Tuesday Morning Quarterback: Separation Friday

Remember the date. Nine-two-nine.

Before Friday, every team in Class 4A, District 8 and Class 3A, District 6 has reason to believe. After Friday, we'll know a lot more about the playoff prospects of area schools.

A quick look:

Class 3A, District 6: Citrus (2-3, 1-0) appears to be in the driver's seat. Although the Hurricanes have won just two games this season, they are 1-0 in district play with a 37-0 romp over Lecanto. Of course, just about everyone has romped Lecanto this year, so it remains to be seen how good Citrus actually is. Lecanto (0-4, 0-1) will have a hard time even in district play. Crystal River (0-5, 0-1) is also winless, but the Pirates played Nature Coast (3-1, 1-0), which faces off against Lecanto Friday, tough. Friday's game between Hernando (1-3, 0-0) and Crystal River will go a long way in establishing the contenders for the district's two playoff spots.

Class 4A, District 8: Central (3-2, 1-0) and Ridgewood (4-1, 1-0) both find themselves in unfamiliar territory, tied for the district lead. Their game Friday will be one of the biggest of the season. The winner looks to be in the driver's seat for the playoffs. Springstead (2-2, 0-0) and Tarpon Springs (1-4, 0-1) pits last year's playoff teams against each other. If Tarpon Springs loses, it is essentially out of the playoff race. If it wins, it is right back in the running and the picture gets a heck of a lot murkier. River Ridge (0-5, 0-1) doesn't have a district game this week.