Compiled By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
1. SEFFNER ARMWOOD (4-0): The Armwood machine is nearing its mid-season form. The Hawks scored 28 points in the first quarter en route to a 42-0 smashing of Lithia Newsome last week. Quarterback Mywan Jackson ran for 146 yards and passed for another 128 yards. He accounted for three touchdowns. The Hawk defense has been on point as well – in four games the Hawks have given up 12 points.
Up next: Hosting Tampa Jefferson (2-1)
2. TAMPA CHAMBERLAIN (4-0): Get a load of these point totals from the Chiefs’ offense – 45, 35, 48 and 37 points. Quarterback Dontae Aycock and running back Kenny Allen combined for three scores last week in a 37-6 win against Tampa Blake. Chamberlain coach Billy Turner said as well as his offensive line has played, it may be improving. Scary thought.
Up next: at No. 9 Gibsonton East Bay (3-1)
3. TAMPA PLANT (3-1): Quarterback Aaron Murray liked being the MaxPreps National Player of the Week so much last week, he’s angling for it again. The Murray line from Plant’s 63-6 win against Riverview: 14 of 20 for 385 yards and eight touchdowns – all in the first half. The eight scores tied a state record for touchdown passes in one half. Plant tight end Orson Charles, who transferred from Riverview during the offseason, had two touchdown receptions against his former squad.
Up next: Off this week; hosting Tampa Blake (0-4) Oct. 10
4. LARGO (3-0): The Packers got a 71-yard touchdown run from Marcel Durham and a 79-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Eppes to Mike Lang and then played solid defense to thwart an upset bid and top a good St. Petersburg team 17-16. The Largo defense was led by Jason Wine’s two interceptions in the second half. The mythical Pinellas County title game against Dunedin looms.
Up next: at No. 10 Dunedin (3-1)
5. TAMPA BAY TECH (4-0): The Titans finally faced a challenge and still managed to come out with a win. After blowing out three opponents, Tech had to fight off Tampa Freedom 22-21, securing a win only when Freedom missed a last-second field goal. Missing standout running back Maurice Hagens (sore knee), Jameel Jackson and quarterback Angel Rodriguez combined to run for 185 yards and a score each. The district win gives Tech a head start in the Class 4A-11 race.
Up next: Hosting Riverview Spoto (0-4)
6. TAMPA HILLSBOROUGH (3-1): Does anyone play a tougher schedule than Hillsborough? The Terriers have already played No. 2 Chamberlain and have games remaining against No. 1 Armwood, No. 3 Plant and No. 5 Tampa Bay Tech. And Tampa Middleton was no picnic as Hillsborough needed a 47-yard touchdown pass from Tarean Austin to Lindsey Lamar to win 20-17.
Up next: Hosting Riverview (0-3)
7. DADE CITY PASCO (4-0): The Pasco duo of quarterback D.J. Clower and Chase Dunn hooked up six times for 92 yards, including a 6-yard scoring strike with 20 seconds as the Pirates topped Hudson 17-15. It hasn’t been a pretty start for Pasco, but it has been a perfect one as it stays unbeaten.
Up next: Hosting Brooksville Nature Coast (3-0)
8. TAMPA JESUIT (4-0): The Tigers might be the sneakiest 4-0 team in the Tampa Bay area. Jesuit’s defense has been outstanding this season, yielding an average of just seven points a game. And running back Robbie Garcia broke out last week for 121 yards rushing. Still, they will get a tough challenge in Tampa Gaither team better than its record.
Up next: at Tampa Gaither (1-3)
9. GIBSONTON EAST BAY (3-1): The Class 5A, District 7 opener was a tough one for East Bay. The Indians overcame a two-touchdown second-half deficit and pulled out an 18-17 win. And east Bay did it with star tailback Chaz Burrows nursing a bad ankle.
Up next: Hosting No. 2 Tampa Chamberlain
10. DUNEDIN (3-1): The Falcons take a fall after being upended by Clearwater Countryside 49-34. Dunedin’s Adaris Bellamy ran for 177 yards and two scores but the Falcon defense, which had only given up 16 points this season, was torched for 49 points. Dunedin had not given up more than 40 points since a 56-34 loss to St. Petersburg Gibbs in November 2004 (34 games ago).
Up next: Hosting No. 4 Largo
