10 Matchups To Watch In Week 8

As we move closer to the end of the regular season, the football games throughout the state are becoming more and more important.   With a few west coast area schools trying to limp back after Hurricane Ian, the rest of Florida is in high gear – with district games dictating playoff slotting.   This year has really flown by and it's tough to grasp that we will be eight weeks in by the end of play on Saturday night. But that is how is goes. You wait for something special and it's gone, just like that.   Once again this week, we have some quality matchups that will take center stage. He are 10 of them:   DeFuniak Springs Walton (5-1) at Pensacola Catholic (7-0). After losing for the first time this season – two weeks ago – the Braves can get right back in the mix against one of the state's top 2S teams who have rolled through the season, outscoring the opposition 270-94 with two shutouts. With a state title in mind, this is one of those games you cannot take for granted, and the Crusaders are taking this one very serious.   Hawthorne (5-0) at Lake Butler Union County (4-1). This is truly a classic matchup that will truly shine the spotlight on the Gainesville area. Two programs who have enjoyed plenty of success through the years. The Hornets are stacked with quality talent and are ready for this showdown. Since losing the opener to unbeaten Jacksonville University Christian, the Fightin' Tigers have been impressive.   Jacksonville University Christian (7-0) at No. 10 Jacksonville Trinity Christian (6-0). This is the matchup that everyone at these two schools have been pointing toward since the start of the season. A pair of 1M powers who have both been there and done that in the past. The Christians have given up just seven touchdowns all year, but understand that this game is nothing like they have faced so far in 2022!   Land O'Lakes (6-0) at Spring Hills Springstead (7-0). Outside of this region, very few people understand the importance of this huge matchup of these 4S district foes that boast amazing defenses and solid coaching. Between these two teams – in 13 games they have yielded 10 touchdowns and 73 total points. This will certainly be the Game of the Year in this region, and you can expect a full house.   Miami Northwestern (3-3) at Miami Booker T. Washington (6-1), Traz Powell. This is the game of the week. Two south Florida powerhouses meeting on a Saturday night at The Mecca. Two of the best coaches around will battle it out for playoff standing. A loss by the Bulls could put this program, one of the Florida's best, in jeopardy of making the post season. The Tornadoes want to prove that they are headed back to join the elite, and a win can certainly help them make that statement.   No. 9 Orlando Edgewater (6-0) at Ocoee (5-1). While the Eagles come in as huge favorites, this is one of those very dangerous games. Just ask No. 22 Winter Park that dropped an overtime thriller. Since a one-point loss to Apopka to start the season, the Knights have won five straight. For the Eagles, this has been another banner year, showcasing superb defense and timely offense against a schedule that has featured some stiff competition along the way.   No. 24 Oviedo Hagerty (5-0) at No. 22 Winter Park (5-1). Pushed back because of the hurricane this is one of those games that promises to live up to the hype – with two state-rated programs clashing on a Monday night (Oct. 17). While the Wildcats were upset by Ocoee in overtime, the Huskies have rolled through the competition, yielding just 24 points and three touchdowns all year. This is one of those games that should draw plenty of interest as the district title is on the line.   No. 14 St. John's Bartram Trail (6-0) at St. John's Creekside (5-1). It doesn't get any bigger than this in St. John's where the district title is up for grabs in a game that promises to deliver some impressive talent on both sides of the ball. The Bears, one the way to their perfect season, has outscored the opposition, 168-81, with a huge shutout in their last game. The Knights have been an offensive machine, scoring 260 points, but will they have the defense to stop on of Florida best teams? We will find out on Friday night!   No. 23 Tampa Wharton (5-1) at No. 8 Tampa Bay Tech (7-0). This should be one of the best games in the state this week – with the defending state runner up Titans bringing in their impressive team against a Wildcat program that should never be taken lightly. After losing to Tampa Jesuit to start the season, they have rolled over some outstanding teams and can really move into the district drivers' seat with an upset. Great coaching on both sides, and that is what makes this a must-see contest.   No. 19 Vero Beach (7-0) at Port St. Lucie Centennial (5-1). The importance of this game cannot be stated enough. With three straight district games to close the regular season, the Indians must come out of this road game with a win. They are loaded on both sides of the ball – with the offense doing very well and the defense yielding three shutouts so far. The Eagles have three shutouts, but do they have enough to stay with this Treasure Coast powerhouse for all four quarters? This is a statement game for Centennial while Vero Beach will use this as a tune up for the remaining district games.   THURSDAY FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES   Boca Raton Spanish River 35, Hialeah Miami-Lakes 0   Boynton Beach 40, Boca Raton St. Andrew's 35   Bradenton St. Stephen 31, Fort Myers Gateway Charter 26   Clearwater Academy International 46, Sarasota Riverview 7   Coconut Creek 50, West Boca Raton 0   Coral Springs Coral Glades 33, Coral Springs Taravella 7   Delray Beach Atlantic 20, Westlake Seminole Ridge 0   Doral Reagan 40, North Miami Mourning 13   Hialeah Gardens 14, Miami Coral Park 7   Hollywood Avant Garde Academy 68, SLAM Palm Beach 0   Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 90, Somerset Academy Key 0   Jacksonville Bolles 55, Jacksonville Wolfson 6   Jacksonville Sandalwood 27, Jacksonville Atlantic Coast 7   Jupiter 33, Palm Beach Lakes 14   Kissimmee Osceola 56, Celebration 0   Lake Worth 10, Lake Worth Park Vista 7   Lakeland George Jenkins 22, Lakeland Kathleen 19   Lantana Santaluces 21, Boca Raton 20   Lynn Haven Mosley 38, Crestview 26   Miami Central 53, Miami Norland 7   Miami Coral Reef 33, Miami Sunset 0   Miami Edison 35, Miami Gardens TRU Prep 6   Miami Gulliver Prep 21, North Palm Beach Benjamin 14   North Miami 12, Hialeah 6   Orange Park St. John's Country Day 19, Ocala St. John Lutheran 6   Palm Beach Central 18, West Palm Beach Forest Hill 6   Palm Beach Gardens 45, Royal Palm Beach 0   Palm Coast Matanzas 22, Gainesville 14   Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast 44, Fort Pierce Central 7   Riviera Beach Inlet Grove 10, Belle Glade Glades Central 6   Sneads 43, Pensacola Lighthouse Christian 14   St. Augustine Florida Deaf 52, Ocala Christian 16   Tallahassee Chiles 34, Tallahassee Leon 6   Tallahassee Pope John Paul II 42, Panama City Arnold 19   Vero Beach St. Edward's 34, Port St. Lucie Tradition Prep 22   TUESDAY'S GAME   Palmetto 40, Bradenton Southeast 3   UPDATED CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2023-rankings/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2023-rankings/</a>   CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS. https://prepredzone.com/2022/08/updated-2024-florida-rankings/   You Can Contact <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/larry-blustein/">[player_tooltip player_id='111610' first='Larry' last='Blustein']</a> with prospect or team information at: <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@</a>aol.com   <a href="https://twitter.com/OcoeeFootball"> </a><a href="https://twitter.com/OcoeeFootball">                </a>

As we move closer to the end of the regular season, the football games throughout the state are becoming more and more important.