Pinellas pigskin picks: Week 3

All at 7:30 p.m. Friday unless noted

Largo (2-0) at Countryside (2-0)
Breakdown: Premier matchup between the county’s most successful programs of the past decade. This is probably the Cougars’ last hurdle toward another undefeated season. It also is the last opportunity for the Packers’ seniors to beat Countryside, something they have yet to do in their careers. Countryside’s offensive line is massive and has paved the way for the team to rush for a combined 542 yards in the first two games. Largo’s defense is allowing eight points per game.
Who’s hot: Packers QB Juwan Brown has thrown for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns in the first two games. Countryside RB Mike Jerrido has rushed for more than 200 yards and scored three times so far this season.
Rodney Page’s pick: Said this last week, but the Cougars’ regular-season win streak ends now. Really, it does. Largo 24-21.
Bob Putnam’s pick: The Cougars win the battle in the trenches. Countryside 24-19.

East Lake (1-1) at Tarpon Springs (2-0)
Breakdown: The biggest rivalry in the county has been one-sided with the Eagles winning the past three meetings. For the Spongers to halt that streak, they need to stick to an effective run game, something East Lake’s defense had trouble stopping in last week’s loss to Countryside. The Eagles’ offense has no trouble moving the ball and should get an added bonus with WR Artavis Scott starting to recover from a sprained ankle.
Who’s hot: Eagles WR George Campbell had a breakout game against Countryside last week with four receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown. Tarpon Springs RB Michael Ford has rushed for 283 yards in two games.
Page: Not a good time to play the Eagles after last week’s loss. East Lake 28-14.
Putnam: Eagles QB Pete DiNovo is the difference. East Lake 24-21.

Tampa Catholic (2-0, 0-0) at St. Petersburg Catholic (2-0, 0-0), 7
Breakdown: First district game for both teams. Last year’s meeting was lopsided, like 70-7 lopsided. St. Petersburg Catholic has more talent this year, but the Barons still lack depth and, of course, FSU commit Ryan Green. Jaquan Fuller will try to carry the offensive load, and the defense will surely be tested. TJ Harrell is the main offensive threat for Tampa Catholic, which has defeated Bradenton Bayshore and Zephyrhills this season.
Who’s hot: Fuller has averaged 10.2 yards per carry through two games. He has a right thigh bruise but will be ready to go by game time.
Page: Tampa Catholic’s depth wears on the Barons. TC 32-21.
Putnam: It’ll be close, but Barons fall. TC 21-17

Boca Ciega (0-1) at Northeast (2-0)
Breakdown: The Pirates are coming off a bye week. Though they may be rested, they are playing a Northeast team that is hot right now. The Vikings have outscored opponents 59-18. Boca Ciega lost 37-7 in the season opener against Countryside.
Who’s hot: Northeast sophomore quarterback Ryan Davis is hard to stop. He has completed 26 of 34 passes for 394 yards and has rushed for 130 yards.
Page: Northeast continues to roll. Northeast 30-17.
Putnam: The blitz does the Vikings in. Boca Ciega 28-21.

Hudson (0-2) at Clearwater Central Catholic (1-1)
Breakdown: This is the soft part of the Marauders’ schedule. Last week, CCC beat Lakeland Christian 35-0. Now the Marauders host winless Hudson before a big showdown with PHU. Expect CCC to continue to rely on a ball-control offense.
Who’s hot: CCC RB Diquan Walker has rushed for a combined 214 yards in two games and is averaging more than 5 yards per carry. Marauders QB Blake Gomez has yet to throw an interception.
Page: This game has running clock written all over it. CCC 45-3.
Putnam: This one could get ugly in a hurry. CCC 52-7

Spoto (0-1, 0-0) at Gibbs (1-1, 0-1)
Breakdown: Gibbs has a trio of offensive threats — quarterback Patric Jones and running backs Emmanuel Stewart and Adrian Johnson. But they need the big men to step up. The Gladiators wore down against St. Petersburg, then rallied to beat a mediocre Lennard team last week. Spoto is coming off a bye week after a 24-17 loss to Riverview.
Who’s hot: Stewart seems recovered from last season’s knee injury. He has 328 yards of total offense as a running and catching threat.
Page: Gibbs scores four touchdowns and hangs on. Gibbs 24-20.
Putnam: Offense is now carrying the Gladiators. Gibbs 18-14.

Osceola (0-2) at St. Petersburg (1-1)
Breakdown: St. Petersburg was frustrated by Palm Harbor University last week. Running back Maurice Hemingway missed the second half with a knee injury, but he’ll return against Osceola. The Warriors have struggled in their first two games, especially the 30-6 loss last week to Northeast.
Who’s hot: St. Petersburg kicker Sean Covington. Yep, a kicker. He had a 57-yard field goal and a 56-yard average on five punts against PHU.
Page: Green Devils grind it out. St. Petersburg 10-7.
Putnam: Green Devils find a way to bounce back. St. Petersburg 27-21.

Pinellas Park (1-1) at Dixie Hollins (0-2)
Breakdown: Dixie Hollins fell just short against Seminole last week, 1 yard short. Pinellas Park got smacked by Largo. Neither team is explosive offensively, and Dixie has struggled with injuries.
Who’s hot: Rebels quarterback Drew Boylson ran for a touchdown and threw for another against Seminole.
Page: Defense will rule. Pinellas Park 14-7.
Putnam: It’s not pretty, but Patriots win slug fest. Pinellas Park 16-7.

Seminole (1-1) at Palm Harbor U. (2-0)
Breakdown: After two games, the Hurricanes defense has allowed six points and 122 yards. Last week, the Warhawks rebounded with a win over Dixie Hollins, snapping an 11-game skid.
Who’s hot: PHU RB Jonah Fiskaa is averaging a whopping 10 yards per carry. Teammate Quentin Cumings has three sacks.
Page: PHU wears teams out and has a better offense than expected. PHU 31-0.
Putnam: ’Canes defense comes through again. PHU 28-6.

Canterbury (0-2, 0-1) at Admiral Farragut (2-0)
Breakdown: Admiral Farragut has been able to win so far with its relentless running game and staunch defense. Canterbury has been saddled with injuries and lack of depth.
Who’s hot: AFA running back Todd Macon had 12 carries for 147 yards against Shorecrest. Oh, and he also had three sacks and a fumble recovery.
Page: The Blue Jackets have too much of everything. AFA 35-7.
Putnam: Crusaders lost too much on offense to stay in this game. AFA 28-14.

Calvary Christian (1-0, 1-0) at Shorecrest (1-1)
Breakdown: The Chargers have been playing well in their first two games. The Warriors, meanwhile, won their opener over IRC and are looking to stay on track this week in a non-district game.
Who’s hot: Calvary ATH Jeremy Wood ran for a touchdown, threw for one and caught another in last week’s win over IRC. Shorecrest RB Garrett Schulte has been a consistent runner in the first two games.
Page: Shorecrest is not as good as the first week and not as bad as the second week. Shorecrest 26-25.
Putnam: Warriors have a big edge at the skill positions. Calvary 35-21.

Indian Rocks Christian (0-1, 0-1) at Keswick Christian (0-2, 0-1)
Breakdown: Despite losing several starters, the Golden Eagles showed they can move the ball against Calvary. The Crusaders are simply struggling to start the season.
Who’s hot: IRC RB Zeke McGaughy rushed for 194 yards and had two touchdowns against Calvary.
Page: Indian Rocks Christian finds a way on the road. IRC 27-17.
Putnam: Golden Eagles are just better at this point. IRC 38-20.

Carrollwood Day (2-0, 1-0) at Northside Christian (0-2, 0-1)
Breakdown: How is this for the first two weeks: Carrollwood Day has outscored teams 90-7. While they have played lesser opponents (Imagine School of North Port and Keswick), the Patriots have proved they can run and throw. That probably won’t stop against Northside.
Who’s hot: CDS’ Robert Davis racked up 215 yards on 11 carries last week.
Page: Mike Alstott has a big rebuilding job. CDS 49-0.
Putnam: Mismatch alert. This one could over by the first quarter. CDS 58-6.
For extended predictions on all of tonight’s matchups, visit tampabay.com/hometeam.