By FRANK PASTOR, BOB PUTNAM and STEVE LEE
Published September 24, 2004
TONIGHT'S GAMES
All games at 7:30 p.m.
WESLEY CHAPEL (2-0) AT LAND O'LAKES (1-1)
WHERE: Gator Stadium
SERIES: Land O'Lakes leads 3-2
NEED TO KNOW: Sophomore Joe Weatherford will replace senior Ryan Rigau as Land O'Lakes' starting quarterback. Wesley Chapel coach John Castelamare said his team prepared for both, but the Wildcats secondary might face a greater test in the strong-armed Weatherford. Still, the outcome might hinge on the running of Land O'Lakes' Scott Mays and Wesley Chapel's Nigel Bryant. Give the Wildcats the edge, thanks to an offensive line anchored by Danny Tolley and Khalil Madani.
FRANK PASTOR'S PICK: Wesley Chapel
BOB PUTNAM'S PICK: Wesley Chapel
STEVE LEE'S PICK: Wesley Chapel
HUDSON (3-0) AT MITCHELL (1-1)
WHERE: Mustang Stadium
SERIES: Mitchell leads 2-1
NEED TO KNOW: After beating Pasco for the first time in 25 years, Hudson is 3-0 for the fourth time in its 30-year history. But the Cobras can't look past Mitchell, which has won the past two meetings, to next week's district game against Wesley Chapel. A tough test against a non-district opponent should be enough to motivate the Cobras. PASTOR'S PICK: Hudson
PUTNAM'S PICK: Hudson
LEE'S PICK: Mitchell
RIVER RIDGE (1-2) AT ZEPHYRHILLS (0-2)
WHERE: Bulldog Stadium
SERIES: Zephyrhills leads 11-2
NEED TO KNOW: Teams know what to expect from Zephyrhills: Big, strong linemen, athletes in the backfield, quickness everywhere. River Ridge plays aggressive defense but has been hampered by breakdowns on offense and special teams. Both were whipped by Wesley Chapel, but River Ridge made progress offensively in last week's come-from-behind victory over Gulf. PASTOR'S PICK: River Ridge
PUTNAM'S PICK: Zephyrhills
LEE'S PICK: Zephyrhills
GULF (0-2) AT RIDGEWOOD (0-2)
WHERE: Ridgewood Stadium
SERIES: Gulf leads 14-5
NEED TO KNOW: Gulf has blown two-touchdown leads the past two weeks. The players recognize the problem, which coach Keith Newton attributes to a lack of mental focus. Ridgewood has personnel troubles. Tailback Mike Galizia, the 2003 county rushing leader, and quarterback Justin Pena were suspended four games for violating school rules, leaving speedy freshman David Williams as the primary backfield threat.
PASTOR'S PICK: Gulf
PUTNAM'S PICK: Gulf
LEE'S PICK: Gulf
HERNANDO (1-2) AT PASCO (0-2)
WHERE: W.F. Edwards Stadium
SERIES: Hernando leads 34-18-2, but Pasco has won nine of the past 12, including four straight
NEED TO KNOW: How long has it been since Pasco started 0-2? Who knows. Our records don't go back that far. The Pirates have dominated this long-standing rivalry the past decade and hope the trend continues. If not, it's going to be a long season, with games against district foes Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills looming. Hernando struggled in its first two games before beating Ridgewood last week.
PASTOR'S PICK: Pasco
PUTNAM'S PICK: Pasco
LEE'S PICK: Pasco
HAVE A QUESTION?
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