John Carroll, Jensen Beach and Fort Pierce Westwood aim for district titles in Week 8
Week 8 across the Treasure Coast offers three football teams a shot to win a district championship and clinch a spot into the state playoffs.
John Carroll Catholic, Jensen Beach and Fort Pierce Westwood all have lost once in 2022 and control their destiny for the remainder of their season Friday.
For each team, they've had time off with last Friday on the sidelines to prepare for their biggest games of their seasons.
The Rams get Cardinal Mooney traveling across the state and despite its 1-4 record, John Carroll head coach Mickey Groody has warned his team to not let the Cougars' profile on paper provide them a sense of expecting to have it easy.
Recent: High school football: TCPalm gives out midseason superlatives for the Treasure Coast
More Coverage: Volleyball district tournament fields set for the Treasure Coast next week
Free: Check out our weekly high school recruiting newsletter!
"This is a good team coming in Friday, their record does not show it and they've played some good football against some good teams," Groody said. "One thing I was telling my guys, do not look into their record, they're way better than 1-4. Their season is on the line, they've got to win to make the playoffs based off their rankings. We need to be prepared to do what they're coached to do."
For the Falcons, a county rival stands in the way of Jensen Beach's first district title since 2019.
Falcon head coach Tim Caffey said the bye week was needed for his kids to heal up from nicks and bruises and likes the way his team has prepared entering their battle with South Fork.
"We're going to have to come to play Friday night, South Fork is South Fork and they're going to come at us, we'll go at them," Caffey said. "Whoever can impose their will and executes their plan comes out on top and it's a rivalry game basically for the district championship. This is South Fork's shot to stay in so there's a lot at stake."
The turnaround at Fort Pierce Westwood under first-year head coach Chris Kokell to five wins already after none in 2021 has placed the Panthers staring at a great opportunity in their grasp.
A talented Sebring team comes to Lawnwood Stadium and despite their run of good form, Kokell hopes his kids can play with consistency and effort that hasn't produced pretty football in wins.
"I don't know if we were looking ahead (to Sebring), I just hope we understand what Friday is," Kokell said after the Panthers' 27-7 win over winless Spanish River. "It's going to be a matter of can we step up and play the football I know we're capable of and hit on all strides."
Outside of the three games that could decide district titles, Centennial and Vero Beach clash in a crucial District 12-4S battle between two teams both unbeaten in district play at South County Stadium.
Thursday's games
Treasure Coast (1-4) at Fort Pierce Central (1-5)
Time: 6 p.m.
What to watch for — Treasure Coast: The last time the Titans hit the field was Sept. 23 when they took the fight to St. Thomas Aquinas in a 21-7 loss. Shaking off the rust in a critical District 12-4S matchup shouldn't be an issue with the team knowing what is at stake. Needing to run the table to secure their spot in the state playoffs, Treasure Coast will load up with their best effort to build momentum they'll need. Fort Pierce Central: Like Treasure Coast, the Cobras were off last week and last played on Sept. 30 and like most teams had trouble stopping Vero Beach in a 47-7 loss. Prior to that, Fort Pierce Central's defense had performed very well and will want to get back on track. Playing against a physical Titan offense, the Cobras' front seven will be severely tested with their tackling.
TCPalm's pick: Treasure Coast 40, Fort Pierce Central 6
Tradition Prep (0-4) at St. Edward's (2-3)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for — Tradition Prep: The Pirates did not have much fun in a 67-0 loss to Port St. Lucie in their first game in town all season. It was a perfect storm to not have success for Tradition Prep playing an angry opponent and likely will see another one as St. Edward's enters on a two-game skid. Playing a local SSAC opponent is a great chance to see how the Pirates stack up going into their postseason. St. Edward's: It's been a tough two weeks for the Pirate offense scoring 13 points in two lopsided defeats to two teams with a combined record of 10-0. Last week, St. Edward's lost 42-7 to Central Florida Christian Academy but like the week before, St. Edward's started the game well. Putting together a four-quarter effort is something the Pirates will want to get back to as they hope to gather momentum into the postseason.
TCPalm's pick: St. Edward's 33, Tradition Prep 10
Friday's games
Cardinal Mooney (1-4) at John Carroll Catholic (4-1)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for — Cardinal Mooney: It’s been a long time since the Cougars took to the field going back to Sept. 23 when they lost 41-21 to Carrollwood Day. Hurricane Ian was the culprit with its impacts in Southwest Florida widespread so for Cardinal Mooney, returning to the field will be a welcoming feeling. Junior running back Carson Beach (450 yards, three TD’s) and athlete Teddy Foster, who holds offers from Big 10 schools, have to shine for the Cougars to have a chance. John Carroll Catholic: Knowing at the start of the year this game was the most important one of the season, the Rams will be happy their shot at the postseason has arrived. Like Cardinal Mooney, John Carroll is coming off some downtime so establishing the run with junior Tony Colebrook behind its offensive line will be important early to set the tone. The front seven of the Rams will want to impose its will against the Cougar rushing attack that they like to get going.
TCPalm's pick: John Carroll Catholic 34, Cardinal Mooney 16
Sebring (3-2) at Fort Pierce Westwood (5-1)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for — Sebring: Three weeks have passed since the Blue Streaks last played in a 16-10 loss to Clearwater Central Catholic. Hurricane Ian also impacted Sebring which has left the team in flux with the lack of game time but entering a huge District 11-3S game will surely bring their best effort. Junior running back Travis Kerney will be heavily leaned on for Sebring’s offense, who has college prospects on defense like Jalen Knighten and Tyler Blevins ready to make plays. Fort Pierce Westwood: While not playing their cleanest ball as of late, the Panthers have performed very well on defense all season to key their season and will need the unit to play their best game of the year. Senior linebacker Bryce Haynes and junior defensive lineman Chris Pierre have been stars and if they play well, they can rally others around them to do the same. Junior Braylon Vincent was banged up in last week’s 27-7 win over Spanish River and will hope to be back at full speed at both running back and in the secondary.
TCPalm’s pick: Fort Pierce Westwood 26, Sebring 21
Jensen Beach (5-1) at South Fork (1-5)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for — Jensen Beach: A well deserved breather for the Falcons after getting back to its winning ways against Port St. Lucie in Week 6 resets their focus to winning the District 12-3S title. Playing within themselves offensively using junior running back Dennis Palmer, Jr. in multiple facets has been key all season and senior quarterback Gio Cascione has made good decisions with the ball. A clean game on offense along with the defense continuing to fly to the ball will be what Jensen Beach strives for in order to achieve one of their season goals. South Fork: A 48-10 loss to Benjamin in Week 7 isn't anything to be ashamed by for the Bulldogs, who continued to give great effort despite being out-manned. As rough as the season has gone, South Fork can control their playoff destiny by putting together two great weeks but it has to start Friday. Getting chunk plays in any shape or form has to happen and players like senior Limontay Delancey, who returned an interception 91 yards for a touchdown last week have to step up to the plate.
TCPalm's pick: Jensen Beach 31, South Fork 9
Vero Beach (7-0) at Centennial (5-1)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for — Vero Beach: Continuing to churn out victories with the entire team playing well, Vero Beach has taken the best shots of every opponent thus far and succeeded. The secondary led by senior Matt King and freshman EJ White will get one of its toughest tests with Centennial's aerial attack one of the best in the area. Getting a pass rush is an area where Vero has had multiple kids contribute will be a key to the game and if a couple turnovers can be forced, Vero's quick-strike offense can pounce. Centennial: The defense for the Eagles put together one of its best performances to help Centennial score a 14-13 road win at Martin County in Week 6. One of the most underrated units on the Treasure Coast will have to be on top of their game against the area's top offense if the Eagles stand a chance. Centennial will hope to get more production in their run game on offense to control the clock and look for senior Ricky Cooper to try and provide a spark on top of his strong play on defense he's shown this year.
TCPalm's pick: Vero Beach 36, Centennial 20
Port St. Lucie (3-3) at Okeechobee (1-5)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for — Port St. Lucie: The Jaguars rode senior running back Saleem Felder to a 68-0 win over Tradition Prep in Week 7 with their star going for seven touchdown runs to set a new school record. Port St. Lucie will want Felder to set the table again and hope their defense can follow up a strong effort to give themselves a chance to get over .500 on the season and stay in the hunt to reach the state playoffs. Okeechobee: The Brahmans had their best offensive performance of the season in a 35-21 loss at Immokalee in Week 7. Okeechobee ran for over 200 yards led by junior Carriss Chilsom-Johns going for 95 yards and two touchdowns and will hope they can continue to play well in the trenches to take advantage of their size up front.
TCPalm's pick: Port St. Lucie 28, Okeechobee 13
New Smyrna Beach (3-2) at Sebastian River (3-2)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for — New Smyrna Beach: The Barracudas are coming in on a short week after losing 25-21 to Central Florida Christian Academy on Monday. The focal point of New Smyrna Beach’s offense is senior running back Malakai Hudson, who two games of 200 yards or more this season and has seven touchdowns. Sebastian River: The Sharks struggled offensively with turnovers in a 30-7 loss to Heritage in Week 7. Putting their defense in a bind, Sebastian River has had success when playing clean football and will have to get back taking care of the ball and take advantage of their opportunities in the red zone. Allowing over 350 yards on the ground last week, the Shark front seven will get another test they'll be eager to put up a better showing against.
TCPalm's pick: Sebastian River 26, New Smyrna Beach 20
Bryan Cooney is the high school sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at bcooney@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: John Carroll, Jensen Beach, Westwood aim for district titles in Week 8
