-hitting, smash-mouth type of football game. East Bay coach Brian Thornton said he's moved 6-foot-4, 310 pound defensive tackle Dontavious Fleming to the offensive line, which should open more holes for running backs DJ Richmond and DeAndre Reddick and fullback Josh Hudson.

East Bay squeaked past Brandon last season, winning 18-17.

SPOTO (3-0) AT BLAKE (0-3)

NEED TO KNOW: Spoto is off to its second consecutive 3-0 start, coming off a dominating 42-0 performance against East Bay. The Spartans also recorded their second defensive shutout of the season.

Plagued by penalties and an inability to protect the quarterback, Blake lost to Middleton in the annual Florida Sentinel Classic at Raymond James, 26-14.

Spoto loves to blitz the quarterback and makes the majority of its tackles behind its opponent's line of scrimmage. Blake junior quarterback Eugene Davenport showed he can run outside of the pocket last week, but will be tested against this faster and more aggressive Spartan defense.

Offensively, Spoto senior quarterback/running back Jamar Burns is averaging more than 14 yards per carry and is a handful once out in the open.

LENNARD (1-1) AT ST. PETE CATHOLIC (2-1)

NEED TO KNOW: Lennard suffered its first defeat of the season last week to Riverview, 32-12. This looks to be a new day for the Longhorns, however, and one can't expect them to grow accustomed to losing.

Lennard junior running back Tevin Abney is one of the more agile backs in Hillsborough County and junior quarterback Fred Porter gives Lennard a mobile quarterback who can throw from different angles.

Defensively, Lennard defensive lineman LeRoy Campbell is using his speed and power to break through offensive lines and is supported by sophomore linebacker Davis Sanders.

Lennard won last year's meeting, 24-14.

PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN (1-1) VS. FAITH BAPTIST (2-1)

NEED TO KNOW: This is the second meeting between the two small private schools and it will weigh heavily in the Florida Christian Conference standings.

Faith Baptist is coming off a 55-0 win over Kissimmee Heritage Christian while Providence Christian was unable to complete its game at Peniel Baptist Academy in Palatka.

Faith Baptist, the defending FCC champions, won last year's game, 38-29.