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By Compiled by Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 3, 2000
Tarpon Springs (7-1) at Gibbs (6-2)
A 3A-7 game. The Spongers have had a week off, and they can complete an unbeaten district season with a win. But Gibbs appears healed offensively after a 13-3 loss two weeks ago at Osceola, and quarterback Ron Mathis will be ready for what should be another high-scoring game. Last year, Tarpon won 53-34.
Putnam's pick: Gibbs
Schwarb's pick: Tarpon Springs
Young's pick: Gibbs
A 4A-7 game. This one looked really big two weeks ago until Largo was upset at Pinellas Park. The Packers rebounded nicely, though, beating Countryside behind a rare air show from quarterback Marcus Paschal. Two of the top defenses in the county will go head-to-head.
Putnam's pick: Seminole
Schwarb's pick: Seminole
Young's pick: Seminole
A 5A-7 game. This one is real simple: The winner is the district runner-up, the loser crosses its fingers for a wild-card berth. Chamberlain won 38-22 last year to claim the second playoff spot. The Eagles look to turn the tables.
Putnam's pick: East Lake
Schwarb's pick: Chamberlain
Young's pick: East Lake
A 2A-7 game. Take the one-win Crusaders lightly, and the Barons might be getting ready for the winter sports season sooner than they think. A TC upset forces a three-way playoff between TC, SPC and Wesley Chapel. But if SPC quarterback Chris Davis continues his sublime play, the Barons should roll.
Putnam's pick: SP Catholic
Schwarb's pick: SP Catholic
Young's pick: SP Catholic
A 3A-7 game. A Warriors win coupled with a Gibbs loss to Tarpon Springs clinches a playoff berth for Osceola, which would be its first since 1994. You can be sure Warriors coach George Palmer will give running back Jason Teague every opportunity to carry his team to the post-season.
Putnam's pick: Osceola
Schwarb's pick: Osceola
Young's pick: Osceola
A 4A-7 game. During the second half of the season, Clearwater arguably has been the second-best team in the county behind Seminole -- and the Tornadoes nearly knocked off the Warhawks. The Patriots, with a 2-2 district mark after upsetting Largo, still have solid playoff hopes.
Putnam's pick: Pinellas Park
Schwarb's pick: Clearwater
Young's pick: Clearwater
A 4A-7 game. The Vikings' season to forget mercifully ends tonight. After four years of district titles, Northeast will finish last. Miraculously, Boca Ciega still could make the playoffs. If Bogie and Pinellas Park win tonight and Largo loses, the schools will have a three-way tiebreaker.
Putnam's pick: Northeast
Schwarb's pick: Boca Ciega
Young's pick: Northeast
A 4A-6 game. Traditional doormat Ridgewood is no pushover this year, and if the Cougars don't bring their A game, they will regret it. The Rams had Palm Harbor U. beat until a last-second field goal. Regardless of the outcome, Countryside is the district champion.
Putnam's pick: Ridgewood
Schwarb's pick: Countryside
Young's pick: Countryside
A 2A-7 game. The Marauders can wrap up an unblemished district slate while keeping the Buccaneers winless in the district. At this point in the season, CCC is just hoping to stay healthy and align things so it peaks for the playoffs.
Putnam's pick: CC Catholic
Schwarb's pick: CC Catholic
Young's pick: CC Catholic
A 3A-7 game. Talk about a season of "what ifs" for the Rebels. What if they had not lost in September to St. Petersburg? What if last-minute defeats to Gibbs and Tarpon Springs had gone the other way? Instead, a win tonight merely ensures a .500 season.
Putnam's pick: Dunedin
Schwarb's pick: Dixie Hollins
Young's pick: Dixie Hollins
An A-8 game. The Mustangs have lost five in a row by an average of almost 41 points. Shorecrest's Jeff Ritch is trying to win the county scoring title. His 86 points are tied for second, four behind Admiral Farragut's Jon Hunt.
Putnam's pick: Shorecrest
Schwarb's pick: Shorecrest
Young's pick: Shorecrest
A 5A-7 game. The Green Devils must feel like ... well, let's just say they can't feel too good. Hillsborough has won 19 in a row and is ranked No. 4 in 5A. St. Petersburg kept it close last year, losing 28-14. A similar performance would be outstanding.
Putnam's pick: Hillsborough
Schwarb's pick: Hillsborough
Young's pick: Hillsborough
An A-8 game. Fort Meade, the No. 2 team in Class A, has thoroughly enjoyed its Pinellas foes this season. Keswick Christian, Northside Christian and Shorecrest have been waylaid by a combined 167-6. The Golden Eagles appear to be next.
Putnam's pick: Fort Meade
Schwarb's pick: Fort Meade
Young's pick: Fort Meade