Clearwater Central Catholic (6-3) at St. Petersburg Catholic (7-1)
LAST MEETING: SPC 24, CCC 16 (2004).
THE SKINNY: This will be the biggest meeting between the schools, which is notable considering the bitter rivalry the teams share. SPC won the regular-season matchup 24-16, but both teams dropped touchdown passes or had returns called back. It was a sloppy performance. There shouldn't be any trouble focusing tonight. Neither team has ever made it to the state semifinals, or out of of the second round for that matter. The Barons have more weapons to finally do so.
Cotey: SPC Thalji: SPC
Sarasota Riverview (9-2) at Boca Ciega (8-2)
LAST MEETING: Boca Ciega 15, Riverview 14 (1976).
THE SKINNY: Riverview stunned the state's No.1 Class 5A team, Naples, last week 28-27, saving the Pirates a trip south. But did the Rams save the Pirates any misery? While traveling to Naples to play a nationally ranked opponent is no fun, neither is playing the team that beat them. Riverview coach John Sprague is 7-1 against No.1 teams, including wins in 1991 and '94 over USA Today 's No.1 teams. But how good is he against teams that have never been ranked once - ever? Well, we'll find out. The Rams average 253 rushing yards and have four running backs with 400 or more yards, led by C.J. Hamilton's 943 yards and seven touchdowns. Bogie had more than 500 yards rushing in two of its past five games and will need at least half that total to control the Rams.
Cotey: Riverview Thalji: Bogie
Gibbs (6-4) at
Sarasota (9-1)
LAST MEETING: Sarasota 34,
Gibbs 12 (1976).
THE SKINNY: That laughing you hear? It's coming from under the helmet of Sarasota running back Mike Ford, and his coach said it's a sure sign that the state's best running back may be about to stiff-arm or run over a defender. Ford has rushed for 2,384 yards and 32 touchdowns this season, averaging 8.1 yards per game. He also set a school record with 368 yards and has rushed for 200 yards in nine straight games for the Sailors. Oh, and Gibbs is giving up 27.1 points per game. But the Gladiators have an explosive offense in their own right. If they can just slow Ford down a bit, and keep the Sailors' defense chasing after them, they can reach the region finals for the first time in school history.
