High school football: Sarasota and Manatee previews and predictions for Week 1
Here are previews and predictions for Sarasota and Manatee county football games being played on Thursday, Aug. 24, Friday, Aug. 25, and Saturday, Aug. 26.
THURSDAY GAMES
Cambridge Christian Lancers at IMG Academy Blue Ascenders
When, where: 7 p.m. Thursday, IMG Academy Stadium, 5650 Bollettieri Blvd., Bradenton
Last week: Cambridge 31, American Collegiate Academy 0; IMG Academy Blue 16, Faith Christian 13
History: First meeting
Last year: DNP
The skinny: Cambridge Christian scored 21 points in the first quarter. … RB Wilis West rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns for the Lancers. … IMG Academy Blue went 3-5 last year.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: IMG Academy Blue 21, Cambridge Christian 20
Season Previews: Lakewood Ranch, Manatee and Palmetto 2023 high school football previews
Lakewood Ranch Mustangs at Lemon Bay Manta Rays
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Veterans Stadium, 2201 Placida Road, Englewood
Last week: Lakewood Ranch 40, Dunedin 14 (kickoff classic); Lemon Bay 31, South Fort Myers 24
History: Lakewood Ranch 2-0
Last year: Lakewood Ranch 7-0
The skinny: The teams played less than a quarter last year before inclement weather canceled the remainder of the game. It was not made up or resumed. … Last year’s meeting was the first since 2019 when Lakewood Ranch prevailed 19-9. … It is the coaching debut of Scott Paravicini with the Mustangs
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Lakewood Ranch 28, Lemon Bay 21
FRIDAY'S GAMES
St. Petersburg Catholic Barons at Bayshore Bruins
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Balvanz Stadium, 5401 34th St., Bradenton
Last week: St. Petersburg Catholic 36, Bronson 0 (classic); Bayshore 34, Tenoroc 0 (classic)
History: First meeting
Last year: DNP
The skinny: St. Petersburg Catholic lost its first five games last year before defeating Saint Stephen’s, 14-8, in overtime. … The Barons finished 2-7 in 2022. … Bayshore is looking for its first regular season win since a 48-15 decision over Gateway of Fort Myers on Oct. 29, 2021.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Bayshore 27, St. Petersburg Catholic 20
Immokalee at Booker Tornadoes
When, where: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Tornado Alley, 3201 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota
Last week: Immokalee 48, North Miami 15 (classic); Cardinal Mooney 24, Booker 20 (classic)
History: Immokalee 1-0
Last year: DNP
The skinny: This is the first meeting between the teams since Immokalee scored all its points in the first half and blanked Booker, 54-0, on Nov. 10, 2017. … Booker led 12-0 and 20-7 before falling to Cardinal Mooney last week.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Booker 34, Immokalee 13
Gainesville Hurricanes at Braden River Pirates
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Braden River High 6545 E. State Road 70, Bradenton
Last week: Winter Park 41, Gainesville 3 (classic); Braden River 24, Lennard 13 (classic)
History: First meeting
Last year: DNP
The skinny: Gainesville finished 0-10 last year and has not won a game since Nov. 5, 2021, when it defeated Eastside, 28-10. … The Hurricanes went 8-3 in 2021 and reached the playoffs. … Braden River has reached the playoffs nine straight years.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Braden River 41, Gainesville 13
Keswick Christian Crusaders at Bradenton Christian Panthers
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Dan van der Kooy Field at McClure Stadium, 3304 43rd St. W., Bradenton
Last week: Out-of-Door 27, Keswick Christian 14 (classic), Bradenton Christian 44, Santa Fe Catholic 6 (classic)
History: Bradenton Christian 8-2
Last year: Bradenton Christian 39-0
The skinny: Bradenton Christian has won eight straight games against Keswick Christian. … The Crusaders took the first two meetings in the series in 2007-2008. … Last year was the first time the Panthers blanked Keswick Christian, which went 2-7 a year ago. … It is the coaching debut of Bradenton Christian coach Nate Strawderman.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Bradenton Christian 36, Keswick Christian 13
Avon Park Red Devils at Cardinal Mooney Cougars
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, John Heath Field at Austin Smithers Stadium, 4171 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
Last week: Poinciana 38, Avon Park 0 (classic); Cardinal Mooney 24, Booker 20 (classic)
History: Cardinal Mooney 3-2
Last year: DNP
The skinny: This is the first meeting since Cardinal Mooney defeated Avon Park, 48-34, Oct. 19, 2018, in Avon Park. … The Cougars have won the past three meetings, including two by shutout, after losing the first two to the Red Devils in 2009 and 2010.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Cardinal Mooney 35, Avon Park 6
More: See which area football teams are playing the IMG Academy high school teams
John Paul II Eagles at IMG Academy White Ascenders
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, IMG Academy Field, 5650 Bollettieri Blvd., Bradenton
Last week: Boynton Beach 49, St. John Paul II 7; Manatee 23, IMG Academy White 17 (classic)
History: First meeting
Last year: DNP
The skinny: St. John Paul lost its home opener last week. … The Eagles went 3-7 last season and ended the season on a four-game losing streak. … They were outscored 383-130. … IMG Academy White had a 17-10 lead in the fourth quarter of its classic game against Manatee.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: IMG Academy White 33, St. John Paul II 10
Manatee Hurricanes at Lake Minneola Hawks
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Lake Minneola High, 101 N. Hancock Road, Minneola
Last week: Lake Minneola 28, Dr. Phillips 21; Manatee 23, IMG Academy White 17 (classic)
History: First meeting
Last year: DNP
The skinny: Lake Minneola went 10-2 last season, losing to eventual state champion Lakeland, 41-6, in the Class 4 Suburban-Region 2 final. … The Hawks went 6-1 at home a year ago. … Manatee posted a come-from-behind victory over IMG Academy White at home in the first game on its new turf at Joe Kinnan Field at Hawkins Stadium.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Manatee 28, Lake Minneola 20
North Port Bobcats at Parrish Community Bulls
When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; Parrish Community High School, 7505 Fort Hamer Road, Parrish.
Last week: Pinellas Park beat Parrish 14-9 in the Kickoff Classic; North Port was idle.
History: North Port leads series 1-0.
Last year: DNP
The skinny: Last season, North Port finished 0-7 under third-year head coach Garon Belser. The Bobcats were outscored 217-69. … Parrish Community started the season 4-0 before losing its final five to finish 4-5. In December, head coach Chris Culton was fired. He was replaced by former Southeast assistant Robert Dylan Clark. … The two teams have only played each other once. In 2020, North Port beat Parrish 36-0. … Parrish returns RB Javon Moss, who rushed for 839 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, as well as QB Jackson Volz, who threw for 1,385 yards and 14 TDs. … North Port returns its top offensive weapon, RB Isaac Smith, who accounted for the team’s lone rushing TD.
Fernandes’s prediction: Parrish 28, North Port 7
Berean Christian at Out-of-Door Academy
When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; Out-of-Door Academy, 5950 Deer Drive, Sarasota.
Last week: Out-of-Door Academy beat Keswick Christian 27-14 in Kickoff Classic.
History: Out-of-Door leads series 1-0.
Last year: Out-of-Door beat Berean Christian in season opener 28-0.
The skinny: This one could be a running clock. Out-of-Door finished last season 9-1, advancing to the second round of the playoffs. The Thunder outscored its foes 360-141. … The team lost three of its top four RBs to graduation, but return Allen Clark, who gained nearly 400 yards as a freshman. … The Bulldogs out of West Palm Beach, meanwhile, finished last season 1-8, after seasons of 0-8 and 0-9. The team scored just 52 points in its nine games, and were shut out four times.
Fernandes’s prediction: Parrish Community 38, Berean Christian 3.
Palmetto at St. Pete Gibbs
When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Gibbs High School, 850 34th St. S, Saint Petersburg
Last week: Gibbs beat Middleton in Kickoff Classic 20-12; Palmetto beat Lakewood in Kickoff Classic 17-7.
History: Palmetto leads series 1-0.
Last year: Palmetto beat Gibbs 24-20.
The skinny: The debut of Palmetto head coach Rashad West, who replaced Dave Marino. In four years as HC at Lakewood Ranch, West’s teams finished 20-17. … He takes over a Palmetto program which has won three regional titles and made the state semis three times. … Last year, the 6-4 Tigers lost in the first round of regionals. The team added former Mustang quarterback Clayton Dees, replacing Zander Smith, who transferred to Lakeland, but lost leading receiver Zymarrion Lang to Cardinal Mooney. … Gibbs, 2-8 last season, lost its opener to Palmetto, then went on to lose seven straight before winning its final two games. And the Gladiators graduated RB Sammy Miller, who rushed for 1,425 yards and scored 16 TDs.
Fernandes’s prediction: Palmetto 28, Gibbs 7
Season Previews: 2023 High school football team previews for Venice, Riverview High and Sarasota
Southeast at Riverview
When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Ram Bowl, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota.
Last week: Riverview beat Hillsborough in Kickoff Classic 24-6; Southeast lost to Newsome 17-14 in Kickoff Classic.
History: Series tied 5-5.
Last year: DNP
The skinny: The Rams won the last meeting between the two teams, 7-5 in 2020. … Starting slowly last season, Riverview (5-7) righted the ship to make the regional final, where it lost to Venice. … The Rams also lost top recruit Charles Lester to Venice. But two new quarterbacks were added, transfers Braxton Thomas (Arizona) and Anthony Miller (Venice). … Leading rusher DJ Johnson also returns. … After going 5-3 in 2021, Southeast fell off to 1-8 last season. The Seminoles’ lone win came against Parrish 14-9.
Fernandes’s prediction: Riverview 31, Southeast 10.
Fort Meade at Sarasota
When, where: Friday, Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field, 2155 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota.
Last week: Sarasota lost to Tampa Catholic 42-10 in the Kickoff Classic. Fort Meade lost to Bartow 12-0 in Kickoff Classic.
Series: First meeting.
The skinny: Sarasota will be coached by Josh Phillips, who takes over for Brody Wiseman. … Sailors finished 5-5 last season, losing in the regional semis. . . . In the game of QB musical chairs, Alex Diaz, last season’s starter, transferred to Booker. He was essentially replaced by Johnny Squitieri, who threw for 702 yards last season at Manatee. … Sarasota returns RB Joe Ziegler, the team’s leading rusher with 750 yards. … The Miners finished 7-4 last season, losing in the regional semis to Clewiston. … Returning is QB Carson Montsdeoca, who threw for 1,497 yards last season, 24 TDs, and just 4 INTs.
Fernandes’s prediction: Sarasota 28, Fort Meade 21
Sports Leadership & Management at Sarasota Christian
When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Sarasota Christian, 5415 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota
Last week: Sarasota Christian defeated Geneva 55-0 in Kickoff Classic; SLAM lost to Academy of the Lakes Football 32-0 in Kickoff Classic.
Series: First meeting.
The skinny: Playing in the eight-man Sunshine State Athletic Conference, Sarasota Christian finished 7-5, winning two playoff games before losing to Master’s Academy of Vero Beach in the title game. . . . Sophomore QB Ben Milliken, who threw an area-best 41 TD passes last season, returns, as does top RB Austin Kerle (651 yards, six TDs). … This could be the final season the Blazers play 8-man. … Sports Leadership & Management, a public charter school in Tampa, will be playing its first season of football. … The Spartans, with just 24 players listed on their roster, were blanked 32-0 by Academy of the Lakes Football in last week’s Kickoff Classic.
Fernandes’s prediction: Sarasota Christian 38, Sports Leadership & Management 3
Armwood at Venice
When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m., Powell-Davis Stadium, 1 Indian Ave., Venice.
Last week: Venice defeated Tampa Bay Tech 48-7 in Kickoff Classic; Lakeland defeated Armwood 28-13 in Kickoff Classic.
Series: Armwood leads 2-0.
Last year: DNP
The skinny: The last time the two teams played was in 2014, a 42-14 Armwood victory. … The Hawks won state titles in 2003, 2004, and 2011, but had the ‘11 title stripped for using ineligible players. … Last season, Armwood finished 6-4, failing to make the postseason. … QB Murdolph Jones (1,657 yards, 15 TDs) graduated, but leading rusher Girard Pringle (622 yards, six TDs) returns. … Venice, which lost in last year’s state final to finish 9-4, isn’t hurting for talent. RBs Jamarice Wilder and Alvin Johnson return, as do C Mathew Locicero, RG Mathew Peavley, WR Ryan Matulevich, LB Eli Seed, and DB Deylan Platt. Top recruit WR/DB Charles Lester transferred from Riverview, and WR Griffin Gisotti from Cardinal Mooney. … At QB, head coach John Peacock will have at his disposal transfers Ryan Downes and Jadyn Glasser.
Fernandes’s prediction: Venice 42, Armwood 14
More: IMG Academy National football team loaded with top-notch college prospects
SATURDAY'S GAME
IMG Academy National at St. Joseph’s Prep
When, where: Saturday, 7 p.m.; St. Joseph’s Prep, 1733 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia
Last week: IMG Academy defeated Lipscomb 35-10; St. Joseph was idle.
Series: First meeting
The skinny: Game to be televised on ESPN2. … Last season the Hawks finished 12-1, defeating Harrisburg 42-7 for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class 6A state title. … The Ascenders are coming off an 8-1 campaign which saw them lose only their first game of the season, 20-14 to Miami Central.
Fernandes’s prediction: IMG 42, St. Joseph 28
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Previews, predictions for Sarasota and Manatee Week 1 high school football games
