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All games at 7:30.
By Times staff writers
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 18, 2002
Clearwater (2-4) at East Lake (3-3)
LAST MEETING: Clearwater 20, East Lake 19 (2001).
THE SKINNY: A Class 5A, District 7 game. The knee-jerk pick here is East Lake. But like last year, be wary. The Tornadoes were blown out only once during their 0-4 start and since have beaten Palm Harbor U. and St. Petersburg. East Lake lost 21-10 to Boca Ciega last week, fumbling three times during the second half. The winner stays on track to win the district, and Clearwater conceivably could do it with a 3-7 record. Nice.
Cotey: Clearwater Putnam: Clearwater Schwarb: East Lake
LAST MEETING: SP Catholic 15, CC Catholic 11 (2001)
THE SKINNY: The 2A-7 title game. The Barons cracked the 2A state poll last week then crumbled as Sarasota Cardinal Mooney blew them out by 31. SPC had not lost that badly at home since Week 2 of 2000, when the John Davis/Jay Davis era at CCC was in full force and the Marauders won 60-28. A blowout victory against Berkeley Prep aside, CCC has not scored 60 points for the season. Look for another low-scoring affair.
Cotey: CCC Putnam: SPC Schwarb: SPC
LAST MEETING: Admiral Farragut 36, Shorecrest 6 (2001)
THE SKINNY: An A-8 game. The Blue Jackets are the Buccaneers of Pinellas. After an opening-week loss to New Orleans, er, West Palm Beach King's Academy, Farragut has feasted on below-average competition such as Winter Haven All Saints', Middleton and Freedom. The defense (6.6 points allowed in five victories) has been fabulous, but we must withhold judgment until Philly, er, Shorecrest.
Cotey: Farragut Putnam: Shorecrest Schwarb: Shorecrest
LAST MEETING: Tarpon Springs 34, Largo 20 (2001)
THE SKINNY: A 4A-9 game. Did you hear about the sports book motor home parked outside Raymond James Stadium last weekend accepting bets until Tampa police impounded it? We're not gambling folks (as far as you know), but we wondered if they had preseason lines on the Spongers or Packers being 0-3 in district play. Nah, that would have been ludicrous, right? Well, not anymore. Loser here will be 0-3 and on the verge of elimination from the playoff chase.
Cotey: Tarpon Putnam: Tarpon Schwarb: Tarpon
LAST MEETING: Keswick Chr. 54, IRC 0 (2001)
THE SKINNY: An A-8 game. The Crusaders found out how much they depend on quarterback Cris Schooley. He missed last week's game with a sprained ankle, and Keswick lost 20-7 to Berkeley Prep. The senior returns tonight and should help Keswick beat IRC to get in position to play Farragut on Nov.1 for a playoff spot.
Cotey: Keswick Putnam: Keswick Schwarb: Keswick
LAST MEETING: Boca Ciega 24, St. Petersburg 7 (2001)
THE SKINNY: A 5A-8 game. We love Jim Connors. After his inspiring run to the U.S. Open semifinals in 1991 at age 39, who could have dreamed he would have another comeback in him while quarterbacking the Pirates? (Sorry, Jim, we couldn't resist this one time. We know you've spent your whole life putting up with the tennis jokes. Good luck against the Green Devils.)
Cotey: Boca Ciega Putnam: Boca Ciega Schwarb: Boca Ciega
LAST MEETING: Pinellas Park 30, PHU 10 (2001)
THE SKINNY: A 5A-7 game. The Park's upset victory last week at Lakewood was huge, but so was its loss the week before at East Lake. In a four-team district, two victories are a must. It shouldn't be too hard to get No.1 against a Hurricanes team that has not had anything to celebrate since Week 1.
Cotey: Pinellas Park Putnam: Pinellas Park Schwarb: Pinellas Park
LAST MEETING: Osceola 20, Seminole 6 (2001)
THE SKINNY: The Warhawks have not been pounding opponents into submission like previous years. Three games have been decided by a touchdown or less. Without Joey Fabrizio's gutsy running last week, Seminole probably does not escape Tarpon Springs with a victory. Osceola also has played its share of close games, but its big night against Seminole was last year. Don't expect to see it happen again.
Cotey: Seminole Putnam: Seminole Schwarb: Seminole
LAST MEETING: Northside Chr. 14, Temple Heights 7 (2001)
THE SKINNY: If Northside finds a way to duplicate last year's effort against the Eagles, it would be more than just the first victory. The 14 points would be the most the Mustangs have scored in a game this season. IRC put up 35 on the Heights and won last month. We're just asking for 40 percent of that.
Cotey: T. Heights Putnam: Northside Schwarb: T. Heights