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Pinellas football extra

Quote of the Week

"I don't think people take us seriously yet. I think we'll need to be 9-1 before we stop hearing "same old Dunedin." -- MARK EVERETT, Dunedin coach, one of only two unbeaten teams in the county (Seminole is the other).

Game of the Week

Seminole (5-0) at Tarpon Springs (3-2)

AT STAKE: Nothing in terms of district races, but Seminole upperclassmen probably have had this date circled for months. Last year Tarpon won in the Warhawks' house, snapping the team's 21-game regular-season winning streak.

OFFENSE: Coach Sam Roper's formula hasn't changed at Seminole: run, run, run again. The Warhawks have over 1,300 yards on the ground with Joey Fabrizio leading the way. Tarpon has a similarly-built back in Anthony Houllis, but he is the Spongers' only reliable weapon. Tarpon averages less than 19 points, Seminole 26. EDGE: Seminole

DEFENSE: Surprisingly, Gibbs stayed close with Seminole last week, but that was more a function of poor Warhawks offense than a porous defense. The Gladiators scored eight points, the third foe in single digits in five games against Seminole, but two late interceptions sealed their fate. Tarpon's usually-reliable rush defense was torched for 290 yards by Lakewood. EDGE: Seminole

SPECIAL TEAMS: Placekicker Morgan Riley of Seminole is slightly better than Tarpon's Chris Bannon, but Houllis is a more dangerous punt return man. EDGE: Even

INTANGIBLES: Never count Tarpon out at home, as Lakewood needed the fourth quarter to seal the win. Seminole has started out slow a few times this season, but it is unlikely there won't be extra gas in the tank. EDGE: Seminole

The Pinellas Top 10

1. Seminole (1): A couple of close calls the past two weeks against East Lake and Gibbs have us wondering about Seminole's dominance. But the Warhawks are still unbeaten, and the only remaining obstacle to a perfect regular season is Northeast Oct. 25.

2. Lakewood (3): Since the Spartans already lost to Seminole we won't be seeing No. 1 vs. No. 2 anytime soon. But provided Marcus Anderson keeps racking up yards and the Spartans don't lose these games they insist on keeping close into the third quarter, we may get No. 2 vs. No. 3 in two weeks.

3. Dunedin (4): Did you hear that, Falcons? Oct. 17, be there. Though we know it won't be easy, with a pesky Gibbs team on Friday. A win would be No. 6 for coach Mark Everett, who had six total his first three seasons at Dunedin.

4. St. Petersburg Catholic (5): The Barons (4-1) have played a tough schedule and it doesn't get any easier this week with Sarasota Cardinal Mooney and Clearwater Central Catholic lurking the next two weeks.

5. Boca Ciega (9): Break up the Pirates! Sure, the Pirates are 2-3 but the first win over Northeast since a 9-0 victory in 1985 bears mentioning and a leap in the poll. We're not saying that if the Pirates get by East Lake they can end the year on a 7-game win streak...we're just saying.

6. Northeast (2): Um ... Boca Ciega?

7. East Lake (8): One of those hard-to-figure teams, but an impressive defensive showing against a sinking Pinellas Park team moves them up a spot. Can they handle the mighty Pirates of Boca Ciega this week?

8. Gibbs (6): The Gladiators are dangerous. Once sophomore Josh McKinnon gets more experience in late situations and the running game takes pressure off him, look for this team to start turning around recent close losses.

9. Countryside (NR): John Davis might not have a wealth of talent at Countryside, but he's working his magic again. He'll need it, as his Cougars meet what is likely the county's angriest team, Northeast.

10. Tarpon Springs (7): The Spongers defense will keep them in games, but the offense may not be able to finish them off.

Five to Watch

Josh McKinnon, Gibbs: The sophomore quarterback shows improvement week by week and might be the next Ron Mathis by year's end.

Boca Ciega: Can they do it again?

Jason Harris, Clearwater: The Tornadoes got going with a win over Palm Harbor U. The running back contributed two touchdowns and 122 yards and should have a chance for more against St. Petersburg.

Isaiah Gwyn, Countryside: If Bogie can run for 251 yards against Northeast, how many can this back get? Another special teams touchdown like his 96-yard kickoff return last week might be necessary for the Cougars to pull an upset.

Players of the Week Week 5

OFFENSE: Shamon Washington, Bogie -- In the most stunning upset in recent memory, the Pirates beat Northeast 33-14 and have Washington to thank. After Darryl Wilson took the first Bogie play and ran 70 yards for a touchdown, Washington followed with a 75-yard punt return for a score. Washington also had an interception, and when Northeast tried to rally, he finished them off with a 64-yard run.

DEFENSE: Admiral Farragut and Dunedin -- The Blue Jackets gave up 44 yards to Northside Christian and no first downs after halftime; Dunedin was never threatened by Dixie Hollins, allowing 135 yards and no points.

-- Compiled by John C. Cotey and John Schwarb

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