Preps
Districts begin to clear up tonight
A look at the big games in 5A-7, 3A-10 and 4A-10.
By MIKE READLING, Times Staff Writer
Published October 16, 2003
LAKELAND AT DURANT
It was Sept. 20, 2002, when Durant struck the biggest blow for Hillsborough County. It was the first district game of the year, and when it was over, the scoreboard read Durant 28, Lakeland 17.
That's right, Lakeland.
The team that for years was unbeatable. Lakeland, the program coaches around the state modeled theirs after. The team that won state titles in 1986, 1996 and 1999 and once had a 60-game regular-season win streak. The Dreadnaughts are back, and as ridiculous as this might sound, tonight's game might be even bigger for Durant.
If Durant wins, it is 4-0 in Class 5A, District 7 with games left against Plant City and Riverview. Every other team will have at least one loss. It doesn't assure the Cougars a district title, but it puts them a big step closer.
A Lakeland victory, on the other hand, throws 5A-7 into disarray. It gets worse if East Bay defeats Plant City. Then the Dreadnaughts, Cougars and Indians will have one loss in 5A-7. East Bay will have only one district game left (against Brandon), and Lakeland (Bloomingdale and Plant City) and Durant have two.
If all three win out, a three-team tiebreaker, likely to be held the Monday after the regular season ends, would determine the district champ and runner-up. In any case, there is a strong possibility all three would reach the postseason thanks to the wild card.
ROBINSON AT JEFFERSON
Robinson coach Mike DePue summed it up simply: "This is the district championship game, if you ask me."
Indeed it is.
If Robinson wins, it is 3-0 in 3A-10 and cements itself as the surprise team of the year. The Knights' only remaining district game is against Freedom, which won its first game last week.
Even if they lose, the Knights look good for a playoff spot. Meanwhile, a Jefferson win propels it to the top of 3A-10 as the lone undefeated team. Robinson has not beaten Jefferson since 1998 but has cobbled together a wily band of young players to complement some experienced seniors. Quarterback Marcello Trigg is third in the county in passing - behind Jefferson's David Turner, who has thrown a county-high 12 touchdowns and is the only passer with more than 1,000 yards.
Both are ranked in the top 10 in defense, with Jefferson allowing just more than 200 yards per game and Robinson less than 165. One thing seems certain, this game will not be like the 41-6 and 35-6 shellackings Jefferson administered in the past two meetings, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
ALONSO AT ARMWOOD
Talk about surprise teams. How about Alonso at 5-1 with the county's No. 1 - yes, you read that right - defense. Admittedly, the road gets much tougher tonight for the Ravens, whose five-game win streak ended last week against Robinson. But even with a loss, Alonso still is staring a playoff spot in the mouth.
If Alonso wins, it is 3-0 in 4A-10 with games left against Plant and Leto. Everyone else would have at least one loss. If Armwood wins, it is 3-0 with games left against Middleton and Plant. The Hawks are, perhaps, the strongest team in the county, coming in with the No. 1-ranked offense and No. 2 defense. Alonso was tough against the run last week, and that must continue against Armwood, which averages 377 yards on the ground.
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