Sports

North Suncoast: The Celebrity Picker

By IZZY GOULD and DAVID MURPHY, Times Staff Writers
Published September 21, 2007

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Baffled by our game of the week between the Central Bears and the Ridgewood Rams, we begged countless experts to help us pick a winner. We tried Mike Ditka, but his voice mail said he was in Washington for the week. Mike Martz didn't like our calls, and Jim Everett threw a chair at us when we asked. At wit's end, we worked some of our connections, talked to a guy who knew a guy, left a voice mail and prayed for a callback. Miraculously, it came.

We wanted someone with real football knowledge, someone who could break down the X's and the O's and explain to us the intricacies of the 3-5 defense, and we got him. To help us make some sense of this week's matchups is Jeff Ewelt, better known as Jeff the Zoo Guy. He's the animal ambassador manager at Lowry Park Zoo and has been showcased on such shows as Late Night with Conan O'Brien, ABC's Extreme Makeover and MSNBC's The Most. Visit his Web site at www.jeffthezooguy.com. We're guessing he won his NCAA Tournament pool last year.

 

All games start at 7:30 p.m.

Matchup:

 

  

Gould

 

  

Murph

 

  

Jeff Ewelt

 

Central (2-1) at Ridgewood (2-0) What's tougher: a Bear or a Ram? The Rams score more, so I'm taking them to win 30-18.

 

Rams get redemption, but Cliff Lohrey beats Chris Taylor in a game of Golden Tee at Beef O'Brady's afterward.

 

Rams 34, Bears 14: In the wild, a normal large bear could easily defeat and devour a ram. But, I think the Rams will beat up on the Florida Bears. Arline is a plus, too!

 

Hudson (2-1) at Pasco (1-2) Pasco needs to show me it can stop the run. Until then, I've got Hudson riding Sean Scott to a 21-12 victory.

 

Hudson notches its biggest victory since the 2005 playoffs, 13-7, behind the strong running of Sean Scott and a last-minute touchdown pass by Zach Wynn.

 

Cobras 17, Pirates 6: This one is a no-brainer. Cobras will take the Pirates. Although the Cobras' venom will be potent, the Pirates will be able to hold them to a low score.

 

Land O'Lakes (2-1) at Springstead (2-1) Springstead is coming off a huge win at Belleview, but there's something special brewing in a 17-14 Land O'Lakes victory.

 

I'm taking Land O'Lakes on a last-second Statue of Liberty, halfback option play that John Benedetto draws up on a piece of toilet paper during halftime.

 

Eagles 24, Gators 21: Here's the upset. Sorry, everyone, but I'm a bird guy! Gators are the most powerful creatures in the world, but they do become prey to the high-flying Eagles.

 

Hernando (1-2) at Wesley Chapel (2-1) Wesley Chapel was convincing in Dade City last week with a 14-point victory, so give me the Wildcats to win 28-10.

 

Don't sleep on the Leopards, who will probably continue to feed RB George Fribley (195 yards last week) the ball. But Wesley Chapel will win it in the end, 24-17.

 

Leopards 13, Wildcats 3: Leopards will utilize their stealth to win a battle. They will strike with precision and not allow any other animal to come into their territory.

 

Zephyrhills (1-1) at Sunlake (0-2)

 

Zephyrhills is angry about a last-second loss to Land O'Lakes, so give me the Bulldogs in a 30-3 victory.

 

This might not be a bad game for Tom Fisher to get Tyler Guy and the Z-Hills passing attack some work. Bulldogs, 49-12.

 

Bulldogs 35, Seahawks 7: Bulldogs are bred to be brutes. No mercy will be shown when these bulldogs get hold of the Seahawks' wings.

 

Gulf (1-2) at Wiregrass Ranch (0-3) I said it in our audiocast, so here goes: Bulls win 17-16.

 

So, if two people pick Wiregrass, is it really an upset? Gulf will rebound, 31-13.

 

Bulls 13, Buccaneers 10: Bulls hate to lose. If they are harassed long enough, they will erupt with sheer power.

 

Tarpon Springs (3-0) at River Ridge (1-2)

 

Tarpon lost no one from last year's team and is flying under the radar. Not anymore as Spongers roll 42-13.

 

After winning just five games last year, Tarpon has already won three and is looking like a serious district title contender. Tarpon 52, River Ridge 21.

 

Spongers 45, Knights 3: This will hurt. The Spongers will utilize all of their stored water and rust the Knights. All of the chivalry in the world cannot stand up to rust.

 

Crystal River (1-2) at Nature Coast (2-0) The Sharks are back, and Tevin Drake is healthy. Nature Coast roles 24-7.

 

Nature Coast has had two weeks to prepare for its district opener. That's bad news for the Pirates. Nature Coast, 28-17.

 

Sharks 17, Pirates 10: Pirates and Sharks have a history. Unfortunately for Pirates, that history hasn't been good. It will be no different here.

 

Mount Dora Bible (0-3) at Hernando Christian (1-0)

 

HCA loves the pass and an 11-9 victory.

 

Look out for HCA this season. Coach David Raley has the Lions playing very, very sharp. HCA, 28-14.

 

Lions 14, Bulldogs 0: Although Bulldogs are powerful and mean, the Lions have a bite that stings and are faster than people give them credit for.

 

Bishop McLaughlin (0-2) at Calvary Christian (0-2) Too bad this one's not at home for the Hurricanes. Warriors win 7-6.

 

Someone's getting a first win. And I'm saying it's Calvary Christian, 7-6.

 

Hurricanes 7, Warriors 3: The strongest Warriors can't hold up to good old Hurricanes.

[Last modified September 20, 2007, 20:10:28]

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