Football Dolphins: Win, advance; lose, go home

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By RYAN McCARTHY

rmccarthy@keynoter.com

Posted - Saturday, November 07, 2009 11:07 AM EST

The District 8-1A football playoffs may technically begin later this month, but for Marathon High School, they begin on Nov. 7.

The Dolphins take on Westminster Christian School at 1 p.m. in what amounts to a play-in game for Marathon.

A win sets up a three-way tie between both teams and Dade Christian School for district runner-up. The top two teams from District 8-1A move on to state playoffs.

To determine a winner, the teams would gather at a site to be determined and draw straws or numbers. The first two teams play a quarter and the winner then plays the team that sat out to determine who moves on.

"It's going to be a good ballgame. Size, we're pretty much a wash; speed, we have a little more and special teams are pretty equal. It's going to come down to turnovers," coach Lance Martin said, comparing the Dolphins and Warriors.

Martin added he doesn't expect much help from the Warriors when it comes to the turnover battle. "They're going to be the most disciplined and well-coached team we've played all year; they don't make mistakes," he said.

Eighth-grade running back Deonte Stemage suffered a stinger in his left shoulder and arm during last Friday's 42-24 win over Miami Country Day, but Martin said he should be ready to go today.