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On the Gridiron: Week 8 prep recap
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Quentin Williams helped the Dragons to another defining win. (Courtesy of the St. Petersburg Times)
Game of the Week
(5) Jefferson 24, (4) Spoto 21
For the first six weeks of the season, Spoto was the talk of the town. In Week 7 and Week 8, the Spartans were faced with their toughest two opponents yet, and the programs failed to overtake either one. On the other hand, Jefferson proved that it is very close if not among the Suncoast elite with a close win. Scoring all 24 of their points in the second half, the Dragons were led by Quentin Williams (16-of-20, 257 yards, three touchdowns). After doing a solid job defensively in the first half, the Spartans buckled to the high-powered Dragon attack in the final two quarters.
Prediction: Spoto 21, Jefferson 20
(1) Plant 57, (20) Alonso 21
“It’s unlikely that Plant will punt even once.” We were wrong. The Panthers punted twice, but we’re sure they didn’t mind. It’s hard to care when seven different Plant players reached pay dirt in one of the best team effort we’ve seen all season. C.J. Bennett (20-of-35, 311 yards, three touchdowns), even in one of his best performances of the 2009 campaign, did not have enough to shoulder the load and keep the Ravens close in this district contest. Phillip Ely (11-of-20, 143 yards, one touchdown) didn’t have to do much in the opposing huddle with Plant scoring once on defense and once on special teams.
Prediction: Plant 49, Alonso 10
(2) Armwood 34, (6) Hillsborough 21
The Terriers put up a good fight against one of the toughest programs in the state, let alone on the Suncoast. Actually, Hillsborough was down by only one touchdown at the half as Tarean Austin (21-of-39, 299 yards, three touchdowns) orchestrated two touchdown drives in the first two quarters. In the end, the Hawk defense tightened up a bit, and Matt Jones (15 carries, 119 yards, three touchdowns) continued to go to work for Armwood on the ground, leading to another victory.
Prediction: Armwood 34, Hillsborough 27
(3) Tampa Bay Tech 36, (28) Brandon 16
Who saw the Eagles putting up 16 points on arguably the best defense on the Suncoast? It was somewhat shocking how Brandon was able to hang with TBT Friday, putting up 10 points in the first half. Sean Watson (two catches, 54 yards, one touchdown, one punt-return touchdown, 45-yard field goal) was everywhere for the Eagles, accounting for the program’s entire point total. Jonathon Williams (9-of-15, 221 yards, three touchdowns, one rushing touchdown) was amazing for the Titan offense. Maurice Hagens (18 carries, 138 yards, one touchdown) was his usual rock in the backfield, but Williams found himself making play after play.
Prediction: Tampa Bay Tech 52, Brandon 0
(7) Tampa Catholic 42, Cardinal Mooney 3
The Crusader offense exploded in the second half. After Cardinal Mooney came in prepared to stop the Tampa Catholic running game, Hank McCloud (12 carries, 127 yards, three touchdowns) was held to only 27 first-half yards, but that didn’t last. Christian Green and D.J. Williams split time at quarterback and combined to throw 8-of-12 for 140 yards to open up some lanes for McCloud and the Crusaders rushing attack.
Prediction: Tampa Catholic 45, Cardinal Mooney 0
(10) Pasco 28, (8) Land O’Lakes 16
Previously undefeated, Land O’Lakes was really overwhelmed by Pasco. The Pirates used this showcase as a way of showing that the early-season loss the program suffered at South Sumter may have been an apparition. The Pirate defense nearly shutdown the conventional rushing attack of Land O’Lakes, holding feature back Tyler Peak to only 33 yards on 16 carries. Stevie Weatherford (16-of-27, 270 yards, two touchdowns, 57 yards rushing) attempted to pick up the slack, but it was no where near enough. D.J. Clower (6-of-16, 121 yards, one touchdown, 20 yards rushing, two touchdowns) and Janarion Grant (16 carries, 106 yards) gave Pasco balance that the Gators had trouble stopping.
Prediction: Land O’Lakes 35, Pasco 31
(11) Sickles 38, (31) Leto 0
After pounding the rock behind Carey White (23 carries, 193 yards, two touchdowns), the Gryphons were able to take their foot off the pedal and watch as the team’s backups continued to open up a lead on the Falcons. Leto once again showed its difficulty mounting any kind of offense other than what Jeremy Deering (16 carries, 74 yards) can provide. The ball control might have been the most important cog for Sickles, gaining 15 first downs to Leto’s 3.
Prediction: Sickles 31, Leto 7
(12) Mitchell 16, (34) Sunlake 3
With star Ricky Trinidad (nine carries, 17 yards) suffering from back spasms, the task of moving the ball for the Mustangs fell on Matt Michaels (15 carries, 55 yards) and backup tailback Freddie Jones (15 carries, 100 yards, two touchdowns). Both came through with flying colors, but the high point totals the program has become accustomed to in its 8-0 start were not to be seen against Sunlake. Mitchell leaned on its defense like never before, a strategy that would have surely spelled doom for the Mustangs in years past. However, if the Brian Wachtel-led Mustangs have shown anything, it’s that the defense is better than advertised. Rashaud Daniels (15 carries, 118 yards) was a one-man show for Sunlake, just the way Mitchell wanted it.
Prediction: Mitchell 42, Sunlake 7
(13) Freedom 16, (25) Wharton 7
All the scoring in this game took place in the first half as Wharton once again came out flat offensively against one of the better teams in the area. Shane McEwen (42 yards rushing, 82 yards receiving), a 1,000-yard rusher a season ago, added yet another unimpressive performance to this season’s totals for the Wildcats. Neither team was exactly eye-popping on the offensive side of the ball. In fact, the big play for Freedom came on a 73-yard kickoff return by T.J. Mutcherson as an answer to Wharton’s only score of the night.
Prediction: Freedom 27, Wharton 24
(15) Nature Coast 47, Citrus 0
With 48 carries for 357 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, the Sharks overwhelmed their district rivals to the north. Playing in Inverness, Nature Coast was able to bounce back from what could have been a backbreaking loss at home to Dunnellon last week. Tevin Drake (21 carries, 121 yards, two touchdowns) got off to a fast start, and joined by Antwan Story (eight carries, 53 yards, one touchdown) and Ja’Juan Story (two catches, 108 yards, one touchdown, 19 yards rushing), was able to lead the Sharks to a convincing shutout win.
Prediction: Nature Coast 34, Citrus 7
(16) Newsome 35, (41) Bloomingdale 17
No Connor Powers? No problem. Newsome leaned on three separate backs to accomplish what Powers had been able to do, and the Wolves did it with little difficulty against the lowly Bulls. Vince Pennington (18 carries, 130 yards, one touchdown), Niko Anthony (11 carries, 120 yards, one touchdown, 46 yards receiving) and Keller Powers (12 carries, 27 yards, three touchdowns), Connor’s brother, all toted the ball exceptionally well. Derrick Johnson was the main cog in the Bloomingdale offense that did a decent job of moving the ball on the physical Newsome defense.
Prediction: Newsome 28, Bloomingdale 14
(17) Robinson 50, (38) Lennard 12
“Blake Rice (11 touchdowns, four interceptions) will continue his upward swing in another district game Friday.” That he did. Rice (12-of-20, 224 yards, four touchdowns) led the Knight offense downfield time and time again, a trend that could have easily demoralized the opposing Longhorns. However, down 35-0, Lennard answered with two touchdown passes from Fred Porter to bring the game slightly closer. It wouldn’t be enough to stop the slaughter, but it was a good sign of the attitude on the Lennard sidelines.
Prediction: Robinson 52, Lennard 0
Tarpon Springs 44, (19) Wiregrass Ranch 7
For about a quarter, it looked like the Bulls were going to be game to hang with another elite program on the road for the second consecutive week, but it was not to be. The Spongers shut down the main cog in the Wiregrass offense, running back Josiah Johnson (11 carries, 31 yards). With a lack of a running attack, the Bulls were unable to move the ball for the final three quarters. Wiregrass was able shut down some of the main weapons for Tarpon, but the long line of athletes just kept coming.
Prediction: Tarpon Springs 34, Wiregrass Ranch 20
Fort Meade 50, (21) Berkeley Prep 22
With two scores in each of the four quarters, the Miners just kept coming, and the Buccaneers didn’t have enough of an answer. Berkeley quarterback Destin Nichols (13-of-24, 222 yards, three touchdowns, one 2-point conversion) continued his string of good performances, but when the opponents are scoring almost every time they have the ball, a good performance sometimes is not enough. The Miners shut down Nelson Agholor on the ground, and made the Bucs one-dimensional. Nichols responded to the challenge, but Fort Meade was still able to accomplish its goal and lessen the Berkeley offensive attack.
Prediction: Fort Meade 31, Berkeley Prep 27
(22) Plant City 22, (24) Riverview 0
We can go back to the same old standby praise we have for the Raiders after a victory, pointing out the potential and explosiveness of Bennie Coney (15-of-18, 137 yards, two touchdowns) and Dazmond Patterson (18 carries, 130 yards, one touchdown). However, what is really impressive about Plant City this week is the emerging defense. Going against one of the better tailbacks in the area in Ronnie Johnson (21 carries, 89 yards), the Raiders still held strong and shut out the Sharks Friday.
Prediction: Plant City 31, Riverview 17
(30) East Bay 44, (23) King 41
We couldn’t have been more wrong about this outcome. What happened to King? After looking so strong early in the season and putting together some decent performances against the Suncoast elite (Armwood and TBT), the Lions couldn’t stop what had been a stagnant East Bay offense. The 44 points scored by the Indians were more than King allowed to either the Hawks or Titans (41 each). It’s almost inexplicable. Deandre Reddick (one rushing touchdown, one kickoff-return touchdown), Junior Nemorin (12 carries, 174 yards, one touchdown) and D.J. Richmond (13 carries, 82 yards, two touchdowns, one 2-point conversion) all carried the ball well for the Indians.
Prediction: King 17, East Bay 3
(40) Chamberlain 13, (26) Gaither 6
Winless wasn’t in the cards for the Chiefs. Chamberlain hasn’t been on that path since 1966, and the Chiefs broke the slump Friday against Gaither. It was a hard-fought defense battle that we all expected. The difference was a big fourth-quarter run by Chamberlain running back Blake Bell (12 carries, 117 yards, one touchdown, three catches, 47 yards). Going over 100 yards for the first time this season, Bell showed he can be the workhorse back that will help Chamberlain’s ball control into the last couple games.
Prediction: Gaither 13, Chamberlain 0
(27) Hudson 22, (37) Ridgewood 21
With all of the upsets that went down last week, this was one we picked to happen. Ridgewood fell just short. The Rams had been shredding the Hudson defense before the Cobras tightened up at the end of the game. Zack Wynn (18-of-38, 168 yards, one touchdown, 16 carries, 146 yards, one touchdown) played hero once again for Hudson when his 2-point conversion plunge into the end zone at the end of the fourth quarter proved the difference. Cameron Rodriguez (34 carries, 233 yards, one touchdown) did all he could offensively to lead his team to the victory, but in the end, it wasn’t enough.
Prediction: Ridgewood 28, Hudson 24
(29) Middleton 35, St. Petersburg Catholic 14
How about that Middleton offense? Our prediction looked pretty sound as the Tigers did not score a single point offensively in the first half. The only points on the board for Middleton came from a safety. The second half was a different story. The three-headed monster of Vasty Paul (17 carries, 79 yards, one touchdown), Earnest Mingo (six carries, 145 yards, one touchdown) and Maurice Campbell (12 carries, 94 yards) began to tear apart the Baron defense. After scoring 20 unanswered points in the third quarter, the Tigers never looked back.
Prediction: St. Petersburg Catholic 27, Middleton 21
(43) Zephyrhills 14, (32) Wesley Chapel 7
This Zephyrhills defense has been improving week after week. Once again, the Bulldog front kept its team in the game long enough for the offense to finally break through for the game-winning touchdown in overtime. Wesley Chapel, which makes no mistakes when they pound the ball time after time, couldn’t come up with that big play to give them the victory. Jon Mahan (24 carries, 119 yards) did a solid job once again in the Wildcat backfield. On the other hand, Jamal Roberts (12 carries, 51 yards, one touchdown), who scored the game-winner in his best performance at the high school level.
Prediction: Wesley Chapel 17, Zephyrhills 7
(33) Springstead 26, West Port 0
The Eagles are back to .500, as we all expected. Devean Huff (30 carries, 174 yards) now stands at 948 yards for the season with his performance, and Brian Beeker threw a touchdown to keep the postseason door open for Springstead. The trip proved to be a fun one for both the offense and the defense, which recorded its first shutout of the 2009 season. Springstead defensive back Scott Barron intercepted two West Port passes in the game to help that cause.
Prediction: Springstead 38, West Port 0
(35) Gulf 48, (47) Anclote 6
With the season no longer in the balance, Jay Fulmer officially handed the reigns of the offense over to Ty’Shon Peters from Madison Burr. Burr (15 carries, 168 yards, two touchdowns, three catches, 63 yards) started at running back and still put up highlight reel-type numbers for the Buccaneers Friday. The Sharks, who remain winless, did have one bright spot when Kris Aratchiysky ran for 134 yards on only 22 carries. Alphonso Blanch (10 carries, 87 yards, two touchdowns) and Will Burbridge (nine carries, 89 yards, two touchdowns) each chipped in on the ground themselves.
Prediction: Gulf 41, Anclote 6
(36) Carrollwood Day 56, First Baptist 7
It was an amazing display for the Patriot offense Friday night. Billy Embody (13-of-15, 310 yards, five touchdowns, 34 yards rushing) led his high-powered attack with some of the best numbers he’s put up all season. Of course, Darius Bing (14 carries, 183 yards, two touchdowns, three catches, 52 yards) benefitted with holes in the running game. Deuce Gruden (three catches, 24 yards, two touchdowns), Dillon Floyd (three catches, 116 yards, two touchdowns) and Matt Monteilh (four catches, 118 yards, one touchdown, 36 yards rushing, one touchdown) proved that there are many options in the Carrollwood receiving corps.
Prediction: Carrollwood Day 49, First Baptist 0
(39) Blake 14, Dixie Hollins 13
For the first three quarters Friday night, Blake looked as if its winless ways would continue. All of a sudden, the athletes emerged to score two late touchdowns and carry home the first win of the season for the Yellow Jackets. Eugene Davenport (8-of-16, 208 yards, one touchdown) tossed an 80-yard touchdown pass at the end of the final period to put Blake up for good. The Yellow Jackets finished with only 31 yards on the ground, but the defense was able to hold the Rebels to only one offensive touchdown.
Prediction: Dixie Hollins 27, Blake 10
(45) Strawberry Crest 32, (44) Steinbrenner 27
Steinbrenner’s first varsity win in program history came at Strawberry Crest earlier this season, and the Chargers returned the favor Friday. The Crest ran for almost 300 yards behind quarterback Brandon Reaves (52 yards passing, one touchdown, 18 carries, 91 yards, two touchdowns) and tailback Luis Trevino (24 carries, 115 yards, two touchdowns). Steinbrenner had a chance to do what most programs never do, win two games in its inaugural campaign. Of course, a red zone stand by the Chargers in the fourth quarter stopped the Warriors from taking a lead and winning the game.
Prediction: Steinbrenner 21, Strawberry Crest 7
Admiral Farragut 27, (46) Cambridge 0
Chris Brown (18 carries, 97 yards) nearly eclipsed 100 yards for the game, but it was no where near enough for the Lancers to compete with the rolling Blue Jackets. The game clinched a playoff berth for Admiral Farragut, which was all the more motivation for the small program. Turnovers were too much of a chink in the Lancer armor. With a fumble and two interceptions, the offense was unable to capitalize even when they could move the ball.
Prediction: Admiral Farragut 27, Cambridge 14
Gainesville 70, (48) Central 0
In the 20-plus seasons of Central history, this game proved to be the biggest loss for the Bears. Gainesville quarterback Ryan McGriff (16-of-16, 247 yards, six touchdowns) shredded a Bear defense that looked as if it had never covered the pass before. Steven Read, the best athlete on the Central roster, rushed only five times for 50 yards. Oddly enough, it was only the second defensive shutout for Gainesville, which is now 7-1 on the season.
Prediction: Gainesville 56, Central 6
Shorecrest Prep 20, (49) Bishop McLaughlin 6
The ‘Canes will have nightmares about Hunter Tremaine (15 carries, 115 yards, three touchdowns) this week, the quarterback for Shorecrest that accounted for all of the Chargers. Shorecrest broke 300 yards on the ground for the contest. Mitch Ritter (81 yards passing, one touchdown, 22 yards rushing), who has been solid during the improvement Bishop Mac has made over the past few weeks, totaled over 100 yards of offense for the Hurricanes.
Prediction: Bishop McLaughlin 23, Shorecrest Prep 21
Foundation 69, (50) Hernando Christian 30
The Lions finally put together an offensive performance to be proud of, but HCA couldn’t stop Foundation. Jeremy Knight (252 yards, two touchdowns, two 2-point conversions) put together a night that many expected to see from him a lot this season, but it wouldn’t be anywhere near enough as Foundation held a 62-6 halftime edge. It was an odd score with so many points being scored, but last season, HCA defeated Foundation 60-20, so the revenge had to be sweet.
Prediction: Foundation 34, Hernando Christian 10
Bye: (9) Durant, (14) Jesuit, (18) Hernando, (42) River Ridge
Derek J. LaRiviere’s Week 7 Record: 18-10
Overall 2009 Record: 156-57 (.732)
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