High school football: Sarasota and Manatee previews and predictions for Week 3
Here's a preview of the high school football games being played by Sarasota and Manatee County football teams this week.
Week 3: High School Football roundup: North Port picks up first win in almost 2 years
Bayshore Bruins (2-0) at Parrish Community Bulls (1-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Parrish Community High, 7505 Fort Hamer Road, Parrish
Last week: Bayshore 48, LaBelle 14; Lemon Bay 47, Parrish Community 27
History: Tied 1-1
Last year: Parrish Community 62, Bayshore 7
The skinny: Bayshore is 2-0 for the first time since at least 2004. … The Bruins are looking for their first three-game winning streak since Oct. 15-29, 2021. One of the wins during the streak was against Parrish Community, 51-13. … Last week, RB Jaden Judge scored six touchdowns, three rushing, one receiving, one on a kickoff return, and one on a punt return. … Parrish Community allowed 26 points during a 2-minute, 21-second stretch at the end of the second quarter and the beginning of the third in falling to Lemon Bay. … QB Jackson Volz went 22-for-38 for 204 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Bayshore 30, Parrish Community 26
More: 2023 weekly high school football schedules and scores for Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties
Booker Tornadoes (1-1) at Sarasota Sailors (0-2)
When, where: 7:30 p.m., Friday, 2155 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota
Last week: Booker 43, Southeast 13; Manatee 27, Sarasota 14
History: Sarasota 9-8 (since 2004)
Last year: Sarasota 28, Booker 21
The skinny: Booker cracked the win column last week behind the running of RB Ahmad Hunter, who gained 124 yards on 16 carries and scored two touchdowns. … QB Alexander Diaz went 7-of-15 for 90 yards with a touchdown. … Both of QB Jordan Johnson’s two completions went for scores for the Tornadoes. … Sarasota was within one score of Manatee heading into the final quarter before allowing two fourth-quarter touchdowns. … TE Nathan Wells got the Sailors on the board with a 5-yard touchdown after QB Johnny Squitieri scrambled to his right. … Squitieri threw to WR Chirs Rudolph for an 8-yard score in the final seconds. … RB Joe Ziegler gained 103 yards on the ground on 19 carries for the Sailors.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Booker 27, Sarasota 21
Lakewood Ranch Mustangs (0-2) at Braden River Pirates (1-0)
When, where: 7 p.m.. Friday, Braden River High, 6546 E. State Road 60, Bradenton
Last week: Cardinal Mooney 41, Lakewood Ranch 6; Braden River DNP
History: Braden River 9-5
Last year: Braden River 33, Lakewood Ranch 14
The skinny: For the second straight week, Lakewood Ranch had trouble getting its offense in gear. … The Mustangs mustered a 24-yard scoring pass from QB Sebastian Mejia to WR Jason Fields on a bubble screen. … In its Week 1 loss at Lemon Bay, Lakewood Ranch got two second-half touchdowns after falling behind 20-0 at halftime. … Braden River’s game on the new field turf at Palmetto High’s Harllee Stadium was postponed. … School officials are trying to find a makeup date for the contest. … The Pirates won their opener 34-20 over Gainesville High with RB Marcus Galloway scoring twice, once on the ground and once through the air via a pass from QB Lucas Despot (6-for-11, 95 yards). … RB Yahshua Edwards led the Pirates’ ground attack with 112 yards on 19 carries and a score.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Braden River 37, Lakewood Ranch 13
Herald-Tribune Poll: Manatee, Cardinal Mooney top area high school football rankings after Week 2
Westminster Academy Lions (2-0) at Bradenton Christian Panthers (2-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Dan van der Kooy Field at McClure Stadium, 3304 43rd St. W., Bradenton
Last week: Westminster Academy 24, American Heritage of Delray Beach 17; Bradenton Christian 41, Bell Creek Academy 0
History: Westminster Academy 1-0
Last year: Westminster Academy 23, Bradenton Christian 0
The skinny: Westminster Academy out of Fort Lauderdale opened the season last year with a 23-0 decision over Bradenton Christian at home. … The Lions finished 6-2 last year. … This year Westminster Academy has wins over Lake Highland Prep, 41-2, and American Heritage. … QB Anthony Barbar (43-of-56, 757 yards) has thrown five touchdowns to four different receivers, including two to WR Dwayne Wimbley Jr. (18 catches, 308 yards). … Bradenton Christian has not allowed a point in its first two games, blanking Keswick Christian and Bell Creek Academy by a combined 76-0. … The Panthers have started 2-0 for the first time since winning their first six games in 2020.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Bradenton Christian 35, Westminster Academy 14
Evangelical Christian Sentinels (2-0) at Cardinal Mooney Cougars (2-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, John Heath Field at Austin Smithers Stadium, 4171 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
Last week: Evangelical Christian 21, Island Coast 0; Cardinal Mooney 41, Lakewood Ranch 6
History: Cardinal Mooney 3-0
Last year: DNP
The skinny: The teams are renewing the series last played in 2007. … Cardinal Mooney has won all three by a combined 139-19. … Evangelical Christian out of Fort Myers has won its games by a combined 56-6 this season. … QB Tanner Helton (27-for-36, 400 yards) has thrown five touchdowns, two each to WR Jamarion Mcelroy (10 catches, 132 yards) and WR Jordan Rizzo (4 catches, 94 yards). … Cardinal Mooney has permitted a total of six points in its first two games. … QB Michael Valentino (17-of-29 for 304 yards) has passed for five scores, two each to WR Zy’marion Lang (4 catches, 126 yards) and WR Chris McCorkle (3 catches, 63 yards). … Valentino (19 carries, 116 yards) also has a rushing touchdown and is second on the team behind RB Carson Beach (31 carries, 170 yards. 2 TDs).
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Cardinal Mooney 33, Evangelical Christian 17
IMG Academy National (2-0) at Ben Davis (3-0)
When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; 1200 N. Girls School, Road, Indianapolis
Last week: IMG beat St. Joseph Prep 17-14; Ben Davis beat Pike 62-0
Series: First meeting
The skinny: For IMG, the final away game of three straight road contests to start the season. … The Giants have won 30 Indiana High School Athletic Association state titles, nine in football, the last coming in 2017. … But since that 14-0 season, the football team has finished a combined 31-28. This season, the 3-0 Giants have outscored their opponents 153-42. Quarterback Tom Gotkowski has thrown for 703 yards and 11 touchdowns. … In IMG’s 17-14 win over St. Joe’s Prep, all 31 points were scored in the first quarter. … Quarterback Jayden Bradford has thrown four TDs, while running back Jerrick Gibson has IMG’s other two scores.
Fernandes’s prediction: Ben Davis 28, IMG Academy 24
Southeast (0-2) at IMG Academy White (2-0)
When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; IMG Academy, 5500 34th St. W, Bradenton
Last week: Southeast lost to Booker 43-13; IMG White beat Key West 41-21
Series: IMG White leads 1-0
Last meeting: Last season, IMG White won 44-0
The skinny: In losses to Riverview and Booker, Southeast has been outscored 97-13. Since ending the 2021 season with four straight wins, the Noles have gone 1-10. . . . Despite forcing five fumbles and getting 13 Booker penalties, Southeast still lost by 30. … In its victory over Key West, IMG White threw for 241 yards and two scores and rushed 31 times for 310 yards and four TDs. … RB Clay Ash leads the IMG White attack with 368 yards rushing and six TDs.
Fernandes’s prediction: IMG White 48, Southeast 3
Saint Stephen’s (1-1) at Out-of-Door Academy (1-1)
When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Out-of-Door Academy, 5950 Deer Dr., Sarasota
Last week: Saint Stephen’s lost to Northside Christian 24-7; Out-of-Door Academy lost to Oasis 16-7
The series: Saint Stephen’s leads 11-7
Last meeting: Last season, Saint Stephen’s won 21-0
The skinny: In its loss to Northside Christian, the Saint Stephen’s defense was torched for 308 passing yards and two TDs. … Last season, Saint Stephen’s started 0-4, but turned it around in remarkable fashion, winning six of its final seven games, including a 47-7 victory over Legacy Charter for the Sunshine State Athletic Conference 5A title. … ODA, 9-1 last season, lost to the Falcons 21-0 in the state semifinals. … ODA opened the season with a 42-0 win over Berean Christian before last week’s loss to Oasis. … QB Jack Hobson graduated, as did RB Griffin DeRusso, who accounted for 1,444 yards and 19 TDs. … The top returning RB is senior Jack Meyers, who rushed for 153 yards last season and 3 TDs.
Fernandes’s prediction: Saint Stephen’s 24, ODA 21
Palmetto (1-0) at Riverview (1-1)
When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m., Ram Bowl, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota
Last week: Palmetto’s game vs. Braden River was postponed; Riverview lost to Buchholz 53-31
The series: Palmetto leads 6-4
Last meeting: Last season, Riverview won 17-14
The skinny: After opening the season with a 32-26 win over Gibbs, Palmetto had its game last week against Braden River postponed due to the weather. … The Rams played the Bobcats tough, getting a couple of long scoring plays, but couldn’t pull off the upset. … In two games, transfer QB Braxton Thomas has thrown for 237 yards, five TDs and 0 interceptions. … In Palmetto’s win over Gibbs, the Tigers rushed for 219 yards. Senior RB Davaughn Thomas accounted for 101 of them and two TDs
Fernandes’s prediction: Riverview 34, Palmetto 21
Sarasota Christian (2-0) at St. Petersburg Canterbury (0-0)
When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; St. Petersburg Canterbury, 990 62nd Ave. NE St, St. Petersburg
Last week: This will be Canterbury’s first game of the season; Sarasota Christian beat Foundation Academy 42-14
The series: Canterbury leads 1-0
Last meeting: Last season, Canterbury won 30-12
The skinny: This will be Canterbury’s season opener. … Last season, the Crusaders finished 7-2, losing to eventual champion Shorecrest Prep in the state semis. … Canterbury scored 313 points as a team, and sophomore RB Jordan Battle accounted for 130 of them on 21 TDs and four conversions. He rushed for 1,257 yards on 147 carries, an average of 8.6 yards per rush. …The Blazers’ offense hit the ground in high gear, scoring 58 points in a shutout win over Sports Leadership & Management Football, then 42 points in a 42-14 win over Foundation Christian Academy. … Sophomore QB Justin Brock threw five TDs in the win over Foundation, and added 118 yards rushing. . … In the game, the Blazers recorded their fourth defensive TD of the season.
Fernandes’s prediction: Sarasota Christian 42, Canterbury 10
Charlotte (0-2) at Manatee (2-0)
When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Joe Kinnan Field at Hawkins Stadium, 902 33rd St. Ct W, Bradenton
Last week: Manatee beat Sarasota 27-14; Charlotte lost to Port Charlotte 44-0.
Series: Manatee leads 5-1
Last meeting: Last season, Manatee won 48-17
The skinny: After falling behind to Sarasota 7-0, Manatee scored 27 straight points. … The Tarpons, who finished 2-7 last season, seem headed for another down season. In its two losses, Charlotte was blanked 34-0 by Dunbar, and 44-0 by Port Charlotte. …The Tarpons have rushed 47 times for minus-87 yards. Quarterback Brady Hall is 7-for-11 for 27 yards. …In two games, Manatee quarterback Andrew Heidel is 28-of-50 for 287 yards and 3 TDs. …Running backs Cory Sanders and KeiShawn Smith each have scored two TDs. …In two games, defensive tackle Ean Johnson-kelley has six tackles, three sacks, and nine quarterback hurries.
Fernandes’s prediction: Manatee 34, Charlotte 0
Venice (0-2) at Miami Northwestern (1-1)
When, where: Saturday, 6 p.m.; Traz Powell Stadium, 11380 NW 27th Ave., Miami
Last week: Venice lost to Cocoa 31-21; Miami Northwestern beat Jackson 63-0
The series: Northwestern leads 1-0
Last meeting: Last season, Northwestern won 32-26
The skinny: Last season, a 19-point third quarter for Northwestern was the difference in the six-point victory. … Venice hasn’t started a season 0-2 since 2006, Nick Coleman’s last year as head coach. Venice began 0-6 and finished 1-8. … In the loss to Cocoa, the Venice defense allowed four TDs and 408 yards passing to QB Brady Hart. Venice was flagged for seven holding calls, costing John Peacock’s team 198 yards of offense and wiping out an 80-yard TD. …The Tiger defense sacked Venice QB Jadyn Glasser four times and hurried him 11 others…. Venice also lost two fumbles in the game. It could get no closer than 17-14 at the end of the third period.
Fernandes’s prediction: Venice 28, Northwestern 21
IMG Academy Blue Ascenders (0-1) at North Port Bobcats (0-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., Thursday, The Preserve at North Port, 6400 W. Price Blvd., North Port
Last week: IMG Blue DNP; North Port DNP
History: IMG Blue 1-0
Last year: IMG Blue 28, North Port 10
The skinny: Both teams had a week off to prepare for this game after both dropped their openers. … IMG Academy Blue lost to Cambridge Christian out of Tampa, 31-9. … The Ascenders had two 100-plus yard rushers in QB Alex Neura (14 carries, 138 yards) and RB Zakkari Garrett (18 carries, 101 yards). … Neura (7-for-14, 98 yards) threw for 98 and the lone touchdown to WR TJ Hill (4 catches, 61 yards). … North Port was blanked by Parrish Community, 44-0, on the road in its opener. … The Bobcats received 60 rushing yards from RB Zeke Baez.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: IMG Academy Blue 20, North Port 14
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Previews, predictions for Sarasota and Manatee Week 3 high school football games
