Bob Putnam, showing the excellence that has defined his picks all season, went 12-3. Everyone else? 11-4. It's elimination week, with the Keswick-Evangel and Gibbs-Dunedin games likely the deciders on who goes.
All games at 7:30 unless noted.
Keswick Christian (5-0) at Lakeland Evangel Christian (3-2)
LAST MEETING: None
THE SKINNY: The first meeting between these teams, but it already feels like a budding rivalry. That's because the winner should go on to the district title, get a home playoff game and be in the driver's seat to make a run at the state title. Keswick will be tested by Evangel's speedy skills position stars, which will determine who wins tonight.
St. Petersburg Catholic (3-2) at Clearwater Central Catholic (3-2)
RADIO: 1470-AM
LAST MEETING: SPC 38, CCC 14 (2004 playoffs)
THE SKINNY: They may not share a district anymore, but they still share some animosity. From CCC's Riley Cooper, Kevin Young and Ronnie Harris to SPC's David Girardi, Jock Sanders and Jermaine McKenzie, this game is loaded with offensive talent. Should be fun.
LAST MEETING: Countryside 37, Tarpon Springs 0 (2004)
THE SKINNY: The Spongers defense has only given up more than two touchdowns in a game once (against Seminole), but will be tested tonight by a Cougars offense that has not been slowed this year. Countryside has a critical district game against Dunedin coming up, so maybe the Spongers can catch the Cougars looking ahead.
THE SKINNY: East Lake is 4-0 in games in which it scores 17 or 28 points. We're not sure if that is significant, but you can bet after being shut out last week, coach Bob Hudson will take it (preferring, naturally, the 28 option).
Cotey: East Lake Putnam: East Lake Girandola: Seminole Muskatevc: Seminole
Dunedin (4-1) at Gibbs (2-3)
LAST MEETING: Gibbs 56, Dunedin 34 (2004)
THE SKINNY: Any defense that can hold Northeast, East Lake and Largo to 16 total points the past three weeks is okay by us. They play the most inconsistent team in the county this week, so we're guessing on another Falcons shutout or 35 points by Gibbs.
THE SKINNY: The Packers gave up 13 points their first three games and 55 their past two, in case you're wondering what happened. Luckily for Largo, PHU has scored six points the past three weeks.
Cotey: Largo Putnam: Largo Girandola: Largo Muskatevc: Largo
St. Petersburg (2-3) at Lakewood (0-5)
LAST MEETING: Lakewood 25, St. Petersburg 13 (2000)
THE SKINNY: William Floyd gets his jersey retired tonight, but whether that's enough to fuel the Spartans to a big upset is the big question.
Cotey: St. Petersburg Putnam: St. Petersburg Girandola: St. Petersburg Muskatevc: St. Petersburg
Clearwater (1-5) at Osceola (1-4)
LAST MEETING: Clearwater 24, Osceola 13 (2000)
THE SKINNY: Two struggling offenses try to find themselves. This game is a good place to look for it.
