Week 8 high school football preview capsules
BRADENTON CHRISTIAN (3-3, 2-1) AT SAINT STEPHEN’S (4-0, 3-0)
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
The scoop: The Panthers are riding a three-game winning streak, but they’re running into the Saint Stephen’s machine this week. The Falcons, behind RB Chase Brown (12 touchdowns) and QB Fred Billy (14 total TDs), have outscored the opposition 200-23. The defense is led by Cam Vining (36 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one interception), Tyler Burnham (four sacks, five hurries) and Vaughn Hayes (11 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one interception). ... BCS QB Zach Seagreaves (5 TDs, 10 INTs) must protect the football and get it to playmaker Bathie Thiam (28 catches, 284 yards) to have a chance.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Saint Stephen’s 56, Bradenton Christian 10
WAUCHULA HARDEE (4-2, 3-0 DISTRICT) AT BAYSHORE (0-4, 0-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
The scoop: The visiting Wildcats, tied for the top spot in Class 5A-District 11 with Southeast, play Hardee-style football, meaning they run and run some more. QB Kai Washington is the playmaking threat on offense. Washington leads the rushing attack with 689 yards and 12 TDs. ... Bayshore’s offense hasn’t clicked much this season, especially in the past two weeks, when the Bruins produced a combined seven points.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Wauchula Hardee 42, Bayshore 7
CARDINAL MOONEY (1-4) AT ST. PETERSBURG CATHOLIC (2-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
The scoop: The FHSAA’s decision last week that forced Cardinal Mooney to forfeit two early-season victories after self-reporting using an ineligible player severely crushed the Cougars playoff chances. RB Bryce Williams is the engine that makes Mooney’s offense go, and he was limited against Southeast’s speedy defense in a Week 7 loss. ... To have any chance at reaching the postseason, Mooney has to win out, starting with an overmatched St. Pete Catholic team.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Cardinal Mooney 35, St. Petersburg Catholic 14
KENNEDY (SOMERS, N.Y.) CATHOLIC (2-3) AT OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY (3-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
The scoop: Former Southeast High assistant coach Dominick Tassone is the head coach at Kennedy Catholic in a game dubbed “The Battle at the Beach.” ... ODA RB Dakota Dickerson (8.63 yards per carry) and QB Gus Mahler (57.1 completion percentage) lead the Thunder’s offense. In three wins, the defense has allowed 32 total points, while giving up 61 in the lone loss.
Jason Dill’s prediction: ODA 28, Kennedy Catholic 14
ORLANDO WEST OAKS ACADEMY (3-2) AT IMG ACADEMY WHITE (1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
The scoop: This is a Week 3 makeup game that Hurricane Irma’s pending arrival disrupted travel plans to Orlando. It was originally scheduled to get played at West Oaks. The Ascenders are coming off a close defeat at Ocala Trinity Catholic and were originally set to be off this week, before adding West Oaks as a makeup game.
Jason Dill’s prediction: IMG White 21, Orlando West Oaks 20
MANATEE (3-1, 3-0 DISTRICT) AT SARASOTA RIVERVIEW (6-1, 4-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The scoop: Even with two district games remaining for the Hurricanes, this week’s game likely will determine the Class 8A-District 6 champion. Under the FHSAA’s new playoff points system, the district champion might be the only path to the playoffs. While that won’t get decided until the end of the season, Manatee’s focus is this week with Riverview. To beat the talent-laden Rams, who received a boost at quarterback with Arthur Brantley’s transfer from Sarasota Booker, the Canes must limit Riverview’s physical pounding. ... With Keyon Fordham, Josh Booker and a more developed offense and defense, the Canes are playing with confidence and look much different than the early-season showings.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Manatee 30, Sarasota Riverview 28
LAKEWOOD RANCH (3-1, 1-1 DISTRICT) AT PALMETTO (3-2, 1-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The scoop: The first of Lakewood Ranch’s three straight difficult Class 7A-District 11 matchups occurred Monday with a trip to Venice. The Mustangs couldn’t stop the Indians’ high-powered offense in a 49-3 loss, even with Venice playing just three days after losing to IMG Academy’s nationally ranked program. ... Palmetto will be eager to atone for the narrow loss to Braden River last week to keep pace in the playoff points race. It’s homecoming week for the Tigers and they’re honoring OL Jorge Liberato, who died in a car accident a couple days before Hurricane Irma.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Palmetto 42, Lakewood Ranch 14
BRADEN RIVER (2-1, 1-1 DISTRICT) AT SARASOTA (3-3, 1-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The scoop: The Pirates picked up a huge Class 7A-District 11 victory last week at Palmetto without RB Cam White or QB Bryan Gagg, who were out after suffering injuries during the previous week’s loss to Venice. White’s status for this week is uncertain, while Gagg is expected to return in his first game against his old team after transferring from Sarasota in the offseason. In his absence last week, Jake Hepler stepped up and WR/RB Knowledge McDaniel torched Palmetto for 217 yards on 10 receptions. RB Deshaun Fenwick tallied 204 rushing yards. ... Former Braden River player Tommie Battie is with Sarasota, transferring to the Sailors to play with brother Brian.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Braden River 49, Sarasota 7
ENGLEWOOD LEMON BAY (2-3, 1-1 DISTRICT) AT SOUTHEAST (4-0, 2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The scoop: Lemon Bay QB Hayden Wolff is garnering Division I college interest and already has an offer from Kentucky. Still, the Manta Rays haven’t performed around him and he has struggled with his accuracy. That should bode well for the opportunistic Southeast defense, which has 11 turnovers in four dominant performances this season in its bid for the Class 5A-District 11 crown. The Seminoles are also ruthless on offense with QB Alex Taylor (70.7 completion percentage, 703 yards, 12 TDs) and RB Latrell Peavy (113 yards per game).
Jason Dill’s prediction: Southeast 42, Englewood Lemon Bay 14
Last week: 8-2
Season: 30-10
This story was originally published October 11, 2017 at 4:15 PM with the headline "Week 8 high school football preview capsules."