Inside Look: Five Week 3 Must-Watch Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 3 is where the early-season picture starts to get a little clearer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first couple weeks gave us plenty of surprises, statement wins and questions. Now we get some matchups that can tell us a lot more about where certain programs actually stand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's talent all over this slate, but more importantly, there are several games that could change the way we view these teams moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the notable Week 3 games we'll be watching closely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. LENNARD vs. ST. PETE CATHOLIC</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lennard:</strong> 4 ⭐️ DB [player_tooltip player_id='1670951' first='Mekhi' last='Williams'], QB [player_tooltip player_id='2228632' first='Antonio' last='Balaguer'], FSU commit [player_tooltip player_id='2122902' first='Chayse' last='Brown']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Pete Catholic:</strong> QB Chase Burrill, OL [player_tooltip player_id='2197998' first='Quinston' last='Howard'], RB Larry Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's start with Lennard and St. Pete Catholic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is an interesting matchup because both programs have something to prove.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lennard is trying to establish itself as a team that deserves more attention in the Tampa Bay conversation, while St. Pete Catholic is looking for more consistency and a chance to build some momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is legitimate talent on both sides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1670951' first='Mekhi' last='Williams'] gives Lennard a high-level presence in the secondary, while [player_tooltip player_id='2228632' first='Antonio' last='Balaguer'] and FSU commit [player_tooltip player_id='2122902' first='Chayse' last='Brown'] give the offense playmakers to work with. The question is whether Lennard can put everything together against a quality opponent and play complementary football for four quarters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For St. Pete Catholic, this is about finding consistency offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chase Burrill will be an important piece of that, but the battle up front with [player_tooltip player_id='2197998' first='Quinston' last='Howard'] and the rest of the offensive line could ultimately determine how much room Larry Christian has to operate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This feels like one of those games where a strong performance can change the perception of a team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What we're watching:</strong> Can Lennard take another step forward, or does St. Pete Catholic find the consistency it has been searching for?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. PORT CHARLOTTE vs. THE FIRST ACADEMY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Port Charlotte:</strong> FSU QB commit [player_tooltip player_id='1158090' first='Logan' last='Flaherty'], 3 ⭐️ ATH [player_tooltip player_id='2347410' first='Bruce' last='Blanden'], DB [player_tooltip player_id='2151021' first='Andre' last='Scott'], ATH Javier Newell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TFA:</strong> QB Anthony Woods, RB [player_tooltip player_id='2345596' first='Hyquez' last='Russell'], ATH [player_tooltip player_id='2255792' first='Jaiziah' last='Battle']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now Port Charlotte gets The First Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TFA comes in <strong>2-0</strong> and is coming off a 21-14 win over Edgewater — a completely different type of game than its explosive Week 1 performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That matters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TFA has already shown it can score points, but the Edgewater game showed another side of the program. It had to play a more physical, competitive game and find a way to finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that physicality gets tested again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Port Charlotte is coming off the loss to Clearwater Central Catholic, and this is a good bounce-back opportunity. The Pirates have plenty of talent, led by FSU quarterback commit [player_tooltip player_id='1158090' first='Logan' last='Flaherty'], but they'll have to deal with the absence of Florida WR commit [player_tooltip player_id='2137667' first='Elias' last='Pearl'] and 2028 WR Jaylen Francis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That puts even more pressure on the rest of the offense to create.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flaherty obviously has the ability to make plays with his arm, but how much can Port Charlotte create outside of the quarterback position? [player_tooltip player_id='2347410' first='Bruce' last='Blanden'], Javier Newell and the rest of the playmakers are going to have to help take some of that pressure off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For TFA, this is an opportunity to prove that the 2-0 start is more than just a good opening stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anthony Woods, [player_tooltip player_id='2345596' first='Hyquez' last='Russell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2255792' first='Jaiziah' last='Battle'] give the Royals multiple ways to attack, and if they can stay balanced and control the physical side of this game, they have a chance to make another statement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The questions are simple:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can TFA's physicality give Port Charlotte problems?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can [player_tooltip player_id='1158090' first='Logan' last='Flaherty'] create enough?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Seminole:</strong> QB Daniel Proenza, WR Kadin Flores, RB [player_tooltip player_id='1704837' first='Jamar' last='Buckner']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eau Gallie:</strong> QB [player_tooltip player_id='736787' first='Joseph' last='Allen'], ATH X'zavier Corbin, ATH [player_tooltip player_id='2141004' first='Captain' last='Rolle']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seminole is <strong>2-0 and climbing.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That alone makes this matchup worth watching.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Seminoles are starting to look like one of those teams that could quietly move up the Central Florida pecking order if they continue stacking wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Daniel Proenza gives the offense a quarterback to build around, while Kadin Flores and [player_tooltip player_id='1704837' first='Jamar' last='Buckner'] provide options to keep defenses from keying on one player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But this is also a test of how complete Seminole really is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eau Gallie bounced back from its opening loss in a big way, shutting out Heritage <strong>41-0</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And that's actually an important point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eau Gallie responded.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Instead of allowing the opening loss to become the beginning of a bad stretch, the Commodores came back and dominated their next opponent. Now they get an opportunity to show whether that performance was a one-week bounce-back or the start of something bigger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='736787' first='Joseph' last='Allen'], X'zavier Corbin and [player_tooltip player_id='2141004' first='Captain' last='Rolle'] give Eau Gallie plenty of athleticism, but they're going to have to handle what Seminole brings defensively and find ways to keep the game from getting away from them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seminole, meanwhile, has a chance to continue building momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The current Central Florida Power 15 has <strong>Seminole at No. 5</strong>, with TFA at No. 4 and Evans at No. 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That puts this game into a bigger conversation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Is Seminole quietly becoming one of the better teams in Central Florida?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We may have a much better answer after Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. JONES vs. EVANS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jones:</strong> QB Peyton Carroll, DE Fred Ards, DB [player_tooltip player_id='1546889' first='Sharad' last='Haire']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evans:</strong> QB [player_tooltip player_id='1144254' first='William' last='Jackson'], WR [player_tooltip player_id='1671212' first='Brian' last='Dillard'], RB Daveon Williams, LB Triston McCloud</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jones versus Evans.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a real-deal, must-see Central Florida showdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is coming off the Santa Margarita game and an open week, giving the Tigers some extra time to prepare.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evans, meanwhile, comes in with momentum after a <strong>47-13 win over Boone</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And now they meet Saturday afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are two completely different stories coming into this game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones remains one of the most highly regarded teams in the region despite being 0-1. The Tigers have the athleticism and defensive talent to make life difficult for just about anybody, and Peyton Carroll will be a key piece of how they control the game offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evans has started to change the conversation around its season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1144254' first='William' last='Jackson'] has a talented group around him, including [player_tooltip player_id='1671212' first='Brian' last='Dillard'] and Daveon Williams, while Triston McCloud leads a defense that will have to deal with Jones' athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The current Central Florida Power 15 has Evans up <strong>five spots to No. 10</strong>, while Jones remains <strong>No. 3 despite being 0-1</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's a perfect example of how much preseason résumé and schedule strength can still influence early rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But at some point, you have to play the games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And this is a big one for both.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones needs to show why the preseason expectations were so high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evans has an opportunity to prove that its recent momentum is real.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive side could be especially interesting. Which team can force the other to play left-handed? Which defense can take away the first option and make the opposing quarterback work through the rest of the field?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And then there's tempo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who controls this game?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Evans can create explosive plays and force Jones to chase points, the Tigers could be uncomfortable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Jones controls the line of scrimmage, limits Evans' big plays and turns this into a physical, defensive battle, the preseason favorite could remind everyone why it remains highly regarded.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The question:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Does Evans continue the momentum?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Or does Jones remind everybody why they were highly regarded coming into the year?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. THE FLORIDA GAME OF THE WEEK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LAKELAND vs. VENICE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakeland:</strong> QB Kelin Hendrix, DE [player_tooltip player_id='1671138' first='Santana' last='Harvey'], DB [player_tooltip player_id='2137699' first='Jordan' last='Young']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Venice:</strong> WR [player_tooltip player_id='1841858' first='Tyree' last='Mannings Jr.'], RB Dorien Irving-Jones, RB [player_tooltip player_id='1866450' first='Ira' last='Dale']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And then we've got the one that might generate the most conversation right here in Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakeland vs. Venice.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the biggest names in Florida high school football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the type of game you circle before the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And this year, the matchup comes with even more intrigue because both teams have plenty of reasons to believe they can win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeland comes in at <strong>1-0</strong> after a dominant 47-0 win over Kathleen and had a Week 2 bye, giving the Dreadnaughts additional time to prepare for this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Venice is <strong>2-0</strong> and has been rolling early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So now we get to see what happens when those two programs finally meet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What we're watching from Lakeland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Can Lakeland control the line of scrimmage?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That could be one of the biggest factors in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Lakeland can establish itself up front, keep the Venice defensive front from dictating the game and create a physical style, that's the type of game the Dreadnaughts want.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then there's quarterback play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelin Hendrix doesn't necessarily need to turn this into a track meet. Lakeland needs to stay efficient, protect the football and take advantage when opportunities present themselves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='1671138' first='Santana' last='Harvey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2137699' first='Jordan' last='Young'] are two players we'll be watching closely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest objective?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Don't let Venice turn the game into an explosive-play contest.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Venice has too many athletes capable of flipping the field in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What we're watching from Venice</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Venice has a different formula.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Explosive athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensive versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And the ability to create turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1841858' first='Tyree' last='Mannings Jr.'] gives Venice a dangerous weapon on the outside, while Dorien Irving-Jones and [player_tooltip player_id='1866450' first='Ira' last='Dale'] give the offense a physical presence in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Venice doesn't have to play the same game as Lakeland.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the Indians can create space, get their athletes into favorable matchups and dictate the pace, they can force Lakeland to defend the entire field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And that's where this matchup gets really interesting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can Lakeland make Venice play a physical game?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Or can Venice make Lakeland defend sideline to sideline?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Bigger Conversation</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This isn't really about history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not about which program has the bigger name.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not about what either team has accomplished five or ten years ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who is the better football team right now?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's the conversation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeland has the physicality, tradition and defensive talent to make this uncomfortable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Venice has the athletes, versatility and explosiveness to turn one mistake into seven points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And that's why this game is so important early in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For both teams, this isn't just another Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's an opportunity to establish where they belong in the Florida high school football hierarchy as we look forward to the Open 8 Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->