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Freedom positioned for playoffs, despite tumult

The Patriots have weathered suspensions and the dismissal of their coach. Still, they have reason to hope.

By ROD GIPSON
Published September 22, 2006

NEW TAMPA - First came the opening night shutout loss to neighborhood rival Wharton. Then came a rash of disciplinary problems resulting in seven team members getting suspended.

And as if all this wasn't enough, the Patriots program then faced the dismissal of its head coach, Adam Stegeman, last week after an undisclosed incident.

Still, Freedom managed to win two of its first three games before last week's lost to Plant and standout quarterback Robert Marve, who had a big night against the Patriots defense.

But as the prep football season hits the halfway mark, the 2-2 Patriots are still primed for a playoff spot despite all the distractions. In fact, Freedom may be the favorite for the coveted second playoff spot in Class 4A, District 11.

After facing Gaither tonight (a nondistrict game), the Patriots will face Newsome, Middleton, Hillsborough and Tampa Bay Tech in league contests. Hillsborough is the frontrunner and Tech the doormat, leaving Middleton (2-2), Newsome (1-3) and Freedom (2-2) to fight for the remaining district scraps. And Newsome is already 0-1 in district play.

"It's been emotional," said Leon Brockmeier, elevated to head coach after Stegeman's removal. "But we're trying to put it behind us. Our ship is still going in the right direction. We just have a different captain."

In other action from this last week before full-scale district play, unbeaten Wharton travels to King, Alonso plays at Jesuit and Hillsborough and Jefferson renew their rivalry.

All games are to start at 7:30 p.m.

ALONSO (2-1) at JESUIT (3-1)

Last Week: Alonso beat Leto 32-14; Jesuit beat Sickles 37-0.

Last Year: Jesuit beat Alonso 40-10.

The Skinny: The Ravens had a nice win against Leto, but Jesuit is getting better each week despite some early-season inconsistency.

The Edge: Jesuit.

FREEDOM (2-2) at GAITHER (2-1)

Last Week: Freedom lost to Plant 32-20; Gaither beat Mitchell 41-0.

Last Year: Freedom beat Gaither 27-20.

The Skinny: The Patriots continue to play through their drama while Gaither just wants to continue its momentum from its big win against the Mustangs.

The Edge: In a meeting of evenly matched squads, Freedom pulls out the win.

HILLSBOROUGH (3-1) at JEFFERSON (3-1)

Last Week: Hillsborough beat Newsome 35-7; Jefferson lost to Armwood 13-6.

Last Year: Hillsborough beat Jefferson 35-14.

The Skinny: Armwood has replaced Hillsborough as Jefferson's biggest rival, but don't think Hillsborough week isn't a biggie.

The Edge: The Dragons couldn't pull off the big win last week but get theirs tonight, beating Hillsborough.

ROBINSON (2-1) at LETO (1-2)

Last Week: Robinson was off; Leto lost to Alonso 32-14.

Last Year: Robinson beat Leto 54-0.

The Skinny: Leto slowly may be working its way back to respectability. But that effort takes a step back this week.

The Edge: In a battle of running backs, Robinson and Jermaine Doster dust Leto and Rudontae Ashley.

SICKLES (0-4) at PLANT (3-0)

Last Week: Sickles lost to Jesuit 37-0; Plant beat Freedom 32-20.

Last Year: Plant beat Sickles 35-6.

The Skinny: Sickles struggled mightily against Jesuit and now has to face Plant's Robert Marve, who connected on passes with nine different receivers last week.

The Edge: Sickles' defense is yielding 26 points per game in its four losses. That doesn't bode well facing Plant's offense and its 33-point-per-outing average. Panthers big.

WHARTON (4-0) at KING (2-2)

Last Week: Wharton beat Wesley Chapel 25-6; King beat Brandon 21-14.

Last Year: Wharton beat King 44-6.

The Skinny: King, which won just six games from 2002 to 2005, and recently suffered an 18-game losing streak, has suddenly rebounded with two triumphs in its past three games.

Unbeaten Wharton, however, has won 13 straight regular season games and isn't concerned with the Lions' possible change of fortunes.

The Edge: Wharton stays unbeaten.

[Last modified September 21, 2006, 07:18:56]