Game of the week: CDS at Cambridge

Game of the Week

Carrollwood Day School (4-3, 2-3) at Cambridge Christian (5-2, 4-2)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Where: Skyway Park, Tampa

AT STAKE

Cambridge Christian is at the doorstep of its first postseason. Despite holding the third position in Class 2A-District 5, the Lancers must win out and have Admiral Farragut lose at least one of its final three district matchups. Making things interesting is the fact Cambridge and AFA meet in the season finale. Meanwhile, CDS would need a seismic shift in the standings to have a shot at the postseason. That said, the Patriots could play spoiler and oust district and natural rival Cambridge from the playoffs. Knowing that, CDS wants to finish out the season 7-3 in its first season in an FHSAA assigned district.

KEY STAT

Carrollwood Day: The Patriots have scorched opposing defenses, averaging 40.6 points per game. Ironically, it's the exact amount Cambridge averages. In its three losses this season, CDS has allowed each of those teams to rush for at least 330 yards. Combined, Keswick Christian, Admiral Farragut and Canterbury had 1,074 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, exploiting what has been at times a soft and oft-injured Patriots run defense.

Cambridge: Only twice this season has the Lancers defense not registered an interception. The last time came Sept. 16 in a 43-25 win against Bradenton Christian. Cambridge has a total of seven picks this season and has registered three consecutive games with at least one interception. They've snagged a total of five in their last three contests.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Carrollwood Day: Robert Davis, running back. The junior has 100 rushing yards or more in each of the seven games he's played this season. He enters Friday's game with 1,238 yards rushing with 17 touchdowns. He's also caught two scores. Five times this season Davis has averaged 11 yards or more per carry against an opponent. Against Daytona Beach Father Lopez, Davis carried the ball six times, collecting 185 yards – a whopping 30.83 yards per carry average.

Cambridge: Phillip Johnson, quarterback/defensive back. In his first season with the Lancers, Johnson has shown a penchant for the end zone. Against Bradenton Christian, he threw five touchdown passes, running for one and jumping on a fumble on defense for another score. He's completed 101-of-174 passes for 1,302 yards and 17 TDs.

KEY MATCHUPS

When Carrollwood Day Has The Ball: Wide receiver Dillon Floyd understands he isn't in a pass-first type offense. When you have a motor in the backfield such as Robert Davis, you go with it. But when he gets his chance, Floyd makes the best of it. He has 21 receptions for 524 yards and five touchdowns. He boasts a 24.95 yards per catch average. It's a career-best for the senior, who admits he's become a much better downfield blocker with Davis carrying the ball.

When Cambridge Has The Ball: The Lancers aren't shy when it comes to its ground game. Sure, they can air it out, but there are three players with 20 carries or more. Leading rusher Daniel Hamilton has 94 carries for 739 yards and 12 TDs. Meanwhile, teammates Phillip Johnson (50 carries, 235 yards, 4 TDs) and Brandon Park (21 carries 144 yards, 1 TD) help him carry the load. Even Robbie Robertson, the team's leading receiver, has 18 carries.

QUOTABLE

"(Playoff) chances are slim, but 7-3 would be a good record for us, 5-3 in the district if we win out. It's respectable for a team that I don't think knew what they were getting into and ready to play a district game in the first game we played. … This is going to be a test for us. It's a big win if we get it and puts our winning season in danger if we don't. You can't take a week off in our district. You can't do it. You have to bring it up a notch every week. Everybody says it's 2A, but there are some good football players."

Carrollwood Day coach Lane McLaughlin

"This past week we were able to force four fumbles and had two interceptions. It was that kind of game. If we can gang tackle and force some turnovers and be really aggressive, then I think it's going to come down to teams protecting the ball. We're pretty confidence we can continue to build on what we've been doing all season. We know we're up against the wall. If we have any hopes of the playoffs, the road goes through Carrollwood Day School and then from there Admiral Farragut."

Cambridge coach Bob Dare