10 Games You Cannot Miss
Here we are in Week 9 of the season – with the playoffs on the horizon – and we are still having impressive matchups that not only have the attention in Florida, but throughout the country. This weekend will showcase…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingHere we are in Week 9 of the season – with the playoffs on the horizon – and we are still having impressive matchups that not only have the attention in Florida, but throughout the country.
This weekend will showcase two teams that will head out of state, while many others will battle teams right here in Florida.
No matter what class, there are contests that will go a long way in determining position when the state playoffs begin in two weeks.
Every Friday we bring you 10 games to keep an eye on – and while there are 20 games to watch in the Sunshine State, we have narrowed it down to just 10, but those 10 will be worth getting out and watching.
Bradenton IMG Academy (Independent, 6-0) at East St. Louis (7-1). This is a game that could be the stiffest test the Ascenders have had. After a 24-14 battles against St. Thomas More last week, the Flyers – losing only to California powerhouse St. John Bosco – will give this IMG team a game.
No. 17 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (5-2) at No. 2 Venice (8A, 7-0), Saturday, 1:30. Last spring when this game was made, it appeared that the defending 4A state champion Chiefs would be able to keep things going, but plenty of new faces has taken time to come together, and the Indians host this Saturday game as easily one of Florida’s best programs, running away from six of the seven opponents so far.
No. 5 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (7A, 7-0) at No. 5.Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (7A, 7-1). For the first time in well over three decades, this game really means something – as both programs were put in the same district. The Raiders, after losing to No. 3 Tampa Jesuit, have been amazing and are on a mission to win a third straight 7A state title. The Panthers are perhaps the biggest secret around. They have won 13 games in a row, including 25 of the past 26 games played. The schools are separated by two miles!
No. 11. Lake Mary (8A, 7-0) at No. 7 Sanford Seminole (8A, 7-1). Not a bigger game in the central Florida area this week – as the defending 8A state champion Seminoles are at home for a game against a team that has been getting better and better every week. This is for all the marbles and a top seeding when the state playoffs begin in two weeks. Plenty of great coaching and talent on both sides of the ball. This is what Florida football is all about.
South Fort Myers (6-1) at No. 8. Naples (6A, 7-0). Here is another one of those games where the underdog Wolfpack come in against a team that is getting little respect, but dominating every opponent played. The Golden Eagles are stacked with talent – while South Fort Myers continues to build its program and brand in southwest Florida.
No. 9. Jacksonville Bolles (4A, 6-0) at Gainesville Buchholz (6-1). On the surface, this appears to be a tremendous game – especially the way that Buchholz played earlier in the season against defending state champion Cardinal Gibbons in a loss. But the Bulldogs are a different team. They are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, and are one of the best teams in Florida – with tremendous coaching and talent leading the way.
No. 12 Tampa Bay Tech (7A, 7-0) at Tampa Wharton (6-0). There are very few teams who have had to run the gauntlet like the Titans, with competitive games every week. Here is yet another road test that is easily the best game of the region this week. One that will showcase elite prospects and tremendous coaching on both sides of the ball. Should be another classic.
Miami Palmetto (7-1) at No. 15. Miami Gulliver Prep (4A, 5-1). This game was scheduled for six weeks ago, but bad weather forced it to be moved, and while the Panthers are 8A and the Raiders are 4A, this is a “neighborhood Pine Crest area” game that will be the first meeting ever between to state powers, who are stacked with big time football talent. Not many afternoon games are going to be as big as this one.
Port Orange Spruce Creek (7-0) at No. 19. Cocoa (4A, 5-1). Another large school vs. smaller school as the 8A Hawks take the less than hour ride south to play a Tigers team that has been mighty impressive this season. Two teams that are certainly headed in the right direction, and should be a very interesting matchup.
No. 25. Tampa Berkeley Prep (3A, 6-0) at New Orleans Newman (4-1). One of the most underrated teams in Florida headed to the Crescent City to play one of the most publicized program in the state – with quarterback Arch Manning leading a potent charge. But do not sleep on the Buccaneers, who are big, strong, quick and well coached. This is a contest where many will find out about this quality football team – with the playoffs just two weeks away.
WEDNESDAY SCORE
Goleman (Hialeah) 35, Hialeah-Miami Lakes 0
THURSDAY SCORES
Barron Collier (Naples) 35, East Lee County 20
Canterbury (Fort Myers) 49, Marco Island Academy 0
Celebration 49, Windermere 7
Central Florida Christian 61, Orangewood Christian 36
Chipley 31, Lighthouse PCA 13
Christopher Columbus (Miami) 35, South Dade 10
Cooper City 21, Nova 7
Coral Park (Miami) 42, Mourning 7
Crystal River 27, South Lake 24
Cypress Lake (Fort Myers) 56, LaBelle 0
Edison (Miami) 44, Dade Christian 24
Ferguson (Miami) 27, Southwest Miami 26
Gainesville 49, Ridgeview 7
Godby (Tallahassee) 33, Leon 0
Keystone Heights 50, Taylor 7
Norland (Miami) 56, Dr. Krop 12
Piper (Sunrise) 30, Olympic Heights 7
Plantation 48, Northeast 0
Riverside Christian (Trenton) 61, Florida Deaf 20
Seminole Ridge (Loxahatchee) 10, Park Vista 7
St. Edward’s (Vero Beach) 51 Seven Rivers Christian ( Lecanto) 42
Somerset Canyons (Boynton Beach) 42, Immokalee 29
South Miami 41, Coral Reef 14
Springstead (Spring Hill) 41, Lecanto 6
Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 42, Victory Christian 14
Wellington 21, Palm Beach Lakes 13
Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale) 27, Somerset Academy 0
TRACKING FLORIDA: Teams Look At 2021 Season. https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.