Compiled By Rod Gipson
Max Preps.com
Not much movement among the top teams after one week of play.
In fact, all of the top six teams maintain their positions, including No. 2 Tampa Plant, despite its loss to No. 1 Seffner Armwood. The Plant offense was not clicking, going without a score, but the Panthers did manage to limit the prolific Armwood offense to just nine points in a game that went down to the wire.
Meanwhile, the bottom of the poll saw some shuffling and one team dropped out (Tampa Catholic) and another dropped in (St. Petersburg Gibbs). More changes could be in store with top 10 matchups between Plant and Tampa Gaither and Tampa Hillsborough and Tampa Alonso this week.
1. SEFFNER ARMWOOD (1-0)
The Hawks survived their latest battle of the century, holding off a late Plant drive in a 9-2 win against the Panthers before ESPNU’s cameras. Armwood’s stifling defense was all over Plant quarterback (and Georgia commitment) Aaron Murray, limiting him to 120 yards passing. Meanwhile, the Armwood offense did just enough, getting a first quarter TD pass from Mywan Jackson to Dykerius Cross.
Up next: Hosting Tampa Wharton (0-1)
2. TAMPA PLANT (0-1)
As frustrating and maddening as the loss to Armwood is for the Panthers, no one really thinks they won’t rebound and set their sights on the playoffs. The talent-rich Panthers still have the area’s best quarterback, plenty of weapons and what appears to be an improved defense. By the way, the last time a Plant offense did not score a touchdown in a game? October 29, 2004 (41 games ago), in a 49-0 loss to Armwood (of course).
Up next: At No. 10 Tampa Gaither (0-1)
3. TAMPA CHAMBERLAIN (1-0)
The Chiefs may be the team to watch as the season progresses. Chamberlain and coach Billy Turner, back for his 30th season at the north Tampa school, appear to have improved on their 9-4 region finalist team of a year ago. Evidence? A 45-13 opening-night thrashing of a good Gaither squad. Quarterback Dontae Aycock produced 228 yards of offense (115 rushing and 113 passing) and ran for two scores.
Up next: Hosting Tampa Middleton (1-0)
4. LARGO (1-0)
The Packers’ defense will pave the way this season, as shown by linebackers Mike Marry and Michael Lang. Marry posted eight tackles and Lang had a sack and a key interception to lead the Packers to a 12-0 win against Tarpon Springs East Lake. Largo tailback Marcel Durham ran for 82 yards while scoring the Packers two touchdowns. Largo appears up to the challenge of being the best team in Pinellas County although tests are looming (St. Petersburg on Sept. 26, Dunedin Oct. 3 and St. Petersburg Gibbs Nov. 7).
Up next: Hosting Palm Harbor University (0-1)
5. TAMPA HILLSBOROUGH (1-0)
The Terriers had one tough tangle against Tampa Jefferson, securing a 30-23 win only when a Jefferson fourth quarter pass fell incomplete with only seconds on the clock. Hillsborough has been through plenty of big games over the years and that experience no doubt helped. That and speedy tailback Lindsey Lamar, who had scoring runs of 85 and 35 yards. The only problem is that the Terriers’ rough schedule means they’ll get plenty more challenges.
Up next: Hosting No. 8 Tampa Alonso (1-0)
6. TAMPA BAY TECH (1-0)
The Titans are the latest contender in the ultra-competitive Class 4A, District 11, which also features Armwood, Hillsborough and Tampa Middleton. Tech may smash its way into contention with a potent ground game – the Titans rang up 265 yards rushing in last week’s 61-6 dismantling of Valrico Bloomingdale. Quarterback Angel Rodriguez ran for 107 yards and tailback Maurice Hagens produced 66 yards and two touchdowns.
Up next: Hosting Tampa Leto (1-0)
7. DUNEDIN (1-0)
The Falcons had a rough opening game against St. Petersburg Boca Ciega, never really getting their offense going in 14-9 victory. All-everything tailback Darius Bellamy was keyed upon and limited to 59 yards on 19 carries. But this could be a case of the Boca Ciega defense really playing above itself. Or at least that’s what Dunedin is hoping.
Up next: Hosting Seminole (0-1)
8. TAMPA ALONSO (1-0)
Alonso quietly has put together one of the better offenses in the area. Coach Mike Heldt released it last week and his pro-style set led by quarterback C.J. Bennett posted 364 yards. Bennett passed for 253 yards and two touchdowns. But how improved are the Ravens really? We’ll quickly find out this week when they face Hillsborough.
Up next: At No. 5 Hillsborough (1-0)
9. ST. PETERSBURG GIBBS (1-0)
The Gladiators have jumped onto the poll after being a team to watch throughout the summer. Gibbs posted a comeback win on opening night against St. Petersburg Lakewood, led by Jarvis West, who ran for 81 yards on just seven carries. West also added a touchdown on a 51-yard catch and run. Now if the Gladiators can compete with district contenders Largo and St. Petersburg, they may make a run at back-to-back playoff appearances, something the program hasn’t accomplished since 1993-94.
Up next: Hosting Clearwater Countryside (1-0)
10. TAMPA GAITHER (0-1)
The Cowboys struggled in their opener against No. 3 Chamberlain, falling 45-13. Granted, Gaither was without their No. 1 offensive weapon, running back Jarvis Giles, who was resting a sore groin, but the Cowboys will have to get up to speed quickly to avoid a repeat of last season’s 0-2 start. They were able to rally and overcome that a year ago but coach Mark Kantor doesn’t want to go that route again.
Up next: No. 2 Tampa Plant (0-1)
ON DECK
Clearwater Central Catholic (1-0)
Dade City Pasco (1-0)
Tampa Middleton (1-0)
St. Petersburg (1-0)
Brandon (1-0)
Plant City Durant (1-0)
St. Petersburg Northeast (1-0)
New Port Richey Ridgewood (1-0)
Tampa Wharton (0-1)
Tampa Catholic (0-1)