A midseason look at the Tampa Bay prep football scene

The prep football season has reached the midway point for all teams in the Tampa Bay area. And as the playoff push arrives in the next couple of weeks, several teams and players throughout the area have posted outstanding performances.

Here’s a look at a few of them:

Jefferson (Tampa) quarterback Quentin Williams is well known for his offensive exploits. But he is not doing it alone. Eight Dragons players have offensive touchdowns and his two main receiving targets, Andre Davis and Chris Moore, have a combined 1,188 yards and 13 touchdowns through six games.

Sickles (Tampa) running back Carey White helped salvage the Gryphons' season last week with a 244-yard rushing performance. White’s 64-yard touchdown run in fourth quarter capped a 17-16 Class 4A, District 10 comeback win against Boca Ciega (St. Petersburg) and kept Sickles in the playoff hunt.

St. Petersburg is one of 10 undefeated teams in the Bay area. St. Pete largely is unbeaten due to standout senior running back Rashad Lewis. In last week’s 49-20 win against rival Gibbs (St. Petersburg), Lewis ran for 220 yards and five touchdowns.

That performance gives him 931 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season. Will he reach 2,000?

Speaking of unbeaten squads, the others are: Countryside (Clearwater), Jesuit (Tampa) and Brandon at 6-0 and Armwood (Seffner), Pasco (Dade City), Land O'Lakes, Sunlake (Land O'Lakes) and Class B Admiral Farragut (St. Petersburg) at 5-0.

Spoto (Riverview) is not among the unbeatens but at 5-1 the Spartans are in a prime spot for a playoff berth.  Spoto quarterback Nick Addison threw for 267 yards last week in a 54-0 win against St. Petersburg Dixie Hollins. Addison has 20 touchdowns on the season. Fourteen of those scores have gone to his favorite target, wideout Tyron Baker.

Spoto has outscored its opponents 185-8 during its last four games. Spoto and Jefferson square off on Oct. 22 in a game that will most likely decide the Class 3A-8 district championship.

And as prolific as Armwood’s offense is, its defense is on a marvelous pace this season. The Hawks have allowed 13 points in five games this season with three shutouts. Through five games during the 2009 season, Armwood had allowed 32 points. The Hawks, who went 12-2 last season, finished the regular season with 66 points allowed and four shutouts.


BEST OF THE BAY AREA
Armwood (Seffner) 5-0 – A potent offense and a stingy defense (13 points allowed this season) on display in 41-0 drubbing of King (Tampa). Hosting Tampa Chamberlain this week.

Jefferson (Tampa) 6-0 – Earned huge 50-14 win in Class 3A-8 district showdown with St. Petersburg Lakewood. Dragons have earned this week’s bye.

St. Petersburg 5-0 – Tailback Rashad Lewis ran for 220 yards and five TDs as the Green Devils thrashed rival Gibbs (St. Petersburg) 49-20. Hosting Boca Ciega (St. Petersburg).

Brandon 6-0 – The hard-running Eagles continue to pound out victories and are off to their best start since 1985 after topping Wharton 48-20. Off this week.

Countryside (Clearwater) 5-0 – Fought its way to a 21-6 win against rival Clearwater. Hosts Tarpon Springs next.

Robinson (Tampa) 4-1 – The Knights outrushed Newsome (Lithia) to earn a 28-14 victory. Hosts St. Petersburg Catholic next.

Jesuit (Tampa) 6-0 – Tigers stayed undefeated with big 42-7 win against Lennard (Ruskin). Tigers play at Strawberry Crest (Dover) this week.

Plant (Tampa) 4-2 – Defending 5A champs outlasted a game Gaither squad 24-16. Hosts Spoto (Riverview) this week.

Land O'Lakes 5-0 – Quarterback Stephen Weatherford threw for five touchdowns in a 50-7 blasting of Anclote (Holiday). Hosts Wesley Chapel Friday.

Pasco (Dade City) 5-0 – Clicking on all offensive cylinders after 45-13 win at Gulf (New Port Richey). Next up: Anclote.

Coming on strong: Largo (5-1), Tampa Bay Tech (4-2), Hillsborough (Tampa) (4-2), Berkeley Prep (Tampa) (5-1), Sickles (Tampa) (4-2).

RECRUITING UPDATE
Jefferson quarterback Quentin Williams has verbally committed to Division I-AA Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla. With 1,844 yards passing this season and 25 touchdown passes, Williams is approaching multiple local season and career passing marks.

In reach are the season record of 51 touchdown passes, set by current Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray (Plant), the season yards mark of 4,343 set by current Purdue quarterback Robert Marve (Plant) and the career yardage record of 8,018 set by current South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia (Jefferson).

Williams had previously received offers from Towson State and Florida International.

Also, Plant (Tampa) baseball pitcher Max Rowe has verbally committed to South Florida. Sickles (Tampa) shooting guard Rashawn Rembert has committed to East Tennessee, Tampa Prep volleyball outside hitter Gabby Fernandez verbally committed to Division II Northern Kentucky and 6-foot-5 Riverview junior volleyball middle blocker Sarah Burrington has verbally committed to Florida State.

In the scholarship offers department, Plant City quarterback Bennie Coney has received an offer from Florida State while Robinson (Tampa) defensive back/receiver/kick returner standout Frankie Williams has an offer from Mississippi.

And linebacker Anthony Harrell, who already has 25-plus Division I scholarship offers, has new offers from West Virginia, in addition to Vanderbilt, South Florida and North Carolina State.