It’s time for playoff football
Tom Fisher Field at Bulldog Stadium will be the site for the opening round of the Class 5A Region 3 playoffs where the second seed ZHS Bulldogs (9-1) will host the Gladiators of St. Pete Gibbs High School (7-3).
The Bulldogs have been a defensive force allowing just 8.6 points per game. The Gladiators are a run-first offense with running back Sammie Miller leading the charge. The Bulldogs have been stout shutting down the opposing rushing attack.
On defense, Maguire Neal, Nick Sheldon, Larance Graham and Theotis Smith have combined with a stellar 237 tackle including 42.5 tackles for a loss.
The Gladiators’ defense nets 22.9 points a game led by junior Marcus Calvin with 44 tackles.
The ZHS offense will continue to be paced by the running of senior Jaylin Thomas (1,268 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns). Thomas averages 14.4 yards per carry and 140 yards per game. Quarterback Jaxson Rivera has passed for 1,149 yards and 17 touchdowns in 10 games
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.