Compiled By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
1. SEFFNER ARMWOOD (5-0) – The Hawks stayed unbeaten after a 41-0 dismantling of Tampa Jefferson. Quarterback Mywan Jackson tossed three touchdown passes and ran for another. Armwood is now ranked third in the state in the MaxPreps Florida rankings.
Up next: Hosting No. 5 Tampa Bay Tech (5-0)
2. TAMPA CHAMBERLAIN (5-0) – The Chiefs’ offense got two touchdown passes from Dontae Aycock to Anthony Williams and the rock-solid Chamberlain defense plugged up No. 10 East Bay’s option attack offense to post a 21-6 win. The Chiefs, who open Class 5A, District 6 play against Tampa Sickles next week, are cruising toward a 10th-straight state playoff appearance.
Up next: at Tampa Sickles (1-4)
3. TAMPA PLANT (3-1) – The Panthers were off last week, giving them time to crunch their skyrocketing offensive numbers. QB Aaron Murray has completed 60 percent of his passes with 19 touchdowns and just two interceptions. His top targets have been Allen Sampson (20 catches, 451 yards, 5 TDs) and Orson Charles (18 catches, 394 yards, 6 TDs).
Up next: Hosting Tampa Blake (0-5)
4. LARGO (4-0) – The Packers won the unofficial battle of Pinellas County, defeating rival Dunedin 19-7. Largo linebacker Mike Marry and teammates got the best of standout Dunedin tailback Adaris Bellamy, limiting him to 45 yards on 10 carries. Largo has won 28 of its last 29 regular season games.
Up next: Hosting Pinellas Park (0-4)
5. TAMPA BAY TECH (5-0) – The Titans’ perfect start has all been preparation for this week’s showdown with Class 4A, District 11 rival and No. 1 Armwood. Tech, who got bruising running back Maurice Hagens back from a minor knee injury last week, tuned up with a 14-6 win against Riverview Spoto. Tech has scored 159 points this season while its defense has yielded just 59 in five games.
Up next: at No. 1 Armwood (5-0)
6. TAMPA HILLSBOROUGH (4-1) – The Terriers have designs on the Class 4A-11 title as well and will definitely be a player in that race. The Terriers opened district play this week off a 61-14 thumping of Riverview. QB Tarean Austin threw three touchdowns and tailback Lindsey Lamar ran for three touchdowns.
Up next: Hosting Freedom (1-3)
7. NEW PORT RICHEY GULF (5-0) – Running back Adrian Golden ran for 432 yards and scored six touchdowns Gulf’s 52-28 win against neighborhood rival New Port Richey Ridgewood. The Buccaneers are outscoring their opponents 40-5 this season.
Up next: at Land O’ Lakes Sunlake (1-3)
8. TAMPA ALONSO (4-1) – Alonso quarterback C.J. Bennett doesn’t garner the press that the quarterbacks do at Plant and Chamberlain but his numbers certainly warrant it. Bennett tossed three more touchdowns last week as the Ravens won 27-15 against Freedom to pick up their third straight win. Bennett has thrown for more than 1,000 yards this season with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Up next: at Tampa King (1-3)
9. GIBSONTON EAST BAY (3-2) – The Indians controlled the opening half of their game against no. 2 Chamberlain. Too bad there were two halves. East Bay couldn’t stop the Chiefs’ passing attack and ended up on the down side of a 15-point loss. Still, to lead as long as they did and slow down the potent Chamberlain attack, shows just how solid the East Bay team is. And they’re still the team to beat in Class 5A, District 7.
Up next: at Plant City (2-3)
10. TARPON SPRINGS (4-0) – The Spongers have played excellent football this season, including in its 15-14 win against Clearwater Countryside. It took a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter but Tarpon Springs stays unbeaten and crashes into the Top Ten.
Up next: at Land O’ Lakes (3-2)
THE NEXT BEST...
Dade City Pasco (4-1)
Tampa Jesuit (4-1)
Dunedin (3-2)
Clearwater Central Catholic (3-2)
St. Petersburg Lakewood (3-1)
Tampa Berkeley Prep (3-1)
Clearwater Countryside (3-2)
Indian Rocks Christian (5-0)
St. Petersburg Gibbs (3-2)
Tampa Wharton (3-2)