One thing has become undeniably clear after three weeks: The Armwood Hawks are easily the best high school football team in the county. After a pair of tuneup games, Armwood got its first test of the year last week against Jefferson. The result: a 54-7 thrashing of the Dragons in which Armwood obliterated any doubt of the Hawks' status.
In the first three weeks, the Hawks have beaten their opponents by a combined score of 162-26 and have tallied at least 50 points in each game. Jefferson, one of the few teams in the area that have the size up front on both sides of the ball to hang with the Hawks, was steamrolled by halftime (38-0) and quickly became nothing more than a footnote in Armwood's 18-game winning streak. The scores Armwood has been putting up have been astounding, but the way the Hawks have gone about it is what may be more amazing. Five starters, including quarterback Jameel Williams, were injured and did not play against the Dragons. That level of team depth and preparation is the greatest testament to the strong foundation of Coach Sean Callahan's program.
With the Dragons out of the way, little stands between the Hawks and back-to-back undefeated seasons.
Leto (0-3, 0-1) at Armwood (3-0, 1-0)
LAST YEAR: Armwood defeated the Falcons 72-0.
LAST WEEK: Leto lost to Robinson 20-0, and Armwood beat Jefferson 54-7.
The only thing in doubt about this one is whether the Hawks' scoreboard is capable of reaching triple digits. This may be one of the most lopsided games since, well, last year when the Hawks stomped the Falcons 72-0. Callahan could put Williams back into the lineup, but against the woeful Falcons, he's likely to have another week off as a precaution. Williams' backup sophomore Justin Hickman, making his first varsity start last week against Jefferson, managed the Hawks ground attack efficiently and finished 5 of 9 for 136 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Brandon (2-1, 0-1) at Durant (2-1, 1-1)
LAST YEAR: Durant won 49-6.
LAST WEEK: Brandon lost to Lakeland 47-12; Durant lost 20-14 to East Bay.
This shapes up as the most evenly matched area game of the week. Brandon and Durant have shown flashes early on this season, but both teams are coming off tough losses and will be eager to avoid adding another district loss. Durant must shore up a defense that was gouged last week for 380 yards on the ground by East Bay.
Riverview (2-1, 1-1) at East Bay (2-1, 1-1)
LAST YEAR: East Bay over Riverview 17-14.
LAST WEEK: Riverview beat Bloomingdale 24-6; East Bay beat Durant 20-14.
East Bay looked lethargic in the first two games of the season, but with the return of Brandon Zackery last week, the Indians' offense hummed. Zackery was the Indians' quarterback last year before a broken leg prematurely ended his season, but the 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior replaced an ineffective Joey Stephens as the starting QB last week and torched Durant for 238 yards rushing. He'll have his hands full against Riverview, one of the best defenses in the county.
Bloomingdale (1-2, 0-2) at Plant City (2-1, 1-0)
LAST YEAR: The Bulls won 21-20.
LAST WEEK: Bloomingdale lost to Riverview 24-6; Plant City lost 22-21 to Wharton.
Bloomingdale hasn't won since a season-opening victory against Freedom. Wharton upset Plant City last week. What will be the difference tonight? Raiders' Derrick Hallback, who will have a field day against a soft Bulls defense.
Newsome (2-1) at Evangel Christian LAST YEAR: Evangel Christian won 31-6.
LAST WEEK: Newsome lost 42-13 against Sickles.
One has to feel for the Wolves. Newsome should be gearing up for its third home game of the season tonight, but thanks to the rash of hurricanes in the last six weeks, construction has been delayed, and it's unclear whether the field will be ready before the season ends. After starting 2-0, Newsome struggled last week with Sickles and will do so again tonight against a strong Evangel Christian squad.
