Friday's football games
All at 7:30
Palm Harbor University (7-1, 2-0) at East Lake (7-1, 2-0)
The breakdown: For the second straight season, this game decides the champion and runnerup in Class 8A, District 7. The Eagles’ offense has everyone healthy and the passing game has put up monster numbers the past two games. For the Hurricanes to stay in the game, they have to run the ball and control the clock as much as possible.
Who’s hot: Jonah Fiskaa has emerged as PHU’s workhorse back, rushing for 771 yards and five touchdowns this season. East Lake quarterback Pete DiNovo has thrown for a combined 606 yards and nine touchdowns in his past two games.
Rodney Page’s pick: DiNovo and the Eagles are too much. East Lake 28-21.
Bob Putnam’s pick: The Eagles are getting healthy when it matters most. East Lake 24-17.
Osceola (6-3, 3-1) at Lakewood Ranch (5-3, 3-1)
The breakdown: The winner makes the playoffs as the Class 6A, District 7 runnerup. The loser misses out. For the Warriors it is their first chance to make the postseason since 2006. Expect a quick game with both relying almost exclusively on the running game.
Who’s hot: You can pick any of eight running backs who have helped the Warriors average nearly 200 yards per game on the ground. Austin Lawrence leads Osceola’s secondary with six interceptions.
Page: This will be very close. Lakewood Ranch 17-16.
Putnam: The Warriors' sixth straight victory will be a special one. Osceola 21-14.
Countryside (3-6, 2-2) at St. Petersburg (4-4, 2-2)
The breakdown: Barring a miracle, this is the last game for the Cougars’ 24 seniors. Countryside would like nothing better than to end its season on a bright note with a resounding win. To do that, the Cougars will have to get past a Green Devils team that has won three of its past four.
Who’s hot: The Cougars have three backs — Mike Jerrido (670 yards), Ryan Yates (388) and Mike Flory (337) — who have more than 300 yards this season. Green Devils running back Deangelo Reaves has rushed for more than 120 yards in four of the past five games.
Page: Cougars will go out with a bang. Countryside 28-7.
Putnam: Cougars have played as well as any team in the county the past seven weeks. Countryside 35-13.
Carrollwood Day (8-1, 6-1) at Calvary Christian (5-3, 5-2)
The breakdown: The Warriors can clinch not only their first winning season but also their first playoff appearance with a win. It is a tough task considering Carrollwood Day is starting to get healthy with the return of Robert Davis.
Who’s hot: Davis is the Patriots’ best weapon and the leading rusher in Tampa Bay with 1,602 yards and 21 TDs. Derek Barnes scored four rushing touchdowns for the Warriors last week and has 12 on the season.
Page: Davis runs wild. CDS 37-7.
Putnam: Feel-good story doesn’t end well for the Warriors. CDS 42-28.
Largo (8-0, 4-0) at Tarpon Springs (3-6, 1-3)
The breakdown: At the beginning of the season, this was the game many thought would determine playoff spots in 6A-7. The Packers have already clinched their eighth straight district title and have allowed a combined 17 points in their past four games. The Spongers, meanwhile, are struggling with injuries and inexperience in dropping five straight.
Who’s hot: Largo running back Jarvis Stewart has rushed for 100 yards in six straight games. Tarpon Springs athlete Kenyatta Merriex is approaching 1,000 yards combined rushing and receiving.
Page: Spongers are getting the Packers at the wrong time. Largo 32-13.
Putnam: Bad week for the Spongers’ defense to try and rebound. Largo 48-10
Admiral Farragut (8-1, 6-1) at Cambridge (5-4, 3-4)
The breakdown: All the Blue Jackets have to do is win to clinch the Class 2A, District 5 title.
Who’s hot: AFA’s Brad Hyman-Muhammad has more than 800 yards receiving and nine touchdowns. The Blue Jackets will try to get off to a fast start by relying on an offense that is averaging 34 points per game.
Page: With a title on the line, no way Blue Jackets stumble. AFA 30-14.
Putnam: Despite some injuries, Blue Jackets cruise in district finale. AFA 38-14.
St. Petersburg Catholic (3-5, 0-2) at Clearwater Central Catholic (7-1, 2-0)
The breakdown: The Marauders, who have already clinched the district title, are trying to win their sixth straight in this series. The Barons are averaging 227 yards rushing per game and will need to move the ball on the ground to keep CCC’s high-octane offense off the field.
Who’s hot: Marauders receiver Trey Larry has big-play ability with at least one reception, rushing attempt and punt return of 60 yards or longer.
Page: Marauders are not going to let up on their rival. CCC 35-3.
Putnam: Marauders will not take their biggest rival for granted. CCC 28-0.
Northeast (7-2, 3-1) at Clearwater (2-6, 1-3)
The breakdown: Thanks to forfeits by Countryside, the Vikings are in position to make the playoffs with a win. After starting 2-3, the Tornadoes have lost three straight.
Who’s hot: Northeast running back Keith Harrington has more than 400 yards rushing and receiving.
Page: It will be closer than most think, but Vikings get by. Northeast 24-21.
Putnam: Vikings gets it together to make the playoffs. Northeast 35-21.
Lakewood (7-1, 6-1) at Spoto (3-5, 3-4)
The breakdown: There is incentive for Lakewood, which lost this game last year during a four-game skid to close the season. Lakewood doesn’t want that to happen again.
Who’s hot: Lakewood defensive back Shaquill Griffin has been the leader of a stingy defense and came up with a crucial blocked field goal against Jesuit two weeks ago.
Page: Lakewood’s Rodney Adams runs wild out of the Wildcat. Lakewood 42-7.
Putnam: Lakewood exacts revenge. Lakewood 27-0.
Dixie Hollins (0-8, 0-4) at Boca Ciega (3-5, 1-3)
The breakdown: After struggling through the first half of the season, the Pirates have won two of their past three games. The momentum continues against the Rebels, who are just hoping to finish the season as quickly as possible.
Who’s hot: Boca Ciega running back Denzal Dillard has come on the past three weeks and was key in the Pirates’ win over Tarpon Springs last week.
Page: Pirates gain some momentum for next season. Boca Ciega 17-6.
Putnam: Pirates move one step closer to reaching .500. Boca Ciega 21-14.
Northside Christian (0-7, 0-6) at Canterbury (2-6, 2-5), 7
The breakdown: Healthy the past few weeks, the Crusaders are playing their best football of the season and can win their second straight tonight.
Who’s hot: Canterbury running back PJ Franklin reached the 1,000-yard plateau last week.
Page: Crusaders make it two straight. Canterbury 28-0.
Putnam: Crusaders take advantage of soft part of their schedule. Canterbury 35-7.
Shorecrest (5-3) at Indian Rocks Christian (6-2, 6-2)
The breakdown: The Chargers’ quest for their first winning season since 2008 hits another stumbling block against a formidable opponent. The Golden Eagles, who still have slim playoff chances, had their six-game win streak snapped and are looking to get back on track.
Who’s hot: IRC athlete Damian King leads the team with 10 touchdowns (six rushing, four receiving).
Page: IRC will run, run, run past Shorecrest. IRC 31-20.
Putnam: Golden Eagles take out their frustrations from last week’s loss in this one. IRC 42-17.
Dunedin (4-4, 4-3) at Lennard (0-8, 0-6)
The breakdown: After getting through the brutal part of their schedule, the Falcons get some relief and have a great shot at their first winning season since 2008 considering their final two games are against winless teams.
Who’s hot: Dunedin’s defense has been tough and is led by Sam Miller and Robert Hedgeman, who each had a turnover in last week’s game.
Page: Falcons keep Lennard winless. Dunedin 35-14.
Putnam: Falcons continue to cruise. Dunedin 28-7.
Seminole (2-6, 1-3) at Pinellas Park (5-3, 3-1)
The breakdown: All the Patriots have to do is win and they are the Class 7A, District 9 champions. That shouldn’t be too hard against the struggling Warhawks.
Who’s hot: Pinellas Park running back Pierre Johnson has become the workhorse back the team needed in its run-heavy attack.
Page: Warhawks will scare the Patriots, but won’t beat them. Pinellas Park 21-18.
Putnam: Hard to imagine the Patriots losing this one. Pinellas Park 35-6.
Gibbs (2-6, 2-5) at Blake (3-6, 2-5)
The breakdown: After five straight losses, Gladiators can rebound with a win over Blake. That could be tough considering the Yellow Jackets have won two of their past three.
Who’s hot: Gibbs running back Emmanuel Stewart has 297 yards rushing and 214 receiving.
Page: The Gladiators’ talent will finally show up. Gibbs 26-20.
Putnam: It’s another close loss for the Gladiators. Blake 27-26.
Bradenton Christian (3-6, 3-4) at Keswick Christian (1-7, 1-6)
The breakdown: Crusaders will avoid the cellar in Class 2A-5 but a win here is probably out of reach.
Who’s hot: Keswick running back Adam Foster is averaging 95 yards per game.
Page: Crusaders drop a close one. Bradenton Christian 14-10.
Putnam: Crusaders fall behind quickly. Bradenton Christian 28-14.