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Hillsborough moves games to tonight

By STEVE LEE
Published October 20, 2005

LAND O'LAKES - Two games, four teams in pivotal matchups to decide who wins the Class 5A, District 5 title and who becomes the frontrunner for the runner-up - and second playoff - spot.

Those questions will be answered a day earlier than expected thanks to the threat of Hurricane Wilma.

With forecasts projecting the latest in a long line of hurricanes to make landfall Sunday on the state's west coast, Hillsborough County school officials moved Friday night football games ahead by 24 hours.

This marks the second time this season a hurricane has forced at least some county games ahead by a day. Hurricane Katrina pushed up games for six schools in September.

Tonight at 7, Land O'Lakes hosts Gaither and Mitchell is at Wharton. Land O'Lakes and Wharton share the district lead with 2-0 records and are followed closely by Gaither at 2-1. With an 0-2 mark, Mitchell is out of the race.

"You always want to play on Friday night," Mitchell coach Scott Schmitz said. "You don't want to lose a day of practice.

"I would rather play on Thursday than play two games next week. You take the lesser of two evils."

Land O'Lakes coach John Benedetto concurred.

"It's probably better for us to play (Thursday), because we've got Wharton next Friday," he said. "I don't want to play two games next week."

Last season, four hurricanes wreaked havoc on schedules and cost seven schools opening-week games.

[Last modified October 20, 2005, 01:20:19]