Region semifinals
8A: Orlando Dr. Phillips (11-0) at Plant (9-1-1)
Last week: Dr. Phillips beat Wharton 37-10; Plant beat Orlando Boone 42-3
Story line: Undefeated Dr. Phillips hasn’t allowed more than 14 points in two months, so Plant’s pass-heavy offense might find some trouble moving the ball against the visiting Panthers’ defense. Plant, however, has been seemingly unstoppable on that side of the ball as of late, averaging more than 40 points per game since its loss to Tampa Bay Tech in September.
Kelly Parsons: Dr. Phillips might be undefeated, but it didn’t look unbeatable last week against a Wharton team that barely made the playoffs in the first place. Not to mention, the Panthers haven’t lost at home in ages. Plant, 24-21
7A: East Bay (8-3) at Sickles (10-1)
Last week: East Bay beat Gaither 34-14; Sickles beat Plant City 17-10
Story line: East Bay’s bread and butter is its run game, as the Indians average just more than 50 yards passing per game. The Gryphons are more balanced, as running back Ray Ray McCloud III and quarterback Isaac Holder can do some damage. The Indians have three players who have at least nine sacks, but this game will come down to whether or not East Bay can contain the Gryphons’ run game.
Parsons: East Bay has had luck on its side this season, but that will stop here against a Sickles offense that will wear the Indians thin. Sickles, 27-14
6A: Jefferson (10-1) at Armwood (11-0)
Last week: Jefferson beat Largo 25-17; Armwood beat Venice 31-19
Story line: Armwood’s defense has played lights out all season, allowing fewer than six points per game on average. But Jefferson’s offense, led by quarterback Deiondre Porter and his 2,743 passing yards, could be the best its seen all season.
Parsons: Jefferson beat itself the first time these teams met, but expect the Dragons to reverse those miscues and take advantage of Porter’s versatility to secure the upset the second time around. Jefferson, 21-20
5A: Lake Wales (7-4) at Jesuit (8-3)
Last week: Lake Wales beat Spoto 28-0; Jesuit beat Auburndale 29-21
Story line: Lake Wales has some offensive firepower — it scored nine touchdowns in a single game earlier this month. The Highlanders, though, are about to take on a Jesuit defense that, until last week’s playoff game, had only allowed 19 points in three straight wins.
Parsons: If Jesuit can return to the stingy defense it used to close the regular season, the Tigers should take this one. Jesuit 24-17
Region final
3A: Tampa Catholic (9-2) at Melbourne Central Catholic (11-0)
Last week: Tampa Catholic beat Holy Trinity Episcopal 52-14; Melbourne Central Catholic beat Frostproof 38-37
Story line: Tampa Catholic has been sitting high in the 3A polls all season, but the Hustlers haven’t been very far behind. Melbourne Central Catholic averages nearly 400 yards of offense per game, which could mean trouble for the state title hopefuls at Tampa Catholic. The Crusaders have shown, however, that they know how to stop high-scoring teams, with big wins against Lakeland Christian and the like.
Parsons: The Hustler offense might be too much for the Crusaders, who will fall in the second round for the second year in a row. Melbourne CC, 28-21