PLANT(2-1) AT ARMWOOD(3-0)
These teams played two big games last year that they ended up splitting, Plant won the playoff game and went on to a State Title. While this year they are not in the same classification(Armwood ranked #1 in 4A and Plant #7 in 5A), it is a huge game between the Tampa Area's premier programs. Plant suffered an early loss and they will be looking to get some momentum as they head into District play. A win by Armwood will make a strong case that the State 4A title runs through Seffner.
Plant QB Phillip Ely should be back for this after playing last week vs. Riverview. James Few played in his absence and was 13-25 for 193 yards with two TD's and two interceptions. Ely filled in admirably for Aaron Murray when he was hurt last year and he is one of the top QB prospects in the state for 2011. In his absence, the Panthers have gone to the ground with James Wilder(19-119), T.J. Glover(21-205), DeAndre Queen(13-129), and Antoio Crawford(12-91) sharing carries. Allen Sampson(8-150) and Eric Dungy(6-88) are the leading receivers. Plant has a massive OL that has experience and is headlined by Andre Mondora and Jon Vega. When rolling this offense produces big plays and a ton of points.
The Armwood defense has given up just 12 points in three games. DL Theodore Jackson has 28 tackles and 3 sacks and Alton Bailey(16 tackles) is a huge load in the middle of the DL. Jermaine McKinney is the leader with 5 sacks.
The Hawks offense is led by QB Josh Grady who has been magnificent thus far. He is completing 78% of his passes and has 550 yards in just 3 games. A.J. King(16-312), Richard Jules(7-106), and Sherman Jessie(8-127) are the three main targets through the air. Young RB Matt Jones has 251 yards on the year and he has the potential to be a special back down the road. The Plant defense will have their hands full in this one.
Armwood 24, Plant 17
GULF COAST(3-1) AT SOUTH FT. MYERS(4-0)
Gulf Coast lost their starting QB (Darby McCormick) and now turns to senior Korenzo Smith. Smith went 9-18 in a win last week and is an athlete. Jermaine Troutman, Kyle Huff, and Sebastian Zuluaga will run behind a solid OL led by junior Anthony Spano. The key offensive play-maker is senior Zac Rittberg. The 6'2, 185 pound wideout makes things happen when he gets the ball and has been the Sharks go to man for the past two years.
The Wolfpack at South have been rolling offensively behind junior QB Dallas Crawford. He has started since he was a freshmen and is putting together a spectacular season. Dallas has 285 rushing yards to go with 690 through the air (5 TD, 1 int). His favorite target is junior Samuel Watkins(10-211). Watkins is one of the top players in the state for 2011 and has size, speed, and hands. Jari McMillar and Trey Schley are two more weapons. Terrell Neal is leading the charge on the ground with 345 yards and 4 TD's. Gulf Coast CB Shawn Normil will have the test of stopping Watkins. Matthew Colligan, Vince Parker, and Dana Paul Luebbe will try to keep Crawford and Neal under 100 yards on the ground.
While this is a non-district game, both programs have been winning the past two years and are off to solid starts.
South Ft. Myers 31, Gulf Coast 17