6A Region 3 Game Previews

[OldSchoolLion]

6A-R3

 

#8Lehigh(6-3) @ #1Naples(9-1)  Naples knocked Lehigh out of the 2016 playoffs in the first round, 42-13.  Lehigh has 2 playoff wins in its history, both in 2009.  They are coming off a turnaround season, having finished 3-6 last year.  The Lightning played a rather weak schedule this year,  outscoring opponents 25-17 on average.  Their defense gave up 40 or more points in losses to Kathleen and Riverdale.  Naples is a regular on the playoff scene and won state titles in 2001 and 2007.  They lost to Northwestern in a state semifinal last year.  Naples has wins over Golden Gate, Piper and Immokalee.  Their lone loss was to Palmetto.  Their offense has averaged 39 points per game and their defense has held opponents to an average of only 9.

 

#7Clearwater(6-4) @ #2Charlotte(8-2) These two teams met in the second round of the 2016 playoffs and Charlotte won 52-25.  Clearwater was knocked out in the first round last year by N Fort Myers.  They are 4-15 in the playoffs over time.  Their defense gave up an average of 22 points per game, including 30 or more points in 3 of their losses. Charlotte has wins over Fort Myers and N Fort Myers.  Their defense gave up 40 or more points in losses to Venice and Palmetto, and is averaging 16 points per game allowed.

 

#6North Fort Myers(7-3) @ #3Largo(7-3) These two teams have met once in the playoffs, back in 2006, when NFM won in the second round.  NFM was knocked out of the playoffs in the second round last year by Fort Myers. The Red Knights lost their 3 big tests this year to Charlotte, Fort Myers and Riverdale.  On average, they have outscored opponents 35-13.  Largo is 1-6 in the playoffs since 2010 and were knocked out in the second round last year by Naples.  The Packers played a rather weak schedule this year.  On average, they have outscored opponents 32-16.

 

#5Barron Collier(7-3) @ #4Fort Myers(8-2) These two teams have met twice in the playoffs, once in 2011 and once in 2016, with FM winning each time.  BC is 0-10 in the playoffs over the past 20 years, with their last playoff win coming in 1998, only the fourth such win in school history.  They were knocked out in the first round last year by Largo.  BC has wins over Immokalee and Golden Gate.  They lost their tougher tests to Naples and Hardee.  On average, the Cougars have outscored their opponents 32-23. Their defense has given up 25 or more points in 5 of their games.  Fort Myers has appeared in the region final 3 of the past 4 years, coming up short each time.  Last year they lost to Naples.  The Green Wave last not won a region title in 1992.  They have wins over N Fort Myers and Lehigh, and their 2 losses came against Charlotte and Dunbar.  On average, the Cougars have outscored their opponents 33-13.

 

*No teams were benefactors of the new points system.