By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer

Gateway will try to dictate who plays for a 6A District 6 playoff spot when the Panthers go to Orlando on Friday to take on Oak Ridge.

The Pioneers (6-2) need a victory to be part of a three-way tiebreaker on Monday with Freedom and Boone.

The Panthers (2-6) were little resistance to district-leader Dr. Phillips (8-0) last week, losing 59-0. University of Michigan commitment Demetrius Hart rushed for 187 yards and five touchdowns in a little more than one half of work. The Panthers from Orlando held the Panthers of Kissimmee to 19 yards of offense.

“Dee Hart, that kid’s the real deal,” GHS Coach Marlin Roberts said. “We had him tackled a couple of times behind the line and he broke free, like on one of his long touchdowns. It was third down and I turn to get the punt return team on the field, then I turn back and he’s running to the end zone.

“I look at it this way: We’re just another team Dr. Phillips has steamrolled. Oak Ridge is the only team to hang with them, which isn’t really good news for us.”

To make things worse, freshman cornerback Isiah Wharton, who had earned a starting job and had two interceptions this season, broke his arm and will miss the final two games.

The pass-happy Pioneers  came from behind to defeat Boone, 33-32, last Thursday.

“Losing somebody in the secondary isn’t good when you’re about to play them,” Roberts said. “And when they run the ball they like to take it off-tackle and use their speed outside. We’ll have to adjust.”

Gateway will host St. Cloud Nov. 12 for its regular-season finale.

Celebration is also coming off a lopsided loss, 56-0, to District 3A-9 champion Winter Haven last week. The Storm will finish its season

Friday by hosting Lakeland Christian (4-5) at 7 p.m.

Celebration can match the best season in the school’s eight-year history at 4-6. The Storm are one game shy of a potential bowl berth.

“We didn’t play well last week, and we just want to say that one’s over and done with,” CHS Coach Ben Aarestad said. “We couldn’t sustain enough to move the ball and have drives. We just didn’t have a good night.”

The LCS Vikings, a Class A school, is 2-6 but it is coming off a 28-14 win over Shorecrest Prep.

Quarterback Christian Alex-ander (34-for-103, 2 TDs, 4 INTs) leads the Vikings offense.

After back-to-back losses to playoff contenders Sebring and Winter Haven, Aarestad said it’s refreshing to be in a more-balanced matchup for Senior Night.

“If we play well and can run the ball and eliminate turnovers, we can win. It’s that simple,” Aarestad said. “It’s kind of hard to believe this is it, the season’s really flown by.”