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Hillsborough: Sunday morning quarterback
By JOE SMITH and KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writers
Published September 23, 2007
Friday night seemed like the Twilight Zone. Billy Turner was in the hospital instead the Chamberlain sideline. Tampa Bay Tech roared to a 4-0 start. And eight Freedom players were ejected following a melee against TBT. What's next? Jefferson losing to Gaither? Oh yeah, that happened, too.
What we learned | Week 4
Armwood's luck bad for everyone
Imagine if nationally ranked Armwood actually played at full strength. The Hawks are pretty scary shorthanded, overwhelming yet another opponent (dismantling Newsome's nine-game winning streak) without four key starters (and blue-chip, two-way lineman Matt Patchan for half the game). Armwood's loaded with depth; its backups could give many teams fits.
Jefferson a work in progress
The Dragons traditionally start off slow, but this doesn't look good. Jefferson fell to 1-2 and hosts the Hawks (4-0) next week. The loss of late linebacker C.J. Mills - shot and killed in his driveway in April - looms more than just emotionally for the Dragons, who are having a difficult time stopping the run.
Gamebreakers | Rising stars
Rashyied Melvin
Armwood, So., RB
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound slasher filled in for injured fullback Matt Eastman, rushing for 86 yards on 14 carries. Melvin brings the bruising ability of Eric Smith and the quick feet of fellow sophomore Sherman Jessie.
Orson Charles
Riverview, Jr., TE
Against Plant, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Charles showed why he'll be a major college prospect next fall. He caught three passes for 55 yards, had two two-point conversion receptions and was a force on the line. On one of his grabs, he reached out and snatched the ball away from a Plant defender - while in midair.
Christian Green
Tampa Catholic, So., QB
Green, a converted receiver, has been the Crusaders' offensive catalyst this season. That included Friday night in a win over Lake Placid, when he racked up three TDs (126 rushing yards, 79 passing).
Who's hot ...
Armwood's defense
Here's how many points opposing offenses have scored against the Hawks this season: 13. Only one opponent has found the end zone.
TBT's defense
After Friday's 19-0 win over Freedom, the Titans still haven't give up a point in September.
Plant receiver Cornelius Gallon
A week after producing three touchdowns, Gallon, right, scored twice against Riverview and caught eight passes for 170 yards.
And who's not ...
The Bloomingdale ground game
The Bulls averaged 1.6 yards per rush in Friday's loss to Plant City.
The Blake offense
Blanked by Chamberlain on Friday, this unit is averaging less than eight points a game.
The Jefferson run defense
In a win over the Dragons, Gaither rushed for 311 yards.
Five game to watch
1. Blake (0-4) vs. Middleton (2-2) at Raymond James Stadium (Sat.): More than just a football game, it's the county's prep social event of the year.
2. Armwood (4-0) at Jefferson (1-2): Hawks are soaring; Dragons are reeling.
3. Hillsborough (4-0) at Riverview (1-2): Sharks' powerful ground game meets Terriers' dominating defensive front.
4. Tampa Bay Tech (4-0) at Spoto (2-2): Titans have a chance to hold their opponents scoreless for the month of September.
5. East Bay (1-3) at Chamberlain (2-2): Will longtime Chiefs coach Billy Turner back on the sideline?
[Last modified September 23, 2007, 00:14:25]
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