Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Tonight's games

All games at 7:30 p.m.

By Times staff writers
Published September 16, 2005

HUDSON (3-0) AT LAND O'LAKES (2-0)

WHERE: Gator Stadium.

SERIES: Land O'Lakes leads 21-4.

NEED TO KNOW: Land O'Lakes won 28-7 last season, but it would be unfair to compare the games. Hudson played days after a district shootout loss ended its playoff hopes and was without injured fullback Nate Toole most of the game, while Land O'Lakes already had clinched a postseason berth. Tonight's game could determine the Sunshine Athletic Conference title, and only one team will leave with its unbeaten record intact. The Cobras match up well up front, but the Gators could have the advantageif their offense gets into Hudson's thin secondary.

FRANK PASTOR'S PICK: Land O'Lakes

IZZY GOULD'S PICK: Land O'Lakes

STEVE LEE'S PICK: Land O'Lakes

WHARTON (2-1) AT WESLEY CHAPEL (1-2) WHERE: Wildcat Stadium.

SERIES: First meeting.

NEED TO KNOW: Wesley Chapel begins Class 5A, District 5 play against neighboring Wharton. The matchup should blossom into a full-fledged rivalry. Wesley Chapel enters this matchup sputtering. Coach John Castelamare feels his Wildcats played well enough last week to win at Freedom, despite falling 17-7. Castelamare was an assistant at Leto when Wharton coach David Mitchell played football, wrestled and ran track. FRANK PASTOR'S PICK: Wharton

IZZY GOULD'S PICK: Wharton

STEVE LEE'S PICK: Wharton

SEBRING (0-3) AT PASCO (1-2) WHERE: W.F. Edwards Stadium.

NEED TO KNOW: Sebringlost tight games to Palmetto (2-1) and Haines City (2-0). The Blue Streaks run a combination of spread offense like what Pasco saw from Mitchell and I-formation similar to Ridgewood. Quarterback Chris Wilborn has more speed than Mitchell's Tate Humphrey, according to Pasco coach Dale Caparaso, whose defense will try to force Wilborn outside, where the Pirates can chase him down. Freshman Josh Johnson will start in place of Tony Smith, who missed practice this week.

FRANK PASTOR'S PICK: Pasco

IZZY GOULD'S PICK: Pasco

STEVE LEE'S PICK: Pasco

GAITHER (2-0) AT MITCHELL (2-1) WHERE: Mustang Stadium.

SERIES: First meeting.

NEED TO KNOW: The Mustangs have won two ways, coming back late against Ridgewood and jumping out to an early lead in an upset of Pasco. Shades of Michael Vick, Humphrey is more of a scrambler than passer for a struggling offense. Gaither's offense, which has scored 65 points, is led by running back Jonathan Davis, who has 204 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

FRANK PASTOR'S PICK: Gaither

IZZY GOULD'S PICK: Gaither

STEVE LEE'S PICK: Gaither

ZEPHYRHILLS (2-1) AT HERNANDO (1-1) WHERE: Tom Fisher Stadium, 200 E. Kelly St., Brooksville.

SERIES: Zephyrhills leads 11-7 since 1980.

NEED TO KNOW: Zephyrhills' tough defense has helped the Bulldogs to a two-game win streak. Cannellios Ansley has strung together consecutive 100-yard rushing efforts, but coach Tom Fisher would like to see a more consistentpassing game, which has been out of rhythm. Quarterback Sederrick Cunningham was 6-of-24 for 105 yards last week against River Ridge. Hernando lost 33-0 to Central before rebounding for a 35-28 win against Ocala Lake Weir. Hernando quarterback Kyle Sizemore transferred from Zephyrhills.

FRANK PASTOR'S PICK: Zephyrhills

IZZY GOULD'S PICK: Zephyrhills

STEVE LEE'S PICK: Zephyrhills

RIVER RIDGE (0-3) AT RIDGEWOOD (0-3) WHERE: Rams Booster Stadium.

SERIES: River Ridge leads 9-5.

NEED TO KNOW: The loser likely will land in the district cellar by season's end. Inconsistency has plagued bothteams, which have blown scoring drives or turned the ball over at crucial times. Derrick Stoll, the Royal Knights' third quarterback, gets his second start with Phil Petrini settling in at wideout. Charley Minichino, who has a strong arm but sometimes holds the ball too long, is Ridgewood's signal-caller. The Rams have the best running back in Byronell Arline.

FRANK PASTOR'S PICK: Ridgewood

IZZY GOULD'S PICK: Ridgewood

STEVE LEE'S PICK: Ridgewood

SATURDAY'S GAME

LAKELAND SANTA FE CATHOLIC (3-0) AT BISHOP MCLAUGHLIN (0-1) WHERE: Bishop McLaughlin

WHEN: 11 a.m.

SERIES: First meeting

NEED TO KNOW: Bishop McLaughlin plays its first-ever varsity home game following a bye week. The Hurricanes fell 24-7 to Admiral Farragut in their season opener. Santa Fe Catholic beat Winter Haven All Saints, Northside Christian and Celebration. Wide receiver Chris Redfield has emerged as an offensive weapon for Bishop McLaughlin after rushing for 93 yards and returning a punt 72 yards for a touchdown against Admiral Farragut. Linebacker Kevin Aungst is the Hurricanes' leading tackler with 15. .

FRANK PASTOR'S PICK: Santa Fe Catholic

IZZY GOULD'S PICK: Santa Fe Catholic

STEVE LEE'S PICK: Santa Fe Catholic

STAFF PICKS

NAME WEEK YEAR

Frank Pastor 4-2 13-3

Izzy Gould 5-1 12-4

Steve Lee 5-1 11-5

[Last modified September 16, 2005, 01:36:17]