THE SKINNY: Though once a series dominated by CCC, the teams have split the past six, and this year's contest is a toss-up. The Marauders are coming off a 6-0 loss and can't be happy. The Barons have won four in a row and are as happy as a lark, which best we can tell is an Old World bird of the family Alaudidae, especially the skylark, having a sustained, melodious song. Who sings after this one?
Cotey: SPC Putnam: CCC Lee: SPC
ADMIRAL FARRAGUT (3-3) AT SHORECREST (5-0)
LAST MEETING: Admiral Farragut 42, Shorecrest 7 (2002).
THE SKINNY: Since re-entering district competition in 2000, the Blue Jackets have won three in a row against the Chargers. Shorecrest has the better record and homefield advantage. But Farragut has Vince Patterson, the county's second-leading rusher.
THE SKINNY: Dunedin has won three of the past four between these teams, including last year's 18-12 thriller in which Clearwater rallied from an 18-3 deficit and had a chance to win on the last play. The Tornadoes would do well to keep it as close this year. The flying-high Falcons have their eyes on a 10-0 season.
Cotey: Dunedin Putnam: Dunedin Lee: Dunedin
SEMINOLE (3-3) AT BOCA CIEGA (1-5)
LAST MEETING: Seminole 64, Boca Ciega 7 (2001).
THE SKINNY: The Warhawks usually are dominant on defense. Not so last week as Countryside's Isaiah Gwyn ran for 285 yards and four touchdowns. Can the Warhawks rebound? They should against a Bogie offense that doesn't pack much of a punch.
Cotey: Seminole Putnam: Seminole Lee: Seminole
NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN (5-1) AT BERKELEY PREP (5-0)
LAST MEETING: Berkeley Prep 32, Northside Chr. 6 (2002).
THE SKINNY: The Mustangs lost to Admiral Farragut two weeks ago and must win to keep their playoff hopes alive. That will be tough against the Bucs, who have a bigger offensive line and elusive quarterback in Derek Hatcher. Berkeley Prep has won five of the past six in this series.
Cotey: Berkeley Putnam: Berkeley Lee: Berkeley
KESWICK CHRISTIAN (2-3) AT INDIAN ROCKS CHRISTIAN (2-4)
LAST MEETING: Keswick Chr. 45, Indian Rocks Chr. 13 (2002)
THE SKINNY: Last year, the most points Keswick scored in a game was 45. The year before that, it was 54. In 2000, it was 49. Guess what? Every one of those games was against IRC. Yikes! If you want to see scoring, hit this game. The average score in this series is 51-8. If you want to see a close game, you might want to go elsewhere.
Cotey: IRC Putnam: Keswick Lee: IRC
LAKEWOOD (0-6) AT BRADENTON SOUTHEAST (3-3)
LAST MEETING: Lakewood 22, Southeast 17 (1988)
THE SKINNY: The bad news is Lakewood's offense played just as bad as the defense last week, and it wasn't pretty. The good news is we just saved a ton of money on our car insurance. Yeah, we know, that's pretty weak. But we're struggling to find a bright side for the Spartans.
Cotey: Southeast Putnam: Southeast Lee: Southeast
OSCEOLA (4-2) AT PALMETTO (3-3)
LAST MEETING: None.
THE SKINNY: It would be understandable if the Warriors are deflated after losing by a combined five points to undefeated Sarasota Booker and Dunedin the past two weeks. But there's no time to wallow in what-ifs, almosts or could-have-beens. Osceola still can make the playoffs.
