Tonight's games: Pinellas
NORTHEAST (1-0) at LARGO (1-0)
By Times staff writers
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 12, 2003
LAST MEETING: Largo 13, Northeast 10 (2000).
THE SKINNY: After ending Seminole's 13-game winning streak Monday, the Packers come home to face another formidable opponent. Northeast completed just one pass and needed a last-second field goal to beat Lakewood. The Vikings need a better performance tonight.
Cotey: Largo Putnam: Largo Lee: Largo
GIBBS (0-1) AT LAKEWOOD (0-1)
LAST MEETING: Lakewood 34, Gibbs 14 (2002)
THE SKINNY: The good news for the Gladiators is Josh McKinnon threw for 286 yards and four touchdowns last week. The bad news is he threw four interceptions, something Lakewood's defensive backs must be drooling over. Of course, they will have to do better than allowing a fourth-and-14 completion in the waning moments, which led to a loss last week.
Cotey: Gibbs Putnam: Gibbs Lee: Lakewood
THE VILLAGES (0-1) AT CALVARY CHRISTIAN (0-0)
LAST MEETING: None.
THE SKINNY: Here comes the Calvary! The Warriors make their debut at home after last week's opening game at Cambridge was canceled because of Tropical Storm Henri. The Villages (nickname: People?), a first-year program in Sumter County, lost its opener but got the jitters out of the way. That experience should help.
Cotey: The Villages Putnam: The Villages Lee: The Villages
HERNANDO (0-1) AT CC CATHOLIC (1-0)
LAST MEETING: None.
THE SKINNY: Guards Tyler Dejarnett and Roy Raven and receiver Chip Brinkman are expected to return from injuries for the Marauders. But the Leopards should worry more about CCC's defense. Last week, the Marauders recovered three fumbles and allowed 97 total yards.
Cotey: CCC Putnam: CCC Lee: CCC
DIXIE HOLLINS (1-0) AT CLEARWATER (0-1)
LAST MEETING: Dixie Hollins 20, Clearwater 0 (2000)
THE SKINNY: After losing its past three games to Gibbs by a combined 10 points, the Rebels finally got past their nemesis. Staying above .500 might not be a problem considering Dixie Hollins is playing Clearwater, a team it has beaten five times in its past six meetings. It could be another slow start for the Tornadoes.
Cotey: Clearwater Putnam: Dixie Hollins Lee: Clearwater
SEMINOLE (0-1) AT TARPON SPRINGS (1-0)
LAST MEETING: Seminole 35, Tarpon Springs 30 (2002)
THE SKINNY: With Monday's loss, Seminole is in the unusual position of looking up at the standings. To climb out of the basement, the Warhawks must beat Tarpon, which has given them fits during the past two seasons. In fact, the Spongers were the last team to beat Seminole on its home field before Largo did it Monday.
Cotey: Seminole Putnam: Seminole Lee: Seminole
ST. PETERSBURG (0-1) AT PINELLAS PARK (1-0)
LAST MEETING: St. Petersburg 27, Pinellas Park 12 (2000)
THE SKINNY: Green Devils coach Todd St. Louis lamented on the number of teams using the Wing-T largely because his defense cannot stop it. Better get used to it. St. Petersburg plays four more teams that operate out of that formation, including the Patriots, who rolled up 242 yards on the ground against Boca Ciega.
Cotey: Pinellas Park Putnam: Pinellas Park Lee: Pinellas Park
JACKSONVILLE TRINITY CHRISTIAN (1-0) AT SP CATHOLIC (0-1)
LAST MEETING: None.
THE SKINNY: This was shaping up to be a monster showdown between two ranked teams. Of course, that was before the Barons were blown out by Wesley Chapel and voted out of the Class 2B poll. Still, this is another chance for St. Petersburg Catholic to get recognition against a respectable program. Trinity Christian won the Class A state title last season, so respect and recognition might not come for another week.
Cotey: Trinity Chr. Putnam: Trinity Chr. Lee: Trinity Chr.
BOCA CIEGA (0-1) AT COUNTRYSIDE (1-0)
LAST MEETING: Countryside 14, Boca Ciega 7 (2002)
THE SKINNY: Countryside receiver Jermaine Filer won his appeal for a fifth year of eligibility, but coach John Davis said he is not sure if he will play tonight. No matter. The Cougars still have running back Isaiah Gwyn, who ran for 120 yards and scored three touchdowns against Clearwater.
Cotey: Countryside Putnam: Countryside Lee: Countryside
EAST LAKE (0-1) AT DUNEDIN (1-0)
LAST MEETING: East Lake 38, Dunedin 12 (2000)
THE SKINNY: East Lake will have to grind it out against the high-flying Falcons. Dunedin has a bunch of weapons, and if Theo Wilson is going to do 242 passing, 137 rushing . . . well, who would pick against that? The Falcons haven't beaten the Eagles since a playoff game in 1994.
Cotey: Dunedin Putnam: Dunedin Lee: Dunedin
OSCEOLA (1-0) AT PALM HARBOR U (0-1)
LAST MEETING: Osceola 39, Palm Harbor U 6 (2002).
THE SKINNY: Osceola likes playing PHU. In six meetings, the Warriors have yet to lose. PHU must find a way to stop the running game if it wants to end that streak. Osceola ran all over what was believed to be an improved St. Petersburg team last week, and PHU allowed 461 yards to Dunedin.
Cotey: Osceola Putnam: Osceola Lee: Osceola
SHORECREST (1-0) AT NAPLES ST. JOHN NEUMANN (1-0)
LAST MEETING: None.
THE SKINNY: Playing in heavy rain that left the sidelines flooded, the Chargers erased a 29-15 deficit against state power Fort Myers Evangelical Christian with two scores during the last five minutes of regulation. Shorecrest coach Phil Hayford doesn't foresee a letdown after winning what he called one of the most exciting game in his 24 seasons as coach. Neither do we.
Cotey: Shorecrest Putnam: Shorecrest Lee: Shorecrest
NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN (1-0) AT WINTER HAVEN ALL SAINTS' (0-1)
LAST MEETING: None.
THE SKINNY: With another victory, the Mustangs could match their win total from last season and start 2-0 for the first time since 1996. Northside showed it can run the ball and play stingy defense in its opener, scoring on a run, pass, fumble return and safety. All Saints' was shut out by Keswick.
Cotey: Northside Putnam: Northside Lee: Northside
MIAMI FLORIDA CHR. (1-0) AT ADMIRAL FARRAGUT (0-1)
LAST MEETING: None.
THE SKINNY: The Blue Jackets beefed up their nondistrict schedule, which might not produce many positive results considering they have only three returning starters. Granted, one is running back Vince Patterson, but he will have to do a lot for Farragut to win.
Cotey: Florida Chr. Putnam: Florida Chr. Lee: Adm. Farragut
KESWICK CHRISTIAN (1-0) AT MOORE HAVEN (0-1)
LAST MEETING: Moore Haven 27, Keswick Christian 24 (2002)
THE SKINNY: Keswick recorded a shutout on the road last week. Moore Haven was shut out at home. But don't be fooled. The Crusaders played an All Saints' team with 22 players and gets a much tougher test against a team that made the playoffs last season.
Cotey: Keswick Putnam: Moore Haven Lee: Keswick
OCALA TRINITY CATHOLIC (0-1) at INDIAN ROCKS CHRISTIAN (1-0)
LAST MEETING: none
THE SKINNY: Quarterback Matt Sitton blew up for the Golden Eagles last week, scoring two touchdowns, returning a kickoff 53 yards and making extra points on all six touchdowns. While Trinity Catholic got pummeled in its season opener, the loss was to a Class 4A team. Its coach is former Gator quarterback Kerwin Bell.
Cotey: Trinity Cath. Putnam: Trinity Cath. Lee: Trinity Cath.
Putnam 11-5, Cotey 11-5, Lee 11-5.
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