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Big game will get national exposure

When Jefferson clashes with Armwood, ESPNU will carry the game and spotlight Jefferson quarterback Stephen Garcia.

By ROD GIPSON
Published September 15, 2006

TAMPA - When the lights go on tonight, there will be two teams sharing the spotlight. There will be plenty of talent but only one star. And he'll be squarely in the focus of ESPNU's cameras.

When Jefferson travels to face Armwood in Seffner tonight, there will be a packed house and a nationwide audience as ESPNU, an EPSN spinoff channel dedicated to college sports, broadcasts the game live at 8 p.m.

The game would appear worthy of the attention.

Both teams enter the contest unbeaten in three games this year. Jefferson quarterback Stephen Garcia, listed by some scouts as the best thrower in the state, has thrown seven touchdowns and for more than 600 yards in three games. Armwood, ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 4A, has allowed just 12 points this year.

And although the brightest lights certainly will be at that game tonight, there are plenty of other interesting matchups. Gaither opens Class 5A, District 5 play at home against Mitchell. Chamberlain tries to shake off its two-game losing streak, Freedom gets to tangle with Plant and its quarterback Robert Marve, while Wharton faces Wesley Chapel in the other district contest.

All kickoffs, except Jefferson-Armwood, are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

ALONSO (1-1) at LETO (1-1)

Last Week: Alonso lost to Jefferson 36-0; Leto was off.

Last Year: Alonso beat Leto 55-20.

The Skinny: Each team has a quality runner: Alonso QB Mike Forbes and Leto RB Rudontae Ashley. The question is which defense will play better.

The Edge: Home-field advantage goes to the Falcons, who suddenly could be winners of two in a row.

CHAMBERLAIN (1-2) at EAST BAY (2-1)

Last Week: Chamberlain lost to Hillsborough 34-10; East Bay beat Newsome 24-3.

Last Year: Chamberlain beat East Bay 20-10.

The Skinny: Chamberlain is looking to bounce back from tough losses to Jefferson and Hillsborough, while East Bay wants to carry on its success from its big win against a good Newsome team.

The Edge: Chamberlain should turn things around and squeak past the Indians.

PLANT (2-0) at FREEDOM (2-1)

Last Week: Plant beat Middleton 31-7; Freedom beat Wesley Chapel 21-14 in OT.

Last Year: Plant beat Freedom 21-0.

The Skinny: Freedom QB Andrew Carr and RB Louis Bonnet were outstanding last week as the Patriots continue to reverse off-the-field issues (disciplinary actions benched 11 players during the past two weeks). But Plant comes into the game with the best quarterback in the county not named Stephen Garcia. Plant QB Robert Marve has thrown for 500-plus yards and five touchdowns this year.

The Edge: Plant rolls on.

MITCHELL (1-2) at GAITHER (1-1)

Last Week: Gaither was off; Mitchell beat Pasco 22-18.

Last Year: Gaither beat Mitchell 28-0.

The Skinny: Mitchell beat a bad Pasco squad last week while Gaither had the night off to further think about its scratch-your-head loss to King two weeks ago.

The Edge: That embarrassing loss and an extra week of practice will help the Cowboys top the Mustangs.

JEFFERSON (3-0) at ARMWOOD (3-0)

Last Week: Jefferson beat Alonso 36-0; Armwood beat Plant City 39-0.

Last Year: Armwood beat Jefferson 28-9.

The Skinny: Never mind being the game of the week - this is the game of the year. Two great programs, and the area's best quarterback, going up against a defense that has helped the Hawks reach three straight state finals (winning two of them). All the ingredients to be a classic.

The Edge: Garcia's arm doesn't disappoint. The Dragons win on the road in front of ESPNU cameras.

JESUIT (2-1) at SICKLES (0-3)

Last Week: Jesuit beat St. Petersburg Catholic 32-29; Sickles lost to Wharton 24-10.

Last Year: Jesuit beat Sickles 44-0.

The Skinny: Jesuit is coming off a last-second win versus the Barons while Sickles' offense is coming around slowly - very slowly.

The Edge: The Tigers are down this year but still have enough to tame the Gryphons.

WESLEY CHAPEL (2-1) at WHARTON (3-0)

Last Week: Wharton beat Sickles 24-10; Wesley Chapel lost to Freedom 21-14 in OT.

Last Year: Wharton beat Wesley Chapel 33-7.

The Skinny: Mario Melvin is a solid running back for Wesley Chapel but will have to earn every yard against a Wharton defense that has been dominant to start the season.

The Edge: Wharton has won 12 regular season games in a row. Make that 13.

[Last modified September 14, 2006, 12:52:03]