Sports

Class 4A, District 8

By Times staff
Published August 31, 2007

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 Three storylines

Big shoes to fill

Central needs to replace its leading rusher. Land O'Lakes needs to replace its leading passer and wide receiver. Tarpon Springs needs to replace its leading rusher and receiver. Thing is, the guys being replaced can't be.

Welcome mat

The Gators drop from 5A, where they won a district title, and will try to make it 11 straight playoff appearances. It won't be easy, having lost so much talent, and the season-ending injury to John Weatherford - starting fullback and linebacker - is absolutely devastating. There's still Stephen, another in the family's long line of gunslinging quarterbacks.

Ram tough

On paper, the Rams don't have a weakness. Oh sure, they could be better in spots (kicking game, defensive backfield, little more size up front), but they are the only team that didn't get a bite taken out of them at graduation.

Ridgewood

Last year: 6-4, 2-2 in district

The Rams return starters at every key position, but keep an eye on QB T.J. Haab and the offensive line, which coach Chris Taylor is in charge of. If Haab keeps the job all season, and 6-6, 295-pounder John Karakaris and his buddies up front do their job, the rest should fall into place. Tackle-machine LB Ben Perry and RB Byronell Arline, who had 1,700 yards rushing last year, lead the way.e_SClBLand O'Lakes

Last year: 9-2, 4-0 in 5A-5

The Gators are coached by John Benedetto for the 31st consecutive season, and if you think the game is going to pass him by, think again - his team has made the playoffs 10 straight seasons. Benedetto is a master at adapting the offensive strategy to meet his personnel, and since plans to run the ball behind John Weatherford as two young quarterbacks develop have been thwarted, the coach will be put to the test. Special teams could be crucial.e_SClBCentral

Last year: 8-3, 4-0

The Bears lost DuJuan Harris (1,600 yards) to Troy as well as some other key components, but they aren't ceding anything. QB Chase Walker got better as the year went on and is ready to take over this team, and twin Chad and Jeff Wright are dangerous wide receivers. Still, new RB Duane Marks will have to assert himself behind an offensive line that returns just one starter if the Bears are to keep chugging along.

Tarpon Springs

Last year: 5-6, 3-1

The Spongers endured a coaching shakeup to start last season and got off to a slow start (1-4 after five games). But once George Kotis got his troops aimed in the right direction, the Spongers were strong down the stretch. They always find great athletes at Tarpon and will need to in 2007 with the departure of offensive stars Marquise Gamble and Calvin Wood. On defense, the Spongers should be among the best.

Springstead

Last year: 5-5, 1-3

The Eagles had five wins last year, but two were against 0-10 teams. Before that, they were a playoff team in 2004 and 2005. A return to that standard will be difficult as the Eagles are trying to overcome losses at almost every key position. They only put two guys on the Times' all-Citrus/Hernando team last year, and they've since graduated. And any time you are rotating your quarterbacks at wide receiver, that can't be good.

River Ridge

Last year: 0-10, 0-4

The Royal Knights still have a lot of work to do, but a third straight 0-10 season doesn't seem to be in their future. They open with 0-10 Lecanto in their preseason classic, then get newbie Sunlake in the regular-season opener. Those should be two good opportunities to gain some confidence to start the season. QB Blake Spinks had a rough 2006 but has shown improvement. RBs Shawn Ford and Markel Bell give the team a little speed.

John C. Cotey, Times staff writer

Three games to watch

Central at Ridgewood, Sept. 21

This game decides, officially, the district frontrunner. Last year, the Bears took a 23-0 lead, then had to sweat out a 37-yard field-goal attempt to tie on the final play. That one still makes coach Chris Taylor wince.

Central at Land O'Lakes, Oct. 18

The Gators could be 2-0, and if the Bears upset Ridgewood this one's for the district title. Unless, of course ...

Ridgewood at Land O'Lakes, Nov. 2

Okay, we'll be the ones to say it - this could be the biggest game in Ridgewood history. If things play out as expected, this game will sew a district title up for the Rams ... or just fit neatly into their painful history.

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[Last modified August 29, 2007, 13:54:03]

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