6 bold high school football predictions for Week 2: Five winners, 1 breakout player

Week one is in the book, so we should know more about players and teams, right? We'll find out.Here are six predictions heading into the second week of the season.

North Miami at Lake Gibson

After beating East Lake last year in the season opener, Lake Gibson went on to lose five in a row against a tough schedule. While the Braves still have a strong schedule, they get a reprieve in week two playing North Miami, which went 5-6 last year. American Heritage, last year's week two opponent, went on to finish state runner-up at 13-2.

Prediction: Lake Gibson, 35-17.

Lakeland at Largo

This game was canceled last season because of the weather. Former coach Bill Castle expected Largo to give his Dreadnaughts a good game, and new coach Marvin Frazier expects the same this year. Largo was a region finalist in Class 3M last season and is coming off a 35-17 victory over Pinellas Park last week. Lakeland showed it could run the ball against Armwood and pass the ball against Miami Norland. Look for the Dreadnaughts to do both. Defensively, after allowing 489 yards passing, Lakeland faces a Largo squad that rushed for 258 yards. Expect a big bounce back by the Lakeland 'D'.

Prediction: Lakeland 42-14.

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Haines City at Auburndale

Haines City got a big game from Ke'shon Tyler, who ran for 152 yards on just nine carries. Tyler will be a workhorse for the Hornets and could have another big game against Auburndale. Haines City, however, could be just a bit one-dimensional. Auburndale was off last week so the Bloodhounds are still a big unknown. This was another rained-out game a year ago.

Prediction: Haines City, 17-7.

Ridge Community at Lake Wales

Richard Tate's third stint at Ridge Community got off to a winning start, but the Bolts go from facing 1-9 Celebration to state champion Lake Wales. There's not a lot you can glean from Ridge's 46-0 victory that will indicate what they can do the same against Lake Wales. The Highlanders' offense was clicking last week but should get a good test by the Ridge defense.

Prediction: Lake Wales, 20-7.

Frostproof at Hardee

The Bulldogs got off to a strong start last week when they ran the ball at will for much of the first half against LCS with Donavan Solomon leading the way. Daveon Pittman was pressed into action at quarterback because of an injury. He's more of an athlete and runner but he did make a nice completion late in the first half for about 20-plus yards that would have given Frostproof a first down but it was brought back because of a penalty. Without the penalty, the Bulldogs probably could have run out the clock and go into halftime with a seven-point lead. A difference of a second play — the fumble that was returned for a touchdown — and it's a different game in the second half.

Prediction: Frostproof, 32-14.

Breakout player: Look for a big game from D'Marius Rucker

Lakeland's ground game was stuck in neutral (19 carries, 24 yards) last week. Rucker had a miserable night as he rushed for -10 yards on five carries. That will change this week. Rucker will have more than 100 yards to lead a bounce-back game for the Lakeland backfield.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Here are 6 bold predictions for Week 2 of Polk high school football