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Tonight's games

Times staff writers
Published October 15, 2004

LAND O'LAKES (2-3) AT MITCHELL (4-1)

WHERE: Mustang Stadium.

SERIES: Land O'Lakes leads 3-0.

NEED TO KNOW: Yes, Drew Weatherford took his aerial show to Florida State. But that doesn't make Mitchell's quest for its first district crown any easier. Instead of preparing for Weatherford's spirals, the Mustangs must gear up for a ground attack, led by fullback Scott Mays, who is also a linebacker Land O'Lakes' top defensive player. Mitchell will be missing two-way threat J.J. Campbell (knee). But after falling seven points short of an upset last season, the Mustangs, who have never beaten the Gators, will be satisfied with nothing less than a victory.

FRANK PASTOR'S PICK: Mitchell.

BOB PUTNAM'S PICK: Mitchell.

STEVE LEE'S PICK: Mitchell.

WESLEY CHAPEL (5-0) AT PASCO (3-2)

WHERE: W.F. Edwards Stadium.

SERIES: Wesley Chapel leads 4-1.

NEED TO KNOW: This has become a heated rivalry between neighboring schools in the same district. Pasco won the first game of the series in 1999 and has not won since. Wesley Chapel has won the past three by a combined margin of 168-49. To stop the slide, the Pirates need their offensive line to protect sophomore quarterback Tony Smith. Last week, Land O'Lakes sacked Smith five times. Wesley Chapel's defensive front is even more stout, led by Robert Newborg and Jacob Simmons, who each have five sacks.

PASTOR'S PICK: Pasco.

PUTNAM'S PICK: Wesley Chapel.

LEE'S PICK: Wesley Chapel.

HUDSON (4-2) AT GULF (1-4)

WHERE: Des Little Stadium.

SERIES: Hudson leads 19-11 and has won the past six meetings.

NEED TO KNOW: Resurgent Hudson has had the upper hand in this longstanding rivalry and is battling for a playoff spot. A loss to Class 3A, District 9 rival Gulf would severely damage the Cobras' postseason hopes. Gulf quarterback Alton Voss is an emerging star, but Hudson has too many weapons. Nate Toole is the county's leading rusher, Kyle Hatcher its top passer and Tommy Snow its most productive receiver. PASTOR'S PICK: Hudson.

PUTNAM'S PICK: Hudson.

LEE'S PICK: Hudson.

ZEPHYRHILLS (2-3) AT CRYSTAL RIVER (1-5)

WHERE: Pirate Stadium

SERIES: Crystal River leads 8-6.

OUTLOOK: With seven players nursing injuries and two more academically ineligible, the Bulldogs are thankful they are playing a non-district game. Crystal River has been outscored 165-26 this season and is playing on four days' rest after Monday's 34-0 loss to Dunnellon. Expect the Bulldogs to get plenty of use out of their playmaker, Bryan Thomas, who is a threat running and receiving.

PASTOR'S PICK: Zephyrhills.

PUTNAM'S PICK: Zephyrhills.

LEE'S PICK: Zephyrhills.

PICKS SO FAR

Last wk./All*

Lee 5-1/13-3

Putnam 6-0/12-4

Pastor 5-1/10-6

* Does not include Thursday's game.

- Compiled by Frank Pastor, Bob Putnam and Steve Lee.

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