Hillsborough football: Things to watch

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published September 21, 2005

BLAKE-MIDDLETON GOES BIG TIME: The storied rivalry takes center stage Friday night at Raymond James Stadium (tickets are $8, on sale at both schools). Before integration, the Blake-Middleton game was among the state's biggest, but the once all-black schools were closed by court order in 1971 and the rivalry was dormant until 2002.

Since being renewed, the rivalry has been played before capacity crowds each season. Last year's game had an estimated sellout attendance of 5,500, and more people are expected to attend this edition. In Miami, the annual "Soul Bowl" between Jackson and Northwestern has produced attendances of more than 30,000 some years and organizers here hope this game can eventually have a similar impact.

As for the teams ...

Middleton (3-1), featuring a high-powered offense led by quarterback Dominic Grooms, looks like a playoff contender. For Blake (2-1), which is off to a nice start under first-year coach Sean Washington, keep an eye on brothers Leroy and Vernell Vann, a pair of speedy backfield standouts.

EYE OF THE TIGERS: Has any local team been more impressive than Jesuit (4-0), which has outscored opponents 132-12?. The offense, arguably the county's most balanced, boasts two high-caliber players in tailback Anthony Allen and quarterback Chris Uhrig. The defense allowed five first downs in last week's 44-0 win over Sickles.

GUT-CHECK TIME: A week after losing to one rival, Jefferson plays another. And it won't get any easier. Humbled by Armwood 28-9 for their first loss, the Dragons (3-1), ranked sixth in Class 4A, travel to No. 2 Hillsborough (4-0), which recently ended Armwood's 29-game win streak on the field. Last year, Hillsborough won in dramatic fashion when quarterback Jarred Fayson completed a pass on fourth and goal from the 30 in overtime, then ran in the two-point conversion for a 29-28 decision.

AIR FLORIDA: In three games, Robinson (2-1) quarterback Marcello Trigg has thrown 10 touchdown passes, and he looks primed for another big night. This week, the Knights face a Leto (0-3) defense that has allowed almost 40 points a game. Hmmmm.

ODDS AND ENDS: Riverview (3-0) is off to its best start in four years. ... King (0-4) owns an 11-game losing streak dating to last season and has allowed 508 points during that stretch. ... Gaither (3-0) last started 4-0 in 1987, going 7-4 that season. ... Brandon (2-2) is 0-6 all time against Riverview.

Bishop McLaughlin at Cambridge

Blake vs. Middleton (at Raymond James Stadium)

Brandon at Riverview

Durant at George Jenkins

Gaither at Freedom

Indian Rocks Christian at Tampa Baptist

Jefferson at Hillsborough

Jesuit at Alonso

King at Wharton

Lakeland Christian at Providence

Leto at Robinson

Newsome at Plant City

Plant at Sickles

Tampa Bay Tech at Bloomingdale

Tampa Catholic at Berkeley Prep

Temple Heights at Calvary Christian

[Last modified September 21, 2005, 00:25:10]