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Local teams have good chance for victories tonight

Despite obstacles and difficulties, Chamberlain, Gaither, Alonso, Jefferson and Freedom football teams reach the playoffs.

By ROD GIPSON
Published November 10, 2006

It's that time of year.

The regular season is over for high school football teams. The playoffs are here, and there's no shortage of local participants - again.

Gaither and Jefferson were expected to be here, and they didn't disappoint.

Alonso has been a pleasant surprise while Chamberlain and Freedom squeezed plenty of drama into their seasons en route to making it to the postseason.

And while the various teams traveled different roads to reach the playoffs, all the area postseason entries could make cases for victories tonight. Chamberlain, counted out throughout the year, has shown grit and determination while resurrecting its season.

Gaither and Alonso have outstanding running backs that can control a ball game. Jefferson quarterback Stephen Garcia and his passing heroics are no strangers to local fans, and Freedom's players have remained focused despite a distraction-filled season.

All kickoffs are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

CLASS 5A

Chamberlain (5-4) at Land O'Lakes (9-1)

LAST WEEK: Chamberlain beat Gaither 10-9; Land O'Lakes defeated Gulf 40-7.

PREVIOUS MEETING: Chamberlain stopped Land O'Lakes 24-12 in the opening round of the 2005 playoffs.

THE SKINNY: Chamberlain, 2-5 at one point this season, miraculously turned its season around in time to secure a postseason berth for the eighth straight year. Chamberlain coach Billy Turner may have to get more magic out of quarterback Dontae Aycock and running back Kenny Allen to move on. Land O'Lakes comes into the postseason with outstanding quarterback Joe Weatherford and the status of no longer being the whipping boys of Hillsborough County schools. The Gators topped Gaither and Wharton this year. If there is potential trouble for LOL, it's the loss of wideout Develin Robinson, who won't play due to being ejected last week.

THE EDGE: It was an achievement just for the Chiefs to make the playoffs this year. The Gators, meanwhile, are looking for the Hillsborough County trifecta while moving on to the next round.

Gaither (6-4) at Alonso (7-3)

LAST WEEK: Gaither lost to Chamberlain 10-9; Alonso beat Blake 21-6.

PREVIOUS MEETING: Gaither blanked Alonso 31-0 on Oct. 6.

THE SKINNY: Gaither finished the regular season with three losses, being outscored 66-33 in the process and not looking anything like the team that ransacked Alonso last month. The Ravens turned things around since the Gaither loss, winning three of four to claim their first district championship.

THE EDGE: In a matchup of running games (Gaither's Jarvis Giles against the Alonso trio of Mike Forbes, Kendrick Hopkins and Kofi Kuma-Mintah), it may be the defense that determines this outcome. Right now, Alonso's is playing better.

CLASS 4A

Jefferson (8-2) at Bradenton Southeast (5-4)

LAST WEEK: Jefferson was idle; Bradenton Southeast lost to Sarasota Riverview 17-13.

PREVIOUS MEETING: Jefferson beat Southeast 30-23 in the opening round of the 2005 playoffs.

THE SKINNY: Jefferson, ranked eighth in the state in Class 4A, had an extra week to prepare for Southeast, which won three of its last four. Southeast will pin its hopes on an offense of playmakers led by quarterback Chris Hart, wideout Todd Speight and rusher Henry Sailes.

THE EDGE: But when it comes to offenses, few have been able to match the proficiency of Jefferson signal caller Stephen Garcia. Look for the Dragons to turn things up a notch while winning this one.

Freedom (6-4) at Winter Haven (8-2)

LAST WEEK: Freedom was off; Winter Haven lost to Lake Gibson 14-6.

PREVIOUS MEETING: First meeting.

THE SKINNY: Freedom's goal since August was to make the playoffs. And after all that has happened with the Patriots' program since then, they certainly deserve it. Losing players to suspension, having their coach fired during the season, falling in key district contests only to have to secure a playoff spot by engaging in a three-way tiebreaker. As a reward, they get to play a Winter Haven team ranked third in Class 4A which lost only to Lakeland (No. 1 in the nation in the USA Today poll) and Lake Gibson (No. 8 in Class 5A).

THE EDGE: Freedom quarterback Andrew Carr has turned in a solid season and makes the Patriots offense go. But Winter Haven quarterback D.J. Jefferson may have too many weapons in his arsenal for Freedom. Winter Haven advances.

[Last modified November 9, 2006, 10:49:59]