Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies

The Big J's go mano a mano tonight

Jesuit and Jefferson are fighting for a district title - and home field advantage.

You could see it coming all season, tonight's Class 3A, District 10 showdown between Jefferson and Jesuit, two teams that don't consider the year successful unless they make it to the postseason.

Both the Dragons and Tigers clinched playoff spots with victories last week, but there's more at stake this week than a district title. The four district champions from Region 3, which Jefferson and Jesuit are in, get home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The district runners-up hit the road.

For Jefferson Coach Mike Simmonds, that's more than enough incentive.

"We're fighting for home field advantage," Simmonds said. "It's been a long season and you want to be playing your best toward the end. And we're approaching the playoffs and I think we've made strides to play better every week."

There's some history to this district rivalry. The teams split, each winning on the other's home field in 1999 and 2000, before going into different district assignments in 2001 and 2002. When they realigned again last year, Jefferson won 20-10 at Jesuit.

Simmonds hopes that trend of the road team winning doesn't hold true this time as his team hosts the Tigers.

Jesuit has been solid all season; its only loss was 23-19 to Southeast Bradenton, a team that's currently 7-0.

Jefferson's defense was suspect at the beginning of the season but has turned it around as of late - a fact that should weigh heavily, as the outcome of this game could be determined on that side of the ball. Simmonds says his defense has made significant strides since then.

"Our first four games were experimental," Simmonds said. "It just comes down to making sure the personnel matches the scheme. We made a few personnel changes and some of the guys we changed woke up and are playing better. I think (Jesuit) has a strong unit as well and this will come down to the way both defenses play and special teams."

All kickoffs are at 7:30 tonight.

LAST WEEK: Jesuit beat Freedom 28-14; Jefferson beat Tampa Bay Tech 57-3.

LAST YEAR: Jefferson won 20-10.

THE SKINNY: This is a Class 3A, District 10 showdown with the victor taking the title. After allowing opposing teams to score almost 35 points per game in their first four outings, the Dragons defense has found a way to turn things around, surrendering slightly above 12 points a game in their last four contests. Jefferson's ability to put points on the board has never been in doubt all year, scoring 30 or more in six of eight games. Jesuit's defense has been stout all year, allowing only one opponent to score more than 20 points. The question is, which one will bend?

THE EDGE: Both teams know what it's like to play in big games. Many of the Tigers' seniors were part of a 2001 team that went undefeated in the regular season and went to the state finals in 2002, the same year Jefferson played in the state title game. This game could be a shootout with two high-powered offenses, but defense and turnovers typically decide these contests. Jefferson running back Alex Suber left last week's game with a sore back and is questionable for tonight. The Dragons may have more explosive players at the skill positions, but the Tigers play team-oriented defense and put a lot of pride into shutting down opponents. Look for Jesuit to control the ball with long drives and keep it out of the hands of Jefferson's big-play guys in a close win by the Tigers.

LAST WEEK: Wharton lost to Gaither 27-0; Chamberlain beat King 58-7.

LAST YEAR: Chamberlain won 23-14.

THE SKINNY: Much like their season a year ago, the Chamberlain Chiefs are making a stretch run after getting off to a slow start. They have outscored their last three opponents 114-25 and trail Hillsborough by one game in the Class 5A, District 8 standings. Quarterback Jet Steele has proved he can lead the Chiefs to pay dirt, passing for three touchdowns and running for another last week.

THE EDGE: This game represents a tale of two offenses - one in Chamberlain, which has been explosive all season, putting points on the board, and another in Wharton, which has struggled to find any rhythm and has been shut out in three of its seven games. The Chiefs take their fourth win in a row.

LAST WEEK: Gaither beat Wharton 27-0; Hillsborough beat Sickles 28-6.

LAST YEAR: Hillsborough won 49-0.

THE SKINNY: Two of the Gaither Cowboys' three losses have been by a field goal or less. Missed opportunities have them at 4-3 when they could easily be 6-1. Being in Class 5A, District 8 with Chamberlain and Hillsborough doesn't afford much room for error, and the Hillsborough Terriers look unstoppable this year.

THE EDGE: Hillsborough was down 6-0 at the half to Sickles last week and rallied for 21 points in the last half of the fourth quarter. That may have served as a wake-up call. With the district championship in sight they need this game to assure it, and that's what Earl Garcia is reminding his players of. They don't let this one get away.

LAST WEEK: Alonso lost to Plant 40-14; Leto defeated Blake 33-22.

LAST YEAR: Alonso won 48-0.

THE SKINNY: Do you think anyone on Leto's team remembers the beating they took last season at the hands of the Alonso Ravens? No doubt. And with Alonso down, don't expect the Falcons to feel sorry for them. These two teams have taken turns being the cellar dweller in northwest Hillsborough County, and this game will be hard-fought because neither wants that recognition again.

THE EDGE: Coming into this season, who would have thought Leto, which finished 1-9 last year, would have the edge in this game over Alonso, which went to the playoffs? The Ravens have had just about everybody on the team take a snap at running back this year, and last week's starter Jose Isa showed he can make a big play. But turnovers and penalties have been the team's Achilles heel all year. Despite that fact, the Ravens put their pride on the line and get their first win this week.

LAST WEEK: King lost to Chamberlain 58-7. Sickles lost to Hillsborough 28-6.

LAST YEAR: Sickles won 21-6.

THE SKINNY: The Sickles Gryphons finish the season with two very winnable home games, against King and Alonso. The need them to break the school record for wins in a season (four). Sickles had a very good Hillsborough team on the ropes last week but failed to put the game away in the fourth quarter.

THE EDGE: The Gryphons are a tough but fragile team. They can stay in there and trade punches with the best in the county at times, but they still haven't managed to stay calm and prevail in the face of adversity. They tend to crumble at the first sign of trouble. If King scores first it has a chance, but this one should go all green and white.

LAST WEEK: Robinson beat Newsome 35-14; Freedom lost to Jesuit 28-14.

LAST YEAR: Robinson won 42-13.

THE SKINNY: Both these teams have played well at times this season but not consistent enough to make a difference in the Class 3A, District 10 standings. Fans of the passing game will find this contest entertaining as both offenses can air it out.

THE EDGE: Robinson quarterback Marcello Trigg can make defenses look silly. He passed for three touchdowns last week. On the other hand, Freedom coughed up the ball four times last week and you won't win many games with that many turnovers. Robinson is a much better team and should win handily.