High School football: Week 10 Sarasota, Manatee previews and predictions
Here's a preview of the high school football games being played by Sarasota and Manatee County football teams Thursday, Oct. 26 and Friday, Oct. 27.
Bradenton Christian Panthers (7-1) at Westminster Christian Lions (7-1)
When, where: 6 p.m., Thursday, Westminster Academy, 5601 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale
Last week: Bradenton Christian 35, Out-of-Door Academy 7; Westminster Christian 41, SmartEn Sports Academy 0
The series: Westminster Christian 2-0
Last year: Westminster Christian 23, Bradenton Christian 0
The skinny: This is a Championship Bracket first-round game in the Sunshine State Athletic Association playoffs. … The teams played earlier this season with Westminster Academy taking a 34-10 victory Sept. 8 in Bradenton, handing the Panthers their only loss of the season to this point. … Bradenton Christian enters with a five-game winning streak. … ATH Jaden Baker had two touchdown receptions from QB Caden Ott against Out-of-Door Academy… WR Ben Bradshaw returned a kickoff 86 yards for a score. Ott and RB Colton Dempsey scored on short rushing touchdowns. … Westminster Academy’s lone loss is 42-7 to 8-0 NSU University. … The Lions bounced back with their second shutout win of the season, scoring all 41 points in the first half. …
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Westminster Academy 28, Bradenton Christian 24
Booker Tornadoes (5-3) at Lemon Bay Manta Rays (7-1)
When, where: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Veterans Stadium, 2201 Placida Road, Englewood
Last week: Wiregrass Ranch 30, Booker 21; First Baptist Academy 44, Lemon Bay 13
The series: Booker 7-2
Last year: Booker 33, Lemon Bay 22
The skinny: This is for the Class 2 Suburban-District 15 championship. … Both teams are 2-0 in district play. … Both are coming off losses. … Booker allowed 263 passing yards to Wiregrass Ranch QB Luke Knight, who was 24-for-38 with two passing touchdowns and one rushing score. … Booker QB Jordan Johnson went 8-for-13 for 88 yards and a scoring pass to WR Joshua Burrows. … RB Ahmad “Tooda” Hunter had 52 rushing yards and a touchdown. … LB Jordan Radkey finished with seven tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks. … DB Karaijus Hayes picked off a pass and defended another for the Tornadoes’ defense. … DB Abraham Brown III returned a fumble for a touchdown for Booker. … Lemon Bay permitted 444 yards through the air and four passing touchdowns to defending 1S state champion First Baptist. … QB Lorenzo Mauceri threw a 12-yard scoring pass to WR Haden Skellet, but turned the ball over three times in the loss.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Booker 30, Lemon Bay 27
Southeast Seminoles (0-8) at Braden River Pirates (3-4)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Braden River High, 6545 E. State Road 70 E. Bradenton
Last week: Sarasota 25, Southeast 6; Braden River 21, Charlotte 10
The series: Braden River 7-4
Last year: Braden River 16, Southeast 7
The skinny: This is a Class 3 Suburban-District 13 contest. … Braden River received two passing touchdowns from QB Lucas Despot (15-for-22, 184 yards), one to TE Cody Kawcak (27 yards) and one to WR Matt Schefer (17 yards). … RB Yahshua Edwards had the other score, a 7-yard run. … The Pirates trailed Charlotte 10-7 at halftime before scoring all 14 points in the second half. … Southeast managed a 5-yard touchdown pass from QB Tooda Thomas to WR Connor Arpelia with 56 seconds left in the game to avert the shutout against previous winless Sarasota.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Braden River 27, Southeast 10
IMG Academy White Ascenders (7-0) at Venice (6-2)
When, where: 7:30 p.m, Friday, Powell-Davis Stadium, 1 Indian Way, Venice
Last week: IMG Academy White 35, Lake Highland Prep 14; Venice 51, Palmetto 16
The series: Venice 1-0
Last year: Venice 41, IMG Academy White 9
The skinny: IMG Academy received two passing touchdowns from QB Ely Hamrick (9-of-13, 114 yards) to remain unbeaten. … Hamrick connected with WR Zavier Southall and WR James Olsen. … Hamrick also scored a rushing touchdown, as did RB Clay Ash (5 carries, 151 yards). … DB Tyler Slomka picked off a pass and LB Jason Paganis recovered a fumble for the Ascenders. … In winning for the sixth straight time, Venice outscored its opponents 303-114 during the streak. … RB Alvin Johnson III (10 carries, 87 yards) scored three touchdowns and RB Jamarice “Gator” Wilder (6 carries, 129 yards) had two scores on the ground. … QB Jadyn Glasser (9-for-11, 90 yards) threw a touchdown to WR Ryan Matulevich. … LB Chris Lee and DL Ryan Daly notched sacks.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Venice 28, IMG Academy White 27
Manatee Hurricanes (6-2) at Palmetto Tigers (4-3)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Harllee Stadium, 1200 17th St. W., Palmetto
Last week: Riverview 21, Manatee 14; Venice 51, Palmetto 16
The series: Manatee 10-5 (since 2004)
Last year: Palmetto 26, Manatee 21
The skinny: This is for the Class 4 Suburban 13 title. … Palmetto has won the past two meetings and three of the past four. … Manatee has dropped two straight after winning its first six. … QB Andrew Heidel (22-for-40, 206 yards) threw a touchdown pass to WR Bon Bean (6 receptions, 84 yards). … Heidel also led the Hurricanes in rushing with 41 yards on eight carries. … RB Tyron Jackson (2 carries, 29 yards) had the other Manatee touchdown. … DL Jah’ron Hill had five solo tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry. … Palmetto had a two-game winning streak snapped. … QB Clayton Dees rushed for a score and threw a touchdown to ATH Rok Lodge.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Manatee 28, Palmetto 21
SmartEn Sports Academy Goats (0-6) at Cardinal Mooney Cougars (6-2)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, John Heath Field at Austin Smithers Stadium, 4171 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
Last week: Westminster Christian 41, SmartEn Sports Academy 0; Bishop Verot 50, Cardinal Mooney 14
The series: First meeting
The skinny: SmartEn Sports Academy out of Miami not only has not won this year, its first season of varsity football, the Goats have not scored this season, having been outscored 232-0. … The closest game was a 20-0 setback to Palm Beach Christian Prep. … SmartEn Sports Academy has played all its games on the road. … It is the season finale for the independent Goats. … Cardinal Mooney had a three-game winning streak snapped by Bishop Verot in Fort Myers. … The Cougars scored all their points in the second quarter, but trailed 29-14 at halftime. … Cardinal Mooney allowed 283 yards on the ground and 150 through the air to the Vikings. … QB Devin Mingery rushed 13 times for 120 yards and a score for the Cougars. … RB Carson Beach (10 carries, 57 yards) had the other touchdown, a 19-yard run, before leaving the game with an injury.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Cardinal Mooney 54, SmartEn Sports Academy 0
North Port Bobcats (5-2) at Tarpon Springs Spongers (6-1)
When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; Tarpon Springs High School, 1411 Gulf Road, Tarpon Springs
Last week: North Port lost to Hardee 20-7; Tarpon Springs beat Dunedin 42-0
The series: Tarpon Springs leads 1-0
Last year: Tarpon Springs won 14-10
The skinny: This is the first freelance district game for both teams. … After going 3-7 last year, the Spongers have turned it around. Their only loss was to East Lake, 21-16, last month. …Tarpon Springs has more than doubled its opponents in points 219-108. … Spongers have attempted just 77 passes in their seven games. They’ve rushed for 1,846 yards on 250 carries, a 7.4 yards-per-attempt average, with 21 TDs. … Senior Parkees Harris has 961 yards and seven TDs. Geramyah Porter, the Spongers QB, has 565 yards rushing and nine scores. He also has returned eight kickoffs for 319 yards and two TDs. … After winning five straight, the Bobcats had their lowest scoring output last week since a Week 1 43-0 loss to Parrish. … The Hardee defense shut down the North Port running attack; coming in, Ezekiel Baez had 796 yards and five TDs, and Peter Kalphat had 335 and seven TDs. … The Bobcats end their regular season next week by hosting Lemon Bay.
Fernandes's prediction: Tarpon Springs 31, North Port 24
Parrish Community Bulls (6-2) at Port Charlotte Pirates (6-2)
When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Port Charlotte High School, 18200 Cochran Blvd., Port Charlotte
Last week: Parrish lost to Cypress Creek 41-34; Port Charlotte had a bye.
The series: Port Charlotte leads 1-0
Last year: Port Charlotte won 56-14
The skinny: With both teams 2-0 in the district, a 3S-District 13 game to decide the district champion. … The Pirates will be playing for their second straight district crown. … In four of the six games won by Port Charlotte, it posted shutouts. The Pirates have outscored their foes 357-110. Port Charlotte has gotten production both throwing and running the ball. QB Eli Manley has thrown for 1,100 yards and 13 TDs. … Meanwhile, RBs Ike Perry and Edd Guerrier combined for 1,051 yards rushing and 17 TDs. … Jamal Streeter leads the team in receiving with 395 yards and six TDs. … The Bulls had won five straight before last week’s seven-point loss to undefeated Cypress Creek. … The Parrish defense was torched in the loss for 289 yards passing and two TDs, and 153 yards rushing and three TDs. … RBs Jerone Turner and Jermaine Edwards continue to be the workhorses in the Parrish backfield. The two have combined for 998 yards and nine TDs. … MLB Gage Cameron has a team-high 95 tackles, 1.5 sacks, seven QB hurries, two passes defensed, two caused fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one blocked punt.
Fernandes's prediction: Port Charlotte 41, Parrish 34
A Look Back: 20 years ago, Sarasota and Riverview played “The biggest event Sarasota High has ever hosted"
Sarasota Sailors (1-7) at Riverview Rams (4-4)
When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Riverview High School, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota
Last week: Sarasota beat Southeast 25-6; Riverview beat Manatee 21-14.
The series: Riverview leads 38-26
Last year: Riverview won 27-7
The skinny: A 4S-District 14 game. Both teams are 0-1. …The 65th meeting between the Sarasota rivals. The Sailors haven’t won since a 36-0 victory in 2011. The Rams come into the game having won 11 in a row from Sarasota. … Sarasota got its first win of the season last week for first-year head coach Josh Phillips. In the 25-6 victory over winless Southeast, Joe Ziegler ran for two scores and Andrew Clayton kicked two FGs. Ziegler finished with 73 yards rushing on 21 carries. … QB Johnny Squiteiri completed 19 of 29 for 245 yards. Jackson Mullet had nine of the receptions for 121 yards. … Riverview bounced back from losing three straight to defeat Manatee on the road. … RB Dj Johnson scored all three of the Rams’ TDs in the 21-14 victory. He has 988 yards rushing and 11 TDs. … Before the kickoff, at 7:15 p.m., will be a ceremony renaming the Ram Bowl as John Sprague Field at the Ram Bowl. The Rams head coach for 30 years will be at the ceremony.
Fernandes's prediction: Riverview 44, Sarasota 14
Bayshore Bruins (4-4) at Lakewood Ranch Mustangs (3-5)
When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; Lakewood Ranch High School, 5500 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch
Last week: Lakewood Ranch beat Gibbs 10-8; Bayshore beat Marco Island Academy 62-0
The series: Lakewood Ranch leads 10-4
Last year: Lakewood Ranch won 68-0
The skinny: The Bruins snapped a three-game losing streak with a 62-0 victory over Marco Island Academy. … It was Bayshore’s first shutout since blanking Island Coast, 8-0, in 2018. … The Bruins scored 41 points in the first quarter. … RB Jaden Judge rushed for more than 100 yards in the game, giving him 700 on the season. … The Mustangs bounced back after two losses to beat winless GIbbs. Lakewood Ranch had a 10-0 lead until Gibbs scored a late TD on an interception, followed by the 2-point conversion. … RB Simon Freed scored on a 10-yard run in the second quarter, and PK Aaron Clark later added a 33-yard field goal. … Ranch remains in the postseason picture. In the FHSAA rankings released Oct. 17, the Mustangs owned the eighth and final spot in Region 4, Class 4S. Following Bayshore, Ranch ends the regular season against Booker.
Fernandes's prediction: Lakewood Ranch 24, Bayshore 14
Foundation Christian Academy Panthers (1-8) at The Classical Academy of Sarasota Patriots (4-5)
When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; The Classical Academy of Sarasota, 8751 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
Last week: Masters Academy beat Classical Academy 74-21; Academy at the Lakes beat Foundation Christian Academy 46-22.
The series: Classical Academy leads 1-0
Last year: Classical Academy won 56-25
The skinny: A Sunshine State Central District game. … The final game of the regular season for both teams. … Classical this season has been led by QB Sam Nolt, who has thrown for 13TDs and rushed for a team-high 17, along with 1,437 yards rushing. … Nolt’s favorite target has been WR Liam Kelly, who has 31 of Nolt’s 43 completions, for 668 yards and 13 TDs. … The Patriots have intercepted 12 passes, led by FS Cayden Bosso with five. … Foundation’s only victory came in Week 1, a 28-2 win over St. John Lutheran. Since then, the Panthers have lost eight straight, outscored 319-140. … Foundation has rushed just 85 times in its eight games. Its two main threats are WRs Joe Mackey (27 catches, four TDs) and Tristan Cornish (16 catches, four TDs).
Fernandes's prediction: The Classical Academy of Sarasota 35, Foundation Christian Academy 7
Old Plank Christian Academy Defenders (4-5) at Sarasota Christian Blazers (7-2)
When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; Sarasota Christian School, 5415 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota
Last week: Old Plank Christian Academy beat First Coast Christian 52-6; Sarasota Christian had a bye.
The series: First meeting
The skinny: Old Plank, located in Jacksonville, was 7-2 last season. But after losing three straight, the Defenders have won two in a row, by a combined score of 108-6. … Sarasota Christian will be looking to bounce back after a bye following its second loss in three games. … Since returning from injury, QB Ben Milliken has thrown for 572 yards and seven TDs. … On the ground, sophomore Justin Brock, who took over at QB when Milliken was hurt, has rushed 36 times for 462 yards (12.8 avg.) and four TDs. Austin Kerle has run for six scores and Daniel Jacinto seven. … Defensively, the freshman Jacinto has a team-high 91 tackles; two interceptions, one returned for a TD; one pass defensed; one fumble recovery; and one caused fumble.
Fernandes's prediction: Sarasota Christian 42, Old Plank Christian Academy 17
Boca Raton Christian Blazers (6-2) at Saint Stephen’s Falcons (6-2)
When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School, 315 41st St. W, Bradenton
Last week: Boca Raton beat Jordan Christian Prep 56-26; Saint Stephen’s beat Oasis 29-7.
The series: Saint Stephen’s leads 1-0
The skinny: A Sunshine State Athletic Conference 5A quarterfinal game. … The top-seeded Falcons enter the playoffs winners of two in a row and four of their last five. … Saint Stephen’s finished the regular season allowing just 87 points in its eight games. … The Falcons had 25.5 sacks, led by DE Jacob S clulow, who had 6.5 plus 17 QB hurries. … Offensively, QB Evan Brown passed for just 731 yards and four TDs, but ran for a team-high 1,009 yards and 16 TDs. Cameron Brewer added 554 yards and four TDs. … The fourth-seeded Blazers, 4-4 last season, enter the game with a two-game winning streak. … They won their first four games, all by shutout, before allowing 41 and 45 in their two losses. … QB Joey Weber threw 15 TDs during the regular season. … The team’s leading rusher, Maxwell Charles, ran for 439 yards and six TDs. … Blazer CB Brady Wall had six of the team’s 11 INTs, returning three for scores and also returning a fumble for a TD. … The winner plays the winner of the Oasis-Glades Day quarterfinal game.
Fernandes's prediction: Saint Stephen’s 31, Boca Raton Christian 17
All Saints’ Academy Saints (6-2) at Out-of-Door Academy Thunder (3-5)
When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; Out-of-Door Academy, 5950 Deer Drive, Sarasota
Last week: All Saints’ beat Trinity Prep 40-0; Out-of-Door lost to Bradenton Christian 35-7
The series: First meeting
The skinny: A Sunshine State Athletic Conference 4A quarterfinal game. … The second-seed Thunder, which lost in the state semis last year to eventual champion Saint Stephen’s, enters this postseason on a down note, having lost its last three games. … For the season, OOD scored just eight more points than it allowed (162-154). … The Thunder averaged just nine pass attempts a game to 25 rushing attempts. … RB Allen Clark led with 516 yards and eight TDs, followed closely by Jack Meyers, who had 503. … FS Jack Taraska had a team-high three INTS, one returned for a score, along with six passes defensed, one caused fumble, and one fumble recovery, which Taraska returned for a TD. … The third-seed Saints come in riding a five-game winning streak, the last four by shutout. They allowed just 79 points in their eight games, an average of 9.8 a game. … All Saints’ registered 19 sacks, led by Trey Bell, who had 5.5. The freshman also added one INT, two caused fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Bell also returned a kickoff for a TD. … Offensively, the Saints’ attack centered around RB Bell, who gained 662 yards and scored eight TDs, and Magnus Darrington, who had team-highs in yards (723) and TDs (12). … Out-of-Door coach Rob Hollway was the football coach and director of athletics at All Saints from 2014-17. ... Winner plays the winner of the St. Edward’s-Palm Beach Christian quarterfinal game.
Fernandes's prediction: All Saints’ Academy 28, Out-of-Door Academy 24.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Previews, predictions for Sarasota and Manatee high school football games
