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Class 5A-9
By JOE SMITH
Published August 31, 2007
Three games to watch
Dunedin at Clearwater, Oct. 5
The Tornadoes can make themselves playoff contenders, and send notice to the county, with a win here.
East Lake vs. Dunedin, Oct. 19
Two playmaking backs will be on display with the Eagles' Powell vs. the Falcons' Bellamy.
Countryside vs. East Lake, Nov. 2
A playoff berth likely will be on the line in what promises to be another thriller, just like last year's 15-13 Countryside victory in a driving rainstorm.
Three storylines
QB controversies: Countryside and Dunedin come in with heated competition under center. The Cougars have Ryan Eppes and Jimbo Chmelik, who coach John Davis said could split time. At Dunedin, expect Darius Anderson to take control.
Inspired Eagles: How will East Lake cope with the loss of T.J. McPhee, a junior quarterback/cornerback killed in a car accident in March?
Hurry up-and-coming? The Tornadoes went on a late-season tear, nearly making the playoffs with their no-huddle, pass-happy offense. Can Luke Loucks and Sackmann break their single-game school records?
Clearwater Countryside Dunedin East Lake Palm Harbor University
Dunedin
The Falcons may have lost seven starters from their district title team, but with bruising tailback Darius Bellamy and dual-threat QB Darius Anderson, there's still plenty in the cupboard. Just ask Bradenton Southeast, which they beat in the spring classic.
Coach: Mark Everett (41-44, ninth season)
Colors: Scarlet and white
Stadium: Dunedin Memorial Stadium, 1651 Pinehurst Road, Dunedin
Playoff history: 1979, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006
Last appearance: Beat St. Petersburg 21-0; lost 31-6 to Manatee
East Lake
Bob Hudson's team came tantalizingly close to the playoffs last year after completing its first winning season (7-3) since 1998. This year's group will take the next step, led by Vanderbilt-bound tailback Micah Powell and steady quarterback Blake Robles.
Coach: Bob Hudson (20-22, fifth season)
Colors: Royal blue and white
Stadium: East Lake Stadium, 1300 Silver Eagle Drive, East Lake
Playoff history: 1994, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Last appearance: Lost 53-21 to Gibbs.
Countryside
Quarterback is a question mark for the first time in years, as the Cougars deal with the graduation of Stanford-bound L.D. Crow. Expect Countryside to go strong on the ground, with a stable of backs to steal the show.
Coach: John Davis (sixth season, 41-15)
Colors: Garnet and gold
Stadium: Cougar Field, 300 State Road 580, Clearwater.
Playoff history: 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Last appearance: Lost 27-10 to Largo.e_SClBClearwater
Will he or won't he? The "million-dollar question" was answered this month: QB Luke Loucks, an FSU hoops commitment, will play football. But can the Tornadoes' rebuilt line, including two starters who had never played before this season, protect him?
Coach: Tom Bostic (25th season, 146-109)
Colors: Gray and red
Stadium: Jack White Stadium, 540 S. Hercules Ave., Clearwater.
Playoff history: 1964, 1969, 1970, 1978, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004
Last appearance: Lost 39-21 to Boca Ciega.
Palm Harbor University
The Hurricanes will be the Shelton Show. Quarterback Sean Shelton and tailback Ryan Shelton combined for 238 of PHU's 258 offensive yards in the spring classic win over Tarpon Springs. But with the graduation of DB Bobby Santana, PHU's defense lost some much-needed punch.
Coach: Pete Just (3-7, second season)
Colors: Burgundy, navy and white
Stadium: Hurricanes Stadium, 1900 Omaha St., Palm Harbor
Playoff history: None.
August 31
Pinellas Park at Countryside
Seminole at Clearwater
Dunedin at Boca Ciega
Largo at East Lake
Palm Harbor U. at Tarpon Springs
September 7
Gibbs at Countryside
Osceola at Clearwater
Dunedin at Seminole
East Lake at St. Petersburg
Largo at Palm Harbor U.
September 14
St. Petersburg at Countryside
Clearwater at Lakewood
Dunedin at Osceola
Tarpon Springs at East Lake
Seminole at Palm Harbor U.
September 20
Clearwater at East Lake
September 21
Countryside at Dunedin
September 28
Countryside at Tarpon Springs
Gibbs at Clearwater
Dunedin at Largo
East Lake Pinellas Park
Palm Harbor U. at Dixie Hollins
October 5
Palm Harbor U. at Countryside
Dunedin at Clearwater
October 12
Countryside at Boca Ciega
Clearwater at Pinellas Park
Tarpon Springs at Dunedin
East Lake at Northeast
Osceola at Palm Harbor U.
October 19
Clearwater at Palm Harbor U.
Dunedin at East Lake
October 26
Countryside at Clearwater
East Lake at Palm Harbor U.
November 2
East Lake at Countryside
Palm Harbor U. at Dunedin
November 9
Countryside at Seminole
Clearwater at Tarpon Springs
Dixie Hollins at Dunedin
Gulf at East Lake
Palm Harbor U. at Pinellas Park
Joe Smith, Times staff writer
All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted
Check out our new team and player pages at tampabay.com
[Last modified August 29, 2007, 14:07:19]
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