By: Ross Van De Griek
1. Lakeland (1-0)
Last Week: Defeated Manatee, 45-0
This Week: vs American Collegiate Academy
The reigning 2018 class 7A champions did not miss a beat on Friday night, as they cruised past Manatee, 45-0. Lakeland running back & Clemson commit DeMarkcus Bowman said after the game, "we didn't even play the best to our potential." Bowman did not play in the 2nd half, as Lakeland was already leading 31-0 at the half. The Dreadnaught defense held Manatee to just 34 total yards for the entire game.
2. Armwood (1-0)
Last Week: Defeated Plant, 38-3
This Week: at North Gwinnett (GA)
Armwood cruised to a 1-0 start to the 2019 season, by thumping their in-county rivals Plant, 38-3 on Friday night. Junior quarterback Cam'ron Ransom played the 1st half, as he went 5/7, for 188 passing yards & 2 touchdowns. Armwood led 38-0 at the half, where it was the largest halftime lead vs Plant, under head coach Evan Davis. The Hawks sat their starters for the 2nd half, to get ready for another test next week at Georgia powerhouse North Gwinnett.
3. Berkeley Prep (1-0)
Last Week: Defeated Clearwater Central Catholic, 21-14
This Week: at Calvary Christian
Berkeley Prep got their revenge of Clearwater Central Catholic last week, defeating the Marauders, 21-14. It was Berkeley Prep's first win over Clearwater Central Catholic since 2011 (previously had a 6 game losing streak vs CCC). Sophomore running back Xavier Townsend had a team high 95 rushing yards, on 20 carries & had a touchdown. Berkeley Prep Junior quarterback Gavin Rupp went 10/14, for 175 passing yards & had a touchdown pass, but was picked off twice.
4. Tampa Catholic (1-0)
Last Week: Defeated Palmetto Ridge, 23-0
This Week: vs Cardinal Mooney
Tampa Catholic got off to a good start to their 2019 season, defeating Palmetto Ridge 23-0. Tampa Catholic senior quarterback Dylan McCain went 9/13, for 150 passing yards & threw for 2 touchdowns. Junior running back Raphael Ekechi led the Crusaders with 70 rushing yards on Friday night. Tampa Catholic senior linebacker Mikey Gonzalez led on the defensive side of the ball, with 15 total tackles.
5. Tampa Bay Tech (1-0)
Last Week: Defeated Chamberlain, 25-0
This Week: vs Plant City
Last week, the Tampa Bay Titans got off to a 1-0 start, defeating Chamberlain 25-0. Senior running back Osmanis Aguilera led the Titans, with 114 rushing yards on 17 carries & had 2 rushing touchdowns. The entire Tampa Bay Tech defense contributed in the win, led by junior safety Steven Parker who had 9 tackles in the win. Chamberlain's loss snapped a 6 game win streak, dating back to the 2018 season.
6. Plant (0-1)
Last Week: Lost to Armwood, 38-3
This Week: at Gaither
Last week, Plant was outworked, outmatched, outplayed & outcoached, according to Plant head coach Robert Weiner. Just 46 seconds into the game, Plant found themselves facing an early deficit, after Armwood's Jalil Core had a 22 yard fumble return on just the second play from scrimmage. Plant will work to respond in another early season test, traveling to Gaither High School on Friday night.
7. River Ridge (1-0)
Last Week: Defeated Crystal River, 25-0
This Week: vs Mitchell
It's rivalry week for River Ridge, as they will face the school that's 9 miles south of them, which is known as Mitchell. Although River Ridge has lost each of the last 3 meetings, against their rival, each game has been a defensive battle including last year's 14-0 loss at Mitchell last season. The previous 3 games River Ridge has given up a total of just 14 points, dating back to last season.
8. Plant City (1-0)
Last Week: Defeated Jesuit, 37-29
This Week: @ Tampa Bay Tech
Plant City senior quarterback Makenzie Kennedy got off to a great start to his 2019 & possible final season playing football. Kennedy went 9/19, for 257 passing yards & had 4 passing touchdowns, against a "very tough" Jesuit defense, according to Plant City head football coach James Booth. Plant City senior running back Zamir Knighten led in rushing, as he had 143 rushing yards on 20 carries & also had a rushing touchdown. Plant City now heads to face a "tough & physical" defense in Tampa Bay Tech on Friday night.
9. Gaither (1-0)
Last Week: Defeated Jefferson, 36-14
This Week: vs Plant
Gaither senior quarterback Tony Bartolo, went 16/25, for 270 passing yards & had 4 touchdown passes on Friday night at Jefferson. USF commit Chance Coleman led the Cowboys, with 90 rushing yards on 12 carries & also had a rushing touchdown. Sophomore defensive end Mario Eugenio led the defense, with 9 total tackles & 2 tackles for loss on Friday night. Gaither will have no easy task on Friday night, as they welcome a tough Plant (0-1) team.
10. Nature Coast (1-0)
Last Week: Defeated East Lake, 32-25
This Week: vs South Sumter
Nature Coast passed a very early season test, as they start the 2019 season on the winning side, as they defeated East Lake 32-25 on Friday night at The Shark Tank. Both quarterbacks Fabian Burnett & Vaughn Sykora contributed in the win, going a combined 8/11, for 182 passing yards & had 2 touchdown passes. Nature Coast junior wide receiver Dedric Hall had 2 catches for 123 receiving yards in the win. Nature Coast senior linebacker Michyl Shaw had 13 total tackles & 2 tackles for loss. Nature Coast will welcome South Sumter to The Shark Tank on Friday night.
On The Bubble: Calvary Christian (1-0), East Lake (0-1), Hillsborough (1-0), Jesuit (0-1), Mitchell (1-0), Wiregrass Ranch (1-0)
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