WEEK 7: Five Must-See Matchups
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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 – 10/6.
Bartow (6-0) vs. Lakeland (4-2)
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
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
A highly anticipated Thursday night District matchup has the #863 on notice. The undefeated Bartow Yellow Jackets travel to Bryant Stadium for a showdown with the 2022 state-champion Lakeland Dreadnaughts.
Cocoa (4-1) vs. Seminole (4-1)
Tigers: Brady Hart Brady Hart 6'4" | 185 lbs | QB Cocoa | 2026 FL QB, Nick Teeter WR, Jayvan Boggs Jayvan Boggs 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Cocoa | 2025 State FL WR, CJ Bragg CJ Bragg 5'11" | 170 lbs | ATH Cocoa | 2024 FL WR, Samadrae Hawkins Samadrae Hawkins 5'11" | 220 lbs | LB Cocoa | 2024 FL LB, Dai’Veon Parham LB, Javion Hilson Javion Hilson 6'5" | 230 lbs | DL Cocoa | 2025 State FL DE, O’kece Battle ATH, Daviyon-Hawkins-Ingram OL
BokeyFB: Karson Lasky QB, Preston Watson Preston Watson 6'2" | 270 lbs | DL Sanford Seminole | 2024 State FL DT, Trey Clarke RB, Tavari Hampton LB, David Parks ATH, Justin Rosado WR, Cori Smith DB, Juan Berchal Juan Berchal 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB Sanford Seminole | 2025 FL DB, Michael Key Michael Key 6'0" | 195 lbs | WR Sanford Seminole | 2024 FL WR
Wow. What a matchup between two teams with sky-high confidence and playmakers all over the field. The battle I’ll focus on is the quarterbacks which we have two Division 1 throwers featured in this one. This will come down to game plan, effort through 4 quarters, and limited mistakes.
Olympia (4-1) vs. Apopka (3-2)
Titans: Juan Gainous Juan Gainous 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB Olympia | 2024 FL QB, Melo Ware RB, RoMelo Walker ATH, Brandon Dumzeil DT, Jalon Thompson Jalon Thompson 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Orlando Olympia | 2024 FL DB, Xavier Tucker Xavier Tucker 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Orlando Olympia | 2025 FL ATH
Blue Darters: Tyson Davison Tyson Davison 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Apopka | 2026 FL QB, Marcus Grant DB, Malachi Davey Malachi Davey 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB FL DB, Antwone Robinson DB, Donovan Muldrow LB, Lorenzo Payne LB
Olympia is rolling this season behind 2024 QB Juan Gainous Juan Gainous 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB Olympia | 2024 FL but Apopka has defeated the Titans for four consecutive matchups. Though the Blue Darters seem to be struggling, Olympia must be on point to defy historical odds.
Bishop Verot (6-0) vs. Jesuit (3-2)
Vikings: Leroy Roker RB, Matthew Turner WR, Charles Watts WR, Deshon Jenkins Deshon Jenkins 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Bishop Verot | 2026 FL Jr. RB, Carter Smith Carter Smith 6'4" | 180 lbs | QB Fort Myers Bishop Verot | 2025 State FL QB, Ryan Gadsen DB, Micha Anderson LB, Parker Turner LB, Ryan Peterson DL
Tigers: Will Griffin QB, Willy Suarez WR, Justin Thurman Justin Thurman 6'0" | 175 lbs | RB Tampa Jesuit | 2025 State FL RB, Drew Woodaz Drew Woodaz 6'3" | 190 lbs | LB Tampa Jesuit | 2024 State FL LB, Bryson Goodwin WR
Jesuit will host undefeated Bishop Verot where 2026 QB Will Griffin will have the chance to spoil the Vikings’ momentum and solidify his name in the top 5 for the class.
Lake Wales (5-0) vs. Lake Gibson (3-2)
Highlanders: Levidiotis Bryce QB – Johnquae Richardson LB – Messiah Marlow LB – Dylan Simmons LB – Carldayle Brantley WR – Jaishon Berry DT, Kaneilius Purdy ATH, D’Cari Smith 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