Florida Youth and High School Sports News Blog

Florida Football: Week 8 Thursday Game Preview

In truth, a pair of Wednesday games are already in the books. But Week 8 begins tonight with 34 Thursday night games. At the top of the list is a pair of dandies. A week after Tampa Plant handed Hillsborough its first defeat in a 35-16 game, Armwood steps in as the next challenge. Hillsborough (6-1) is sure to have its hands full in this District 4A-11 battle. Armwood (7-0) is the favorite. The loser might open the door for Tampa Bay Tech, which is 5-1 overall and 1-1 in the district. Tech, however, has an uphill battle after losing some players to suspensions following a brawl a few weeks ago.

A second big game pits host Cape Coral against Fort Myers. Both of these District 5A-12 teams enter the week at 6-1 overall and 2-0 in district play. Cape Coral is coming off a 67-7 victory against Estero that extended its winning streak to four games. Fort Myers has won two straight since falling 21-14 to Punta Gorda Charlotte.

Then there’s the big battle in District 3A-2. Tonight features Tallahassee Godby hosting Wakulla. Godby (6-0) has had some close calls, but it has managed to avoid a loss. Now Wakulla (5-1) looks to play spoiler in a game that should decide the district title.

In South Florida, Coconut Creek is in a precarious position. Despite starting the year 3-0, the team is now 4-2 overall and 2-1 in District 5A-15. The team’s opponent, Dillard, started the season 1-2 but has won three of its last four and is 3-0 in district play. With Blanche Ely already 4-0 in district games, the winner of this one moves into the driver’s seat for the district runner-up spot and the playoff berth that comes with it.

Another big game is slated for Tarpon Springs, where the Spongers host Ridgewood (6-0) in a game that could decide which team is the District 4A-8 runner-up. Tarpon Springs (4-2) is 1-1 in district games. Land O’Lakes and Ridgewood are both 2-0. Land O’Lakes, which is 5-1 overall, appears to be the favorite for the district title. It hosts Brooksville Central (4-2, 1-1) in another Thursday night district game.

In Gainesville, meanwhile, Eastside (5-1) is riding a four-game win streak into tonight’s key matchup with Belleview. Both teams are 2-0 in district games. Belleview (5-2) is also on a four-game win streak. With Leesburg also starting 2-0 in district play, it’s important for both teams to stay in the hunt for one of the top two spots.

In Tampa, tonight’s action features Alonso at Chamberlain in a matchup of two 5-2 teams battling for the top spot in District 5A-6. Sickles, also 5-2, takes on King in the other district game, and the loser of the Alonso-Chamberlain matchup likely falls into a tie with Sickles, which has already lost 35-0 to Chamberlain.

Finally, Coral Gables hosts Christopher Columbus tonight in a battle of unbeatens. This District 6A-14 collission could decide the district title and open the door for the winner of Friday’s South Miami-Miami Beach game to re-enter the playoff picture. Coral Gables and Columbus each had a close call against Miami Springs. They also played Southridge with similar success.

Also on Thursday’s slate are these games:

Munroe vs. John Paul II
Deerfield Beach at Taravella
Blanche Ely vs. Monarch
Port Orange Atlantic vs. St. Augustine
Middleburg vs. Ridgeview
Coral Park at Varela
Goleman vs. Hialeah
Miami High vs. Miami Springs
Norland vs. North Miami
Boone at Cypress Creek
Dr. Phillips vs. Freedom
Evans at Timber Creek
First Academy vs. West Oaks
Ocoee at West Orange
University at Winter Park
Gateway Charter at St. Stephen’s Episcopal
Blake at Jefferson
Bloomingdale at East Bay
Gaither vs. Wesley Chapel
Leto at Plant
Newsome vs. Plant City
Pinellas Park vs. St. Petersburg