Can’t-miss matchups
Tarpon Springs (3-1, 1-0) at East Lake (4-0, 1-0)
Breakdown: The Eagles have owned this rivalry recently with a school-record four straight wins. East Lake has a good shot at keeping that streak going considering it has outscored opponents a combined 180-16 this season and is coming off a win against Clearwater in which the offense set school records for most points in a game (61) and a half (54). Tarpon Springs, meanwhile, is dealing with numerous injuries and will be without running back Michael Ford (shoulder) a second straight week.
Who’s hot: Tarpon Springs running back Montel Johnson had 215 all-purpose yards and scored twice in last week’s win against Dunedin. East Lake receiver George Campbell is averaging nearly 30 yards per reception.
Rodney Page’s pick: Closer than expected, but the Eagles pull it out. East Lake, 27-21
Bob Putnam’s pick: Spongers are too beat up to pull this one out. East Lake, 31-14
Largo (3-1, 0-0) at Lakewood (3-1, 1-0), 7
Breakdown: These teams have not played each other since 2008, and Lakewood won in the final minutes, 32-24. It could be the same thing, five years later. Both teams have question marks at quarterback. Largo’ Donavan Hale may return after missing two games with a sprained ankle. Lakewood’s Ryan Davis was replaced for part of last week’s game against Gibbs by Jocqui Ellison. Both teams are loaded with athletes.
Who’s hot: Ellison rallied the Spartans last week. He was 5-for-7 passing and also had two big runs. Largo’s Jarvis Stewart rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns against Jesuit.
Page: Lakewood tends to play to its opponent’s level, but not quite to the Packers’ level. Largo, 23-18
Putnam: Packers prevail with run game, defense. Largo, 21-14
Trinity Catholic (3-1, 0-0) at Clearwater Central Catholic (3-1, 1-0)
Breakdown: This is another tough test for the Marauders, who are facing a state-ranked opponent in the same classification (3A) for the second time in four games. The Celtics have a significant size advantage up front with four players on the offensive and defensive lines who weigh at least 295 pounds. CCC didn’t get much work in last week, scoring 46 points on just 11 offensive plays in a district win over Shorecrest.
Who’s hot: Trinity Catholic’s Johnnie Taylor has rushed for team-high 458 yards. CCC running back Diquan Walker has 343 yards rushing and is averaging more than 7 yards per carry.
Page: Marauders pull it out, barely. CCC, 20-17
Putnam: Defense comes through for the Marauders. CCC, 24-14
Boca Ciega (1-3, 0-0) at St. Petersburg (2-1, 0-0)
Page: Green Devils are rested and ready to run. St. Petersburg, 28-7
Putnam: This one should be over quickly. St. Petersburg, 35-7
Dixie Hollins (2-1, 0-0) at Pinellas Park (4-0, 1-0)
Page: The Patriots will go to 5-0 for the first time in a long time. Pinellas Park, 35-21
Putnam: The running game is clicking for the patriots. Pinellas Park, 28-14
Dunedin (1-3, 0-1) at Osceola (2-2, 0-0)
Page: Falcons defense is suspect. Osceola, 31-7
Putnam: Warriors win this one up front. Osceola, 42-14
Seminole (1-3. 0-1) at Palm Harbor University (2-1, 0-0)
Page: Seminole will hang in there, but PHU is too much. PHU, 21-14
Putnam: Defensively, the Hurricanes are better. PHU, 20-10
Gibbs (0-4, 0-1) at Clearwater (0-4, 0-1)
Page: Someone wins its first game. And that will be the Gladiators. Gibbs, 18-7
Putnam: Gladiators showed some life last week. Gibbs, 28-17
Admiral Farragut (1-2, 0-1) at Carrollwood Day (2-2, 0-1), 4
Page: The Patriots have too much offense. CDS, 32-17
Putnam: The Blue Jackets have more athletes. AFA, 30-28
Bradenton St. Stephen’s (2-3, 0-1) at Canterbury (4-0, 3-0), 7
Page: The Crusaders’ undefeated season continues. Canterbury, 28-0
Putnam: Last easy win for Crusaders before tough part of schedule. Canterbury, 27-16
Indian Rocks Christian (2-2, 2-0) at Shorecrest (1-2, 0-1)
Page: The Eagles will get the run game cranking. IRC, 42-21
Putnam: Demoralizing loss last week could have Chargers reeling. IRC, 35-21
Calvary Christian (3-1, 0-0) at Bradenton Christian (3-1, 1-1)
Page: BC just lost 37-0 to Canterbury last week. Calvary, 37-0
Putnam: Warriors get back on track. Calvary, 34-14
Faith Christian (1-2) at Keswick Christian (0-4, 0-3)
Page: Keswick drops another, but it’s close. Faith Christian, 14-7
Putnam: Crusaders get first win. Keswick, 21-19