By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
Tampa Bay Second Round Playoff Pairings;
CLASS 5A
Wharton (9-2) at Chamberlain (10-1)
Wharton has won nine games in a row, led by standout quarterback Andrew Clifford and and runner/receiver/safety Jairus Jones (4 touchdowns last week against Tampa Alonso). Chamberlain quarterback Dontae Aycock ran for 196 yards and four touchdowns in opening round playoff dismantling of Gaither. Chamberlain topped Wharton 26-25 in playoffs last year.
St. Petersburg (9-2) at Largo (10-1)
A rematch of one of the best Pinellas games of the regular season. Largo, which advanced to the Class 5A final four last year, slipped past St. Petersburg 17-16 in the regular season. That was the last loss for St. Petersburg, which has ripped off seven straight wins, including the 20-10 playoff opener against Dunedin. Largo, with quarterback Ryan Eppes back in the lineup despite a rib injury, has won five in a row.
CLASS 4A
Plant (10-1) at Bradenton Southeast (9-2)
Winners of 10 straight games, the Panthers are rolling into the second round on the strength of a 67-7 thrashing of Lakewood. Plant quarterback Phillip Ely completed 17 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns in his first career playoff game. Southeast, meanwhile, scored a mild upset in the opening round, topping favored Jefferson 14-7.
Tampa Bay Tech (10-1) at Armwood (11-0)
The surprise story of the season, Tampa Bay Tech gets another shot at powerhouse Armwood. Tech has plenty of offensive standouts, notably quarterback Angel Rodriguez and running back Maurice Hagens. Armwood is a double threat – they score points in bunches and play outstanding, stingy defense. Their first meeting this year? A 45-6 Armwood smashing.
CLASS 3A
Gulf (10-1) at Pasco (10-1)
Cross-county rivals, this game between Pasco and Gulf mark the first time two Pasco County schools have ever faced each other in a playoff game. Their first meeting was a 21-20 thriller won by Pasco. Both teams are solid offensively but this match-up could very well come down to defense.
CLASS 2A
Mulberry (8-4) at Tampa Catholic (8-3)
Tampa Catholic opened the playoffs like a team with unfinished business. TC, the Class 2A state runner-up last year, scored 20 unanswered second half points to post a 27-9 come-from-behind victory against Riviera Beach Inlet Grove in the first round. In Mulberry, the Crusaders get a team they know well – TC topped Mulberry 24-13 in the regular season.
Tampa Bay First Round Playoff Results
CLASS 6A
Orlando Dr. Phillips 14, Durant 7
CLASS 5A
Lakeland 48, Valrico Bloomingdale 6
Kissimmee Osceola 21, Lithia Newsome 13
Tampa Wharton 35, Tampa Alonso 28
Largo 42, Clearwater Countryside 17
Tampa Chamberlain 54, Tampa Gaither 6
St. Petersburg 20, Dunedin 10
CLASS 4A
Tampa Plant 67, St. Petersburg Lakewood 7
Seffner Armwood 30, Winter Haven 14
Tampa Bay Tech 12, Auburndale 7
Daytona Beach Seabreeze 23, Land O’ Lakes 20
Bradenton Southeast 14, Tampa Jefferson 7
Merritt Island 28, Tarpon Springs 7
CLASS 3A
New Port Richey Gulf 49, Kissimmee St. Cloud 35
Dade City Pasco 37, Orlando Bishop Moore 20
Arcadia Desoto County 24, Riverview Spoto 6
CLASS 2A
Tampa Catholic 27, Riviera Beach Inlet Grove 9
CLASS A
Belle Glade Glades Day 35, Indian Rocks Christian 21
Orlando Pine Castle Christian 21, St. Petersburg Keswick Christian 14