Five Week 10 Games To Watch

After a rough week with Hurricane Helene, the focus, for the most part, gets back to football fields across the state. Here are 10 games to keep an eye on.

Andrew Johnson October 24, 2024 @ 01:43 PM

1. Lakeland Christian (5-1) at Victory Christian (6-0)   • Date/Time: Friday, 7:00 PM ET   • Location: Victory Christian, Lakeland, FL   This is one of the biggest private school rivalries in the area, and it's always a can't-miss event. Lakeland Christian and Victory Christian face off in a game that has playoff implications every year. With both teams in top form, expect an intense atmosphere, hard hits, and big plays as these district foes battle for bragging rights. Victory Christian remains undefeated, but Lakeland Christian will look to hand them their first loss.   • Players to Watch:   • Lakeland Christian: Killian O'Neal (RB), DJ Howard (ATH), [player_tooltip player_id='1209647' first='Trey' last='Berry'] (LB)   • Victory Christian: Jojo Scott (ATH), Myshawn McKinley (DB), [player_tooltip player_id='1715880' first='Cru' last='Slocum'] (QB)   2. Durant (5-3) at Bartow (5-2)   • Date/Time: Friday, 7:30 PM ET   • Location: Bartow, FL   This district clash is a must-watch as both Durant and Bartow are 1-0 in District 6A, making this game a pivotal moment in their playoff hopes. Durant's offense, led by [player_tooltip player_id='831311' first='Michael' last='Ryan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1134132' first='Emmanuel' last='Lee'], will face a solid Bartow defense. On the flip side, Bartow's [player_tooltip player_id='1022076' first='Blake' last='Johnson'] is coming off a Player of the Game performance and will be eager to lead his team to another win.   • Players to Watch:   • Durant: [player_tooltip player_id='831311' first='Michael' last='Ryan'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='1134132' first='Emmanuel' last='Lee'] (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='1550836' first='Hunter' last='Smith'] (LB)   • Bartow: [player_tooltip player_id='1022076' first='Blake' last='Johnson'] (QB), Tavares Murray (ATH), Cory Butler (WR)   3. Eau Gallie (7-0) at Lincoln (5-2)   • Date/Time: Friday, 7:00 PM ET   • Location: Lincoln, Tallahassee, FL   One of the top non-district matchups this week, Eau Gallie puts its undefeated record on the line against a strong Lincoln squad. Eau Gallie's defense has been stingy all year, but they'll be tested against Lincoln's explosive offense, led by dual-threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='836435' first='Christian' last='Sims']. This game could be a preview of deeper postseason matchups, with both teams looking to make a statement.   • Players to Watch:   • Eau Gallie: [player_tooltip player_id='1247547' first='Xavier' last='Lherisse'] (ATH), [player_tooltip player_id='736787' first='Joseph' last='Allen'] (QB), Ahmed Forehand (LB)   • Lincoln: [player_tooltip player_id='836435' first='Christian' last='Sims'] (QB), Mekhi Maddox (ATH), Gavin James (LB)   4. Mandarin (6-2) at Oakleaf (6-2)   • Date/Time: Friday, 7:00 PM ET   • Location: Oakleaf, Orange Park, FL   This district battle promises fireworks, as both Mandarin and Oakleaf enter the game on three-game winning streaks and undefeated in district play. Mandarin's passing attack, headlined by dynamic WR [player_tooltip player_id='826427' first='Jamie' last='Ffrench'], will be tested against Oakleaf's physical defense. Expect a lot of offensive firepower from both sides, but the game will likely be decided in the trenches.   • Players to Watch:   • Mandarin: [player_tooltip player_id='826427' first='Jamie' last='Ffrench'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='331763' first='Deion' last='Winstead'] (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='212258' first='Israel' last='Ratliff'] (LB)   • Oakleaf: [player_tooltip player_id='928372' first='Jack' last='McKissock'] (QB), Chris Foy II (RB), Bryan Copeland (LB)   5. Osceola (Kissimmee) (5-2) at Lake Wales (5-2)   • Date/Time: Friday, 7:00 PM ET   • Location: Lake Wales, FL   Osceola comes into this game riding a three-game win streak, including a near upset of Jones, while Lake Wales is trying to bounce back from two tough losses. After going 28-0, Lake Wales is looking to regain their dominant form. With both teams on the playoff bubble, expect a fierce matchup as they battle for postseason positioning.   • Players to Watch:   • Osceola: Taveion Swint (RB), ([player_tooltip player_id='826562' first='Elijah' last='Melendez'] (LB), Robert Lee (LB)   • Lake Wales: Kanelius Purdy (ATH), Brycen Levidiotis (QB), Russell Watts (DE)   Osceola: Taveion Swint (RB), ([player_tooltip player_id='826562' first='Elijah' last='Melendez'] (LB), Robert Lee (LB)   Lake Wales: Kanelius Purdy (ATH), Brycen Levidiotis (QB), Russell Watts (DE)

1. Lakeland Christian (5-1) at Victory Christian (6-0)