Friday's football games
All at 7:30 unless noted
Robinson (7-0, 6-0) at Lakewood (7-0, 6-0)
The breakdown: Barring huge upsets the week after, this is for the Class 5A-8 district championship. Both teams play stifling defense. Robinson has allowed 37 points, Lakewood 16. Both teams have playmakers at quarterback and plenty of weapons at their disposal. On paper, it’s as even as it gets.
Who’s hot: In the Spartans’ biggest game of the season to date, receiver Marquez Valdes caught eight passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns last week in a 20-17 win over Jesuit.
Rodney Page’s pick: After an emotional win over Jesuit, it’s hard for Lakewood to do it again. Robinson 21-18.
Bob Putnam’s pick: Have a hunch the Spartans pull out low-scoring game. Lakewood 18-16.
Indian Rocks Christian (6-1, 6-1) at Carrollwood Day (7-1, 5-1)
The breakdown: The Golden Eagles can clinch their first district title with a win. The Patriots, meanwhile, are trying to secure their first postseason appearance.
Who’s hot: Last week, the Golden Eagles had three backs — Theo Anderson, Damian King and Zeke McGaughy — rush for at least 70 yards. Carrollwood Day’s Robert Davis is Hillsborough County’s leading rusher with 1,431 and 19 touchdowns.
Page: IRC can win this game. …next year. Carrollwood 38-21.
Putnam: Patriots have too much firepower. Carrollwood 35-31.
Countryside (2-6, 1-2) at Pinellas Park (5-2, 3-0)
The breakdown: This was supposed to be for the Class 7A, District 9 title. Now, the Cougars are all but playing for pride after having to forfeit six games because of an ineligible player. The Patriots, who can clinch the district title with a win, stayed within a touchdown in last year’s game.
Who’s hot: Countryside backup quarterback Robby Hicks has thrown for 356 yards and three touchdowns in the past two games.
Page: Hicks gets his first real test against a good Patriots defense. Pinellas Park 17-14
Putnam: Cougars take out their frustrations on likely missing the postseason. Countryside 28-13
Largo (7-0, 3-0) at Lakewood Ranch (5-2, 3-0)
The breakdown: The Packers can clinch their eighth straight district title with a win. Expect a heavy dose of Jarvis Stewart, who will take the load off quarterback Juwan Brown and his bruised shoulder.
Who’s hot: Stewart rushed for four touchdowns against Boca Ciega and now has 13 on the season.
Page: Lakewood Ranch hasn’t seen anything like the Packers. Largo 31-12.
Putnam: Packers grind up the yards and clock in another district win. Largo 28-7.
Lemon Bay (5-2) at Clearwater Central Catholic (6-1, 2-0)
The breakdown: After beating district rivals in consecutive games, the Marauders will try to avoid a letdown against a tough Manta Rays team. CCC will stick to same basic formula of balanced offense and stifling defense to win its seventh straight.
Who’s hot: The Marauders’ defense has recorded 40 sacks and has three players (Jordan Adderley, Caanan Brown and Branden Junk) with at least seven this season.
Page: Marauders are playing too well right now. CCC 28-14.
Putnam: Marauders come close to another shutout. CCC 24-3.
Northeast (6-2, 2-1) at Seminole (2-5, 1-2)
The breakdown: The Vikings have not played well the past three weeks, losing three straight by a combined score of 121-42. Northeast had six turnovers against Pinellas Park. Seminole has been outscored 239-58, so this should be where Northeast gets its running game back.
Who’s hot: Despite a turnover-filled game last week, Vikings quarterback Ryan Davis still has 1,395 yards passing and 455 yards rushing. Seminole running back Ra’Quanne Dickens rushed for 113 yards on 20 carries last week in a losing effort.
Page: With the Countryside forfeits, Vikings are motivated by new playoff hopes. Northeast 28-7.
Putnam: Ryan Davis gets the Vikings back on track. Northeast 27-14.
Boca Ciega (2-5, 0-3) at Tarpon Springs (3-5, 1-2)
The breakdown: After allowing 30 points or more in four straight losses, the Spongers get the perfect tonic for their ailing defense. The Pirates are averaging just 13 points per game.
Who’s hot: Tarpon Springs running back Michael Ford is approaching the 1,000-yard plateau and should reach it tonight.
Page: A very close game that eventually goes to the home team. Tarpon Springs 14-12.
Putnam: This is the week the Spongers play defense. Tarpon Springs 28-14.
Clearwater (2-5, 1-2) at St. Petersburg (3-4, 1-2)
The breakdown: The Green Devils have won two of their past three and could be dangerous right now. St. Petersburg will run, run, run, so the Clearwater defense will be tested.
Who’s hot: St. Petersburg running back Deangelo Reaves scored three times and rushed for 119 yards against Seminole.
Page: Green Devils run it on every single play and grind out a win. St. Petersburg 31-14.
Putnam: Green Devils continue to close season on a strong note. St. Petersburg 28-16.
Dixie Hollins (0-7, 0-3) at Osceola (5-3, 2-1)
The breakdown: If the Warriors win, they can secure a winning season and will play Lakewood Ranch the following week for a playoff spot.
Who’s hot: Osceola running back Daviel Clarke rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns against Tarpon Springs.
Page: Warriors are too much for Rebels. Osceola 28-6.
Putnam: This should be an easy one for the Warriors. Osceola 35-7
Jesuit (5-3, 5-2) at Gibbs (2-5, 2-4)
The breakdown: After two tough games against Lakewood and Robinson, the Gladiators slipped up against Middleton last week. Injuries and suspensions have taken a toll, and things don’t get any easier with Jesuit.
Who’s hot: Gibbs’ Emmanuel Stewart scored on a 45-yard run and a 72-yard pass last week against Middleton.
Page: Gladiators catch Jesuit at the wrong time. Jesuit 30-6.
Putnam: Tough time for the Gladiators to play this one. Jesuit 28-12.
Middleton (2-5, 2-4) at Dunedin (3-4, 3-3)
The breakdown: The Falcons can get back to .500 and stay in hunt for a winning season with a win against another struggling opponent.
Who’s hot: Tramaine Batten and Stancio Howard have powered Dunedin’s running game the past few weeks.
Page: Falcons’ running attack wears out Middleton. Dunedin 17-7.
Putnam: Second-half surge continues for Falcons. Dunedin 22-19.
Shorecrest (5-2) at Lakeland Christian (5-2), 7
The breakdown: This is a tough road game for the Chargers. The Vikings are coming off a narrow loss to Fort Meade and are sure to be in a nasty mood. But Shorecrest has won three straight.
Who’s hot: Chargers running back Aaren Johnson rushed for 152 yards and three touchdowns against Bishop McLaughlin last week.
Page: Vikings appear to have too much talent. Lakeland Christian 28-14.
Putnam: Toughest game for the Chargers this season. Lakeland Christian 24-13
St. Petersburg Catholic (3-4, 0-2) at Fort Myers Evangelical Christian (1-7), 7
The breakdown: This appears to be the Barons’ best chance for consecutive wins since the first two games of the season. The running game will be the key, and it looks to be getting much better for SPC.
Who’s hot: Tony Jones looks as if he’s taken over as the Barons’ leading rusher. He has a team-high 532 yards and scored three times last week.
Page: Barons’ running game rolls on. SPC 28-6.
Putnam: Barons get by with their skill players. SPC 27-21
Bradenton Christian (3-5, 3-3) at Calvary Christian (4-3, 4-2)
The breakdown: The Warriors can stay alive in the Class 2A-5 playoff race with a win. Calvary has to avoid letting Bradenton Christian get off to fast start.
Who’s hot: Last week the Warriors had three players — Allen Barnes, Derek Barnes and Danny Giordano — each rush for more than 100 yards against Keswick.
Page: Eagles have given up 40, 56 and 63 points in past three games. I’m going with the Warriors. Calvary 42-20.
Putnam: Warriors stick to ground game to keep winning. Calvary 35-27.
Admiral Farragut (7-1, 5-1) at Northside Christian (0-6, 0-5)
The breakdown: Teams on the opposite end of Class 2A-5. The Blue Jackets are still in the thick of the district race, and the Mustangs don’t seem to have the personnel to slow them down.
Who’s hot: With four touchdown passes last week, AFA quarterback Colby Robinson now has 19 for the season and only four interceptions.
Page: This has running clock written all over it. AFA 57-0.
Putnam: This could get ugly really fast. AFA 56-0.
Keswick Christian (1-6, 1-5) at Canterbury (1-6, 1-5), 7
The breakdown: Canterbury has played two back-to-back difficult district games against Carrollwood Day and Indian Rocks Christian. Keswick gave up 67 points to Calvary Christian last week. Something has to give.
Who’s hot: Keswick’s Adam Foster has rushed for 706 yards and seven touchdowns.
Page: Canterbury pulls it out late. Canterbury 20-17.
Putnam: Keswick’s playmakers do just enough. Keswick 31-28.