Week 1 Predictions
Predictions
#1 CAI @ Columbus City
Columbus City was 14-1 last year with A TON of starters returning and is honestly a better team than Homestead. Quarterback Alex Mendoza threw for 34 tds and returns along with his two top recievers from last season. I love CAI's offense but im still a little unsure about the defense, I like Evan Chuba and CAI to put up points but will the defense be able to stop Columbus which is a team on the rise with state championship potential
CAI- 35 Columbus-43
#2 CCC @ Berkeley Prep
CCC handled a better Berkeley Prep team with a team that didnt have as much talent as CCC has now. This will be another game for them to gel and get better on the road to a potential state championship. I expect a strong showing for Dallas Golden if Berkeley can get him the ball but I dont think they will be equipped to handle CCC's speed
CCC-35 Berkeley Prep- 17
#3 Calvary (Bye)
#4 Lakewood @ #9 Northeast - Check out our Wednesday morning quarterback blog for preview
#5 Largo @ #10 PPark
An experienced Largo team led by seniors Adarius Hayes and Chase Green will be traveling to Pinellas Park to face a young but talented Pinellas Park team led by Senior Jovonee Smith and new starting running back Emarian Triplett. With Largo's experience and schedule it will be very few games I have them losing including this one due to their experience and annual hunger to win. I cant totally count PPark out but I need to see some stable play at QB because they will not be able to totally rely on their run game against this stingy defense. They have a few games to figure it out but on this one......
Largo- 31 PPark-20
#6 Osceola vs Palm Harbor
Osceola is one of the toughest teams on EVERYONE's schedule year after year. They have a culture that preaches sense of urgency and play until the clock says zero. Palm Harbor has talent spread out led by Will Seibert and Gunner Fodor who have potential to become a top notch backfield and Brady Messick on defense who is a little undersized but also underrated and a work harder. This game can get out of hand or remain close, I choose close.
Osceola 14 Palm Harbor 10
#7 East Lake vs Lake Gibson
East Lake has a few underrated stars such as speedy defensive back Nikolas Mirabella and Aiden Byrne but over time you will begin to hear these names especially from us. The coaching and leadership ive seen at East Lake is top notch because this team has brough itself out of a losing culture into a respected, well developed and well coached north county powerhouse.
East Lake 33 Lake Gibson 19
#8 St.Pete vs Tarpon Springs
This game will be closer than folks anticipate becasue Tarpon Springs is a school on the rise. Due to a lack of players previous seasons Tarpon fell off Pinellas County's radar but players such as Parkees Harris and Jaylen Erby are looking to make splash plays and keep defenses honest but will it be enough for a team led by star athlete Jeff Jones. We all know Jones is good for 100 yards rushing but will his team provide enough gumption to allow him to utilize his arm like he desires. This will be a close one!
St.Pete- 23 Tarpon-20
Other Games
*Seminole vs Boca Ciega
Seminole- 14 Boca Ciega-15
*Dunedin vs Countryside
Dunedin-7 Countryside- 23
*Palmetto @ Gibbs
Palmetto- 21 Gibbs- 18
*Hollins @ Indian Rocks
Hollins- 21 IRC-14
*SPC @ Bradenton Bayshore
SPC-31 Bayshore- 19
* Northside Christian @ Akelynn's Angels Christian Academy
NC- 25 AA-0