Hillsborough: Tonight's games

By Times Staff
Published October 12, 2006

TONIGHT'S GAMES

All begin at 7:30

Chamberlain 2-4 at Alonso (4-2)

The Ravens looked rather formidable before last week's 31-0 loss to Gaither. That said, this looks like a tossup. Pull out your favorite state quarter and flip it. Dicey stuff because this could determine the Class 5A, District 6 champion. Both are 1-0 in district play.

Knight's pick: Chamberlain; Purks' pick: Chamberlain

Riverview (5-1) at Durant (4-3)

Traffic update east of Brandon: It's great. Until, that is, about 45 minutes before kickoff when you get to Turkey Creek Road, which is where you turn right off Highway 60 to reach Durant High. Then it stinks. One lane. Bumper to bumper. Nothing to look at but trees and cows. After the game? It stinks. Getting out of the parking lot takes forever.

Knight: Riverview; Purks: Riverview

Jefferson (6-1) at Blake (2-4)

Blake, behind coach Sean Washington, has a lot of heart. No question about that. The question is: How many yards will Jefferson quarterback Stephen Garcia throw for tonight? He needs 1,010 yards to pass the county's all-time career mark of 7,949 set by Tampa Catholic's Kenny Kelly in 1996.

Knight: Jefferson; Purks: Jefferson

Plant City (2-5) at East Bay (5-1)

Gosh dang it, East Bay's wishbone gets 'er done! Gonna get 'er done tonight as well, and, in the process, all but seal up the Class 5A, District 7 championship.

Knight: East Bay; Purks: East Bay

Freedom (2-4) at Middleton (3-4)

Freedom's defensive line is, and this is no stretch, one of the best in the county. Middleton running back Carlton Jones is nicknamed Superman, which must mean he is one of the best running backs in the county. No, let's just say it: Carlton Jones is the best running back in the county. Good matchup.

Knight: Middleton; Purks: Middleton

King (2-4) at Sickles (0-6)

Traffic update west of Dale Mabry: It stinks. Except, that is, around Sickles High when this game starts. Plenty of parking spaces and seats still available.

Knight: King; Purks: King

Bloomingdale (1-6) at Brandon (1-6)

This is a tragedy, of sorts. The winner of this game STILL HAS A CHANCE TO REACH THE PLAYOFFS. A victory would give either Bloomingdale or Brandon a 1-1 record in the four-team Class 5A, District 7 race. If East Bay beats Plant City tonight, it would put Plant City in a district tie for second at 1-1.

Knight: Brandon; Purks: Bloomingdale

Hillsborough (4-3) at Tampa Bay Tech (0-7)

The Terriers' record is the worst they have had at this point in a season in 14 years. The Titans' record is the worst they have had ... well, let's not even talk any more about that.

Knight: Hillsborough; Purks: Hillsborough

Plant (6-0) at Leto (2-4)

Okay, Jefferson's Stephen Garcia threw for 445 yards against Leto a few weeks ago. That ranks 13th all time in state rankings, according Orlando Sentinel writer Buddy Collings, who compiles such stats. Now comes Plant's Robert Marve, who looks every bit as good as Garcia this season. Will he put his name on that chart?

Knight: Plant; Purks: Plant

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS

Have a great photo from a game that you'd like to share with online readers? Take a picture or video with your camera phone or digital camera and e-mail it to photos@tampabay.com . Files must be JPEGs and less than 700K in size. Photo galleries will be linked from the high school sports page on tampabay.com.

[Last modified October 12, 2006, 05:49:44]