Preps

North Suncoast: Football Friday Picks

Those who know us here at the Times know that the  Reuben is the official sandwich of our high school sports department. And where is one of the few places you can get a real Reuben in Hernando County? The Red Mule Pub, founded in 1976 by Les Jinkens. So we paid a visit to the pub and sat down with Les’ brother Tim, who helps operate the Brooksville staple. Jinkens played football at Hernando during the 1970s and was close with former Hernando, University of Miami and Philadelphia Eagles star Jerome Brown. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to pick the Leopards this week against Citrus.

By IZZY GOULD AND DAVID MURPHY
Published November 2, 2007

Ridgewood (8-0) at Land O'Lakes (7-1)

Gould: The Gators have just one regular-season loss at home (to Zephyrhills, 14-7 on Aug. 25, 2006) in the past three seasons. Give me the Gators 17-16.

Murphy: Ridgewood can make me a believer this week. Until then, Land O'Lakes 17-13.

Jinkens: Apparently, Ridgewood has a good running back. Rams 21-17.

Bishop McLaughlin (1-7) at Keswick Chr. (8-0)

Gould: Keswick Christian hasn't given up a point since Oct. 12, defeating its past two opponents by a combined score of Murphy: 80-0. So I'm taking Keswick Christian, 40-0.

Murphy:  What happens when an irresistible force meets a moveable object? We don't want to know. Keswick 75, Bishop McLaughlin 0.

Jinkens: I guess I better go with Keswick, 24-7

Pasco (4-4) at Gulf (4-4)

Gould: I went with Pasco to win at Gulf last season, so I'm switching it up. Give me David Williams and the Bucs in a 21-13 victory.

Murphy: The only team that gives me grief when I pick against it is Gulf. So I'm going to keep doing it. Pasco 21-17.

Jinkens: I'm going with Pasco, just based on Gulf having lost to Hernando. Pirates, 14-13.

Hudson (6-2) at Zephyrhills (5-3)

Gould: The Bulldogs are strong at home, but the Cobras proved they can win big games in Zephyrhills as they did in 2004. So give me the Cobras en route to the playoffs with a 14-10 victory.

Murphy: Not sure what the line is, but take the over. Z-Hills holds Hudson to 49 points but loses in a shootout, 49-35.

Jinkens: Hudson beat our (Hernando's) butt pretty good. Cobras 28-14.

Mitchell (3-5) at Wesley Chapel (4-4)

Gould: Two promising teams are playing for nothing more than a chance to stay out of the 5A-5 cellar. I flipped a coin and it came up heads so I'm taking Wesley Chapel at 18-15.

Murphy: If Tate Humphrey and Greg Jenkins remained healthy all season, this might be for a playoff spot. As it is, it's just for pride. Mitchell 38-28.

Jinkens: I don't know anything about Mitchell. It's at Wesley Chapel. Wildcats, 20-14.

River Ridge (1-7) at Central (4-4)

Gould: A tough season for River Ridge gets even tougher in a meaningless 34-10 Central victory.

Murphy: The only winners in this one are the nihilists. Central, 35-13.

Jinkens: You can't lose your Homecoming. Central 21-7.

Wiregrass Ranch (0-8) at Sunlake (0-8)

Gould: Good news! Someone gets a win. I'm taking Wiregrass Ranch on the road in a 32-28 victory.

Murphy: Both schools are 0-8, both have names that sound like vacation destinations, and both will be looking for their first varsity win. Wiregrass Ranch 35, Sunlake 21. Can a brother get a timeshare!?

Jinkens: I gotta go with (Bulls coach) Ricky (Thomas). He's offensive-minded, so he'd better score some points. Wiregrass Ranch 21-13.

Hernando (2-6) at Citrus (4-4)

Gould: The Hurricanes are too strong at home and with a tropical storm off the coast they're even stronger in a 32-12 victory.

Murphy: I'll leave the lame weather cliches to Izzy. Citrus 28-10.

Jinkens: It's in Inverness. Citrus, 20-6.

Winter Haven All Saints' (3-4) at HCA (5-1)

Gould: HCA gets my vote for best team not to make the postseason. So give me HCA scoring all the points in a 15-2 victory.

Murphy: As long as the weather doesn't cancel a third game this season, HCA will win easily, 35-14.

Jinkens: Let's go with HCA since that's where my nephews and nieces went. HCA 21-7.

Groveland South Lake (3-5) at Nature Coast (6-2)

Gould: Listen to me, Nature Coast: You're in the playoffs. Put Tevin Drake on the shelf quickly. Sharks win 24-13.

Murphy: Some football players run a 4.4 40. South Lake's Jeff Demps runs a 4.4 100. Okay, that's an exaggeration. But dude's got speed: Nature Coast contains it in a 24-17 win.

Jinkens: Unfortunately I'll pick Nature Coast. They've got a pretty good offense. Sharks, 28-14.

Tarpon Springs (5-3) at Springstead (4-4)

Gould: The Eagles are soaring as of late and building toward next season. This is a huge block so give me Springstead in a stunner 21-11.

Murphy: You heard it hear first: Tarpon Springs and Land O'Lakes will be playing for a district title next season. Spongers 28-14.

Jinkens: Tarpon Springs 17-7, mainly because when I played they beat us in the old Sunshine Conference.

Cambridge (5-3) at AATL (1-6)

Gould: Cambridge is stronger than AATL so give me Cambridge in a 10-3 victory.

Murphy: Cambridge (nickname: the Draft Dodgers?) in an easy 65-0 win.

Jinkens: Go with Cambridge. It sounds like an Ivy League school. Cambridge 24-14.

[Last modified November 1, 2007, 23:59:01]