Every football team in Plant City starts its Mondays in the film room, getting to know its opponents for the week.
But when it comes to Armwood, the Strawberry Crest Chargers might be more familiar on all levels with the Hawks than anyone. Several of the coaches have worked there. Head coach John Kelly also played there in the mid-1990s. And now, two of the players are familiar with the system.
Bryce and Chase Blackmon, who transferred from Armwood to Strawberry Crest after the 2013 football season, have been looking forward to this game ever since they first pulled onto Gallagher Road.
“I’m looking forward to seeing some old friends and having a good game against them,” Bryce says.
GETTING EXPOSURE
The Blackmons, a pair of twins, are identical even beyond physical appearances. Both split time at running back and linebacker — Chase has gotten 16 touches to Bryce’s seven. And both wanted to be able to step right in and help a team out as soon as junior year began.
“I knew I had a better opportunity here,” Bryce says. “I had a great chance of starting, and to try and make a name for myself.”
Strawberry Crest proved to be an attractive destination. In addition to starting right away, the brothers will be a part of a program actively taking strides to improve itself sooner than later.
“It’s exactly what I expected,” Chase says. “I’m playing all around the field. I’ve enjoyed it.”
Their biggest impact has been on defense. The twins are two of Crest’s top five tacklers this season. Chase’s 55 is good for third on the team, and Bryce’s 48 is good for fifth. Chase has two sacks, a forced fumble and a recovery this season, while Bryce has forced and recovered three fumbles of his own.
The Blackmons’ parents are Armwood alums, as is a cousin, but the boys expect their family to pull for the home team on Friday night.
“It was a little while ago (that they attended Armwood), so I think they’ll be on our side,” Chase says.
THE GAME
Having just come from the school, the twins have a pretty good idea of what the Chargers are up against this week.
They certainly remember some of the 2013 playbook, but know that certain things could have changed since they were Hawks — and probably did. As far as player traits and tendencies are concerned, though, that’s a different story, and they’re letting their young teammates know what to prepare for.
“The big offensive line — the speed and strength,” Bryce says. “They’re a real strong team and fast.”
The play calls have probably changed, and there are some new players on the varsity squad, but the foundation is the same. It’s always been the same — just ask someone who’s played for coach Sean Callahan.
Kelly, who graduated from Armwood in 1997, can vouch for that.
“There’s no secret to what they do there, at Armwood,” Kelly says. “They do what they do. They have a very successful model, and they have kids that buy into that model. It works for them.”
It will be Kelly’s fourth time squaring off with the Hawks, and although it doesn’t feel novel anymore, he says that it’s “still awkward.”
That’s probably true of any student-versus-teacher matchup. This year, Kelly says, won’t be the same as the others have been.
“This year, it’s a little different,” he says. “The young team, going up against the very powerful, nationally-ranked team. Not that that’s the end-all, be-all, but they’re a very good football team. We always respect our opponents.”
The key to beating a team like the Hawks isn’t just containment, but also playing as mistake-free as possible. Though many people have probably already written the Chargers off on this one, the team’s not giving up hope on pulling off a massive upset.
“We’ll send these seniors out the right way,” Bryce says. “Hopefully.”
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
OTHER MATCHUPS
PLANT CITY
As Durant’s bye week brings its regular season to an end, Plant City will wrap things up on the road.
The Raiders’ 20-14 win over Brandon last Friday, sealed by a Sawyer Dawson fumble recovery in the end zone, put the Raiders in the playoffs and gave them a two-game winning streak. It was another solid game for running back Markese Hargrove, who went for 204 yards and two of Plant City’s three scores.
Five sacks — three from sophomore Nathan Hamilton — set the tone for this game, forcing quarterback Isaiah Alexander to think on his feet and make too many mistakes.
This was the kind of performance that the Raiders will look to replicate against a Gaither team with a similar 6-3 record. The Cowboys just beat Steinbrenner, 18-15, on the road, and likely have last year’s 28-20 loss at 1 Raider Place on their minds right now.
Unlike last year, Gaither isn’t playoff-bound — an Oct. 24 loss to Tampa Bay Tech sent those hopes right out the window. This is going to be a battle of two teams with nothing to lose, save for either more bragging rights or revenge.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
All games begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted:
NOV. 7
Durant (BYE)
Plant City at Gaither (16200 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa), 7 p.m.
Armwood at Strawberry Crest (4691 Gallagher Rd., Dover)
NOV. 14
Tampa Bay Tech at Durant (4748 Cougar Path, Plant City)
Plant City at Sickles (7950 Gunn Hwy., Tampa)