This week's high school football capsules, predictions
It took some doing, but the Manatee County schools and assorted private schools figured out their football schedules and opponents for this week.
There is one game Thursday night with Golden Gate High out of Naples visiting IMG Academy for a game against the Ascenders Blue team.
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After much haggling, the two upcoming opponents to face Southeast High settled their differences. Parrish Community High will visit the Seminoles on Friday at Paul Maechtle Field at John Kiker Memorial Stadium for a Class 3A-District 13 Suburban contest. Southeast will travel to Palmetto High on Tuesday. Both games begin at 7 p.m.
In the only other district contest on the slate, Lakewood Ranch High will travel to Joe Kinnan Stadium at Hawkins Field for a game against Manatee High in a battle of 4-1 teams in Class 4A-District 13 Suburban.
Sarasota Christian will play its second game in five days when the Blazers hit the road to Safety Harbor for a game against Lakeside Christian.
Sarasota County high schools are expected to get back into the swing of things next week with district games taking priority over non-district contests.
Golden Gate Titans (2-3) at IMG Academy Blue Ascenders (3-2)
When, where: 7 p.m., Thursday, IMG Academy, 5650 Bollettieri Blvd., Bradenton
History: Golden Gate 1-0
Last year: Golden Gate 21, IMG Blue 13
The skinny: Golden Gate ended a three-game losing streak with a 13-12 victory over Gulf Coast. … RB Wesley Jean tops the Titans in rushing. … QB Brian Bachmann has the most touchdowns on the ground. … IMG Academy Blue had a three-game winning streak snapped with a 41-15 loss at Moore Haven. … RB Jimmy Athans leads the ground attack with 471 yards of the Ascenders’ 703 yards (67% of the team’s rushing yardage) on 66 carries and eight touchdowns. … QB Joey Conflitti has completed 25-of-47 for 314 yards and a score.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: IMG Academy Blue 22, Golden Gate 20
Bradenton Christian Panthers (2-3) at Cambridge Christian Lancers (3-2)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Cambridge Christian School, 6101 N. Habana Ave., Tampa
History: Cambridge Christian 6-5
Last year: DNP
The skinny: Bradenton Christian ended a three-game losing streak with a 10-8 win at Oasis. … RB Caleb Matelau has 184 of the Panthers’ 215 rushing yards. … QB Anthony Nguyen has thrown for 281 yards and four touchdowns. … WR Ben Bradshaw and Fischer Schmidt each have three touchdown receptions for Bradenton Christian. … Cambridge Christian has dropped two straight after opening the season with three wins, including the first two by shutout. … QB Chris Stephenson has rushed for 244 yards and all seven of the Lancers’ touchdowns on the ground. … Of QB Eli Leaver’s seven completions, four have gone for scores. … WR Jakari Patterson has caught nine passes, six for touchdowns.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Cambridge Christian 20, Bradenton Christian 19
Braden River Pirates (3-1) at Bishop Moore Hornets (2-3)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Bishop Moore High, 3901 Edgewater Drive, Orlando
History: Braden River 1-0
Last year: Braden River 23, Bishop Moore 16
The skinny: Braden River bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 42-28 come-from-behind victory over Booker. … RB Trayvon Pinder has rushed for 100 or more yards in all four games with six touchdowns. … QB Lucas Despot filled in for the ill QB Nick Trier and threw for three touchdowns against Booker, tying him with Trier for the team lead. … TE Chris Kawcak has eight catches for 191 yards and three touchdowns, the latter two team highs. … Bishop Moore has alternated losses and wins this season with its most recent contest a 28-17 loss at John Carroll Catholic. … QB Riley Willis has completed 68% of his passes (42-of-62) for 534 yards and five touchdowns, two to Brayden Miller, who has 13 catches for 216 yards. … Willis also has three rushing scores.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Braden River 21, Bishop Moore 19
IMG Academy White Ascenders (4-1) at Berkeley Prep Buccaneers (2-3)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Dickey Field at Berkeley Prep School, 4811 Kelly Road, Tampa
History: Berkeley Prep 3-0
Last year: DNP
The skinny: IMG Academy White has won four straight since losing its opener 15-5 at Sebring. … Two of the victories were by shutout, including a 27-0 whitewash at American Collegiate Academy. … QB Parker Leise has thrown for 783 yards on 43-of-84 accuracy with 12 touchdowns. … WR John Holbrook (17 catches, 374 yards) has half of the receiving scores. … RB Demitiras Fletcher tops the Ascenders’ ground attack with 337 yards and six TDs. … Berkeley Prep has dropped two straight after a two-game winning streak. … The Buccaneers’ most recent setback was 42-10 at Calvary Christian. … RB Joseph Troupe has 448 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. … RB Dallas Golden has rushed for 299 yards and three scores along with seven receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: IMG Academy White 30, Berkeley Prep 20
Lakewood Ranch Mustangs (4-1) at Manatee Hurricanes (4-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Joe Kinnan Field at Hawkins Stadium, 902 33rd St. Court W., Bradenton
History: Manatee 12-0
Last year: DNP
The skinny: Lakewood Ranch has won two straight since its only setback of the season, 33-14 to Braden River. … The Mustangs have outscored their opponents, 147-91. … RB Kevin Everhart (71 carries, 593 yards) has rushed for 11 touchdowns and been on the receiving end of two with eight catches for 194 yards. … Lakewood Ranch has four receivers with double figures in catches: WR Chase Edens (13), WR Nick Sinacore (12), Isaac David Ashley (10) and WR Connor Anthony (10). … QB Clayton Dees has thrown for 900 yards on 53-of-109 accuracy with seven touchdowns and no interceptions. … Manatee had its four-game winning streak snapped with a 29-6 home loss to Port Charlotte. … The Hurricanes have outscored their foes 144-73. … RB Cory Sanders (63 carries, 307 yards) has half of Manatee’s 14 rushing touchdowns. … QB Andrew Heidel (26-for-48, 461 yards, TD) and QB Johnny Squitieri (22-for-45, 349 yards, TD) have split time calling the signals. … WR Bon Bean Jr. (9 receptions, 229 yards) has both receiving scores.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Manatee 28, Lakewood Ranch 27
Out-of-Door Academy Thunder (5-0) at Bell Creek Panthers (1-3)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Bell Creek High, 13221 Boyette Road, Riverview
History: First meeting
Last year: DNP
The skinny: Out-of-Door has won its first five games for the second time in program history, matching the 2019 team that won its first five and finished 6-3. … The Thunder have outscored their opponents, 204-59. … Out-of-Door has rushed for 1,398 yards, an average of 280 per game, led by RB Griffin DeRusso’s 707 yards with 11 touchdowns. … QB Jake Hobson has completed eight passes, two for scores. … After losing its first three, including two straight by shutout, Bell Creek cracked the win column with a 26-8 victory over Berean Christian. … QB Quindarryn Davis is a dual-threat.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Out-of-Door 35, Bell Creek 15
Parrish Community Bulls (4-0) at Southeast Seminoles (0-4)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Paul Maechtle Field at John Kiker Memorial Stadium, 1200 37th St. E., Bradenton
History: First meeting
Last year: DNP
The skinny: This is a Class 3A-District 13 S game. … After winning three games in its first two varsity seasons, Parrish Community has captured its first four by a combined 155-61. … In their most recent game, the Bulls went on the road and defeated LaBelle, 28-20. … RB Javon Moss has 586 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns for Parrish Community. … QB Jackson Volz has completed 39-of-67 passes for 705 yards with seven touchdowns, four to WR Nahzir Stamper (18 catches, 379 yards) and three to WR Zychaun Jackson (seven catches, 154 yards). … Southeast has been outscored 163-20 in its four losses, including two shutouts. … The Seminoles have two touchdowns in four games.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: Parrish Community 28, Southeast 13
St. Petersburg Catholic Barons (0-5) at St. Stephen’s Falcons (1-4)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Moore Athletic Complex, 315 41st St. W., Bradenton
History: St. Stephen’s 2-1
Last year: St. Petersburg Catholic 34, St. Stephen’s 28
The skinny: St. Petersburg Catholic has been outscored 150-52 in its five losses, including two shutouts. … The Barons have dropped seven straight dating back to last season. … QB Kanon Vetter has passed for 358 yards. … RB Damarion Rowe leads St. Petersburg Catholic in rushing with 274 yards and a pair of touchdowns. … St. Stephen’s ended a seven-game on-field losing streak with a 42-0 whitewash of Jordan Christian Prep. … The Falcons also defeated Jordan Christian Prep, 42-0, a year ago. … Saint Stephen’s picked up a forfeit win during its skid. … QB Luke Donley (27-for-65, 466 yards) has thrown for eight touchdowns, half to Justin Millican (10 catches, 239 yards). … RB Evan Brown leads the ground attack with 411 yards and four scores. … The Falcons will celebrate homecoming.
Maffezzoli’s prediction: St. Stephen’s 34, St. Petersburg Catholic 17
8-MAN SUNSHINE STATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Sarasota Christian Blazers (3-3) at Lakeside Christian Lions (3-2)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Lakeside Christian School, Safety Harbor Rec., 940 7th St. S., Safety Harbor
The skinny: Sarasota Christian defeated Academy at the Lakes, 42-12, Monday. … QB Ben Milliken completed 20-of-35 for 381 yards and six touchdowns, four to WR Travis Miller (seven catches, 154 yards) and two to WT Randall Collins (seven catches, 144 yards). … Lakeside Christian has won three straight, outscoring its opponents, 158-28, since opening the season with two straight losses. … QB Braydon Jowers (48-for-78, 856 yards) has thrown for 13 touchdowns, five to WR Millyon Milliar (14 catrches, 287 yards). … RB Willie Burgess has 390 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
The Classical Academy of Sarasota Patriots (1-5) at St. John Lutheran Saints (1-4)
When, where: 7 p.m. Friday, Brick City Adventure Park, 1121 S.E. 22nd Road, Ocala
The skinny: The Classical Academy has lost five straight since defeating Sarasota Christian to open the season. … The Patriots have allowed 52 or more points in all five games. … QB Sam Nolt has passed for 220 yards and rushed for a team-high 338 with a combined six touchdowns, including one receiving. … QB Riley Dent has two rushing scores along with a passing touchdown. … St. John Lutheran has dropped three straight since blanking Academy at the Lakes, 30-0, on Week 2. … The Saints have been outscored 137-61.
Dennis Maffezzoli is the deputy sports editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and chief reporter for Sarasota Herald-Tribune and HTpreps covering Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties. Support local journalism by subscribing.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: This week's high school football capsules, predictions
