Week 7 high school football previews

FORT MYERS GATEWAY CHARTER (0-3 OVERALL, 0-2 DIVISION) AT SAINT STEPHEN’S (3-0, 2-0)

When: 7 p.m.

The scoop: This is the third time Fort Myers Gateway Charter is playing an area team. ... Saint Stephen’s is clicking big-time and ran off 61 points in the first half of last week’s blowout win against Out-of-Door Academy. Demetrius Davis had a huge game, returning a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and adding a receiving score en route to 231 all-purpose yards.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Saint Stephen’s 56, Fort Myers Gateway Charter 0

TAMPA CARROLLWOOD DAY (2-1) AT BRADENTON CHRISTIAN (2-3)

When: 7 p.m.

The scoop: Carrollwood Day throws the ball at a decent clip with junior QB Chris Butash launching most of the passes. He’s 38-for-80 with nine TDs and three INTs, according to MaxPreps. ... This game culminates a difficult stretch for BCS. The Panthers are playing their third game in a week and must avoid giving up the big plays on defense to hang with Carrollwood Day.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Tampa Carrollwood Day 30, Bradenton Christian 14

IMG WHITE (1-1) AT OCALA TRINITY CATHOLIC (1-3)

When: 7 p.m.

The scoop: It will be a reunion when IMG Academy makes the trek to Class 3A Ocala Trinity Catholic. Former IMG defensive coordinator Joe Sturdivant is Trinity Catholic’s head coach. The Celtics are a run-first team with just 10 passes attempted, according to MaxPreps. ... IMG White was off last week and last played in a Week 5 victory over Auburndale Kingdom Prep.

Jason Dill’s prediction: IMG White 28, Ocala Trinity Catholic 21

BRADEN RIVER (1-1, 0-1 DISTRICT) AT PALMETTO (3-1, 1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

The scoop: This Class 7A-District 11 showdown is a must-win for the Pirates. Despite not playing for a few weeks and seeing RB Deshaun Fenwick and RB Cam White cramp at times last week against Venice, the Pirates nearly knocked off the Indians and had the ball in the red zone in the closing seconds before penalties forced two long desperation passes. ... Palmetto turned away a scrappy Sarasota squad with its defense. And that’s a unit that the Tigers will need to be sharp against Braden River’s offensive firepower. This should be close.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Braden River 28, Palmetto 24

CARDINAL MOONEY (1-3) AT SOUTHEAST (3-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

The scoop: The Cougars suffered a heartbreaking OT loss to Clearwater Calvary Christian, a 3A-Region 3 rival, last week. On Thursday, word came that they have to forfeit two wins for using an ineligible player, and a promising 3-1 start quickly became 1-3. ... Last year, they knocked off Southeast with RB Bryce Williams’ punishing running and a defense that limited Southeast’s offense. ... The Seminoles, though, are focused and playing lights-out defense despite returning just four starters. Avenging last year’s loss is certainly within reach, especially with how the offense took a leap forward this season.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Southeast 31, Cardinal Mooney 24

PALM HARBOR UNIVERSITY (1-2 OVERALL, 0-1 DISTRICT) AT MANATEE (2-1, 2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

The scoop: It’s the battle of the Hurricanes, the nickname for both teams. Manatee should dominate. It’s a Class 8A-District 6 matchup that Manatee, with Keyon Fordham at quarterback and RB Josh Booker providing the offense that PHU can’t keep up with. That should set up a potential district title game with Sarasota Riverview next week. But first things first, Manatee must take care of business at Hawkins Stadium on Friday.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Manatee 49, Palm Harbor University 7

IMG BLUE (3-0) AT VENICE (4-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

The scoop: After knocking off two Class 6A state title contending Miami programs, the Ascenders begin a three-game road trip with a short trek south to face the Indians, who are riding high after beating district rival Braden River. The Ascenders, ranked No. 2 in the country, are loaded with Power 5 conference college recruits and shouldn’t have trouble with Venice, who are playing the game to prepare for a potential future date against a program such as Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. ... QB Bryce Carpenter and WR Jaivon Heiligh were the main offensive weapons for Venice, ranked No. 2 in 7A, last week. Lack of firepower against a loaded IMG team spells certain victory for the Ascenders.

Jason Dill’s prediction: IMG Blue 42, Venice 7

BAYSHORE (0-3) AT NORTH PORT (2-2)

When: 7:30 p.m.

The scoop: It’s been a tough 2017 season for the Bruins. After winning their kickoff classic, the Bruins have struggled to put together a four-quarter game. Showing fight late against Lakewood Ranch and Southeast didn’t amount to a victory, and they are coming off a shutout loss to a Sarasota Booker team that started 0-5.

Jason Dill’s prediction: North Port 28, Bayshore 7

LAKEWOOD RANCH (3-0, 1-0 DISTRICT) AT VENICE (4-0, 1-0)

When: 6 p.m. Monday

The scoop: This Class 7A-District 11 game is a Week 4 makeup game and begins a brutal three-game stretch for the Mustangs. Aside from the Venice game, the Mustangs play Palmetto and Braden River in subsequent weeks to determine if they’re a contender or pretender. One area that could help spring a potential upset is Venice will be playing for the second time in four days after the encounter with IMG Academy’s nationally ranked Blue team.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Venice 49, Lakewood Ranch 7

ST. PETERSBURG SHORECREST PREP (0-2, 0-1 DIVISION) AT OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY (2-1, 2-1)

When: 6 p.m. Monday

The scoop: Originally scheduled for Friday, the game was postponed until Monday because of an issue with referees. Shorecrest is coming off a loss at Bradenton Christian that was a continuation from Sept. 1. ODA, with QB Gus Mahler, RB Dakota Dickerson and DE Ryan Ives, should breeze to a win.

Jason Dill’s prediction: ODA 35, St. Petersburg Shorecrest Prep 14

Last week’s record: 8-3

Season record: 22-8

This story was originally published October 5, 2017 at 4:31 PM with the headline "Week 7 high school football previews."