This week's football top 25, as Wharton and Gaither take big falls, Newsome continues to surprise and Robinson hangs on ...barely.
1. Plant (1-0-1)
Last week: No. 1, beat Robinson 28-7.
Cotey says: Not only did the Panthers win, I think they actually distanced themselves from the rest of the field. Plant may still be a work in progress, but does anyone question their spot atop the poll?
2. Armwood (2-0)
Last week: No. 3, beat Blake 32-6.
Cotey says: Welcome to 2006-2012, where Plant and Armwood are once again Nos. 1 and 2. The Hawks didn't post as dominant a victory as you might expect over Blake, but they were without their starting quarterback.
Last week: No. 4, beat Hillsborough 28-23.
Cotey says: After blowng a 21-0 lead last year and losing to the Terriers, the Dragons exacted revenge and more importantly, put a dark day behind them. Will this be the game we point to in December as the moment that defined the 2013 season?
4. East Lake (2-0)
Last week: No. 5, beat Largo 22-0.
Cotey says: I'm going to to go out on a limb here and say if the Eagles keep rushing for more than 240 yards a game and holding the other team to zero points, they will go 10-0. Personally, I'm looking toward the day they don't to see what the Eagles really have.
5. Sickles (2-0)
Last week: No. 6, beat Durant 28-0.
Cotey says: If I don't see "Our RB is putting up cRay cRay numbers" T-shirts, or something like that, by the end of the season at Sickles, well, then I just don't know you people.
6. Largo (1-1)
Last week: No. 2, lost to East Lake 22-0.
Cotey says: That may have been the least disturbing 22-0 loss in the history of Largo football last week. I mean, when I saw the water boy pitch out to the team trainer for a 2-yard loss -- because the ball boy totally missed his block, by the way -- in the third quarter, I pretty much know it was over for the short-handed Packers. But if quarterback Donavan Hale had been able to return after halftime? Hmmm....
7. Lakewood (1-1)
Last week: No. 8, beat Palmetto 20-13.
Cotey says: Here's the deal: the Spartans are going to be one of those maddening teams in 2013. Tons of talent, but games where they look all wrong for one half, and all right for the other. You're just going to have to deal with it. Sit back and enjoy the ride, because the day they figure it out, boom goes the dynamite.
8. Pinellas Park (2-0)
Last week: No. 9, beat Gibbs 40-6.
Cotey says: Last week I used the word "sexy" in a sentence with Kenny Crawford, and was asked by a half-dozen county coaches to please never do that again. I apologize. But the sentiment stands, as the Patriots' rushing attack -- two scores by Donte Maxson and Oscee Calhoun last week -- caps another decisive win. I'm going to give you a tip, so pay attention: Oct. 25, circle it on your calendar and be at East Lake. That is all.
9. Newsome (2-0)
Last week: No. 14, beat Gaither 38-7.
Cotey says: If Newsome was in Class 7A-7 with Tech, Gaither and Sickles, this week's game would essentially be for the district title. But they're not, so the Cowboys and Titans have that to be grateful for that. (And somewhere, Alonso and Wharton just gulped. Hard.)
10. Countryside (2-0)
Last week: No. 12, beat Bradenton Southeast 16-6.
Cotey says: The 15-13 and 16-6 scores may look like bad Little League baseball scores -- at least from the teams I've coached -- but they are probably more indicative of the two things that might just carry the Cougars into the postseason: a terrific defense and even better coaching staff.
Last week: No. 16, beat Wharton 33-0.
12. Tampa Catholic (1-1)
Last week: No. 17, beat Clearwater Central Catholic 13-10 in overtime.
Cotey says: Tre Watson said his pregame jam was a Roy Jones Jr. song, and after the Crusader's win over then-No. 5 CCC, sales of "Can't Be Touched" rocketed to No. 1 on the iTunes charts. Okay, not really. I made that up to make Watson feel better about his choice of music. Not that he needs any help feeling better after the Crusaders' huge victory.
13. Clearwater Central Catholic (1-1)
Last week: No 5, lost to Tampa Catholic 13-10 in overtime.
Cotey says: Since many will be writing the Marauders off now, I would suggest Roy Jones Jr.'s "Y'all Must've Forgot" for the CCC playlist. You'll have to trust me on this.
14. Tampa Bay Tech (0-1)
Last week: No. 15, DNP.
Cotey says: Tech is still looking for its first win, and who better to get things going against than the team that knocked you out of the playoffs last season 34-7.
15. Pasco (1-1)
Last week: No. 18, beat Fivay 50-6.
Cotey says: Grrrrr. You wouldn't like me when I'm mad. Grrrrrr.
16. Hillsborough (0-1)
Last week: No. 13, lost to Jefferson 28-23.
Cotey says: Terriers' effort in almost upsetting Jefferson raised a few questions, namely -- is Dwayne Lawson going to be the best football player in Tampa Bay by 2016? Or sooner?
17. Sunlake (2-0)
Last week: No. 20, beat River Ridge 25-0.
Cotey says: The Seahawks have given up one touchdown on special teams. On defense? Zero.
18. Gaither (1-1)
Last week: No. 10, lost to Newsome 38-7.
Cotey says: Here is your WOW! stat of the week: in its last three games that counted, dating to last year's playoff game, the Cowboys have lost twice to Newsome by a 90-14 margin.
19. Wharton (1-1)
Last week: No. 11, lost to Plant City 33-0.
Cotey says: The Wildcats need to put last week's embarrassment behind them and get ready for the big New Tampa showdown with Freedom. Loser can't show their faces at Twistee Treat for a week.
20. St. Petersburg (2-0)
Last week: No. 22, beat Clearwater 44-7.
Cotey says: The Green Devils have tuned up for this week's game against Lakewood by outscoring opponents 77-7.
21. Tarpon Springs (2-0)
Last week: No. 23, beat Osceola 21-17.
Cotey says: The Spongers may be inching their way back toward their glory days.
22. Berkeley Prep (2-0)
Last week: No. 24, beat Victory Christian 27-22.
Cotey says: At least one of the Bucs teams in Tampa Bay managed to hold on to their lead.
23. Alonso (1-1)
Last week: No. 19, beat Steinbrenner 12-6.
Cotey says: Tough team to figure out so far. But this week's battle with East Bay will be for this spot in the poll. Just throwing that out there.
24. Jesuit (1-1)
Last week: No. 25, beat Lakewood Ranch 31-7.
Cotey says: Lakewood Ranch scored 55 points the week before vs. Bradenton Southeast, then just seven last week. That's impressive, Tigers.
25. Robinson (0-2)
Last week: No. 21, lost toPlant 28-7.
Cotey says: The Knights have hung tough in a pair of 21-point losses. But yeah, we're being generous because, man, that schedule. And we still think the Knights would beat anyone that's knocking on the door.
Knocking on the door: St. Petersburg Catholic, East Bay, Land O' Lakes, Zephyrhills, Hernando, King.