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Quarterback helps get Wharton rolling

By ROD GIPSON
Published September 1, 2006

NEW TAMPA - Not counting exhibitions and spring football, quarterback Joshua Powell had played all of six quarters of meaningful football for the Wharton Wildcats. And although it was six quarters of playoff football, no one could have faulted the 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior signal caller if he struggled in his first start this season last Friday.

But no one got that chance.

After completing three of his first four passes and then leading the Wildcats on three consecutive scoring drives in the second quarter, Powell eased any concerns as he guided Wharton to a 36-0 season-opening thumping of rival Freedom.

"I think he (Powell) is coming into his own," said Wharton coach David Mitchell. "He's developing still but he has a lot of tools and we think he'll do well this year."

Powell is off to a good start. He completed 8 of 13 passes for 43 yards, including an 8-yard strike to Roshard Green for his first touchdown pass of the season.

"I do feel a little bit more like it's my team now," said Powell, who leads the Wildcats against Plant City tonight. "I feel like a leader, but it's about all of us as a team and we just want to keep rolling."

In other contests, Freedom will try to regroup against a Sickles team that also suffered a shutout loss last week while Jefferson and Chamberlain take center stage. All kickoffs are set for 7:30 p.m.

ALONSO (0-0) at TAMPA BAY TECH (0-1)

Last Week: Alonso was idle; TBT lost to Blake 14-6.

Last Year: Alonso beat TBT 37-7.

The Skinny: Alonso kicks off its season tonight while Tech struggled a week ago with just 102 yards of total offense.

The Edge: The Ravens may not dominate this one like a season ago but should have plenty to handle the Titans.

JEFFERSON (1-0) at CHAMBERLAIN (1-0)

Last Week: Jefferson beat Middleton 19-10; Chamberlain beat Brandon 26-0.

Last Year: Jefferson beat Chamberlain 28-0.

The Skinny: This could be as good a test for Jefferson's defense as it is for Chamberlain's. The Chiefs scored 20 second-half points last week with a flurry of offense while Jefferson counters with do-it-all quarterback Stephen Garcia.

The Edge: Garcia completed only 11 passes for 134 yards last week. Expect those numbers to increase in a Jefferson win.

FREEDOM (0-1) at SICKLES (0-1)

Last Week: Freedom lost to Wharton 36-0; Sickles lost to Gaither 21-0.

Last Year: Freedom beat Sickles 24-0.

The Skinny: Freedom must avoid mistakes (100 yards in penalties and three turnovers last week) while Sickles has to find some offense (107 total yards against Gaither).

The Edge: The Patriots have shown the ability to move the ball but now must score. The first team to score may win this one - go with Freedom.

GAITHER (1-0) at KING (0-1)

Last Week: Gaither beat Sickles 21-0; King lost to Robinson 34-20.

Last Year: Gaither beat King 44-27.

The Skinny: Gaither's 1-2 rushing duo of Jarvis Giles and Tony Moore (both exceeded 100 yards last week) could spell trouble for opposing defenses. King quarterback Keith Graham has ability but not much help.

The Edge: Gaither extends King's losing streak to 19 straight games.

LETO (0-1) at BLOOMINGDALE (0-1)

Last Week: Leto lost 47-26 to East Bay; Bloomingdale lost 35-0 to Plant.

Last Year: Bloomingdale beat Leto 29-0.

The Skinny: The Falcons may have found a weapon in running back Rudontae Ashley, who ran for 192 yards and three touchdowns last week. That doesn't bode well for a Bulls defense that gave up 14 points in 90 seconds last Friday.

The Edge: Falcons win! Falcons win!

PLANT CITY (0-1) at WHARTON (1-0)

Last Week: Plant City lost to Durant 17-13; Wharton defeated Freedom 36-0.

Last Year: Wharton beat Plant City 27-14.

The Skinny: Plant City played well enough to win last week, except for a costly turnover that proved to be the difference. Wharton swamped rival Freedom with a tenacious D and plenty of running back Joel Miller (154 yards, three touchdowns).

The Edge: Plant City will be a much tougher foe but the Wildcats will stretch their streak of regular season wins to 12 games.

[Last modified August 31, 2006, 10:02:11]