Subway Restaurants Game of the Week
#1 Dr. Phillips (9-0, 2-0 in 8A, District 5) at #6 Freedom (7-1, 2-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m. (Ch. 47/HD 1147)
Last Year: Dr. Phillips outscored Freedom 56-42 to claim the 8A, District 5 championship.
About Dr. Phillips: The Panthers are currently No. 1 in the Class 8A poll and No. 21 in the nation, according to USA Today. RB Eric Harrell has been the workhorse for the DP offense with 1,025 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. QB Alton Meeks, who has missed much of the season with a broken right leg, returned last week and has six touchdowns and one interception. Roderick Proctor is the team's leading receiver with 403 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensively, DT Kenderson Obas has 77 tackles and 20 tackles for loss. Boston College-commit Matt Milano has four takeaways. Marcell Harris, who was named an Under Armour All-American earlier this week, injured his knee against Evans and is expected to be out at least three weeks.
About Freedom: The Patriots have won seven consecutive games since a season opening loss to Timber Creek. Their offense has been energized by the play of QB Jimmy Kealy, who is completing 60-percent of his passes and has thrown for 1,562 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 450 yards and 10 scores. USF-commit Jeff Badet, who has 704 yards receiving and 10 total touchdowns, is one of the area's playmakers. WR Lee Grant, who has missed the last two games with a sprained left ankle, is expected to play. The Patriots defense is led by 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive lineman Kevin Maurice, who coach Andy Johnson describes as "unblockable." Maurice has offers from Boston College and Navy, among others.
Tom Morgan, Erik Kohler and Tiffany Greene will call Friday night's Subway Restaurants Game of the Week beginning at 7:30 on Bright House Sports Network (Ch. 47/HD 1147).
Austin Lyon can be reached at austin.lyon@bhsn.com. Follow him on Twitter, @AustinRLyon