Notes From the 'Coast: Ranking the Games

Having trouble deciding where to go tonight?

We've ranked the teams already, now we'll rank the games in order of intrigue.

We'll give you our predictions. Then you chime in and give us yours. Winner gets a postage stamp from Izzy Gould.

8) Bishop McLaughlin at HCA

Reason to Watch: As far as small, private schools go, this is as close to a rivalry as you'll get on the North Suncoast. Both teams lost a slew of seniors from last season, and HCA lost its coach, too. What will the Lions look like under new head coach David Raley? Quarterback David Rotteveel throws a nice ball in practice - what will he look like in the game?

Prediction: Your guess is as good as ours. HCA 14-6

7) Springstead at Crystal River

Reason to Watch: To find out what, exactly, the Eagles have this year. Talk to any Hernando County football coach and they'll tell you the same thing - as long as Springstead has a football team, it'll be competitive. The Eagles are as close to a complete program as the county has had over the past few seasons. Despite a pack of talented seniors last season, they struggled. This year, a strong corps of underclassmen will have to step up. Not even coach Bill Vonada knows what he has. Crystal River showed some signs of life last season under new coach Anthony Paradiso. They've got a Division I lineman who committed to Akron in Kyle Roddenberry.

Prediction: It'll be close and high-scoring. Springstead 35, Crystal River 28.

6) Wesley Chapel at Wiregrass

Reason to Watch: To get your first look at Wesley Chapel. Hey, we admire Wiregrass' spirit. The Bulls have been all over the blog this week hyping up this match-up, trying to create a rivalry with their in-town rivals. But let's not forget Wiregrass played a JV schedule last year. Wesley Chapel will win this one, and win it easily. But we're more interested to see how much the Wildcats show. Greg Jenkins is supposed to be the real deal, but WC was one of only two teams in the county that didn't play a preseason game.

Prediction: Again, we love Ricky T as much as all of you. But Wesley Chapel wins 56-21.

5) River Ridge at Sunlake

Reason to Watch: As long as the football Gods don't conspire against a great story-line, someone will be getting their first win in awhile this week. River Ridge hasn't racked a W since 2004. Sunlake is in its first year of varsity play. Then again, as RR proved last week in its preseason game against Lecanto, scoreless ties do happen.

Prediction: River Ridge rejoices, 31-3.

4) Hudson at Ridgewood

Reason to Watch: The Rams' defense. Hudson quarterback Zack Wynn will be a name to remember for the next three seasons. But Ridgewood's linebackers are unmerciful in their pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Yeah, you know all about Arline. But watch Ben Perry, Arron Jackson and company go to work. We're not counting Hudson completely out. Mark Nash will have his team ready to play. But the Rams simply have too much talent.

Prediction: Ridgewood 31, Hudson 14

3) Gulf at Mitchell

Reason to Watch: These teams combined for over 90 points when they met last season. Gulf gave up 55 to Tarpon Springs last week. Don't get in a car crash on the way to the game, because you'll have enough whip lash by the time its over.

Prediction: Mitchell starts strong, 38-21.

2) Pasco at Land O'Lakes

Reason to Watch: Not to get all supernatural on you, but there's an aura at Pasco High right now. Tom McHugh has the boys believing. They've always had the talent. Now, they've got the leadership as well. But Land O'Lakes is the premiere program in the county, and for some reason, everyone's been counting the Gators out. They might not be where they were when Joe and Drew were leading the charge, but don't be surprised if they once again rule the county.

Prediction: LOL 20, Pasco 17

1) Hernando at Central

Reason to watch: We can't just give you one. Central was the top dog in the county last year. But Hernando has a lot more talent than you might think, as well as a new coach and a new attitude. How good will Duane Marks look? Can Central contain George Fribley? Who will start at quarterback for the Leopards? Will this game again be a blowout (the Leopards blew the Bears out last year, but Central ended up in the playoffs. The year before, Central blew out Hernando, but the Leopards played in the postseason)?

Prediction: Central 21, Hernando 20

--DAVID MURPHY

dmurphy@sptimes.com

Comments

[da stampede (south wesley chapel)]

wiregrass will lose??? thats what admiral farragut said. hmmmm. strange
and this is a rivalry. they didnt want us on their campus last year. they hated us. we hate them. they talk so mcuh crap

[BULLS ALL DAY]

CHAPEL DNT WANT IT
ITS NO HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE 4 DOSE CATS
WE GOTS A WHOLE LOT OF PEEPS THAT GONE WATCH THE UPSET OF THE YEAR

[Murphy]

Man, shouldn't you guys be out stretching or something?

It's 5:20 p.m. Get off the blog!

[BULLS ALL DAY]

BRO THEY STAY AFTER SCHOOL. IM JUS A STUDENT. JACK [STAMPEDE] PLAYS JV BALL

[da stampede]

28-12. not as good as we all thought. but pretty damn good for a 3A school with no seniors, playing a 5A school. we could play better, im sure of that, but so could chapel. GREG JENKINS IS THE REAL DEAL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!! we just gotta get ready for another great team, ridgewood, home opener baby. and jv has a tuff game vs. pasco. wooo 45-0 over zhills. and chapel wont get lucky their jv plays us