NO. 11 PALMETTO TIGERS (7-3) at NO. 4 TAMPA BAY TECH TITANS(10-1)
When: Friday, November 17, 2017, 7:30 P.M.
Where: Tampa Bay Tech High School, 6410 Orient Road, Tampa, FL 33610
TV: Spectrum Sports (Channel 47 and HD 1147)
Coaches: PALMETTO TIGERS- Dave Marino (55-33, 8th Season), TAMPA BAY TECH TITANS- Jayson Roberts (55-25, 7th Season)
How they match up:
A spot in the “Elite Eight” of the Class 7A playoffs is on the line when Palmetto makes the drive past the Seminole Hard Rock Casino to play Tampa Bay Tech in round two of the postseason on Friday. The Titans have been “on a heater” for an endless roll of games. They have ten consecutive victories since a season-opening loss to undefeated Armwood in late August. Tampa Bay Tech is fourth in the state (any class) in scoring offense, averaging 45.9 points per game. The Titans have scored 42 or more points in nine consecutive games, topping 50 points six times along the way. Tech’s offense is run masterfully by senior quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. (1,862 pass yards, 33 total TD, 4 INT), a University of Tennessee commit who is one of the most prolific passers to come out of the area in years. Junior running back Treshaun Ward (1,129 rush yards, 14 TD) is coming off a 219 yard, 4 TD performance in the Titans’ 42-22 first round win over Bloomingdale. Ward is complemented in the run game by senior Jaquavious Johnson (802 yards from scrimmage, 12 TD) and junior Xavier Freeman (320 rush yards, 8 TD). Penix has an endless number of receivers to throw to, led by junior Isaiah Stephens (18 receptions, 370 yards, 4 TD), with freshman Myron Scott (11 receptions, 336 yards, 5 TD) coming on big-time over the past few weeks. Senior four-year starting safety Darren Turner (5 INT) is a menace to any offense who will beat you at every level. Seniors Jonathan King (Oregon commit- 46 tackles, 4.5 sacks) and Darius Richardson (41 tackles, 3.5 sacks) make up arguably the best 1-2 punch on the defensive line in the area.
Palmetto is in the playoffs for the first time since 2014 after finishing third in its district over the past two seasons. The Tigers finished third in Class 7A District 11 again this year, but they earned their way in due to an outstanding strength of schedule that now matters due to the new playoff system. Palmetto proved it belonged with a 28-24 win at Class 7A District 10 champion Pinellas Park. The Tigers trailed late, but drove 80 yards in two minutes and change to get the victory on an E.J. Davis touchdown run. Davis (711 rush yards, 10 TD) ran for 118 yards in that game and has been sensational late in the season. Junior quarterback Anthony Marino (1,189 pass yards, 8 TD, 3 INT) led the Tigers down the field with precision in that season-saving drive against the Patriots and is developing into a true leader. The Tigers have lost their two leading receivers for the rest of the playoffs, but sophomore Kobe Mays (17 receptions, 211 yards, 2 TD) has stepped up his game and become the go-to guy. The Tigers two standout linebackers are the key to their 4-2-5 defense. Seniors Alonzo Houston (100 tackles, 6 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries) and Andrew Duncan (88 tackles, 3 sacks, INT) are solid against both the run and the pass. Defensive ends Lester Johnson (43 tackles, 3 sacks) and Reese Lyons (43 tackles, 4 sacks) give offensive linemen headaches, while safety Tray Thompskin (73 tackles, 4 pass breakups) has great ball skills and has become a more physical player as a senior.
Three Facts to know:
1. THIS YEAR STARTED LAST YEAR- The road for Tampa Bay Tech to get here started one year ago in the same place the Titans find themselves now: in the second round of the playoffs. Tech lost a close game to East Lake that night, and three days later, Titans head coach Jayson Roberts had 15-20 players back in the locker room ready to begin work for the 2017 season. It’s that kind of commitment that has Roberts raving that this is the hardest working group he’s ever coached in seven years in charge of the program.
2. THREE OF A KIND- Palmetto head coach Dave Marino’s Tigers are one of three teams from Class 7A District 11 to make it to the second round of the playoffs. District champion Venice (11-1) and runner-up Braden River (10-1) are also in the region semifinals. Only two other districts have three teams remaining in the playoffs: Class 6A District 16 (Northwestern, Miami Central, Carol City) and Class 5A District 5 (Baker County, Clay, Menendez).
3. BATTLE OF THE BIG BOYS- It will truly be a “man’s game” up front in this matchup of beefy linemen. Nine of the ten starting offensive linemen in this game weigh 275 pound or more, with three weighing in at 300+. Palmetto’s average size up front is 6’3, 285 pounds, virtually equal to the 6’2, 287 pound average Tampa Bay Tech trots out there. In case you’re wondering, the “biggest of the big boys” is Titans center Isaiah Roseville, a mountain of a young man at 6’4, 325 pounds.