EAST LAKE (1-2) at ST. PETERSBURG (2-1)

When: Friday, September 18, 2015, 7:30 PM

Where: St. Petersburg High School, 2501 5th Avenue N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713

TV: BHSN (Channel 47 and HD 1147)

Coaches: EAST LAKE – Bob Hudson ST. PETERSBURG – Joe Fabrizio

About the match up:

In the highly competitive 7A District 10, both East Lake and St. Petersburg know how important it is to get a win on Friday night. The Eagles roll in having claimed the last two meetings, outscoring the Green Devils 87-7. However, the Green Devils have a pair of dynamic senior running backs in their backfield on offense: Darius Miller and Jacquel Walker, who combined for 5 TDs last Friday in the team’s 45-20 win over Osceola. Coach Fabrizio says QB Jon Washington can just look for those two guys anytime he's in trouble and good things will happen. St. Petersburg will use its Wing-T offense trying to keep the Eagle’s defense on its heels. On defense, the main focus will be on LB Zach Caulfield, who recorded 15 tackles in his last game.

The East Lake offense will rely on the tandem of Xavier Jackson and Tupac Blanch in the backfield. The Eagles will be without injured WR Bryce Miller. Jackson and Blanch combined for 3 TDs and 230 rushing yards in last week’s 49-48 loss to Lake Brantley. Coach Hudson can rely on QB Bobby Goldinak, who is coming off a solid performance against Lake Brantley, completing 15 of 26 passes for 214 yards. On defense, Iowa State commit LB Jake Hanson will lead the way, along with DL Michael Del Duca, one of the more vocal members for the Eagles. Coach Hudson says he knows the start has not been ideal, but that he has the leaders on his team that will “bleed that blue” and get the younger guys ready for the Green Devils on Friday.

Three facts to know:

1. BLACK OUT GAME – This game will serve as the Green Devils’ black out game, as all fans to come out in the best black attire to black out the stands against the visiting Eagles.

2. TRAVELING BUDDIES – Coaches Bob Hudson and Joe Fabrizio have a good friendship away from the field. Their staffs travel to coaching conferences together and even pick each others’ brains on coaching philosophy and football knowledge.

3. A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING – While these two teams have met over the years, this the first time that the two teams will square off as district opponents.