POLK-LANDO EDITION: WEEK 6 Games of the Week
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The time for high school football is back and Prep Redzone will be on the move this fall providing some of the best and up-to-date coverage in the country. Let’s kick Game Week off with a preview of some top…
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Continue ReadingThe time for high school football is back and Prep Redzone will be on the move this fall providing some of the best and up-to-date coverage in the country. Let’s kick Game Week off with a preview of some top matchups around Polk and the Central Florida area. *Below are matchups with notable players to watch for our readers! Most of these games will be played on Friday – 9/29.
Lakeland (3-2) at Lake Gibson (3-1)
Dreadnaughts: Zander Smith Zander Smith 6'4" | 215 lbs | QB Lakeland | 2025 State FL QB, Rick Penick WR, Dee Rucker RB, Jamar Taylor WR, Malik Morris LB, Jameson Young Jameson Young 6'2" | 155 lbs | DB Lakeland | 2024 FL DB, Keon Young DB
Braves: Joel Morris QB– Fentrell Graham RB – Quinton Moore Jr Quinton Moore Jr 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Lake Gibson | 2024 FL LB – Kordell Lewis WR – Tristan Black OL – Cason Dash Cason Dash 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Lakeland Lake Gibson | 2026 FL DB – Jeremy Thomas WR, Derrick McBride WR, Jerry Brown OL
This will be a must-see non-district matchup between two squads with D1 talent on both sides of the ball. Lake Gibson is fresh off a bye-week after traveling to GA to face a tough Lee County program. Both teams have been battle-tested earlier and each coaching staff will be prepared. Interesting note, Lakeland may be dealing with a couple of key injuries heading into the matchup. It’s a next-man-up mentality for the Dreadnaughts.
Winter Haven (2-2) at Bartow (5-0)
Blue Devils: Guiseann Mirtil Guiseann Mirtil 6'2" | 210 lbs | ATH Winter Haven | 2024 State FL TE – John Kostuch John Kostuch 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Winter Haven | 2025 FL QB – Alfred Smothers RB – Trey’On Ellington LB – Ora Farlow WR – Allen Cadet-Ford DB – Tyrone Footman LB – Donovan Grayson LT – Ja’tavious Scaife ATH, Quantavious Calloway ATH
Yellow Jackets: Jaydon Williams DB – DJ Galva DB – Tavares Murray Jr DB – Amari Turner Amari Turner 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Auburndale | 2025 FL QB – Cory Butler WR – Jayson Williams TE – Quavion Bird Quavion Bird 6'1" | 265 lbs | DL Bartow | 2024 FL DT – Joshod Hampton DB – Jeremiah Martin DE – Janie’s Taylor ATH – Brett Tyree OL
This is an important district matchup and another must-see showdown between two solid receiving/defensive groups with skill talent on each side. Bartow is rolling behind new head coach Tyler Eden who made a recent move down from Ohio to lead the program. He’s brought back the championship spirit in the city and has the Yellow Jackets undefeated through week 5. On the other side, head coach Carl White and the Blue Devils are ready to prove they still have the pieces to make noise in the district.
Zephyrhills Christian (3-2) at Victory Christian (3-2)
ZCA: Parker Stirnkorb QB, Kendall Johnson ATH, Rodger Jones ATH, Amari Range WR, Alexander Hairston RB, Myles McDonald Myles McDonald QB Zephyrhills Christian Academy | 2027 FL QB, Brent Clements DE, Jayden Ramos WR, Chris Bailey ATH, Kaden Paghense DL
VCA: Blake Johnson Blake Johnson 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Lakeland Victory Christian | 2025 FL QB, Jackson Benton QB, Curtis Ingram RB, Martell Thomas ATH, Kooper Jones WR, Jaden Gray DB, Noah Cabrera WR, JoJo Scott JoJo Scott 6'2" | 170 lbs | DB Lakeland Victory Christian | 2025 FL ATH
A showdown between two talented Christian schools will go down this week. Both teams have solid quarterbacks with skill players to make things happen in the open field. It’ll come down to the defense and who makes fewer mistakes in this one.
Fort Meade (4-0) at Indian Rocks Christian (4-0)
Eagles: Anthony Harris ATH, Keatin Emener QB, Kaiden Nobles ATH, Anthony Cavallaro DE, Matthew Surber LB, Brandt Scott RB, Anderson Dunn RB
Miners: Carson Montsdeoca QB – Joshua Porter WR – Ryan Screen WR – Darian Kirkland Darian Kirkland 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH Avon Park | 2025 FL WR – Keveun Mason RB – Omari Russell DB – Cyhdrin Simmons DB – Tedrick Simon DB – Davion Borders DB – Ashton White LB – Josiah Lozano WR – Markell Baker ATH
The undefeated Miners will take a road trip for a matchup with the also unbeaten Indian Rocks Christian Eagles. Indian Rocks are putting together consecutive solid seasons and will be tested by a talented and confident Fort Meade squad. Interested to see how FM handles any adversary on the road.
Other Must-See Matchups:
#8 Cocoa (3-1) vs. #10 Treasure Coast (4-1)
#21 Lake Mary (4-0) vs. Mandarin (4-1)
#14 Seminole (4-1) vs. Apopka (3-2)
#9 Edgewater (5-0) vs. Wekiva (3-2)
#12 Mainland (5-0) vs. Pine Ridge (3–1)
Orlando Christian Prep (5-0) vs. The First Academy (4-1)