Game of the Week: Spoto vs. Alonso

Posted Sep 10, 2009 by Bill Ward

Updated Sep 10, 2009 at 02:45 PM

It’s going to be hard to top the season opener between Tampa Bay Tech and Plant, but this week’s TBO.com/Tampa Tribune Game of the Week is an interesting and potentially exciting one: Spoto at Alonso.

For starters, both squads are 1-0, with Spoto producing a statement-making 28-0 victory over Wharton and Alonso routing Brandon 39-7. Then there’s the fact that Spoto is a Class 3A program that still feels it has something to prove against the county’s bigger schools—like 5A Alonso.

The Ravens, meanwhile, are out to show their squad deserves to be mentioned with the likes of Plant, Armwood, Hillsborough, Largo, Tampa Catholic and TBT when the discussion turns to who’s the best in Tampa Bay.

There’s two very different styles of play coming together here, too. Spoto runs out of the Wing-T, features plenty of players going both ways and it’s defense is very blitz-oriented behind standout linebacker Rodney Williams. Alonso, led by star quarterback C.J. Bennett, is pass-oriented and features tons of speedy backs and receivers like Jesse Anaya, Brandon Holloway and Justen Davis.

It might be a non-district game, but this matchup has plenty at stake as both schools try to come out of the blocks 2-0 in what could be a banner year for each program.

TBO.com/The Tampa Tribune has been at practice sessions at both schools this week and will be featuring the game prominently in our coverage. For a pregame photo gallery of training this week at Spoto and Alonso, follow this link: http://www2.tbo.com/photoalbum/2009/sep/10/alonso-spoto-pregame-preparations/

For a video preview of the game, follow this link: http://www2.tbo.com/video/2009/sep/10/spoto-vs-alonso-prep-football-game-of-t-58044/video-sports/