John C. Cotey's Top 10

By JOHN C. COTEY, Times High Schools Columnist
Published September 9, 2007

Ranking the bay area's football teams, with previous ranking in parentheses.  

1. (1) Armwood (2-0)

Friday: Beat No. 17 Wharton 44-2.

This week: vs. Brandon.

The Hawks may have put a serious case of triskaidekaphobia on the Wildcats with Friday's performance, holding them to 13 yards of total offense. (Okay, fine, we won't make you look it up - triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the No.13).

2. (2) Largo (2-0)

Friday: Beat Palm Harbor U. 46-13.

This week: Bye.

We're not ones to create a rivalry between kids or anything, but last week, Northeast RB Jeff Brinson told us that his MySpace page was way better than Largo RB Brynn Harvey's. Just saying.

3. (4) Hillsborough (2-0)

Friday: Beat No.29 Alonso 17-0.

This week: at Chamberlain.

At 1.5 yards a rush, like it averaged Friday, Alonso would have needed seven downs each series to get a first down and 65 carries to break 100 yards, and will need 666 carries to get 1,000 yards.

4. (5) Plant (1-1)

Friday: Beat No.15 Gaither 48-21.

This week: at Middleton.

Plant QB Aaron Murray (five TDs) is just fine, in case you were wondering. Gaither, though? Not so much. We're not saying our preseason No.7 was overrated, but ... okay, fine, that is what we're saying.

5. (6) Northeast (2-0)

Friday: Beat No.43 Dixie Hollins 34-20.

This week: at Gibbs.

Our stat of the week: When Largo's Dexter McCluster set the Pinellas County rushing record, he had 514 yards and seven touchdowns after two games. Brinson has 701 yards and 11 touchdowns. Bonus: We do the math for you - Brinson is on pace for 3,505 yards and 55 touchdowns.

6. (7) Jefferson (1-1)

Friday: Beat Robinson 35-6.

This week: Bye.

Jefferson QB Zack Grossi (four TDs) is just fine, in case you were wondering. Wait, did we say that already? Grossi hit nine different receivers and this week will play lots of Playstation 2 before scouting Gaither on Friday night.

7. (11) Middleton (2-0)

Friday: Beat No.3 Chamberlain 12-7.

This week: vs. Plant.

Carlton Jones may be stronger than a locomotive, but is he able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? We wonder, because after beating our No.3 team, the schedule gets kryptonite tough, with games against Plant and Hillsborough coming up.

8. (3) Chamberlain (1-1)

Friday: Lost to No.11 Middleton 12-7.

Next week: vs. Hillsborough.

In 28 seasons at Chamberlain, coach Billy Turner has missed one practice, and that happened this season. And the Chiefs lost Friday night. Coincidence? We think not.

9. (9) Ridgewood (2-0)

Friday: Beat Wiregrass Ranch 48-0.

This week: Bye.

Wiregrass Ranch coach Ricky Thomas said his team took a "whooping" Friday night, which got us thinking when we sat down to break down the Rams' effort - is it whoopin', whupping or whuppin'?

10. (10) Boca Ciega (1-0)

Friday: Bye.

This week: vs. Dixie Hollins.

It's a mini-South St. Pete revival this week, so we'll meet you down at BayWalk for a party! Gibbs and Lakewood won, St. Pete almost upsets East Lake, and the Pirates represent by staying in the top 10.

[Last modified September 8, 2007, 21:36:37]