Braden River High defeats Venice 17-0 in regional semifinal playoff game; Manatee High loses 40-21

Class 8A-Region 2

Orlando Dr. Phillips 40, Manatee High 21, FINAL

1Q: ODP 40-yard interception return

2Q: ODP TD

2Q: MHS 47-yard TD catch by Price

2Q: ODP TD

2Q: ODP TD, PAT failed

3Q: ODP TD, PAT failed

4Q: ODP TD

4Q: MHS TD, PAT failed

4Q: MHS TD, two-point conversion good

Class 7A-Region 3

Braden River High 17, Venice 0, FINAL

1Q:  Dexter Hodo 7-yard TD run

2Q: Deshaun Fenwick 4-yard TD run

2Q: BR field goal

PREGAME INFORMATION

Class 8A-Region 2 semifinal

On the air: 930-AM, WLSS

Online: Manateefootball.com

How they got here: Manatee def. Oak Ridge 32-14; Dr. Phillips def. Steinbrenner 30-18

Winner gets: Kissimmee Osceola or Vero Beach in next Friday's regional final

The scoop: Manatee edged Dr.Philips 24-21 last year in the region final on a late field goal that ended the Panthers' 37-game home win streak. Dr. Phillips beat Steinbrenner 30-18 last week, the same team Manatee defeated 52-17 during the regular season. DP likes to move the ball on the ground and spread the carries around, as it did rushing 49 times for 330 yards against Steinbrenner. Emare Hogan leads the Panthers in rushing with 84 carries for 644 yards and hurt Manatee last year with three second-half touchdowns. Close behind are Demaria Washington (75-422-4), DJ Charles (38-325-6) and Alvin Bryant (39-304-4). Quarterback Marvin Washington has completed 71 of 132 passes for nine touchdowns with seven interceptions. His top receiver is Jaquarius Bargnare, who has 36 receptions for 563 yards and six touchdowns. The Panthers' defense was outstanding against Steinbrenner, limiting the Warriors to 141 yards of total offense, including only two yards on the ground on 28 carries. DP's preference toward the rush could help a Manatee defense that has been stout against the run and struggled at times against teams that like to throw. Junior D.J. Charles, who had two touchdowns against Steinbrenner, is a highly touted prospect. DP defeated Oak Ridge 34-7 during the regular season, the same team Manatee upended 32-14 last week in its region opener. The Panthers have won eight straight district titles using a formula that relies on a running game and solid defense. This is a different Manatee team than last year. The Hurricanes lost nationally touted running back Johnnie Lang, but has a much more versatile offense with junior A.J. Colagiovanni at quarterback and a trio of receivers capable of taking it all the way on any catch. Colagiovanni has accounted for 29 touchdowns (18 pass, 11 rush) while throwing for 2,198 yards and rushing for 429 yards. Kavious Price leads the area with 1,330 all-purpose yards and can hurt a defense in many ways. Lorenz Allen has rushed for 1,174 yards with 15 touchdowns. The defense has been stout with 120 tackles for loss. The biggest worry for Manatee is that prior to last week it had won seven straight games with a running clock, forcing the starters into playing only about half a game per week. The Canes looked a little sluggish in the fourth quarter last week, surrendering 14 points to Oak Ridge. DP will try to ram it down the Canes' throats and use Hogan in the wildcat at times. This is going to be a tough physical game, particularly on the road. Manatee prevailed last year in a close game and has the talent to do that again. You have to worry about fourth-quarter fatigue, but he game could also rest with the Canes' front four. It's going to be tested.

Alan Dell's pick: Manatee 31, Dr.Phillips 27

Jason Dill's pick: Dr.Phillips 28, Manatee 27

David Wilson's pick: Manatee 30, Dr. Phillips 24

Venice (10-1) at Braden River (11-0)

Class 7A-Region 3 semifinal

Online: thecube.com

When: 7:30 p.m.

How they got here: Venice def. South Fort Myers 35-14; Braden River def. Naples Gulf Coast 37-14

Winner gets: Plant City or Tampa Bay Tech in next Friday's regional final

The scoop: It's a rematch of Braden River's toughest regular-season game, in which the Pirates beat the Indians by 10 points last month. Both teams were ranked in the Class 7A top five at the time, heading into what became Braden River's first victory over Venice in program history. The Indians responded with a victory over Palmetto two weeks later to secure the district runner-up spot. QB Bryce Carpenter is just a sophomore, but he's the engine to the Indians' offense. He's thrown for 1,396 yards and ran for 649 with 12 of Venice's 34 rushing TDs. Against the Pirates, Carpenter accounted for 261 of the club's 393 total yards of offense. That was a season-high for a Braden River defense that has yielded 8.9 PPG with 27 takeaways. Venice also has a 1,000-yard rusher in RB Matthew "Speedy" Laroche, who is averaging 9.2 YPC with 1,072 rushing yards. The Indians also have a similarly stiff defense to the Pirates. Venice has allowed 9.63 PPG. However, they allowed a season-high 30 points to Braden River. Fans could see trick plays from both sides as Venice tried a couple in its regular season meeting. With rain in the potential forecast, both sides could stick to the ground. That doesn't favor either, as they both enjoy pounding the ball. Braden River amassed 213 rushing yards in the October meeting with the Indians. RB Dexter Hodo Jr. (267 rushing yards, 37 attempts) has asserted himself as the go-to back for Braden River the last two weeks in place of the injured Raymond Thomas (15 rushing TDs).

Jason Dill's pick: Braden River 24, Venice 21

Alan Dell's pick: Braden River 28, Venice 17

David Wilson's pick: Braden River 24, Venice 21

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 5:54 PM with the headline " Braden River High defeats Venice 17-0 in regional semifinal playoff game; Manatee High loses 40-21 ."