High school football: Week 9 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.

Gray Collegiate Academy (10-2) at IMG Academy National (6-0)

When, where: 7 p.m. Thursday, IMG Academy, 5650 Bollettieri Blvd., Bradenton

Last week: Gray Collegiate Academy 72, Newberry (South Carolina) 12; IMG Academy National 55, Pine Forest 14

The series: First meeting

The skinny: Gray Collegiate Academy out of West Columbia, South Carolina, is a late addition for Ida Baker on the IMG Academy National schedule. … The War Eagles lost to St. John’s of Washington D.C. and Clearwater Academy International this season. … Included in Gray Collegiate Academy’s win total are four forfeits. …  RB BL Montgomery leads the War Eagles’ ground attack. … QB Tyler Waller has a number of targets to choose from, including WR Jamarious Lockett, WR Zai Offord and WR Zion Job. … DE/MLB Zeb Taylor is the top defensive player. … Using a balanced attack against Pine Forest of Pensacola, IMG Academy National rushed for 162 yards and five touchdowns and passed for 161 yards and three scores. … RB Jerrick Gibson rushed for a team-high 72 yards and a pair of scores. … QB Jayden Bradford completed 5-of-6 passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns. … Both of WR Jonathan Echols’ receptions went for touchdowns.

Maffezzoli’s prediction: IMG Academy 35, Gray Collegiate Academy 20

FHSAA Playoff rankings: Fourth FHSAA football playoff rankings is a head scratcher. How did Sarasota-Manatee teams fare?

Week 8 rankings: Who's atop the Herald-Tribune high school football rankings after Week 8?

IMG Academy Blue (0-4) at Community School of Naples (7-0)

When, where: 7 p.m., Thursday, Community School of Naples, 13275 Livingston Road, Naples

Last week: IMG Academy Blue DNP; Community School of Naples 52, Canterbury of Fort Myers 0

The series: First meeting

The skinny: IMG Academy Blue has not played since a 48-7 road loss at Lemon Bay on Sept. 21. … QB Alex Nuera leads the Ascenders in both passing yards (230) and rushing yards (258). … Community School of Naples has outscored its opponents, 253-25. … The most points the Seahawks have allowed in one game is 13 to Oasis High. … They have five shutouts, including the past two games. … QB Cale Austin has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. … DB Ehrme Pray had three touchdowns, two on interception returns and one on a punt block.

Maffezzoli’s prediction: Community School of Naples 51, IMG Academy Blue 13

Bayshore Bruins (3-4) at Marco Island Academy Rays (1-4)

When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Marco Island Academy, 2255 San Marco Road, Marco Island

Last week: Lemon Bay 42, Bayshore 6; Marco Island Academy DNP

The series: First meeting

The skinny: Bayshore has lost three straight since opening the season 3-1. … The Bruins allowed 34 points in the first quarter to Lemon Bay and all 42 points in the first half. … QB Caleb Rhodes completed a 25-yard pass for Bayshore’s lone touchdown. … Marco Island Academy has lost two straight after posting its only win of the season, a 32-20 decision over Warner Christian Academy of South Daytona. … The Rays have been outscored 107-8 the past two games and 230-46 on the season.

Maffezzoli’s prediction: Bayshore 35, Marco Island Academy 6

Booker Tornadoes (5-2) at Wiregrass Ranch Bulls (6-1)

When, where: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Wiregrass Ranch High, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel

Last week: Booker 40, DeSoto County 0; Wiregrass Ranch 57, River Ridge 27

The series: Booker 1-0

Last year: Booker 21, Wiregrass Ranch 10

The skinny: Booker did all of its damage against DeSoto in just more than a quarter, as gunshots fired near Tornado Alley early in the second quarter stopped the game. … It was Booker’s third straight win and second in Class 2A-District 15, setting up a showdown for the district title next week at Lemon Bay. … QB Jordan Johnson completed 4-of-7 passes for 100 yards and two scores to WR Omarion Patterson. … RB Rashawn Peterson, RB Ahamd “Tooda” Hunter and RB Hunter Ziekle had rushing scores for the Bulldogs. … Wiregrass Ranch stretched its winning streak to five games. … The Bulls have scored 49 or more points in all five games. … QB Luke Knight has thrown 29 touchdown passes with one interception while completing 66 percent of his passes (140-for-213). … Knight is one of three Wiregrass Ranch backs with five rushing touchdowns, joining RB Ian Wilson III (62 carries, 346 yards) and RB Jeremiah Julmiste (65 carries 377 yards). … WR Isaiah Riggins has 49 catches for 910 yards and 13 receiving touchdowns. …

Maffezzoli’s prediction: Wiregrass Ranch 40, Booker 37

Charlotte Tarpons (3-4) at Braden River Pirates (2-4)

When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Braden River High, 6545 E. State Road 70, Bradenton

Last week: Charlotte 28, Lehigh 0; Parrish Community 35, Braden River 28

The series: Tied 1-1

Last year: DNP

The skinny: The teams are playing for the first time since 2020 when Charlotte posted a 35-21 victory. Braden River won the year before, 37-20. … These are two teams going in the opposite direction: After opening the season with four consecutive losses, Charlotte has won three straight and captured the Class 4 Suburban-District 15 title. … Braden River has lost three straight and are not in the running for the Class 3 Suburban-District 13 crown. … The Tarpons posted their first shutout of the season last week against Lehigh. … OLB Braden Krejci notched 16 tackles and picked off a pass, and DT Dameyon Bloomfield recorded 13 tackles and caused a fumble. … DE Jamari Vaughn had four sacks. … QB Logan Flaherty (5-for-11, 82 yards passing, 20 carries, 68 rushing) threw for a touchdown and ran for another. … RB Aaronte Wesley led the ground attack with eight carries for 149 yards and a touchdown on a 99-yard run. … Braden River led Parrish Community, 28-14, when WR Marcus Galloway returned the second kickoff 87 yards for a score. … Galloway also had a 30-yard run for a touchdown, WR Yahshua Edwards ran 24 for a score, and WR Isaac Heaven caught an 82-yard touchdown pass from QB Lucas Despot for the Pirates’ scoring.

Maffezzoli’s prediction: Braden River 28, Charlotte 27

Bradenton Christian Panthers (6-1) at Out-of-Door Academy Thunder (3-4)

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

Last week: Bradenton Christian 44, Bishop McLaughlin Catholic 0; Cocoa Beach 26, Out-of-Door 20

The series: Out-of-Door 9-5

Last year: Out-of-Door 37, Bradenton Christian 21

The skinny: This is the final regular season contest in the Sunshine State Athletic Association for both teams. … Bradenton Christian has won four straight since losing its only game of the season, a 34-10 setback to Westminster Academy of Fort Lauderdale. … The Panthers have posted two straight shutouts and outscored their opponents 116-0 the past two weeks. … LB Jesus Lopez had nine tackles and a sack for Bradenton Christian. … DB Carson Fisher picked off a pass for the Panthers’ defense. … Bradenton Christian’s offense was led by three touchdown passes from QB Caden Ott (6-for-11, 100 yards). … Two of the strikes went to WR Ben Bradshaw (3 catches, 42 yards). … WR Brody Walker and ATH Jaden Baker (3 catches, 79 yards) also caught touchdown passes. … RB Colton Dempsey (13 carries, 99 yards) rushed for a pair of scores. … Out-of-Door has dropped two straight after winning three of its first five. … The Thunder permitted Cocoa Beach a touchdown and 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter and a touchdown in the first overtime. … QB Jack Meyers had a touchdown and 2-point conversion for Out-of-Door Academy. … QB Jackson Roth and RB Jack Taraska had the other touchdowns for the Thunder.

Maffezzoli’s prediction: Bradenton Christian 35, Out-of-Door 20

Cardinal Mooney Cougars (6-1) at Bishop Verot Vikings (7-1)

When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Bishop Verot High School, 5598 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers

Last week: Cardinal Mooney 49, John Carroll Catholic 6; Bishop Verot 57, Gateway 0

The series: Bishop Verot 11-9 (since 2004)

Last year: Bishop Verot 27-24

The skinny: Cardinal Mooney has won three straight, outscoring the opposition, 140-27, since suffering its only loss to Riverview. … The Cougars won the two-team Class 1 Suburban-District 6 title last week against John Carroll. … RB Carson Beach scored three touchdowns. … QB Devin Mingery connected with ATH Zy’Marion Lang for two more scores last week. … Bishop Verot bounced back from its only loss of the season, a 36-29 setback to Jesuit of Tampa by blanking Gateway High for its first shutout of the season. … The Vikings scored 51 points in the first half. … QB Carter Smith (6-for-9, 163 yards, 5 carries 87 yards) had five total touchdowns, two on the ground and three through the air, all to WR Charles “Tookie” Watts (3 carries, 112 yards).

Maffezzoli’s prediction: Bishop Verot 35, Cardinal Mooney 21

IMG Academy White Ascenders (6-0) at Lake Highland Prep Highlanders (4-2)

When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, CNL Stadium, 901 Highland Ave., Orlando

Last week: NFL Academy 31, IMG Academy White 14; Lake Buena Vista 27, Lake Highland Prep 10

The series: First meeting

The skinny: IMG Academy White went to London for a game against NFL Academy last week. … The Ascenders have not played in the states since defeating Palmetto, 34-10, on Sept. 29. … QB Ely Hamrick (64-for-104, 1,104 yards, 16 touchdowns, 0 interceptions) has connected with six receivers for touchdowns, including WR Jacob Diver (21 catches, 449 yards, 5 TDs). … RB Clay Ash (90 carries, 1,065 yards, 14 TDs) averages 152 yards per game on the ground for IMG Academy White. … Lake Highland Prep had a four-game winning streak snapped with a loss to Lake Buena Vista.

Maffezzoli’s prediction: IMG Academy White 34, Lake Highland Prep 17

Gibbs Gladiators (0-6) at Lakewood Ranch Mustangs (2-5)

When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; Lakewood Ranch High School, 5500 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Lakewood Ranch

Last week: Lakewood Ranch lost to Palmetto 30-14; Gibbs lost to Lakewood 21-12

The series: Lakewood Ranch leads 1-0

Last year: Lakewood Ranch won 34-18

The skinny: After finishing 2-8 in 2022, Gibbs has fallen on even harder times this season at 0-6. … Three Gladiator QBs have combined for just three TD passes. And five RBs have just two scores among them. . . . WR Jermaine Bradford has caught two TDs and returned two kickoffs for scores. … The Mustangs were tied last week with Palmetto 14-14 with 10 minutes left in regulation, but saw the Tigers score 16 unanswered points the rest of the way in their 30-14 win. … Colin Hait and Liam Fernandez took turns at QB as early-season starter Sebastian Mejia was moved to CB. … The Mustangs were outgained in total yards by Palmetto 445-207. … Despite finishing 0-2 in a district which includes Manatee and Palmetto, Lakewood Ranch remains alive for a wild-card berth in 4S-Region 8.

Fernandes's prediction: Lakewood Ranch 28, Gibbs 10

North Port Bobcats (5-1) at Hardee Wildcats (5-2)

When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Hardee Senior High School, 830 Altman Road, Wauchula

Last week: North Port beat Poinciana 17-14; Hardee beat Avon Park 54-13

The series: Hardee leads 2-0

Last year: DNP

The skinny: With three games left, North Port’s victory over Poinciana guaranteed the program its first winning season in its 23-year history. … The Bobcats had to overcome an 11-point halftime deficit to Poinciana. … RB Peter Kalphat had two TDs in the second half. And the Bobcat defense stopped the Eagles on their final two possessions. …. Playing in the Freelance District with 39 other teams, North Port, according to head coach Garon Belser, is already eligible for a bowl game. After Hardee, the Bobcats close the regular season with a road district game at Tarpon Springs, followed by a home contest against Lemon Bay. … The Wildcats, 1-7 in 2022, have turned it around this season. But while they’re scoring at a 41-points-per-game clip, they’re also allowing an average of 25 a game. … Hardee is averaging 217 yards a game running the ball. RB Kellon Lindsey has rushed for 620 yards and a team-high eight TDs. Right behind him with six is RB Jayren Wood, who has carried the ball just 16 times, and RB Edner Cherry has five TDs and 404 yards rushing.

Fernandes's prediction: Hardee 28, North Port 24

Palmetto Tigers (4-2) at Venice High (5-2)

When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Venice High School, 1 Indian Ave, Venice

Last week: Palmetto beat Lakewood Ranch 30-14; Venice beat Sarasota 44-14

The series: Venice leads 8-0

Last year: DNP

The skinny: After losing its first two games, Venice has won five straight, outscoring its opponents 252-98. … Last week’s victory over Sarasota clinched the District 4S-14 title. … Venice rushed for 266 yards on 27 attempts, with five TDs. … The two TDs by RB Jamarice Wilder gives him 12 on the season. … Venice’s defense held the Sailors to fewer than 50 total yards. … The Tigers have never beaten Venice in eight previous meetings … A safety caused by blitzing LB Caleb Matelau with 10 minutes left sparked a 16-point Palmetto run in its win over Lakewood Ranch. … QB Clayton Dees has thrown six TDs and is averaging 167 passing yards a game. … Of Palmetto’s 905 yards rushing, senior Davaughn Thomas has 521, with nine of the team’s 12 rushing scores.

Fernandes's prediction: Venice 42, Palmetto 13

Parrish Community Bulls (6-1) at Cypress Creek Coyotes (7-0)

When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Cypress Creek High School, 8701 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel

Last week: Cypress Creek beat Wesley Chapel 35–0; Parrish beat Braden River 35-28

The series: Cypress Creek leads 1-0

Last year: Cypress Creek won 30-27

The skinny: The Bulls won their fifth straight game last week, beating the Pirates. At 2-0 in Class 3 Suburban-District 13, Parrish’s game at Port Charlotte on Oct. 27 will be for the district title. … Bryson Bender’s pick-6 with 50 seconds left was the difference in Parrish’s come-from-behind win over Braden River. … The Bulls passed for 345 yards and two scores, and ran for 110 with two TDs. … QB Jackson Volz has thrown 14 TDs to just 3 INTs. … RB Jermaine Edwards leads the Bulls with 421 yards rushing. RB Jerone Turner has 359 yards and five TDs. … Cypress Creek is getting it done with defense. Last week’s blanking of Wesley Chapel was its third shutout of the season. … The Coyotes are allowing fewer than nine points a game while scoring an average of 47. … QB Jack Niemann has thrown 22 TDs and one INT. … RB Milton Gracia has rushed for nine TDs, and the defense has recorded 411 tackles, 10 QB sacks, and 16 INTs, led by Gracia’s seven.

Fernandes's prediction: Cypress Creek 40, Parrish 28

Riverview Rams (3-4) at Manatee Hurricanes (6-1)

When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Manatee High School, 902 33rd St Ct W, Bradenton

Last week: Manatee was off; Riverview lost to Clearwater Academy International 35-33

The series: Manatee leads 10-6

Last year: DNP

The skinny: With a 3-1 record after four games, the Rams have lost their last three in a row. … Head coach Josh Smithers appealed to the FHSAA his team’s loss last week to Clearwater Academy International. With nine seconds left in the game and Riverview up 33-29, the Rams were in punt formation on their own 40-yard line. Taking the snap from center, Anthony Miller ran back into his own end zone to run out the clock. Unless and until he was tackled by a Clearwater player, the clock should have expired. But for some still-unknown reason, officials stopped the clock with 1.8 seconds left, perhaps thinking Miller had stepped out the back of the end zone. Getting the ball back for one last play, Clearwater connected on a 38-yard, game-winning Hail Mary to escape with the 35-33 win. … Manatee had a bye following its 56-24 beatdown by Venice, which shredded the vaunted Hurricane defense for 552 yards, seven offensive TDs, and one special team’s score. … Manatee QB Andrew Heidel has completed 60% of his passes, with 14 TDs. Five of those scores have gone to WR Bon Bean, who’s caught 29 passes for 535 yards.

Fernandes's prediction: Manatee 28, Riverview 21

Saint Stephen’s Falcons (5-2) at Oasis Charter Sharks (5-2)

When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; Oasis High School, 3519 Oasis Blvd, Cape Coral

Last week: Oasis beat Santa Fe Catholic 45-7; Saint Stephen’s was off.

The series: Saint Stephen’s leads 2-0

Last year: Saint Stephen’s won 35-12

The skinny: The Falcons will go into the game with a two-game winning streak. … After allowing 24 points in a 24-7 loss to Northside Christian back on Sept. 1, Saint Stephen’s had defensive efforts over the next five games allowing just 36 points. … In its 24-20 win over St. Pete Catholic on Oct. 6, the Falcons had one sack, giving them 18.5 for the season. DE Jacob S clulow leads the team with five. … Offensively, QB Evan Brown has rushed for a team-high 877 yards, with a team-best 13 TDs. … The Sharks are another turnaround story, having finished 2-5 last season. … Oasis runs nearly twice as much as it passes. RB Frederick Harley has 714 of the team’s 893 yards rushing, with six TDs. … PK Ryan Rozado is 15-of-17 on PATs and 5-of-6 on FGs.

Fernandes's prediction: Saint Stephen’s 24, Oasis 23

Sarasota Sailors (0-7) at Southeast Seminoles (0-7)

When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; Southeast High School, 1200 37th Ave. E, Bradenton

Last week: Sarasota lost to Venice 44-14; Southeast lost to Port Charlotte 57-7

The series: Southeast leads 7-5

Last year: DNP

The skinny: Something has to give when the winless Sailors travel to Bradenton to face the winless Seminoles. … In its closest game this season, Sarasota lost to Cardinal Mooney 31-21. Josh Phillips’ team has lost its seven games by an average score of 36-15. … In its loss to Venice, Sarasota was outscored 38-0 in the first half. Venice rushed for 266 yards and scored five TDs. Offensively, the Sailors were held to fewer than 50 total yards. … Once noted for its defense, Southeast has been a sieve this season, allowing an average of 44 points a game while scoring an average of 9.5. … Port Charlotte scored on five straight possessions in its 57-7 win. … Southeast managed just 115 total yards in the loss.

Fernandes's prediction: Southeast 12, Sarasota 10

Old Plank Christian Academy Defenders (3-5) 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 Sports Leadership & Management 56-0; Sarasota Christian lost to Shorecrest 44-8

The series: First meeting

The skinny: The Defenders from Jacksonville went 7-2 last season, losing in the first round of the playoffs to Canterbury. This season,

Old Plank had lost three straight before last week’s blowout of Sports Leadership & Management. … The Defenders have scored 183 points while allowing 191. … The Blazers had won seven of their first eight before losing to the two-time SSAC state champion Chargers. … Christian allowed just 96 passing yards, but 283 on the ground and four

TDs. … QB Ben Milliken has returned from injury to play in the last two games, throwing six TDs and zero INTs. His replacement while he was injured, Justin Brock, leads the team in rushing with 460 yards on 35 carries, an average of 13 yards per carry. … WR Randall Collins has 19 receptions for 375 yards and a team-high eight TDs. On defense, the OLB has three passes defensed and three fumble recoveries.

Fernandes's prediction: Sarasota Christian 31, Old Plank Christian Academy 21

The Classical Academy of Sarasota Patriots (4-4) at Masters Academy Patriots (7-0)

When, where: Friday, 7 p.m.; Masters Academy, 1115 58th Ave, Vero Beach

Last week: Masters Academy was off; The Classical Academy of Sarasota beat Cornerstone Academy 50-0

The series: Masters Academy leads 1-0

Last year: Masters Academy won 36-16.

The skinny: With a record of 6-7 last season, Masters has scored 314 points this season while allowing 57 in starting 7-0. … QB Caleb Cotton has thrown 21 TD passes, 13 going to WR Christian Marques. … Fifteen Masters running backs have accounted for 800 yards and 16 TDs. Cotton also leads in rushing with 316 yards and six TDs. … Defensively, Wyatt Williams has a team-high 40 tackles, 11 for losses, and a team-best three sacks. … DB Dalton Tedder has five INTs and seven TDs _ one rushing, three receiving, and three on interception returns for scores. … After going 5-8 its first year playing football, Classical is at .500 this season. … Of the team’s 993 yards rushing, senior QB Sam Nolt has 893, with 11 TDs. Throwing the ball, Nolt has seven TDs and five INTs. … WR Liam Kelly has 11 receptions for 327 yards and six TDs. … FS Caysen Bosso has three INTs and 80 yards in INT returns.

Fernandes's prediction: Masters 48, Classical Academy of Sarasota 21

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