Week 9 Games of the Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Clearwater Central Catholic (7-0) at Venice (6-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Date/Time: Friday, October 18, 7:30 PM ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Location: Venice, FL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a heavyweight battle between two state championship contenders. Clearwater Central Catholic's defense has been impenetrable all season, with no opponent scoring more than 14 points. But now they face the high-powered offense of Venice, who are fresh off a bye week after a narrow loss to No. 1 IMG Academy. Venice showed they can compete with the best, and this game could come down to who makes the big plays in the final quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Players to Watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• CCC: [player_tooltip player_id='827366' first='Jershaun' last='Newton'], Nasir Hutchinson, [player_tooltip player_id='1224164' first='Gregory' last='Thomas']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Venice: [player_tooltip player_id='826461' first='Winston' last='Watkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='827414' first='Jayce' last='Nixon'], Gata Wilder, [player_tooltip player_id='1232013' first='Landon' last='Marsters']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Miami Central (5-1) at Miami Norland (6-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Date/Time: Friday, 7:00 PM ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Location: Miami, FL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game is explosive—two South Florida giants with talent and star power all over the field. Miami Central, fresh off two massive wins over American Heritage and Northwestern, takes on a Norland team that has also knocked off both Northwestern and American Heritage, along with Cocoa. The trenches will decide this one as both teams boast physical, dominating fronts. Expect a lot of high-stakes action with plenty of highlight-reel plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Players to Watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Miami Central: [player_tooltip player_id='826463' first='Ezekiel' last='Marcelin'], [player_tooltip player_id='830585' first='Sekou' last='Smith'], Otis Guyton, Nae'shaun Montgomery</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Norland: [player_tooltip player_id='826621' first='Ennio' last='Yapoor'], Dawson Quarterman, [player_tooltip player_id='1546044' first='Adrian' last='Farrow']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Sanford Seminole (6-1) at The First Academy (6-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Date/Time: Friday, 7:30 PM ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Location: Orlando, FL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a marquee matchup in Central Florida between two of the most well-coached and talented teams in the region. Both Seminole and The First Academy started the season undefeated at 6-0, but now they're looking to rebound after their first losses. With elite-skill players on both sides of the ball, this game could turn into a shootout. Watch for playmakers to step up in critical moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Players to Watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Seminole: [player_tooltip player_id='1247559' first='Michael' last='Clayton II'], Javon Peterson, [player_tooltip player_id='1212123' first='Khamani' last='Robinson']&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• TFA: Salomon Georges, [player_tooltip player_id='1249169' first='Demetrice' last='McCray'], [player_tooltip player_id='1130811' first='Dane' last='Thompkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1230787' first='Aden' last='Hall']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Edgewater (6-2) at Dr. Phillips (6-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Date/Time: Friday, 7:00 PM ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Location: Orlando, FL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edgewater comes into this game red hot, riding a four-game winning streak in which their defense has been nearly flawless. Their offense is firing on all cylinders as well. But they'll face their toughest test yet in Dr. Phillips, a team few expected to be undefeated at this point. Dr. Phillips has a chip on its shoulder and will be looking to prove they belong among Florida's elite. With stars on both sides of the ball, this game is shaping up to be a classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Players to Watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Edgewater: Carter Emanuel, [player_tooltip player_id='1130892' first='Joshua' last='Perry'], [player_tooltip player_id='1320723' first='Tyson' last='Carter'], [player_tooltip player_id='1779029' first='Damian' last='Moore'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Dr. Phillips: Stanley-Anderson Lofton, Mykel Calixte, [player_tooltip player_id='1314088' first='Maliki' last='Wright']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Lincoln (5-2) at Niceville (5-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Date/Time: Friday, 7:30 PM ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Location: Niceville, FL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both Lincoln and Niceville are coming off tough losses, and neither team can afford another slip-up with the postseason approaching. These two programs have a history of close, hard-fought games, and this one should be no different. Lincoln's explosive offense will look to get back on track, while Niceville's defense will try to rebound from last week's defeat. Expect this game to be a back-and-forth affair that could go down to the wire.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Players to Watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Lincoln: [player_tooltip player_id='836435' first='Christian' last='Sims'], Mekhi Maddox, Gavin James</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Niceville: [player_tooltip player_id='275812' first='Connor' last='Mathews'], Maddox Hayles, Jon Bocchino&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->