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Wharton looks to complete turnabout

Unbeaten Land O'Lakes stands in the way of the Wildcats' bid for the Class 5A, District 5 title.

TAMPA - David Mitchell knew something just wasn't right.

Mitchell watched, sometimes painfully, as a once-competitive Wharton football program struggled to just seven wins combined during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Promoted from assistant to head coach before this season, Mitchell knew exactly what he had to do: reinstill the attitude that had lifted the program to previous heights, including a spot in the 2002 Class 5A state final.

"We knew things were not up to par around here," Mitchell said. "We had to get the attitude we had in the past back around here and keep it for a whole season."

Mitchell would be the last to boast about it, but the Wildcats have done that and more this season, sporting an 8-1 record and a 3-0 mark in Class 5A, District 5 heading into tonight's winner-take-all showdown with league foe Land O'Lakes (8-0, 3-0).

After losing on opening night, Wharton has won eight straight games and looks to complete its turnaround season tonight by claiming a district crown. Land O'Lakes, meanwhile, overcame any doubts about itself last week by defeating Gaither to mark the first regular-season Pasco County squad victory against a Hillsborough County team since 1996.

"We've just tried to go about our business," said Mitchell, who has been at Wharton since the school's inception in 1997. "That's been our whole attitude this year."

In other key district matchups, Jefferson plays at Plant, Alonso is at Sickles, and Leto continues to hunt for that elusive first win of the year at home against Blake. All kickoffs are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Last Week: Alonso lost to Plant 21-0; Sickles lost to Jefferson 49-7.

Last Year: Sickles beat Alonso 21-13.

The Skinny: After a 3-2 start, Alonso has lost three straight, outscored 64-6 during that span. Sickles was outmanned last week against Jefferson but has played better in the second half of the season.

The Edge: Believe it or not, the winner of the game claims second place in Class 5A, District 6. Why not Sickles?

Last Week: Chamberlain defeated Leto 26-14; King was idle.

Last Year: Chamberlain beat King 58-7.

The Skinny: Chamberlain has already wrapped up the 5A-6 title. King is one of three winless teams in the county.

The Edge: Unless the Chiefs rest everyone, King stays winless.

Last Week: Freedom lost to Hillsborough 35-9; Tampa Bay Tech lost to Newsome 35-10.

Last Year: Tampa Bay Tech beat Freedom 21-16.

The Skinny: It's been a long time since Freedom's loss to Tech last season. A win tonight guarantees Freedom a winning record and sends Tech to a winless campaign.

The Edge: Freedom's good season ends on a high note by blasting a depleted Tech team.

Last Week: Hillsborough beat Freedom 35-9; Gaither lost to Land O'Lakes 28-21.

Last Year: Hillsborough won 21-17.

The Skinny: Hillsborough has won nine district titles in the last 13 seasons but this squad may be the school's best yet. Gaither's loss last week marked the end of a possible playoff push for the Cowboys.

The Edge: Gaither's season is over, Hillsborough's is just starting.

Last Week: Jefferson beat Sickles 49-7; Plant beat Alonso 21-0.

Last Year: Jefferson beat Plant 37-26.

The Skinny: Jefferson is playing for homefield advantage for the playoffs while Plant is preparing for its first postseason appearance since 1999.

The Edge: Winner (Jefferson) takes all in this one.

Last Week: Blake lost to Robinson 33-6; Leto lost to Chamberlain 26-14.

Last Year: Leto beat Blake 33-22.

The Skinny: Blake has lost five in a row. Leto played its best game of the season last week, a 12-point lost to Chamberlain.

The Edge: The winner of this game avoids the Class 4A, District 10 basement. Leto can't go winless, can it?

Last Week: Land O'Lakes beat Gaither 28-21; Wharton beat Mitchell 24-14.

Last Year: Didn't play.

The Skinny: Gaither's loss to Land O'Lakes last week makes this game even bigger. Land O'Lakes has plenty of confidence after beating a Hillsborough County team for the first time since 1987.

The Edge: Wharton has validated its surprising season with a playoff berth. Now it wants a district title - and gets it tonight.