Florida Forecast

Here's a look at the teams participating in the Homeschool Football Tournament and how the are ranked and rated by MaxPreps.  

	Tourney	NHFCS	National	Adjusted
	Seeding	Ranking	Ranking	Rating	Team
Div I
	1	1	6,190	38.7	Lighthouse (Springfield, MO)
	2	3	8,177	29.5	Cent Virginia (Richmond, VA)
	3	6	10,544	18.9	Christ Prep (Kansas City)
	4	16	12,436	7.6	CHEF (Baton Rouge, LA)
Div II
	5	11	11,584	13.3	Dallas HSAA
	6	12	11,716	12.5	Tomball (Houston)
	7	13	11,803	12.1	Maryland Christian (Bel Air, MD)
	8	14	11,898	11.4	N. Georgia (Atlanta)
	9	25	13,343	0.0	Acadiana (Lafayette, LA)

Last season CPA participated in Div II but this year the Patriots come in as the #3 seed in Div I.  The computers say Coach Cook's team will be an 11 point underdog verses defending champion Central Virginia Disciples but the proof will be in the pudding.

Here's why the Patriots will win:

1) The Front Four - no team this season has been able to run effectively against the Patriot front four.  Rock Creek put up big rushing numbers but came on three big plays on the edge.  Cameron Blair, Cale Thomas, David Schilling, Charlie Davis & Clark Bee stopped every opponent this season from running the ball inside.

2) Special Teams - in every game the Patriots have lost there were special teams breakdowns.  A clean special teams game will be key and CPA has the skills to do it.  Gabe Jones puts opponents on their heels with his kick offs and he has the potential to make 30 yard field goals, something few teams have.  Chase Stamatis has big play potential in the return game but has been kept in check most of this season.  Last year on Pete Edwards Field he returned a kickoff 89 yards.  Will Cook has several punts over 50 yards!

3) Turnovers - the Patriots are +13 in turnover margin this season.  This team has a knack for making plays.  Regan Hurley has forced five fumbles this season and Stamatis has forced four to go along with four interceptions.  This is a team of ball hawkers.

A solid run defense, good field position and turnovers will set the stage for an upset in Panama City, FL on Thursday.