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Twelve categories, three opinions

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 31, 2001

The dog days of training camp are long gone. Preseason jamborees are distant memories. Tonight, the football season begins.

Hallelujah!

Twenty-three area teams kick off the season with high hopes.

But who will really survive in November? Which county players will provide the biggest thrills? Which game is a can't-miss?

Times staff writers Rodney Page, Bob Putnam and John Schwarb sought some answers.

Agree? Disagree?

Go to a game tonight and form your own opinion.

Leading rusher

PAGE: Jason Teague, Osceola. Has the ability to make something out of nothing, and he might have to do that a lot this season.

PUTNAM: Teague. Third in the county last season with 1,342 yards rushing.

SCHWARB: Teague. Osceola will have no problem giving him the ball 20 to 25 times every game.

Leading passer

PAGE: Ron Mathis, Gibbs. Coach Dave Cleppe's offense emphasizes the pass, and Mathis is a proficient passer.

PUTNAM: Mathis. He threw for 1,722 yards last season and has speed receivers around him.

SCHWARB: Kyle Wolfinbarger, Countryside. The senior is a third-year starter and led the county in attempts last year.

Leading receiver

PAGE: DeAngelo Woodie, Gibbs. The top pass catcher on what should be the top throwing team in the county.

PUTNAM: Matt Galley, CCC. Had the most catches (25) of anyone returning this season.

SCHWARB: Woodie. In a pass-happy offense, he has the chance to become Mathis' primary target.

Biggest workhorse

PAGE: Woodie. He will catch passes, run back kicks, punt and play some defense.

PUTNAM: D'Qwell Jackson, Seminole. With skill players gone, he adds running back duties to his starting linebacker role.

SCHWARB: Roshawn Marshall, Tarpon Springs. Always a threat at wideout, defensive back and kick returner, though opponents would probably be wise to avoid him.

Best newcomer

PAGE: Kevin Marion, Dixie Hollins. A track star, Marion did not play his first two years because of a knee injury. He's a speedy wide receiver.

PUTNAM: Pat Carter, Lakewood. Brother of former Lakewood standout Tim Carter, he can run and pass, a la Donnie Davis.

SCHWARB: Isaiah Gwyn, Countryside. Though just a sophomore, he turned heads during the spring and preseason.

Defensive MVP

PAGE: Jackson. He'll be all over the field as the Warhawks' top linebacker.

PUTNAM: Jackson. The senior made first-team all-state in 4A last season, when he recorded 150 tackles.

SCHWARB: Jackson. The Derrick Brooks of the area prep scene.

Kicker most likely to win a game

PAGE: Jon Peattie, Countryside. He hit 15 field goals and went 34-for-34 on extra points last season.

PUTNAM: Brandon Mai, Largo. He helped the Packers win four games with game-ending kicks last season.

SCHWARB: Mai. Like last year, Largo will find itself in several close games.

Stingiest defense

PUTNAM: Seminole. Returns the entire front seven from a defense that allowed 80 points last season

SCHWARB: Admiral Farragut. Depth and a favorable schedule are the keys to approaching last season's 6.9 points-per-game average.

Best game

PAGE: Pinellas Park at Clearwater, Oct. 26. This one could have district championship implications.

PUTNAM: Seminole at Gibbs, Sept. 28. One of the most entertaining games last season now is a district matchup.

SCHWARB: Tarpon Springs at East Lake, Nov. 2. As if this rivalry needs more fuel, it's the regular-season finale and the Eagles' homecoming.

Surprise team

PAGE: Lakewood. Coach Brian Bruch believes his team will "be over .500." He's bluffing. These Spartans are much better than a .500 team.

PUTNAM: Pinellas Park. The Patriots, who suffered through numerous injuries last season, are healthy and beat Seminole in a jamboree last week.

SCHWARB: Clearwater. Don't let last year's pedestrian 5-5 record fool you. The Tornadoes finished strong and are a lock to make the playoffs from 5A-7.

Best chance to go deep into November

PAGE: Seminole. Last season's playoff experience will only help.

PUTNAM: Seminole. Of the 13 teams in its region, eight are from Pinellas County.

SCHWARB: Clearwater Central Catholic. Its district crumbled with probations and miscalculations. And the Marauders would love a rematch with Clewiston.

First pick for a Pinellas fantasy football team

PAGE: Mathis. Give me a guy who can throw or run for a touchdown on every play.

PUTNAM: Marshall. He is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.

SCHWARB: Chris Davis, SPC. 1,446 yards and 11 touchdowns passing and 1,396 yards and 16 touchdowns rushing? A dream pick.

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