Friday, 7 p.m. – High School Football
Gainesville at Eastside (Gainesville)
RADIO: 92.1 FM & 1230 AM in Gainesville; 100.1 FM & 900 AM in Ocala
Join TBA (Play-by-play) and TBA (Color) for this city showdown from Citizen’s Field.
5A EASTSIDE (5-3) VS. 6A GAINESVILLE (7-2)
Last week: Gainesville def. South Lake 49-14 and def. Lake Weir on Monday 41-0; Eastside def. Santa Fe 21-7
Preview: Gainesville has won nine straight in this series and Eastside has been shut out six straight years. If you include the Hurricanes’ 23-6 win in 2010, in which the Rams scored in the first quarter, the scoreless streak is 23 quarters and counting. All streaks are meant to be broken and considering Eastside’s offense appears capable with sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson in backfield, the Rams look to end that and improve their state playoff hopes as well. Even if it doesn’t end in a playoff berth, breaking a nine-game losing streak and a 23-quarter scoreless streak is pretty significant. Of course, GHS defense is playing its best right now. Richardson, who recently received a Louisville offer, has passed for 1,028 yards with nine TDs and five interceptions, and also leads team in rushing with 405 yards and 12 scores. Senior WR Devonte Tanksley (23-486 yards, 6 TDs) and Braxston Presley (15-260, 2 TDs) are Richardson’s top targets. Eastside’s defense, led by Sholophious McCoy and Calvontay Key, have 65 tackles for loss. Gainesville junior QB Luke Matthews (2,016 yards passing, 21 TDs, 3 interceptions) has completed better than 70 percent of his passes in last four games. Junior WR Jalen Kelsey (45-910, 8 TDs) is averaging over 100 yards a game, and RBs Willie “Missile” Mcknight and Kinnzon Hutchinson combine for 698 yards and 15 TDs. Defensively, the ’Canes are led by sophomore DL Gentle Hunt (13 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks) and senior DL Amos Bostick (7 TFL, 7 sacks). Eastside coach Cedderick Daniels is a GHS alum and former assistant.