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District Football Gets Started Friday

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By DAREK SHARP

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 24, 2008

PLANT CITY - Up to this point of the season, although the games have been competitive and no one wants to lose, district play has yet to begin. When it comes to deciding which teams make the playoffs, the district games are the only determining factor.

That process begins Friday night for Plant City, when it opens the District 5A-7 schedule at Bloomingdale.

Of the five teams in District 5A-7, East Bay has emerged as the early favorite with Brandon, Plant City and Newsome having mixed results. Bloomingdale, though improved from last season, would have to be considered the weakest team in the district.

Friday's other matchup in 5A-7 is East Bay against Brandon, teams that loom as key opponents down the road for the Raiders. Newsome plays football powerhouse Armwood.

The Raiders should be able find success running the ball against Bloomingdale. Tampa Bay Tech, a ground-oriented offense, rang up 61 points against the Bulls earlier in the season.

Also Friday the Durant Cougars will be hosting King in a non-district contest.

Durant is taking on a King Lion team that mirrors Bloomingdale to some degree. King has made strides at getting better in recent years, but that improvement is yet to show in the win-loss column.

The Cougars do not start their district schedule until the second half of the season.

Reporter Darek Sharp can be reached at dsharp@tampatrib.com.

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