Gators, Seahawks Gear Up for Butter Bowl

Crosstown high school football rivalries are generally accompanied by plenty of good-natured ribbing and lots of smack talk.

That’s not quite the case this year in Land O’ Lakes where the two high school principals say Friday’s return of the Butter Bowl is simply a chance to bring the whole community together for some hard-hitting football.

While the Sunlake High School Seahawks have won the title for two years running, Land O’ Lakes High’s Principal Ric Mellin says this year’s matchup is likely to be a close one.

“This year’s game shapes up to be pretty even on paper,” Mellin said. “Both teams have aggressive defenses that make it difficult for an offense to move the ball.”

Considering the outstanding defenses, Mellin anticipates Friday’s game will be a low-scoring one that’s “determined by turnovers. Whoever protects the ball and forces mistakes will take the Butter Bowl trophy.”

Sunlake Principal Michael Cloyd said, “This is one of those situations where history and records and predictions don’t matter because the rivalry provides the intensity either team would need to perform well.”

While the rivalry will, no doubt, show itself on Friday, Cloyd said the two schools do combine to create one community. That was witnessed earlier this year when one of Sunlake’s star football players, Xavier Johnson, was seriously injured in a tubing accident.

“While our teams may be rivals on the field, Mr. Mellin and I have witnessed our students pull together as one community to support Xavier Johnson and his family this year,” he told Patch. “Young people uniting for a common cause made a positive impact on our community.”

The Seahawks and Gators meet up at 7:30 p.m. at Sunlake, 3023 Sunlake Blvd.

Who do you think will win the Butter Bowl? Share your predictions by commenting below!

Photo courtesy of Pasco County Schools