Here is today’s flag football game schedule as we continue with the first week of the season.

THURSDAY, MARCH 10 GAME SCHEDULE

Apopka vs. Windermere at Deputy Scott Pine Park, 7

Atlantic (Port Orange) at Pine Ridge, 6:30

Avant Garde at Posnack, 4

Avon Park at Lake Placid, 7

Baker County at Ridgeview, 6

Bayshore at Southeast, 6

Bell Creek Academy at Lecanto, 6

Bishop Moore at Edgewater, 6

Blake at Middleton, 7:30

Boca Ciega at Lakewood, 7

Boyd Anderson at Coconut Creek, 4:30

Braden River at Manatee, 6

Brandon at Durant, 7

Centennial at Treasure Coast, 5

Chaminade-Madonna at West Broward, 4:30

Chiles at Lincoln, 7

Clearwater at Palm Harbor University, 7:30

Cooper City at Pembroke Pines Charter, 5:45

Crestview at Navarre, 7 CT

Crystal River at Belleview, ppd. (Weather)

DeLand vs. Seabreeze at Ormond Beach Sport Complex, 7

Deltona at Mainland, ppd. (Weather)

Dunedin at Osceola (Seminole), 7

Dunnellon at North Marion, 6

Dwyer at Martin County, 6

East Lake at Tarpon Srpings, 7:30

Ed White at Fleming Island, ppd. (Weather)

Forest Hill at Park Vista, 7

Gaither at Hillsborough, 7:30

Gibbs at Pinellas Park, 6:30

Godby at Leon, 7

Goleman at American, 3:30

Harmony at Liberty (Kissimmee), 7

Hialeah at Reagan, 2:30

Hialeah Educational at Aventura Charter, 4

Hialeah Gardens at North Miami, 3:30

Hollins at St. Petersburg, 7:30

Jensen Beach at South Fork, 6

Jupiter at Fort Pierce Central, 5

Keystone Heights at Baldwin, 6

Lake Nona at Cypress Creek (Orlando), 7

Lake Weir at Matanzas, ppd. (Weather)

Lake Worth at Royal Palm Beach, 7

Lakewood Ranch at Sebring, 7:30

Lincoln Park Academy at Okeechobee, 6

Mater Academy (Hialeah Gardens) at Miami Beach, 3:30

McArthur at Western, 4:30

Miami Jackson at Booker T. Washington (Miami), 2:30

Miami Sunset at Somerset Silver Palms, 3:30

Middleburg at Palatka, ppd. (Weather)

Mourning at Miami Central, 3:30

New Smyrna Beach at University (Orange City), 7

Newsome at Plant City, 7:30

Northeast (Oakland Park) at Somerset Prep, 4:30

Northview at Escambia, 5 CT

Nova at Miramar, 4:30

Ocoee at Horizon, 6

Osceola (Kissimmee) at St. Cloud, 7

Oxbridge Academy at Boynton Beach, 6

Pace at Fort Walton Beach, 7 CT

Paxon at Ribault, 7

Pine Forest at Escambia 7 CT

Pine Forest vs. Northview at Escambia High, 6 CT

Piper at Hollywood Hills, 4:30

Poinciana at Gateway (Kissimmee), 7

Rickards at Suwannee, 7

Riverview (Riverview) at East Bay, 7:30

Sandalwood at Terry Parker, 7

Seminole (Seminole) at Largo, 7

Seminole Ridge at John I. Leonard, 7:15

Sickles at Leto, 7:30

SLAM (Miami) at Booker T. Washington (Miami), 2:30

Somerset Academy (Pembroke Pines) at iMater Prep, 3:30

South Broward at Hallandale, 4:30

Spanish River at Santaluces, 7

Spruce Creek at Taylor (Pierson), 6

Stanton at Atlantic Coast, 7

Strawberry Crest at Spoto, 7:30

Sumner at Bloomingdale, 7:30

Suncoast at Palm Beach Lakes, 7

Tampa Bay Tech at Freedom (Tampa), 7:30

Trinity Catholic at Forest, ppd. (Weather)

Universal Academy at Tampa Catholic, 6

Vero Beach at Fort Pierce Westwood, 5

Wharton at Alonso, 7:30

Here’s how Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas and Hillsborough football teams fared in Week 2 of the season:

Northeast 31, Gibbs 14

Jesuit 24, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 21

Hudson 48, Sunlake 27

Keswick Christian 28, Bishop McLaughlin 15

Berkeley Prep 28, Calvary Christian 26

Bloomingdale 16, Newsome 10 (OT)

Lake Weir 19, Central 14

Land O’ Lakes 14, Hollins 13

Jacksonville University Christian 34, Zephyrhills Christian 13

Osceola 44, Dunedin 29

Seminole 24, Tarpon Springs 9

Pinellas Park 38, Largo 14

St. Petersburg Catholic 23, The Master’s Academy 18

Zephyrhills 43, Hernando 2

Bradenton Bayshore 48, Gulf 6

Nature Coast 42, Pasco 0

Mitchell 28, River Ridge 0

Cypress Creek 31, Estero Bonita Springs 14

Gaither 27, Chamberlain 0

East Bay 35, Strawberry Crest 7

Palm Harbor University 22, St. Petersburg 6

Fivay 28, Anclote 0

Plant 20, Robinson 0

Seffner Christian 18, Jacksonville North Fla. Educational Institute 14

Sumner 75, Brandon 0

Clearwater Central Catholic 38, Ocala Trinity Catholic 19

Tampa Bay Tech 54, Steinbrenner 30

Hillsborough 20, Armwood 14

Indian Rocks Christian 22, Bell Creek 15

Lakeland Victory Christian 24, Cambridge Christian 0

Tampa Catholic 7, Lakeland Kathleen 0

Freedom 22, Blake 6

Durant 49, Lennard 12

Plant City 21, Jefferson 0

Clearwater 35, East Lake 28

Sickles 45, King 0

Lakewood 15, Palmetto 6

TAMPA — As the cars filed out of Jesuit on Friday night, We Are the Champions blared out of an open window.

“We took on a giant and did a great job,” said Jesuit coach Matt Thompson, whose Tigers stunned Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas — Florida’s all-time leader in state championships — on a 9-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Luke Knight to senior wide receiver Jaydn Girard in the closing seconds for a 24-21 victory.

The game-winning pass by Knight, a first-year starter, represented the seventh lead change in a game that featured nine turnovers — six by Aquinas, who has 12 state titles, including back-to-back Class 7A crowns the past two seasons. The Raiders, ranked sixth nationally and second in the state by MaxPreps, also committed 13 penalties for 122 yards and were a fill-in for Wharton, which backed out of its game with Jesuit because of coronavirus issues. Thompson picked up the Aquinas game on Wednesday.

“Two days ago, we scheduled this game, and it wasn’t to be somebody’s doormat or to get a team in and see how well we were,” Thompson said. “We fully expected to win, and that’s what we practiced for.”

Victory!!!#AMDG pic.twitter.com/tOPHltycVe

— Jesuit Tigers Football (@JesuitTigers_FB) September 4, 2021

The game-winning drive covered 45 yards in eight plays. Knight got Jesuit deep into Aquinas territory with a 17-yard strike to junior wide receiver Jarriett Buie Jr., moving the ball to the 19. Moments later, a pass interference call in the end zone against the Raiders gave the Tigers a first down at the 9 — nullifying an interception by Aquinas senior Jerrod Cameron — to set up Knight’s memorable toss.

Initially, Knight thought teammates were kidding him about facing Aquinas.

“Actually, I walked to the sidelines Wednesday and (the offensive captains) said, ‘We’re playing St. Thomas,’” Knight said. “I didn’t believe them. . . . I was like, ‘No way.’ They were saying, ‘You scared?’ I said, ‘No, I live for this.’”

Junior running back Joquez Smith rushed 22 times for 172 yards (146 in the first half), including a 42-yard touchdown run and a 50-yard scamper that set up a 21-yard field goal by junior Jack Ferreri for the game’s first points.

But it was the Jesuit defense that kept bringing it all night. Senior middle linebacker A.J. Cottrill produced one of the major turnovers, scoring on a 30-yard fumble return with only eight seconds left before halftime to give the Tigers a 17-14 lead.

Seniors Hayes Greep, and juniors Troy Bowles and Kevin Doherty added interceptions, and senior Connor Charest recovered a fumble. Aquinas senior running back Anthony Hankerson also fumbled through the Jesuit end zone while attempting to score in the first quarter.

“We swarm to the ball and we’re pretty damn good,” Thompson said. “Our defense is just as good as theirs, and if we just play and believe in ourselves, that’s how we play.

“I believed the whole time, and that’s the thing about believing. If you believe hard enough, it’s going to come true. This is my biggest win (in nine years at Jesuit. ... Absolutely.”

TAMPA — The flurry of postponements, cancellations and rescheduled high school football games continued in a big way this week — a crazy turn of events that suddenly has given Jesuit a great opportunity Friday night.

Due to coronavirus issues within Wharton’s program, Jesuit in a few hours Wednesday afternoon went from being scheduled to play the Wildcats to a frantic series of phone calls by Tigers coach Matt Thompson seeking an available opponent to ultimately landing a game against one of the top programs in the country: Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, ranked sixth nationally by MaxPreps.

BREAKING: The Wharton at Jesuit game scheduled for Friday has been cancelled.Jesuit and nationally ranked Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas have reached a preliminary agreement to play Saturday night at Corral Memorial Stadium. Stay tuned for confirmation and details.#AMDG pic.twitter.com/4NmhLSTHFf

— Jesuit Tigers Football (@JesuitTigers_FB) September 1, 2021

Starting around 3 p.m., Thompson said, he started calling coaches who, like him, suddenly had an opening, including Countryside and Bartow. Bartow already had an opponent booked but had recently received a call from Aquinas, whose game with Plantation had been postponed.

Thompson called Aquinas, which said it would get to work setting up the logistics and getting the paperwork done. A few hours later, it was set for Friday night: Class 7A St. Thomas (1-0) at Class 6A Jesuit (1-0) at 7 p.m.

Thompson, whose team is ranked 55th nationally, highest among Tampa Bay area teams, said he watched film on Aquinas until 2 a.m. Thursday.

“We didn’t have much time to prepare, but we are very excited,” he said. “This an early-season test that should tell us a lot about where we are and what we need to improve on. (Aquinas) has no weaknesses. We expect them to test us in every way.”

Aquinas last year was declared the national champion by several ranking services after beating Saint Louis (Hawaii) in the GEICO state champions bowl series. The Raiders reportedly have around 20 Division I recruits, including 6-foot-5, 280-pound right tackle Julian Armella, the nation’s top-ranked offensive lineman by rivals.com.

Jesuit, ranked No. 3 in the state’s 6A poll, counters with plenty of talent, including 20 significant returnees from last year’s state semifinal squad, a round the Tigers have reached five of the last six years.

One of Jesuit’s biggest questions heading into the 2021 season was at quarterback, where sophomore Luke Knight has stepped into the starting role. In his first-ever start last week against West Port, Knight wasn’t perfect, Thompson said, but he was solid, completing 15 of 18 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.

“I’m sure (Knight) will be a little nervous playing against Aquinas, but then who wouldn’t be?” Thompson said. “I think this will be great for him. As soon as we got the confirmation we were playing Aquinas, he was studying film and preparing. I’m sure he knows more about Aquinas than I do. He’s that type of a student of the game.”

Defensively, Jesuit looks particularly stout behind the leadership of linebackers AJ Cottrill (15 tackles per game as a junior) and Troy Bowles (ranked by many as one of the nation’s top juniors). But then, the Tigers’ defense may never have faced a challenge as great as Aquinas.

“We look forward to it,” Thompson said. “We should learn a lot about ourselves.”

Here is today’s flag football game schedule as we continue with the first week of the season.

TUESDAY, MARCH 8 GAME SCHEDULE

Alonso at Sickles, 7:30

Andrew Jackson at Raines, 6

Apopka at Dr. Phillips, 6

Armwood at Freedom (Tampa), 7:30

Atlantic Coast at Mandarin, 7

Aventura Charter at Posnack, 4

Avon Park at Sebring, 7

Baker County at Suwannee, 6

Baldwin at Sandalwood, 6

Bayshore Christian at Dunedin, 7

Boca Raton at Royal Palm Beach, 7

Braddock at Miami Southridge, 3:30

Chamberlain at Jefferson, 7:30

Clearwater at Seminole (Seminole), 7

Coral Gables at Southwest Miami, 3:30

Coral Reef at Ferguson, 3:30

Coral Springs at Coral Glades, 4:30 p

Countryside at Palm Harbor University, 7:30

Crystal River at Lecanto, 6

Cypress Creek (Orlando) at Horizon, 6

DeLand at Mainland, 5

Downtown Doral at AIE Charter, 4

Dr. Krop at Miramar, 4:30

Durant at Hillsborough, 7:30

East Bay at Sumner, 7:30

Edgewater at Boone, 6

First Coast at Englewood, 7

Flanagan at Cypress Bay, 4:30

Fleming Island at Oakleaf, 7

Florida Deaf & Blind at Middleburg, 6

Fort Pierce Central at South Fork, 6

Freedom (Orlando) at Oak Ridge, 6

Gulf Breeze at Fort Walton Beach, 7 CT

Hallandale at Dillard, 5:45

Harmony at Bishop Moore, 6

Hialeah Educational at International Studies, 4

Jefferson County at Chiles, 6

John I. Leonard at Forest Hill, 7

Lake Nona at East River, 7

Lake Weir at Citrus, 6

Leon at Rickards, 7

Liberty (Kissimmee) at Gateway (Kissimmee), 7:30

Lincoln Park Academy at John Carroll, 4

Miami Beach at Hialeah Gardens, 3:30

Miami Central at Miami Killian, 3:30

Miami High at Mater Academy (Hialeah Gardens), 3:30

Monarch at Blanche Ely, 4:30

Mourning at Miami Carol City, 3:30

New Smyrna Beach at Deltona, 6:30

Newsome at Wharton, 7:30

North Miami at Hialeah, 3:30

Northeast (St. Petersburg) at Boca Ciega, 7

Okeechobee at Lake Placid, 6

Olympia at West Orange, 7

Orange Park at Ed White, 6

Osceola (Kissimmee) at Celebration, 7

Osceola (Seminole) at Hollins, 7:30

Palatka at Keystone Heights, 6

Palm Beach Lakes at Palm Beach Gardens, 7

Palmetto at East Lake, 7:30

Pine Ridge at Trinity Catholic, 6

Pinellas Park at Lakewood, 7

Piper at Boyd Anderson, 4:30

Plant City at Bloomingdale, 7:30

Poinciana at Tohopekaliga, 6

Reagan at Goleman, 4

Seabreeze at Taylor (Pierson), 6

SLAM (Miami) at Somerset Academy (Pembroke Pines), 4

Somerset South Homestead at Keys Gate Charter, 4

Spoto at Middleton, 7:30

Tate at Booker T. Washington (Pensacola), 6 CT

Treasure Coast at Jupiter, 6

University (Orange City) at Spruce Creek, 7

University (Orlando) at Timber Creek, 7

Vanguard at Belleview, 6

Varela at South Miami, 3:30

Vero Beach at Jensen Beach, 6

Wekiva at Ocoee, 6

Western at Spanish River, 7

Westside at Yulee, 6

Wolfson at Paxon, 7

joe.callahan@starbanner.com

Scattered across Marion County are many areas of standing water left behind by Hurricane Hermine that are now breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Everything from garbage can lids, bottle caps, tarps, flower pots and bird baths need to be drained immediately, health officials say.

In Marion County, at Ocala’s official rain gauge on Southeast 36th Avenue, 3.96 inches of rain fell Wednesday through Sunday. But because the county is larger than Rhode Island, the rainfall totals during that five-day span ranged greatly, such as 1.47 in the far eastern Ocala National Forest to 9.01 inches in southwest Ocala just off State Road 200, according to private rain gauges listed on Weather Underground.

Some other readings were Dunnellon area, 7.61 inches; west Marion north of Dunnellon, 6.55 inches; Belleview, 4.58 inches; Morriston, 3.43 inches; and East Lake Weir, 2.43 inches.

And those totals worry officials with the Florida Department of Health in Marion County. Craig Ackerman, the agency’s spokesman, said Tuesday that any day there will likely be a mosquito invasion in the area.

“We can expect a bumper crop of mosquitoes in the next week or two,” warned Ackerman. “There was a lot of rain dumped in the area.”

Hermine lumbered north in the Gulf of Mexico late last week and made landfall in the Big Bend of Florida, dumping lots of rain across the state. And even before the hurricane made landfall just south of Tallahassee, Gov. Rick Scott asked the public Thursday during a press conference to remember that Zika is now in Florida and that residents need to be mindful.

“It is incredibly important that everyone do their part to combat the Zika virus by dumping standing water,” Scott said, adding, “Remember to wear long sleeves and bug repellent when outdoors.”

The Zika virus was first detected near Miami in July. At least 47 non-travel related cases have been identified in Florida, most in the area of Miami Beach. There has been one non-travel related case in Pinellas County, state health officials said.

Zika is a mosquito-transmitted virus that causes an increased incidence of microcephaly in babies born to Zika-infected mothers. The virus was named after the Zika Forest, in Entebbe, Uganda, where it was first discovered about 1950.

There have been about 650 people in Florida who have contracted Zika, 80 of whom were pregnant women. In Marion County, two people have been identified as being diagnosed with Zika. Both contracted the disease during visits to the Dominican Republic, health officials said.

Zika is just one of a long list of illnesses that mosquitoes can carry. In this area, the most common illnesses are Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis and West Nile fever/encephalitis. Florida also has had several cases over the years of dengue fever, chikungunya and the Highlands J virus.

The most common disease-carrying mosquito in this part of Florida is the Aedes albopictus, or Asian tiger mosquito. It feeds during the day, not at dawn or dusk — the most common time for mosquito activity. That is the mosquito that often carries the Zika virus, officials said.

Officials have been urging residents for months to follow the four D’s when it comes to mosquitoes:

• Dusk & Dawn: Avoid the outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

• Dress: Wear long sleeves and long pants that are light-colored when outdoors.

• Spray: Use insect repellent, preferably ones that contain DEET.

• Drain: Don’t allow standing water in the yard; that includes bird baths and wading pools.

As part of that message, Marion County Public Schools have been targeting areas on all the district’s 51 school campuses. A team is traveling to schools to look for potential hazards, said Kevin Christian, the school district’s spokesman.

“We have reminded them (school administrators) to continually look for standing water,” said Christian, adding that school officials will drain and cover the items when possible.

Ackerman also warned Tuesday that just dumping out stagnant water may not be enough. Mosquito eggs can still cling to the side of the container and the eggs can hatch the next time it rains or fills with water.

Since late spring, the city of Ocala and Marion County have been aggressively targeting mosquitoes within the city limits with larvicides, larvae-eating fish and adulticide sprays when needed.

The city and the county have been using small, round larvicide briquettes, which are nicknamed “dunks.” They are placed in retention ponds that have standing water for long periods. The oily substance released from the briquettes, which are not harmful to humans or the environment, kill the larvae.

The city also has used Gambusia fish in local retention ponds. The fish are voracious eaters that feed off larvae to help keep mosquitoes under control.

“Residents need to be vigilant,” said Ackerman, adding that keeping the mosquito population down is important for the health of everyone.

Joe Callahan can be reached at 867-4113 or at joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeOcalaNews.

As part of the preliminary stages of a potential conversion from septic tanks to a sewer system in a part of Lake Weir, Marion County surveyed a number of residents on their feelings toward the idea—with the vast majority of respondents saying they are against it.

Of the 503 residents of North Shore Lake Weir the petition was sent to, 276 responded. Of those, 82% were against the project.

The results of the petition were presented to the Marion County Board of County Commissioners at the Nov. 7 meeting. The results are not binding and do not dictate whether the project will move forward or not. They will, however, provide the board with a general idea of the community’s sentiment.

Brian Creekbaum, a longtime enjoyer of Lake Weir, told the commissioners at the meeting that even with the potential environmental benefits of the septic-to-sewer project, the high number of negative responses is due to the hefty price tag.

In a letter sent to residents along with the survey, the county said the proposed improvements would cost from $45,000 to $50,000 per property, payable over the course of 20 years through their property tax bill.

“I think there’s some disagreement about septic tank impact,’’ Creekbaumn said, “but I believe sticker shock is the primary driver of the negative vote.’’

Creekbaum shared his connection and affinity for the lake, saying that his grandparents lived on East Lake Weir in the early 1900s. He has often visited his family’s cottage there and said he has used the Carney Island boat ramp throughout his life.

“I am here today to take the position that (the county) should take a leading role in determining these things and take the lead in any necessary implementation because a vital public asset is involved,” he said.

The county detailed the potential benefits of the project in the petition that was sent to the residents of the part of Lake Weir that the project would impact.

“The purpose of the Project is to eliminate nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and potential pathogens released by septic systems into the environment surrounding Lake Weir,” according to the petition. “The goal of the project is to help improve water quality in Lake Weir and preserve the lake as an important recreational destination for residents and visitors to enjoy.”

Transitioning from septic tanks to a sewer system could have a number of benefits for the quality of water of the lake, as septic systems can “negatively impact not only our drinking water but the quality of our ecosystem and aquatic life,” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

When it comes to the proposed septic-to-sewer project and future endeavors for ensuring the lake’s longevity as a public asset, Creekbaum believes the county should utilize state funds to complete this project and regularly participate and take a stronger role in preservation.

“There needs to be a county-sanctioned assessment of Lake Weir based on the best science and a plan of action developed to address problems,” he said.

The Save Lake Weir Association is a private organization that studies the pollutant levels, water quality and wildlife of the lake. It actively works to protect, preserve and restore the lake while educating the public, according to its website.

“You should not expect a private (organization) to shoulder all the load and preserve public assets such as the lake and the park,” Creekbaum said.

Save Lake Weir collects samples from the Big Lake, Sunset Harbor and the Little Lake monthly. The organization’s studies show a 54% in nitrogen levels and a 19% decrease in water clarity since 1985.

The county has explored alternative methods of funding the project that could reduce, but not eliminate, the cost for taxpayers. The county applied on Aug. 23 for a grant through the Water Quality Improvement Program through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which could potentially allocate “millions of dollars” toward the project.

“This grant would significantly reduce the cost for property owners over a 20-year period. The amount of this grant would be determined on need, and we won’t know how much unless we are awarded the grant,” said Marion County spokesperson Bobbi Perez in an email.

Despite the initial negative reaction and taking into account that the quality of the lake is not a direct responsibility of the county, Perez said the county has taken the initiative to help residents with costs if the project moves forward.

“Marion County’s proactive approach aims to assist residents in this matter,’’ she wrote. “However, if the property owners decide against any future assessment, the responsibility to finance individual septic-to-sewer conversions will fall solely on the property owner.”

As for the lake’s future, Marion County residents like Creekbaum will continue to enjoy Lake Weir for years to come, with the hope that everyone will take as much interest and care in it as his family always has.

“My mother distributed (my grandfather’s) ashes on the Big Lake and mine and going in the little Lake,” Creekbaum said. “Though, hopefully, not anytime soon.”