Times’ super 7
1. Sunlake (3-0): The Seahawks’ dominant defense came up with nine sacks in a 15-0 win over Anclote. Springstead will present a different sort of challenge this week.
2. Pasco (2-1): If anyone needed a reminder of the Pirates’ offensive scoring power, they answered with 27 points in the third quarter of a 35-0 win against Wesley Chapel.
3. Zephyrhills (3-0): Devin Brockington is quietly putting up a very strong season. He had a touchdown catch called back by penalty, snagged one interception and broke up a pass in the end zone in a 17-9 win against Mitchell.
4. Springstead (2-1): Think the Eagles care that their first win (24-7) over Nature Coast in eight years came against a slightly depleted Sharks team?
5. Land O’Lakes (3-0): Any question over whether the Gators have put two rough seasons behind them?
6. Hernando (0-2): Now we’ll see whether the Leopards’ brutal non-district schedule will pay off as the race to the playoffs begins.
7. Mitchell (2-1): The Mustangs had their chances against Zephyrhills and held their own against one of Pasco County’s top teams. But the offensive struggles are a concern.
Audibles
“We’ve been escaping the last three games. We haven’t gotten it done yet. All the fumbles and mental things. That’s something we’ve got to fix by (this) week. …Maybe that’s the key. Maybe that’s the game we put it all together.” – Zephyrhills coach Reggie Roberts
“He’s starting to come into his own.” – Sunlake coach Bill Browning on breakout running back Nathan Johnson
Five performances worth mentioning again
WR Jordan Roberts, Zephyrhills: His coach estimated Roberts was limited to 65 percent of his speed because of a groin injury. The Bulldogs put him in one key play – and he snagged a 30-yard touchdown catch to help seal a 3-0 start.
QB Tyler Mahla, Springstead: He rushed for 187 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries to give the Eagles their first win over rival Nature Coast in eight seasons. He also finished 8-of-12 passing for 78 yards and averaged 38 yards per punt.
RB Nathan Johnson, Sunlake: The bruising junior controlled the game well, rushing for 164 yards and his team’s only two touchdowns in a shutout win over Anclote.
RB Noah Siegrist, Hudson: He led a dominant Cobras ground game, rushing for 235 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries, to lead Hudson to a 35-22 win over Weeki Wachee.
QB RJ Perciavalle, Bishop McLaughlin: The senior played well in a loss to Cambridge Christian, rushing for 84 yards and all three touchdowns while passing for 228 more yards.
By the numbers
4 – Touchdowns Friday night by Pasco ATH Malik Johns (two receiving, one rushing, one kickoff)
0 – Offensive touchdowns allowed by Sunlake through three games
105 – Rushing yards by Ra’shaad Hart for Hernando in a 26-6 loss to Citrus
864 – Passing yards by Land O’Lakes QB James Pensyl through three games
3 – Combined wins for all six teams in Class 5A, District 7. That’s two from Hudson and one from River Ridge
Three quick thoughts on Week 4
1. Pasco County’s first trip to Bushnell in a while will be a big one. Don’t be surprised if Zephyrhills’ matchup at South Sumter has playoff – or maybe district championship – implications.
2. The winner of Springstead-Sunlake also takes the pole position for a district title in Class 6A, District 6. Expect a lot of rushing yards and little scoring.
3. Despite being shut out in its first two games, River Ridge’s 21-14 victory over Wiregrass Ranch has the Royal Knights looking like playoff contenders. Seriously