Sports: Hillsborough: District Predictions

By Times staff

CLASS 6A, DISTRICT 4

1. VENICE: Indians ruled the state last year and likely will rule again.

2. SARASOTA RIVERVIEW: Don't count out the Rams, who could challenge Venice.

3. SARASOTA: Sailors are improved, but not enough.

4. BLOOMINGDALE: Bulls are thinking positive, but they face a rough road.

1. LAKELAND: Dreadnaughts have won 55 consecutive regular-season games.

2. HAINES CITY: Hornets have been swarming in recent years.

3. RIVERVIEW: Double wing-T could add up to best season in school history.

4. PLANT CITY: New coach Cornelius Bobo has the Raiders believing.

5. EAST BAY: This wishbone has a backbone and could be the district's surprise.

6. DURANT: Could also be a surprise, but probably not as often.

1. HILLSBOROUGH: Terriers have 21-game regular-season win streak on the line.

2. CHAMBERLAIN: Chiefs' best team in a decade could finally beat Terriers.

3. KING: Speed and brawn, these Lions have plenty of both.

4. GAITHER: Bob Gries is a first-year coach, but he has plenty of talent.

5. WHARTON: Will be better than at any time in five-year history.

6. LETO: Trying to recover after going winless last season.

7. ALONSO: First-year school, first-year growing pains.

1. JEFFERSON: One of the county's most talented teams is a state contender.

2. ARMWOOD: Should be able to reload after its state semifinal loss last year.

3. PLANT: Panthers are strong at the skill positions and up front.

4. TAMPA BAY TECH: Coach John Colbert has Titans moving in the right direction.

5. BRANDON: Eagles could be the surprise of the district.

6. SICKLES: Gryphons have a large roster, but victories will be hard to find.

1. BRADENTON SOUTHEAST: Are you kidding? Southeast is always a beast.

2. JESUIT: Speed or no speed, Tigers always find a way to win.

3. SARASOTA BOOKER: Speed kills, and Tornadoes should have plenty of it.

4. ROBINSON: Kwane Doster is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.

5. BLAKE: Yellow Jackets' top running back transferred to Jefferson.

6. PALMETTO: Tigers have been known to rise up and contend every few years.

1. CCC: When Jefferson left, Marauders shot to the front.

2. BERKELEY PREP: Bucs should make playoffs for first time since 1985.

3. TAMPA CATHOLIC: New coach Jim Guderian might turn Crusaders around.

* ST. PETERSBURG CATHOLIC: Not eligible for post-season for recruiting violations.

1. FORT MEADE: A powerhouse among the small schools.

2. RIVERHILLS CHRISTIAN: Believe it or not, could make playoffs in its second year.

3. WINTER HAVEN ALL SAINTS': Saints have plenty of athletes.

4. LAKELAND SANTA FE CATHOLIC: Crimson Hawks continue to rebuild.

5. LAKELAND EVANGEL CHRISTIAN: Program still struggling to find victories.