Thursday's games
All games start at 7:30 unless noted
Mitchell (6-0, 3-0) at Gulf (3-3, 0-3): Gulf has lost three straight, but the Bucs are confident they can hang with, and beat, the Mustangs. To do so, they'll have to slow down Mitchell TB Ricky Trinidad (1,023 rushing yards, 12 TDs). For Mitchell, a victory would move the Mustangs one step closer to a playoff berth. Of course, they still play Pasco and Land O'Lakes.
Izzy Gould's pick: Gulf, 21-14. Upset special, Gulf in a stunner.
Keith Niebuhr's pick: Mitchell, 21-20. In a close one, Mitchell keeps its playoff push going.
Sunlake (2-3, 2-1) at Zephyrhills (0-5, 0-3): The Seahawks are ready to brush off last week's 27-21 overtime loss to Wesley Chapel, but they'll have to overcome another tough defense. The loss snapped a two-game win streak, and another district loss would severely damage Sunlake's playoff hopes. Meanwhile, Zephyrhills continues to search for offense, having scored just 28 points this season. The Bulldogs are coming off a 21-7 loss to Mitchell, a game in which it managed just 171 yards.
Izzy: Sunlake, 14-7. Seahawks stay in the Class 3A, District 7 hunt.
Keith: Zephyrhills, 13-12. If the Zephyrhills offense ever gets on track, look out.
Springstead (2-4) at River Ridge (2-4): These teams rely on a powerful rushing attack. The difference: River Ridge also can throw the ball a bit. Kenny Toce has thrown for 538 yards and six TDs, which in turn has helped open things up for River Ridge TB Stavros Arianas (736 yards).
Izzy: Springstead, 23-13. The Eagles are improving weekly and it shows.
Keith: River Ridge, 17-13. The Royal Knights offense has gotten more balanced; that should lead to more wins.
Land O'Lakes (5-0, 3-0) at Wesley Chapel (2-4, 1-2): The Gators are gearing up for arguably the biggest North Suncoast game of the regular season next week at Pasco. Better not overlook the Wildcats. The Wildcats could be without receiver/defensive back John Ayers (hand injury). Land O'Lakes linebacker Ben Hedblom (shoulder) will be a game-time decision, coach Matt Kitchie said.
Izzy: LOL, 35-14. Land O'Lakes preparing for huge game next week.
Keith: LOL, 35-13. Gators eat 'em up on both sides of the ball.
Central (0-5) at Ridgewood (1-5): Can Central finally break through? The Rams actually haven't played badly of late. Two weeks ago, they topped Springstead. Last week, they gave Tarpon Springs a pretty decent fight. Ridgewood could use another big game from RB Cameron Rodriguez (583 yards). Central could use some offense, period.
Izzy: Ridgewood, 18-12. A Ram defeating a Bear? Yes, it is possible.
Keith: Ridgewood, 20-10. Don't look now but the Rams are steadily improving.
Pasco (4-1, 3-0) at Anclote (0-5, 0-3): In one corner we have arguably the most physically gifted team in Pasco County. In the other, a team that has played five games in its history. Since losing to South Sumter in Week 2, the Pirates have obliterated everything in their way. QB D.J. Clower, who tossed three TDs last week, is the team's spark.
Izzy: Pasco, 42-0. Pasco benches its starters early, but not before a definitive victory.
Keith: Pasco 41-7. Look for the Pirates to roll in the first half, then shut things down in the second.
Bishop McLaughlin (1-4) at Canterbury (4-1), 6: The Hurricanes earned their first victory of the season last week against Hernando Christian. It won't get two in a row. Canterbury has won four straight.
Izzy: Canterbury, 45-7. Canterbury puts up big numbers and this week is no different.
Keith: Canterbury, 27-7. Canterbury has allowed only 46 points this season.
Friday's games
Dunnellon (5-1, 3-0) at Nature Coast (4-1, 2-1): This is homecoming week for the Sharks, and if the fans were hoping for a good show Dunnellon should provide just that. The Tigers lead Class 3A, District 6 so this is Nature Coast's shot to pull into a first-place tie. The key will be slowing Dunnellon running back Dante "Bubba" Black, who rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns last week — in the first half — in a 41-7 win at Citrus. The Sharks' lone district loss was a 7-6 setback to Tavares. First-year coach Mark Lee said his team is beginning to hit its groove and needs to clean up mistakes, which was done during its bye week. Lee said receiver Braddie Ellison (shoulder injury) will play. Also, C.J. Baker and Ja'Juan Story will continue to share time at quarterback with Baker expected to get the majority of the snaps.
Izzy: Dunnellon, 28-27. Three weeks in a row I've picked against Nature Coast.
Keith: Nature Coast, 28-22. A tough test for the Sharks, but they should pass it.
Leesburg (4-2, 2-1) at Hernando (3-2, 2-1): The Leopards are a scrappy team, and that's just how they won last week's big district tilt at Tavares 25-13. Hernando running back Alvin Delaine has 770 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, and he's been getting some assistance from Marlin Smith (282 yards rushing, one touchdown).
Izzy: Hernando, 23-14. A win helps Hernando keep pace in 3A-6.
Keith: Hernando, 17-16. The Leopards are starting to get in the groove.
Hudson (3-2) at Orange Park Fleming Island (6-0): Question for Hudson: Who scheduled this game? Fleming Island isn't just good, it's exceptional. The Eagles, a Class 5A team, improved to 6-0 overall following last week's rout of Daytona Beach Seabreeze. In that game, they rolled up 553 yards with their no-huddle spread attack; 347 on the ground and 206 in the air. OT Ian Silberman is a Florida commit.
Izzy: Fleming Island, 42-14. Hudson struggled with Berkeley Prep, and Fleming Island is much better.
Keith: Fleming Island, 38-24. Fleming Island's balanced offense will be difficult to slow down.
Wiregrass Ranch (4-1) at Melbourne Palm Bay (5-1): This game came about late into the scheduling process when Wiregrass had an opponent pull out over the summer. Well, Palm Bay is no joke as a state contender in Class 4A. The good thing for the Bulls is that this game has no playoff implications. But they still get a shot at a true playoff caliber team.
Izzy: Palm Bay, 24-14. Not a shot at the Bulls, but this trip has loss written all over it.
Keith: Palm Bay, 28-7. Palm Bay is always tough and this year is no exception.
Ocala St. John Lutheran (1-4) at Hernando Christian (0-5), 7: This week, HCA gets a team that has had its own struggles. Can guys such as Conner Yann, Dakota D'Ambrosio and Jeremy Knight put together a solid performance and get that breakthrough win?
Izzy: HCA, 14-9. Lions roar.
Keith: HCA 8-7. If any team is due, it's HCA.
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