Riverdale(1-0) at Charlotte(1-0): Riverdale cruised past East Lee County 48-0 last week taking advantage of numerous turnovers. In the Kickoff Classic they battled to a tie with powerful Cape Coral 32-32. Charlotte hammered North Port 69-13.
Riverdale likes to pound the ball with Garrett Greenwell and then mix in a host of speed backs. QB Nathan Gahafer improves weekly, the southpaw is capable of making plays down the field. Kyle Waldrop and Cordaveous Brown are a potent 1-2 combo at WR.
Charlotte counters with perhaps the state's top game-breaker in RB Mike Bellamy. "Speedy" is just that, fast-fast. He blazed a 4.31 at UF's Friday Night Lights and the rising junior produces every game. QB Kyle Midgett is one of the best in Florida and while he does not sling it all over the field, he could. He makes the tough throws, many to Alex Mut.
Both defenses can be stout. Entering the game, the Tarpon defense would hold a slight edge because of their consistency, but the Raiders are loaded. One match-up to keep an eye on is Riverdale DE Broderick Sherrod vs. Charlotte OT Byron Grant. The X Factor is Riverdale DT Tymichael Powell.
Charlotte 38, Riverdale 28
Plant(0-1) at Hillsborough(0-1): Both teams are surprisingly coming off of losses. Plant gave up a huge lead and lost to Tampa Bay Tech, while Hillsborough succumbed to Jefferson. It is now a must win, huge game for both teams.
Will QB Phillip Ely return for the Panthers? No one has had the QB play the past four years that Plant has had with Robert Marve then Aaron Murray. Ely, a junior, filled in admirably last year and is poised to return from a stress fracture in his back. James Wilder carried the load last week, but he can't do it alone. Their OL is massive and there are play-makers on the outside: WR's DeAndre Queen and Allen Sampson.
There is plenty of offensive talent here, namely QB Tarean Austin, WR Charles Lovett, ATH Terrence Mitchell, RB Jamie Knott, and RB Rodney Johnson. While the offense sputtered last week, that should not be the case again. Austin is the key, he has a world of potential and will need to have one of his better games this week.
If Ely returns, there will be immense pressure on Hillsborough's secondary, Mitchell will have a chance to shine.
Plant 24, Hillsborough 21