Zephyrhills has beaten two teams that were a combined 1-19 last season. Things get tougher tonight against Mitchell, which has started 2-0 for the sixth straight season. There will be bigger games for both teams down the road, but for now, it’s big. “I think this is one of the better teams that we will play,” Bulldogs coach Reggie Roberts said. “I don’t want to say it’s not a statement game …but it’s important.”
1. Bulld(dog) Rush: Two big moves since Zephyrhills’ 28-24 preseason loss to Land O’Lakes — 350-pound defensive tackle Quintan Foster moving to right guard, and Blake transfer and right tackle Jonah Thomas (6-5, 280) passing through the transfer committee and becoming eligible — have yielded high returns. The Bulldogs have rushed for 832 yards in two games, best in Tampa Bay, and Jaylen Pickett is coming off a career-high 261 yards against Gulf. Usually it’s Mitchell’s rushing attack — Ryan Marsh has a 236-yard game to his credit already — that must be addressed, but the Bulldogs have a bevy of fast, explosive backs.
2. Mix and match: Roberts says his team is ready for a high dose of MItchell’s patented sweeps. But last week Mustang quarterback Alec Lambert threw for three touchdowns. That’s as many as Mitchell threw for all of last season. This may not be your daddy’s Mustangs, unless of course you’re new coach Andy Schmitz, who took over for dad Scott. So technically, they are his daddy’s Mustangs. But still…“We still see wing-T,” said Roberts, “but they aren’t lining up the same. Still see the buck sweep, just doing it out of different formations. And they have added the threat of a pass.”
3. Big plays: The last time Zephyrhills played in a marquee game, last year against Pasco, it gave up two back-breaking big plays in a loss. “We have to be ready for it,” Roberts said. Mitchell has scored 10 touchdowns this season, and six of those have been 40 yards or longer. By the same token, the Bulldogs have five touchdowns of 30 yards or longer. Last year, Zephyrhills won 17-9. And the winning touchdown? A 30-yard pass play.