Palmetto Tigers at No. 14 Lakewood Spartans
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lakewood High School, St. Petersburg
TV: BHSN Channel 47 and HD 1147
Live Streaming: Click here to get information on how to watch the game online.
Coaches: Dave Marino, fourth season as Palmetto’s head coach (27-11); Cory Moore, sixth season as Lakewood’s head coach (39-19).
How they match up: Both teams are similar in makeup. The Tigers and Spartans are coming off season-opening losses and are trying to avoid the dreaded 0-2 start.
Palmetto hasn’t opened the season 0-2 since 2010. You have to go all the way back to 2005 for the last time Lakewood began a season 0-2.
For Palmetto, their loss to Venice last week was the program’s first regular-season opening loss since 2010. You have to go back to 2008 for the last time Lakewood lost their regular-season opener. The Spartans lost a close one to Countryside last week.
Both teams are also working with new quarterbacks this season and are dealing with numerous transfers (six for Palmetto, nine for Lakewood).
Jack Allison is Palmetto’s third starting quarterback since the start of the 2012 season. Unlike last season when the Tigers had three Division I receivers, Davis’ go-to guys are inexperienced. There’s only one returning varsity wide receiver, and no senior starters.
Allison does get help from the ground game. Rutgers commit Josh Hicks takes a lot of pressure off the passing game with his versatility in the backfield.
Ryan Davis, one of Lakewood’s nine transfers, is adjusting to the new scheme. Davis is a dual threat quarterback, accounting for 2,839 total yards and 23 touchdowns at Northeast last season.
Davis is one of the many Division I prospects on the Spartans squad. OL Isaiah Wynn (verbal to Georgia) and WR Andrew Davis (verbal to Toledo) have already committed, while S Brujoun Bonner, WR Donterio Fowler and WR Jocqui Ellison have multiple offers.