Round 3 Must-See Playoff Games and Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 Round 2 Playoff 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 – 11/24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>Lake Minneola vs. Lakeland&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LM: </strong>Jackson Hughes <strong>QB</strong>, Braylon Knauth <strong>ATH</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1130811' first='Dane' last='Thompkins'] <strong>RB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='829522' first='Uriah' last='Maynard'] <strong>RB</strong>, D'Nari Adams <strong>ATH</strong>, Andrew Bowles <strong>LB</strong>, Jonah Cali <strong>S</strong>, Clarence Gaspard <strong>LB</strong>, Anthony Franklin <strong>DB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1266256' first='Chancellor' last='Barclay'] <strong>OL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LHS: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827385' first='Zander' last='Smith'] <strong>QB, </strong>Rick Penick <strong>WR, </strong>Dee Rucker <strong>RB, </strong>Jamar Taylor <strong>WR, </strong>Malik Morris <strong>LB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1123185' first='Jameson' last='Young'] <strong>DB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1127045' first='Keon' last='Young'] <strong>DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dreadnaughts host another playoff game after a big-time defining win over Bartow last week. Lake Minneola comes into this matchup after taking down a couple of Polk teams this season but will have to take down the champ to continue the season. One of the premier matches left in the Polk area. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>Lake Wales vs. Vanguard&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LW: </strong>Rashad Orr <strong>RB</strong>, Levidiotis Bryce <strong>QB</strong> - Johnquae Richardson <strong>LB</strong> - Messiah Marlow <strong>LB</strong> - Dylan Simmons <strong>LB</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='1322290' first='Carldayle' last='Brantley'] <strong>WR</strong> - Jaishon Berry <strong>DT</strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Vanguard: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404084' first='Fred' last='Gaskin III'] <strong>ATH</strong>, Mitchell Brown <strong>ATH</strong>, Dallen Ponder <strong>WR</strong>, Markell Davis <strong>LB</strong>, Terrence Farmer <strong>LB</strong>, Josiah Farmer <strong>LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Highlanders leave home to take on Vanguard as their undefeated 26-game win streak is on the line for last year's state champ. Vanguard has made some noise this season while taking on some of the more talented high school programs. A must-see and must-have win for the Highlanders who look to put on for the city once more.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>22 Mandarin vs. 10 Seminole&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mandarin: </strong>Jaime Ffrench Jr. <strong>WR, </strong>Tramell Jones <strong>QB, </strong>Tiant Wyche <strong>RB, </strong>Drake Stubbs <strong>ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BokeyFB: </strong>Karson Lasky <strong>QB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='741395' first='Preston' last='Watson'] <strong>DT, </strong>Trey Clarke <strong>RB, </strong>Tavari Hampton <strong>LB, </strong>David Parks <strong>ATH, </strong>Justin Rosado <strong>WR, </strong>Cori Smith <strong>DB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134246' first='Juan' last='Berchal'] <strong>DB</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mandarin enters round 3 with gleaming confidence after taking down one of the hottest teams this season in Lake Mary. Now the Mustangs face another well-coached and talented team in Seminole who are feeling good after a blowout win against Apopka. Two tough teams and a must-see game if you're in the area or have ties to either school. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>13 Jones vs. Tampa Bay Tech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tigers: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='740856' first='Trever' last='Jackson'] <strong>QB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404137' first='D'antre' last='Robinson'] <strong>DL, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826542' first='Vernell' last='Brown III'] <strong>WR, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212264' first='Dereon' last='Coleman'] <strong>QB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='118781' first='Jaylen' last='Smith'] <strong>WR, </strong>Sean Murphy <strong>WR, </strong>George Brown IV <strong>DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TBT: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1550621' first='Xzavier' last='Jackson'] <strong>QB</strong>, Logan Rodgers <strong>QB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='404265' first='Rod' last='Gainey'] Jr <strong>RB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1123115' first='Dallas' last='Sims'] <strong>WR</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='826545' first='Santonyo' last='Isaac'] <strong>WR</strong>, Matthew Stahl <strong>DE</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='826536' first='Rukeem' last='Stroud'] <strong>DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wow, what a matchup between two schools one in Central and the other in West/South Florida. TBT took down rival Armwood to move on to the next round as Jones completed the huge upset over undefeated Edgewater to advance to round 3. Man, this will be hyped up as the game approaches and we're excited to see how these two styles of programs match up on the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>Choctawhatchee vs. 17 St. Augustine&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Choctaw: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='130977' first='Jesse' last='Winslette'] <strong>QB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='742906' first='Cole' last='Tabb'] <strong>RB</strong>, Isaiah Johnson <strong>WR</strong>, Tristan Jackson <strong>LB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1263656' first='Ellis' last='Alloway'] <strong>LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SAHS: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826612' first='Locklan' last='Hewlett'] <strong>QB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829478' first='Carl' last='Jenkins Jr.'] <strong>WR, </strong>Trenton Jones <strong>WR, </strong>Myles Simmons <strong>WR, </strong>Ja'ki Singleton <strong>DB, </strong>Julian Quintero <strong>DB, </strong>Drake Lusk <strong>LB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404236' first='Devonte' last='Lyons'] <strong>RB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a big-time North Florida matchup that has Power 5 / Division 1 players all over the field. Interesting QB matchup that I will be paying attention to but it's the running backs on both of these squads that will be the difference maker ([player_tooltip player_id='742906' first='Cole' last='Tabb'], Choctaw) &amp; ([player_tooltip player_id='404236' first='Devonte' last='Lyons'], SAHS).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>16 Mainland vs. Sebring&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mainland: </strong>Clarence Mccloud <strong>WR, </strong>Dennis Murray <strong>QB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='834227' first='Khamani' last='Robinson'] <strong>RB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='404168' first='Rodney' last='Hill'] <strong>ATH</strong>, Lawal Mccray <strong>ATH</strong>, Myron Shafer <strong>ATH</strong>, Emmanuel Yisrael <strong>WR, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404168' first='Rodney' last='Hill'] <strong>LB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404169' first='Zavier' last='Mincey'] <strong>DB</strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sebring: </strong>Travis Kearney <strong>RB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='404585' first='Nick' last='Rowe'] <strong>RB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='392094' first='Josiah' last='Taylor'] <strong>LB</strong>, Courtney Watson <strong>LB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='830582' first='Favid' last='Shannon'] <strong>DB</strong>, KJ Massey <strong>QB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sebring has put together a successful season with RB Travis Kearney leading the team. The Blue Streaks will face a tough Mainland defense that features a UF commit and other head hunters who are eager to bounce back from last week in a close win over Rockledge. Sebring is a ‘Polk' squad that has a chance to move on against one of the tougher programs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>Pensacola Catholic vs. Florida State University High</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PC: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1317535' first='Ryan' last='Huff'] <strong>QB</strong>, Charles Nettles <strong>RB</strong>, Jayvion Showers <strong>WR</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='836526' first='Nigel' last='Nelson'] <strong>ATH</strong>, Turner McLaughlin <strong>LB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1132465' first='Terius' last='Mason'] <strong>ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FSUHS: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='223677' first='Jeremy' last='Johnston'] <strong>QB, </strong>Micha Danzy <strong>ATH</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='742923' first='Ashton' last='Hampton'] <strong>WR</strong>, Josiah Broxton <strong>LB</strong>, Noah Deem <strong>LB</strong>, Keisean Inman <strong>ATH</strong>, Darrick McGhee <strong>LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I really like this matchup between two solid squads that have made some noise this season as well as coaches and talented teams on both sides of the ball. Another interesting QB matchup to pay attention to but it's the defenses that will star in this game and will look to slow down two offenses averaging over 33.0 points per game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->