A preview of Friday's high school football playoff games for area teams:
By Times Staff Writer
Published November 11, 2005
CLASS 5A, REGION II
LAKELAND LAKE GIBSON (7-3) at BRANDON (5-5)
Last Year: Lake Gibson was the Class 4A state runner-up last year, falling to Armwood in the title game. Brandon, meanwhile, is making its first trip to the playoffs in nine years.
The Skinny: Mike Brown is the leader of the Brandon offense, so figure on the junior running back getting plenty of touches in this game. Lake Gibson has its own star running back in Raymond Martin. Lake Gibson also boasts a strong defense, evidenced by its three shutouts posted this season.
The Edge: Brandon must control the line of scrimmage and run the ball effectively. If it does that and uses its home field advantage, the Eagles will move on to the next round.
CLASS 6A, REGION II
ORLANDO FREEDOM (8-2) at RIVERVIEW (9-1)
Last Year: Freedom, only a third-year program, is making its first playoff appearance in school history. Riverview, meanwhile, hasn't been to the postseason since 2001.
The Skinny: The Freedom Patriots won only one game combined in 2003 and 2004 before a magical run this year. Running back James Poe, who was among the leading rushers in Orange County, leads the Freedom offense. Riverview has made the most of its first season at Class 6A. The Riverview Sharks won the 6A-6 title using the talents of running backs Jahleel Addae and Antwain Powers, who each ran for more than 1,000 yards.
The Edge: Riverview looked stronger as the season wore on, winning six in a row to close out the regular season. The Sharks running game and superior defense should be more than enough against a visiting playoff neophyte.
CLASS 4A, REGION III
MIDDLETON (7-3) at ARMWOOD (9-1)
Last Year: Middleton advanced to the Class 4A region finals last year, losing to Armwood. The Armwood Hawks are the Class 4A, two-time defending champs.
The Skinny: Middleton's Dominic Grooms is an outstanding player at quarterback for the offensive-minded Tigers, but as strong as Armwood is on offense, its defense may be even more dominant. The Hawks pitched five shutouts this year and held opponents to just one score four other times. Its lone loss, to Hillsborough, was by a point.
The Edge: After losing to Armwood 61-30 in the playoffs last year and 42-0 earlier this season, Middleton must be asking how they can defeat Armwood. Middleton won't get any answers tonight as the Hawks began a possible threepeat.
CLASS 5A, REGION II
EAST BAY (5-5) at LAKELAND (10-0)
Last Year: East Bay lost in the opening round of the playoffs last season. Lakeland is the Class 5A defending state champion.
The Skinny: Here's the line on Lakeland: The Dreadnaughts are ranked No. 1 in the country by USA Today. Lakeland, which has won 21 straight regular season games, averaged 40 points a game this season and topped 50 twice while its defense held opponents scoreless four times and surrendered double digits just three times (10, 13, 14). Running back Chris Rainey and quarterback Billy Lowe are the offensive stalwarts. As bad as all that might sound for East Bay, the Indians have had success against Lakeland in the past. East Bay defeated the Dreadnaughts 17-14 in the regular season in 2003.
The Edge: A lot has changed for both teams since that East Bay win against Lakeland more than two years ago. Throw in that East Bay ended the season with three straight losses and that adds up to a big Lakeland win.
