2-fer-Thursday (Different Name, Different Day!)

Congratulations to Lakeland (1) who survived a couple emotional breakdowns and hosejob officiating to defeated De La Salle (2) 31-30 on ESPN2 last Friday.

The star of the game was Lakeland's junior wide receiver Javares McRoy (3) who accounted for three of the 'Naughts touchdowns with linebacker Quayshawn Neely (4) adding the fourth on a interception return.

This makes the Dreadnaughts 3-0 in out-of-state competition over the last four years. They defeated Cincinnati St. Xavier (5) 25-22 in 2006 and Pittsburgh Central Catholic (7) 35-0 last year.

Lakeland will more than likely play another out-of-state game in 2010. There have been rumblings that they could be paired with another program as an ESPN season-opening doubleheader.

Also on that schedule a special shout out to Kissimmee Osceola (9) for defeating Carson (CA) High (10), 32-13. Great job Kowboys.

PINELLAS UPRISING?

One of the state's more lovable underdogs is fighting back. Pinellas County, long known for mediocrity in its programs across the board, has three teams ranked in both Laz Index's Top 50 and the Associated Press State Top 10 Poll.

St. Petersburg (11), Largo (12) and Countryside (13) are all undefeated and all ranked. The Green Devils have a clear path to 10-0 after they dispatched Lakewood (14) two weeks to ago to jump over their biggest obstacle.

The Packers and the Cougars have much more work to do including a battle with each other on Nov. 6 in what could be the county's most anticipated game since Dunedin (15) made the state championship in the late 80s.

POP & MORE

A couple of junior running backs get special notice this week.

Deland's (16) De'Ante "Pop" Saunders (17) had a game of the ages two weeks ago when the Bulldogs defeated Seabreeze (18) 49-48.

Saunders, who has offers from over 15 major programs with more on the way, racked up 399 total yards of offense against the Sand Crabs. His totals included a 97-yard kickoff return and touchdown runs of 63 and 64 yards.

The Bulldogs will try continue their impressive early run as they host Sanford Seminole (19)

Saunders isn't the only junior running back making tons of noise as Charlotte's (20) Mike Bellamy (21) has helped his team reach the 4-0 mark as well. The talented junior who is being heavily courted by Florida rushed for 227 yards and three touchdowns in the Tarpons' 48-7 victory over DeSoto County (22).

Look for a special Byrnes (23) vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (24) notebook later!