Pigskin Picks: Hillsborough

Times staff writers Joe Smith and Keith Niebuhr give their predictions on tonight's football games. For a live scoreboard, check out highschool.tampabay.com.

By Keith Niebuhr
Published September 7, 2007

CCC (1-0) at Tampa Catholic (1-0)

Last week, TC handed Ocala Trinity Catholic its first-ever shutout. Can defensive-oriented Crusaders slow CCC QB Brent Henderson? Tampa Catholic

Chamberlain (1-0) at Middleton (1-0)

Middleton tailback Carlton Jones struggled last week (12 carries, 24 yards). For the Tigers to win, he'll need to get cranking. Chamberlain

Hillsborough (1-0) at Alonso (1-0)

Alonso's defense has been a hit thus far, but the Terriers boast speed the Ravens haven't seen. Hillsborough

Gaither (0-1) at Plant (0-1)

Can Plant's D, which gave up big runs last week, contain Gaither tailback Jarvis Giles (220 yards in opener)? Plant

Robinson (0-1) at Jefferson (0-1)

Jefferson hopes to wipe away the bitter taste of last week's defeat. With QB Zack Grossi (shoulder) clear to play, Dragons should improve in home opener. Jefferson

Armwood (1-0) at Wharton (1-0)

Hawks beat defending state champ Plant without eight starters. To earn program's signature win, Wharton must slow vaunted Armwood rushing attack. Armwood

East Bay (1-0) at Durant (0-1)

East Bay looked sharp last week against Riverview. Durant is looking to rebound from a loss in which it surrendered a 13-point second-half lead. East Bay

Jesuit (1-0) at Newsome (1-0)

Newsome has the county's longest active winning streak (seven). Jesuit is flying under the radar, but a win today would change that. Jesuit

Brandon (0-1) at King (1-0)

The Eagles feel Middleton stole one from them last week. Can they rebound and keep Earl Garcia III from starting his tenure with back-to-back wins? Brandon

Tampa Bay Tech (1-0) at Leto (0-1)

TBT broke a 21-game losing streak by scoring nearly as many points as it did in all of 2006. Now, QB Mario Tucker and Co. are hoping to start a new kind of streak - a winning one. TBT

Blake (0-1) at Plant City (1-0)

Both teams had emotional openers. Blake lost by a point. Plant City won by a point. Look for a close one. Blake

Orlando First Academy (1-0) at Berkeley Prep (1-0)

Dominick Ciao was triumphant in his return to the sidelines. Double-threat QB Archie Barnes will try to keep it that way, but OFA boasts a powerful rushing game. Berkeley Prep

Bloomingdale (0-1) at Spoto (0-1)

Spoto gave Newsome a fight in its first varsity game. Can the Spartans earn all-time victory No. 1 tonight? Spoto

Lennard (0-1) at Sickles (1-0)

Sickles has already won more games (one) than it did last season. The Gryphons have a good chance at making it two this week. Sickles

Cambridge (1-0) at All Saints (0-1)

Cambridge beat All Saints handily in the preseason (39-0). With the Lancers potent option running attack, expect more of the same. Cambridge

[Last modified September 7, 2007, 01:53:25]