News
What we learned
Brandon has thrown the 7A-8 race into chaos. Heading into the last two weeks of district play, the title had been gift-wrapped for Plant City. But then Brandon rolled into town. The Eagles' 48-36 victory over the Raiders is unquestionably the upset of the year, and if all goes as expected next week, there will be a tiebreaker played between Brandon, Durant and Plant City. Newsome, which won the district the past three years, still technically is alive as well. Break out the popcorn because this one will be fun to watch.
Some teams are surging at the ideal time. Speaking of Brandon, anyone want to play the Eagles (winners of three of its last four) right now? Didn't think so. Not sure anyone's lining up to face Robinson and Gaither, both winners of five straight and bound for the playoffs.
Looking ahead
Tampa Catholic (6-2, 1-1) at Berkeley Prep (8-0, 2-0). A Berkeley victory gives the Buccaneers the Class 3A, District 5 title and eliminates TC from playoff contention. A Crusaders upset likely means Berkeley, TC and CCC convene three nights later for a district tiebreaker.
Gaither (6-2, 4-0) at Tampa Bay Tech (5-3, 4-0). The Class 7A, District 7 title game, plain and simple. As a parting gift, the loser gets a playoff berth.
Wharton (4-4, 1-1) at Alonso (6-2, 1-1). The winner earns the runnerup spot in Class 8A, District 6. The likely prize? A first-round region matchup at Orlando Dr. Phillips.
Newsome (4-4, 2-2) at Plant City (7-1, 3-1). Way back when, we thought this game would be huge because it would potentially crown a district champ. But after losing to Brandon, Plant City needs to beat the Wolves, a team that has beaten the Raiders the past three years, to keep pace with Durant and Brandon in 7A-8.
By the numbers
7 Consecutive completions against Armwood to open the game by Plant QB James Few
38 Career sacks by Armwood LB Eric Striker, a school record, eclipsing Ryne Giddins' mark of 35
8.1 Average number of points Plant City allowed in its first six games
84 Points Plant City has allowed the past two weeks to a pair of teams (Brandon and East Bay) that don't have winning records
100 Brandon QB Allen Knippel's completion percentage (10-for-10, 145 yards, one touchdown) in a 48-36 win over Brandon
Audibles
"Our running game and our offensive line, we just pounded the ball against these guys. I don't think they expected we'd be able to do that. People think we're a passing team. We're a running team. We can do anything we want."
Mike DePue, Robinson coach, after the Knights beat Lakewood 20-13
"Before the game, Coach Cal was like, 'Matt, I just want to see dreads shaking and gold teeth,' and … I just took it all out on the field. I was just running with that steam on my head. The mentality I had was just mad, mad, mad. I just wanted to get after Plant because they talk, talk, talk."
Matt Jones, Armwood RB, who had a 30-yard TD run in the fourth quarter vs. Plant after a chat with coach Sean Callahan
Game balls
WR/PR Geronimo Allison, Spoto: Allison scored on punt returns of 94 and 59 yards in a 44-2 win over Lennard.
m RBs Michael Duclos and Martin Ruiz, Robinson: The running backs propelled the Knights to a 20-13 win that all but sealed a playoff berth. Duclos, a freshman, ran for 114 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries, while Ruiz grinded out 63 yards rushing and had a key 20-yard reception.
DB Andrew Feldhaus, Steinbrenner: The senior scored two defensive touchdowns in a 56-0 rout of Wiregrass Ranch. He ran back a fumble 52 yards and scored on a 12-yard interception return.
RB Tyrell Garner, Brandon: As if 135 rushing yards and two scores weren't enough, Garner threw a 37-yard touchdown pass in a 48-36 shocker over Plant City.
RB Brandon Holloway, Alonso: A week after having kidney stones, the Mississippi State commitment ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries in a 31-15 win over Tampa Catholic.
Jesuit defense: The Tigers held Gibbs to one first down, 7 yards total offense and minus-36 rushing yards in a 31-0 district win.
RB Kendall Pearcey, Steinbrenner: He took advantage of an injury-depleted backfield to score six total touchdowns — four rushing and two on returns — in a 56-0 win over Wiregrass Ranch. He finished with 112 yards on 16 carries and had punt return scores of 65 and 56 yards.
WR/DB Robbie Robertson, Cambridge: The two-way standout racked up 172 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and added a clutch fourth-quarter interception in the Lancers' 45-31 win over Seffner Christian.
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