North Suncoast Super 7
1. Pasco (6-0): Another blowout win and a fifth consecutive shutout, 63-0 over Hudson, for the state's top-ranked defense. This week brings the toughest test yet: Fivay.
2. Springstead (7-0): Even on rough offensive night like Friday, the Eagles find a way to win. Can they do it against Hernando?
3. Hernando (4-3): The Leopards have allowed only 23 total points in four district games, and the offense could be starting to click.
4. Sunlake (4-2): The Seahawks aren't out of the playoff race yet, but they need help after two district losses by a combined 10 points.
5. Mitchell (6-1): If the Mustangs can survive a brutal close to the season with games against Nature Coast, Springstead and Hernando, they will be playoff-bound.
6. Fivay (5-1): With the success of Davion Sutton, it's easy to overlook Bryan Poinsette, who had a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Gulf.
7. Nature Coast (4-3): Another game, another big night from RB Matt Breida and a strong defense. Nature Coast will battle Mitchell tough this week.
Dual-threat performances
Hernando ATH Tyrail Hawkins scored both of his team's touchdowns and had two late pass breakups in a 14-10 victory over Sunlake. Teammate Ra'shaad Hart had his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game and sealed the win with an interception in the end zone.
1,000-yard club
Nature Coast RB Matt Breida became the North Suncoast's first 1,000-yard rusher this season after gaining 158 yards with two touchdowns against Land O'Lakes. He has 1,044 for the season.
Offensive MVPs
Anclote QB John Forgione: He had three touchdown passes in a 21-7 win over Zephyrhills.
Springstead QB Tyler Mahla: He rushed for a key first down after scooping up a blocked field goal. He added a TD pass and a TD run in a 21-7 win over River Ridge.
Defensive MVP
Nature Coast DE Rohan Blackwood: He had four sacks in a 28-17 win over Land O'Lakes.
Five thoughts looking ahead
1. Pasco gets a test. Joey Ivie and the Pirates haven't had one this season. Pasco dominated Fivay last year in a matchup that decided the district championship. Expect similar results with similar stakes this time.
2. Can Anclote keep it up? The Sharks shocked Zephyrhills 21-7 and put themselves in the playoff picture. Now they need to avoid letdowns the rest of the way and get help to battle for the postseason.
3. Defense rules in Hernando County. Hernando and Sunlake both have strong, disciplined defenses. Expect the battle for the county and the top spot in Class 6A, District 6 to be low scoring.
4. Who takes the battle for Land O'Lakes? Suburban supremacy is on the line when the Gators host Sunlake. Expect Josh Zifer and the Seahawks to rebound with a second consecutive win over their rival.
5. Run, run, run. That's the story for the Mitchell-Nature Coast battle that has big playoff implications. Can Matt Breida break the Mustangs defense, or will Mitchell's deep backfield run away with a win.
In case you missed it
Gulf scored its first touchdown of the season on a 36-yard pass from QB Chris Klyap to WR Brennan Smiley.
Wesley Chapel exploded for 38 first-half points in a 38-33 win over Ridgewood, behind two TD passes from Ty Tanner and two rushing touchdowns by Jordan Primus. That’s the most points the Wildcats have scored since a 40-0 win over the Rams last year.
Ridgewood RB Tyler Vito rushed for three touchdowns in the defeat.
Mitchell RB Ryan Marsh rushed for 159 yards in a 43-24 win over Central. He entered Friday night with only 130 rushing yards this season.
Central QB Cole Teater ran for a touchdown and threw for two more (to Preston Merritt and Walker Sheppard) in the Bears’ loss.
Pasco RB David Emmanuel recorded his fourth 100-yard game of the year by rushing for 138 yards and three touchdowns on six first-half carries against Hudson.