Favored Jefferson begins district play, and the next three weeks will be pivotal in the 3A-10 hunt.
By ROD GIPSON
Published October 3, 2003
They're the early favorite in their district, but the Jefferson Dragons have yet to do anything to back that up. Sure, Jefferson is 3-1, ranked 10th in Class 3A, and has played outstanding football except for a 35-14 loss to Armwood last week.
Jefferson hasn't made a peep in Class 3A, District 10, but that's because they haven't played a district game. While Robinson and Tampa Bay Tech are 1-0 in the district, Jefferson opens league play this week at Freedom.
So while the Knights and Titans have gotten off to quick starts, the Dragons could quickly catch up especially with Robinson and Tampa Bay Tech meeting tonight. Usual challenger Jesuit is 0-1 in the district, as is Freedom.
Regardless of the Robinson/Tech outcome, Jefferson should factor into the district race soon. Both the Knights and Titans have to visit the Dragons in the next three weeks, making tonight's outcomes a little more important.
In addition to the Class 3A-10 games, Blake is playing at sudden powerhouse Alonso; Chamberlain and Hillsborough renew their feud; Armwood is at Leto; Wharton plays at King; and Sickles and Gaither face off for neighborhood supremacy. All kickoffs are at 7:30 p.m.
Blake (0-4, 0-1 in Class 4A, District 10) at Alonso (4-0, 1-0 in 4A-10)
LAST WEEK: Blake lost to King 9-7; Alonso beat Freedom 45-7.
LAST YEAR: Alonso defeated Blake 23-20.
THE SKINNY: The Yellow Jackets are the best 0-4 team in the county, but tailback John Forbes and his Alonso teammates are the surprise of the season.
THE EDGE: The beat will go on for Alonso.
Chamberlain (2-2, 1-0 in Class 5A-8) at Hillsborough (3-1, 1-0 in 5A-8)
LAST WEEK: Chamberlain beat Middleton 17-6; Hillsborough beat Plant 40-14.
LAST YEAR: Chamberlain defeated Hillsborough 23-15.
THE SKINNY: Once THE GAME in Hillsborough County, it's still pretty big.
THE EDGE: Both need to keep pace in the competitive Class 5A-8, and Hillsborough will.
Jefferson (3-1, 0-0 in 3A-10) at Freedom (0-4, 0-1 in 3A-10)
LAST WEEK: Jefferson lost to Armwood 35-14; Freedom lost to Alonso 45-7.
LAST YEAR: Didn't play.
THE SKINNY: Jefferson is coming off a 21-point loss to rival Armwood. Enough said.
THE EDGE: Even at home, this isn't a good week to be the Patriots. The Dragons could light up the scoreboard.
Sickles (2-2, 0-1 in 5A-8) at Gaither (3-1, 1-0 in 5A-8)
LAST WEEK: Sickles beat Newsome 31-0; Gaither beat Tampa Bay Tech 22-13.
LAST YEAR: Gaither defeated Sickles 13-7.
THE SKINNY: Gaither, surprisingly, is in the middle of the 5A-8 district race, while Sickles has shown flashes of competitiveness.
THE EDGE: This neighborhood battle usually brings out the best in both squads. A tight one, but Gaither should win.
Armwood (4-0, 1-0 in 4A-10) at Leto (1-3, 0-1 in 4A-10)
LAST WEEK: Armwood beat Jefferson 35-14; Leto lost to Robinson 48-8.
LAST YEAR: Didn't play.
THE SKINNY: Armwood, ranked third in Class 4A, is the best team in Hillsborough County. Leto is among the worst.
THE EDGE: See above. Armwood big in this one.
Wharton (1-3, 0-1 in 5A-8) at King (2-2, 0-1 in 5A-8)
LAST WEEK: Wharton lost to Plant City 28-14; King beat Blake 9-7.
LAST YEAR: Wharton defeated King 52-6.
THE SKINNY: Wharton needs to get a win or risk falling further behind in the district. King, meanwhile, is coming off a lackluster victory against Blake last week.
THE EDGE: In a game of two evenly-matched teams, playmakers could be the difference. The Lions have more of those, so King should win, but not by much.
