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Tonight's games

All games at 7:30.

By Times staff writers
© St. Petersburg Times
published October 17, 2002

Dunedin (6-0) at Lakewood (4-2)

LAST MEETING: Lakewood 40, Dunedin 0 (2001).

THE SKINNY: A Class 4A, District 9 game. There is no denying the Falcons' run so far. Certainly, coach Mark Everett is allowed to smile a little considering he has won as many games during the past six weeks as he had through his first three seasons at Dunedin. But here's the sobering thought: It is not out of the question the Falcons could go winless the rest of the way. A four-game stretch against 2001 playoff teams ends the season starting tonight with the Spartans, who should be playing with a chip on their shoulder after last week's 17-13 loss to Pinellas Park. The district implications are obvious, but for Dunedin, a victory also means claiming the spot behind Seminole as the county's best.

Cotey: LW Putnam: LW Schwarb: Dun

Dixie Hollins (3-3) at Countryside (3-3)

LAST MEETING: Dixie Hollins 34, Countryside 31 (2001).

THE SKINNY: A 4A-9 game. The Cougars weathered a 1-2 start, and a huge victory at Largo two weeks ago set up this chance to move into a tie for second in the district with the Lakewood-Dunedin loser. Dixie, after being shut out at Dunedin, pulled out a 9-7 victory over Osceola last week. A year ago, the Rebels' running game made the difference against the Cougars and put them on the cusp of a playoff berth. Yet they failed to win another game and missed the postseason. If Dixie can win again, the remaining schedule this time is more favorable.

Cotey: Cside Putnam: Dixie Schwarb: Cside

Northeast (5-1) at Gibbs (2-4)

LAST MEETING: Northeast 35, Gibbs 20 (2001).

THE SKINNY: A 5A-8 game. With the loss to Boca Ciega two weeks ago, this game becomes a must-win for Northeast if it hopes to make the postseason through the district. The offense got back on track a little with a 28-13 victory at Countryside with quarterback Josh Harris throwing just six times after being picked five times by the Pirates. Gibbs is no pushover, however, with four losses by eight or fewer points. If the Gladiators pull off the upset, they could entertain playoff thoughts with two district games (including Bogie) left on the schedule.

Cotey: NE Putnam: NE Schwarb: NE

Durant (6-0) at East bay (6-0)

LAST MEETING: Durant 21, East Bay 14 (2001).

THE SKINNY: You couldn't blame the Cougars if they were to ask the Indians if their legs are tired. After all, East Bay has been running through Durant's mind for weeks as everyone has looked forward to this mammoth east Hillsborough district battle. By far, the game of the week.

Purks: East Bay Readling: East Bay Nipps: Durant

Wharton (5-1) at Hillsborough (6-0)

LAST MEETING: Hillsborough 38, Wharton 10 (2001).

THE SKINNY: With Ronnie McCullough hurt we're going to find out what happens when you take the Dawg out of the Dawg Bone offense. Will the 'Cats play with the Big Dawg away?

Purks: Hillsborough Readling: Hillsborough Nipps: Hillsborough

Tampa Bay Tech (4-2) at Armwood (5-1)

LAST MEETING: Tech 14, Armwood 10 (2001).

THE SKINNY: This is all you need to know about Tech: RB Albert Daniels caught seven passes and scored a TD last week with an impacted wisdom tooth that hurt so much he couldn't eat and had to cut his mouthpiece almost in half so he wouldn't bite down on it. That's heart. That's what TBT has. Is that enough?

Purks: Armwood Readling: Armwood Nipps: Armwood

Sickles (2-4) at Chamberlain (5-1)

LAST MEETING: Chamberlain 49, Sickles 0 (2001).

THE SKINNY: Chamberlain will win but it won't be by as much as last year.

Purks: Chamberlain Readling: Chamberlain Nipps: Chamberlain

Haines City (1-5) at Riverview (3-3)

LAST MEETING: Riverview 55, Haines City 8 (2001).

THE SKINNY: Riverview still has an outside shot at the playoffs. Admittedly, it's waaaaaay outside but a chance is a chance. Just as the Lotto people say. A win tonight improves the odds.

Purks: Riverview Readling: Riverview Nipps: Riverview

Alonso (1-5) at Leto (0-6)

LAST MEETING: Leto 28, Alonso 0 (2001).

THE SKINNY: Tonight we'll find out if Leto went to that voodoo Web site we recommended last week to buy a curse. The Falcons need to do something. It has been nothing but bad voodoo so far.

Purks: Alonso Readling: Alonso Nipps: Leto

Sarasota Riverview (4-1) at Bloomingdale (0-6)

LAST MEETING: Riverview 35, Bloomingdale 0 (2001).

THE SKINNY: Ugly, ugly, ugly. A Bloomingdale win would rank right up there with some of the most improbable occurences ever. A man on the moon would be nothing compared to a Bulls victory.

Purks: Riverview Readling: Riverview Nipps: Riverview

Brandon (2-4) at Plant (2-4)

LAST MEETING: Brandon 33, Plant 28 (2001).

THE SKINNY: Tonight's version of an Underachievers Anonymous meeting. Two great quarterbacks, an array of receivers, experienced coaches and four wins between the two teams?

Purks: Plant Readling: Brandon Nipps: Plant

Lakeland (5-1) at Plant City (1-5)

LAST MEETING: Lakeland 21, Plant City 0 (2001).

THE SKINNY: Lakeland's already lost to a Hillsborough County team this year which means that quota has been filled until 2007.

Purks: Lakeland Readling: Lakeland Nipps: Lakeland

Freedom (0-3) at North Port (2-3)

LAST MEETING: None.

THE SKINNY: Okay, Middleton barely lost to North Port, 19-18, because Middleton missed three extra points. But Middleton beat Freedom 25-6. So if A equals B and B equals C. Anyway, North Port is favored.

Purks: North Port Readling: North Port Nipps: North Port

Gaither (3-3) at King (1-5)

LAST MEETING: King 23, Gaither 14 (2001).

THE SKINNY: If Gaither RB Craig Bullara and King RB Mike Brewster -- the county's leading bulldozers -- collide, which one ends up standing? Might want to check it out tonight because Brewster also plays defensive back.

Purks: King Readling: Gaither Nipps: King

FRIDAY'S GAMES

All games at 7:30 unless noted.

Sarasota Booker (1-4) at Blake (3-3)

LAST MEETING: Booker 28, Blake 13 (2001).

THE SKINNY: There is no need to adjust your glasses, or whatever it is you adjust when you don't believe something you read in the newspaper. It's true, Blake is favored over Booker. That has never happened.

Purks: Blake Readling: Blake Nipps: Blake

Jesuit (4-1) at Palmetto (3-3)

LAST MEETING: Jesuit 35, Palmetto 13 (2001).

THE SKINNY: These teams are both Tigers, but one is puny and limping (Palmetto). Jesuit's Tigers lost last week for the first time, so they're extra hungry. ...

Purks: Jesuit Readling: Jesuit Nipps: Jesuit

Jefferson (5-1) at Jacksonville Ed White (5-1)

LAST MEETING: Jefferson 35, Ed White 7 (2001).

THE SKINNY: Jefferson has gotten more wake-up calls than a boot camp grunt. The first came in Week 1 when the Dragons slipped by Sickles 26-13. The second came the following week in a 24-0 loss to Armwood. The third was last week when the Dragons led 31-0 at the half then held on 31-28 over Tampa Bay Tech. Hello? Are you awake now? Better be, Ed White has won its past five and hasn't given up more than 14 points in a game.

Purks: Jefferson Readling: Ed White Nipps: Jefferson

Robinson (1-5) at Bradenton Southeast (4-2)

LAST MEETING: Southeast 40, Robinson 7 (2001).

THE SKINNY: Between this morning and tonight, Robinson needs to kick its improvement to light speed. Otherwise the Knights get crushed.

Purks: Southeast Readling: Southeast Nipps: Southeast

Northside Christian (0-6) at Temple Heights (2-2), 4 p.m.

LAST MEETING: Northside Chr. 14, Temple Heights 7 (2001).

THE SKINNY: Nathan Lewis has gone berserk his past two games, gaining more than 600 all-purpose yards. Northside Christian has gone berserk trying to stop opponents from running over them. Who will go more berserk this evening?

Purks: T. Heights Readling: T. Heights Nipps: T. Heights

Berkeley Prep (3-3) at Middleton (1-2) at Tampa Bay Tech

LAST MEETING: None.

THE SKINNY: If Middleton can score an extra point (missed three to lose 19-18 to North Port), the Tigers might have a chance to win this game. It could be that close. Maybe.

Purks: Berkeley Readling: Berkeley Nipps: Berkeley

Tampa Catholic (2-4) at Bronson (3-3)

LAST MEETING: None.

THE SKINNY: Facts about Bronson: Population 875, 10.221 kilometers of land area, .231 square kilometers of surface water, 733 miles from Washington D.C., football team is tough at home.

Purks: Bronson Readling: Bronson Nipps: Bronson

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