The PTP pick

RB Jordaan Bailey, Jr., Hillsborough

Hillsborough’s running game is a group effort. 

The stats provide the proof. 

No back averages more than 10 carries per game. The yards are practically equal among the top two rushers — Jordan Bailey (387) and Joey Sipp Jr. (352). 

So there was nothing unusual about the distribution last week. Bailey (featured photo above courtesy of Jay Stone) had six carries, roughly his average for the season.

It is what Bailey did when he got the ball that stood out. 

He rushed for 135 yards, an average of 10.5 yards per carry. And he scored two touchdowns, equaling his total on the ground for the season. 

That’s not all. Bailey also caught three passes for 95 and added another score. 

His production helped the Terriers beat Plant City and extend their win streak to six going into the playoffs. 

The fans’ pick

RB Joquez Smith, So., Jesuit

Throughout the first half of last week’s game, Jesuit had trouble putting away rival Tampa Catholic. 

The teams traded scores. The lead changed. So did the momentum. 

To seize control, to keep long-standing win streak in the series intact, the Tigers turned to Joquez Smith. 

Once again, he delivered. 

Smith scored on a pair of touchdown runs to put the Tigers ahead. Then he churned out the tough yards to eat time off the clock. 

Jesuit’s featured back finished with 94 yards on carries and two touchdowns. That played a big role in the Tigers’ 35-21 victory that extended their 21-game win streak in the series. 

Fans approved of Smith’s performance. He received more than 51 percent of the votes (10,411) to beat out Keswick Christian’s Caleb Rogers, who had more than 45 percent (9,150 votes).