High school football: Week 7 Sarasota, Manatee previews and predictions

Here's a preview of the high school football games being played by Sarasota and Manatee County football teams this week.

Manatee Hurricanes (6-0) at Venice (3-2)

When, where: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Powell-Davis Stadium, 1 Indian Way, Venice

Last week: Manatee 52, Lakewood Ranch 6; Venice 35, Riverview 14

The series: Manatee 13-9 (since 2004)

Last year: DNP

The skinny: One of the top non-district, regular season games involving area teams. … Manatee has gotten off to a terrific start thanks to strong all-around play from all phases of the game. … The Hurricanes have outscored their opponents 230-98. … QB Andrew Heidel has completed 62 percent of his passes (89-for-144) for 1,285 yards and 13 touchdowns. … WR Bob Bean Jr. (23 catches, 491 yards, 5 TDs) and WR Torey Gilley (23 catches, 287 yards, TD) are Heidel’s favorite receivers. … Seven different Manatee players have caught touchdowns. … The Hurricanes feature a potent running attack with RB Kei’Shawn Smith (38 carries, 290 yards, 4 TDs), RB Cory Sanders (69 carries, 289 yards, 3 TDs) and RB Trayvon Pinder (29 carries, 117 yards, 3 TDs) leading the way. … K Joseph Colonneso has made 24-of-27 PAT kicks and 4-of-7 field-goal attempts for 36 points. … MLB/DE Maximus Freeman tops Manatee with 32 tackles, 21 solos. … DL Ean Johnson-Kelley has 11 tackles for loss and a team-high three sacks and 11 quarterback hurries. … DB Yahir Diaz-Reyes, DB Jaron Jean and DB Christian Johnson all have two interceptions. … Pitching a shutout in the second half and breaking a 14-all tie with three rushing touchdowns from RB Jamarice “Gator” Wilder, Venice defeated Riverview in its first district game. … Wilder rushed for 88 yards on 12 carries and has 336 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. … QB Jadyn Glasser threw for 192 yards on 9-of-17 accuracy with WR Zycari Lewis (93 yards, TD) and WR Griffin Gisotti (39 yards) each catching three passes. … DB Charles Lester III picked off a pass in the third quarter that led to a score. … It was the second interception of the season for Lester, who had three pass breakups. … LB Eli Seed averages 13 tackles per game and has two interceptions. … DL Eli Jones, DL Asharri Charles and DL Ryan Daly have combined for 8.5 sacks and eight quarterback hurries.

Maffezzoli’s prediction: Manatee 34, Venice 28

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Bayshore Bruins (3-2) at North Port Bobcats (3-1)

When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, The Preserve at North Port, 6400 W. Price Blvd., North Port

Last week: Booker 50, Bayshore 6; North Port DNP

The series: North Port 7-2

Last year: DNP

The skinny: After scoring 50 in its first district game against DeSoto County, Bayshore gave up 50 in its second straight game at Booker. … The Bruins led 6-0 on a 9-yard scoring pass to Elijah Roberts from Caleb Rhodes. … Bayshore had mishaps on special teams that led to Booker points. … North Port’s game at LaBelle was postponed because of inclement weather. … The Bobcats’ most recent action was a 29-15 victory over Gateway High, the team’s third straight victory.

Maffezzoli’s prediction: Bayshore 31, North Port 25

Bradenton Christian Panthers (4-1) at Marco Island Academy Manta Rays (1-3)

When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Marco Island Academy

Last week: Bradenton Christian 29, Oasis 7; Keswick Christian 35, Marco Island Academy 8

The series: First meeting

The skinny: Bradenton Christian jumped out to a 12-0 lead against Oasis thanks to its defense and special teams. … The Panthers got a safety on the first play of the game and continued its dominance throughout the game. … The offense got touchdown passes from QB Caden Ott to ATL Jaden Baler and WR Ben Bradshaw. … K/P Charles Nelson kicked a pair of field goals. … Marco Island Academy has been outscored 158-46 this season. … The Manta Rays’ win came against winless Warner Christian. … Marco Island Academy is 1-0 at home.

Maffezzoli’s prediction: Bradenton Christian 42, Marco Island Academy 6

Bell Creek Panthers (2-3) at Out-of-Door Academy Thunder (3-2)

When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Thunder Stadium, 5950 Deer Drive, Sarasota

Last week: Bell Creek Academy 12, Faith Christian 7; Out-of-Door 33, Santa Fe Catholic 26

The series: Out-of-Door 1-0

Last year: Out-of-Door 29, Bell Creek 16

The skinny: Bell Creek completed its victory over Faith Christian on Monday. … QB Davis Quin’Darryn and QB Wesley Fanin have split time behind center. Quin’Darryn is more of a dual-threat. … RB Manny Zelaya leads the Panthers’ rushing attack. … Out-of-Door followed up a two-game losing streak with a two-game winning streak. … After being held to 14 points by Oasis High and Saint Stephen’s Episcopal, the Thunder has erupted for 40 and 33 points the past two weeks. … RB Allen Clark has rushed for 377 yards and four touchdowns. … QB Jackson Roth has completed 25-of-47 for 302 yards with WR Jack Meyers on the receiving end of 10 for 158 yards and all three Thunder touchdowns through the air. … LB Charlie Tack has team-highs of 29 tackles and two sacks.

Maffezzoli’s prediction: Out-of-Door 31, Bell Creek Academy 13

Palmetto Tigers (2-2) at Southeast Seminoles (0-5)

When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Paul Maechtle Field at John Kiker Memorial Stadium, 1200 37th Ave. E., Bradenton

Last week: IMG Academy White 34, Palmetto 10; Parrish Community 23, Southeast 2

The series: Palmetto 9-6 (since 2004)

Last year: Palmetto 40, Southeast 3

The skinny: Palmetto was held to its lowest scoring output of the season by IMG Academy White. … The Tigers allowed 327 rushing yards and 184 through the air. … Southeast surrendered 174 rushing yards and 128 through the air to Parrish Community. … The Seminoles have been outscored 215-41 this season.

Maffezzoli’s prediction: Palmetto 35, Southeast 12

Parrish Community Bulls (4-1) at Mulberry Panthers (3-1)

When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m., Mulberry High, 1 Panther Pl, Mulberry

Last week: Mulberry beat Avon Park 36-0 on Monday night; Parrish beat Southeast 23-2

The series: Mulberry leads 1-0

Last year: Mulberry won 30-28

The skinny: Last year against Parrish, in the final game of the season, Mulberry scored all 30 of its points in the first half. It was the Bulls’ fifth-straight loss, ending their season at 4-5. . . . Under first-year head coach Dylan Clark, Parrish is averaging 39.5 points per game. While QB Jackson Volz is having a fine season, completing 65% of his passes, with 11 TDs and three INTs, the tean’s running attack is averaging 156 yards a game. RBs Jerone Turner and Jermaine Edwards have combined for 621 yards and six TDs. . . . Defensively, Parrish has recorded 18 sacks. LB Ben Biasini leads with four. . . .The calling card for Mulberry thus far has been defense. The Panthers have allowed 42 points in their four games. Mulberry has just three sacks, but six interceptions, and 289 total tackles. … Offensively, RB Dyvonique McWilliams has done much of the heavy lifting, with 566 of the team’s 930 rushing yards, and nine of its 16 rushing TDs.

Fernandes's prediction: Parrish 31, Mulberry 21

Riverview Rams (3-2) at Berkeley Prep Buccaneers (3-2)

When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; Berkeley Prep, 4811 Kelly Rd, Tampa

Last week: Berkeley Prep lost to Calvary Christian 28-21; Riverview lost to Venice 35-14

The series: First meeting

The skinny: The Buccaneers have won three straight after losing their opener to Clearwater Central Catholic. … Offensively, QB Rico Garcia has attempted just 32 passes in four games. … But the Bucs already have amassed 1,063 yards rushing on 114 attempts, a sparkling 9.3 yards-per-carry average. Dallas Golden has 423 yards and six TDs, and right behind is teammate Joseph Troupe with 368 yards and four TDs. . . . Tied at halftime with Venice, the Rams allowed three second half TDs in the 35-14 loss. . . . RBs DJ Johnson and Isiah Belt combined for 224 yards and two scores. . . . Riverview has been run dominant so far, with just 62 attempts through five games for QB Braxton Thomas. Meanwhile, seven backs have a total of 211 carries, for 1,330 yards and 19 TDs.

Fernandes's prediction: Riverview 42, Berkeley Prep 21

Saint Stephen’s Falcons (4-2) at St. Petersburg Catholic Barons (1-4)

When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; St. Petersburg Catholic, 6333 9th Ave. N, St. Petersburg

Last week: Saint Stephen’s beat Canterbury 32-8; St. Petersburg Catholic lost to Northside Christian 37-17

The series: 2-2

Last year: St. Pete Catholic won 14-8

The skinny: The Falcons rebounded from a loss to Bradenton Christian to drub Canterbury last week. … In the victory, Saint Stephen’s rushed for 289 yards, giving the Falcons 1,304 on the season. . . . QB Evan Brown has been a one-man wrecking crew for Saint Stephen’s. The senior has thrown for 384 yards while rushing for a team-high 722, with 11 TDs. Junior Cameron Brewer has pitched in with 545 yards rushing and four TDs. . … Defensively, DE Jacob S clulow has 22 tackles, 11 for losses, five QB sacks and 11 hurries, both team highs. … After finishing 2-7 last season, St. Pete Catholic has struggled again this season. Offensively, it’s been QB Kanon Vetter, with 1,032 yards passing and eight TDs, and RB Damarion Rowe, with 620 yards rushing and 10 of the team’s 13 rushing scores.

Fernandes's prediction: Saint Stephen’s 38, St. Petersburg Catholic 6

Lakeside Christian Lions (3-3) at Sarasota Christian Blazers (6-1)

When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; Sarasota Christian, 5415 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota

Last week: Lakeside Christian beat Academy of the Lakes 42-6; Sarasota Christian lost to Donahue Catholic 26-17

The series: 1-1

Last year: Sarasota Christian won 47-46 in SSAC semifinals

The skinny: After starting the year with six straight wins, the Blazers lost last week, scoring their fewest points of the season. … Sarasota Christian beat Lakeside last season in a Sunshine State Athletic Conference 8-man semi-final before losing to Master’s Academy 48-0 in the final. …Even scoring just 17 points in last week’s loss to Donahue Catholic, Christian is averaging 42.7 a game. … QB Justin Brock has made the Blazers’ offense go. Taking over in the first game when starter Ben Milliken got hurt, Brock has completed 73% of his passes (58-of-79) for 937 yards and 15 TDs. Eight of those scores have gone to WR Randall Collins. …The sophomore Brock also leads the team in rushing with 343 yards. Freshman RB Daniel Jacinto has rushed for 259 yards and a team-high seven TDs. … At 3-3, the Lions have allowed 41 more points than they’ve scored … Lakeside has thrown just two TDs, but rushed for 16 while amassing 851 yards rushing. The workhorse is 5-foot-9, 160-pound junior Willie Burgess, who has 543 of those 851 yards rushing, and 13 of the team’s 16 rushing scores.

Fernandes's prediction: Sarasota Christian 35, Lakeside Christian 28

IMG Academy National Ascenders (4-0) at Bartram Trail Bears (3-2)

When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; Bartram Trail High, 7399 Longleaf Pine Pkwy, St. Johns

Last week: IMG Academy was off; Bartram Trail beat Fleming Island 49-28

The series: First meeting

The skinny: After starting the season with four games against out-of-state opponents, the undefeated Ascenders take on the Bears from St. Johns. … In beating Lipscomb Academy (Nashville), St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia), Ben Davis (Indianapolis), and Glenville (Cleveland), IMG outscored its foes 114-44. … Averaging 28 points a game, IMG’s defense is allowing just 11. … RB Jerrick Gibson has all four of the team’s rushing scores. … The Bears moved above .500 with last week’s win over Fleming Island. . . . Offensively, QB Riley Trujillo has thrown six TDs, but Bartram lives and dies on the legs of 5-foot-9, 200-pound RB Laython Biddle, who is averaging 20 carries a game, with 849 yards rushing, and 11 of the team’s 16 rushing scores.

Fernandes's prediction: IMG Academy 31, Bartram Trail 17

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Previews, predictions for Sarasota and Manatee high school football games