Week 9 high school football preview capsules
IMG ACADEMY WHITE (2-2) AT TAMPA BERKELEY PREP (2-4)
When: 7 p.m.
The scoop: For the first-year White team, this is just another game on the schedule. But with the new FHSAA playoff format, it means a lot more to a team not even playing in the game: Cardinal Mooney. The Cougars need IMG White to beat Tampa Berkeley Prep so they can climb the ladder in the playoff points race.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Tampa Berkeley Prep 28, IMG White 21
WINTER HAVEN (3-3) AT CARDINAL MOONEY (2-4)
When: 7 p.m.
The scoop: The Blue Devils were a late addition to Cardinal Mooney’s schedule, a Class 7A squad expected to provide a stern test for a Cougars team preparing for the playoffs. With the forfeited games, it’s imperative for Mooney to win to keep its playoff hopes alive. The Cougars can’t afford to slip, and that means workhorse RB Bryce Williams, who was held out last week with an injury but is expected back this week, needs to do what he does best: provide dazzling runs.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Winter Haven 30, Cardinal Mooney 28
ST. PETERSBURG CATHOLIC (2-4) AT OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY (4-1)
When: 7 p.m.
The scoop: These teams played a classic a couple seasons ago with the Thunder storming back from a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit to win in overtime. This year, ODA is having the better season and the Thunder need RB Dakota Dickerson, QB Gus Mahler and DE Ryan Ives to make more splash plays to keep SPC at bay this time around.
Jason Dill’s prediction: St. Petersburg Catholic 20, ODA 14
LAKEWOOD RANCH (3-2, 1-2) AT BRADEN RIVER (3-1, 2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m.
The scoop: For the Mustangs to have a chance against prohibitive favorite Braden River, they’ll need a healthy dose of RB Mason Fischer and the occasional big pass from QB Justin Curtis to control the clock and keep the Pirates’ explosive offense off the field. That said, the Pirates have more speed and size in the trenches and at the skill positions with RB Deshaun Fenwick (South Carolina commit) and WR/RB Knowledge McDaniel (plenty of D-I interest). RB Cam White, QB Bryan Gagg and WR Craivon Koonce are also dangerous offensive weapons for a Braden River team looking to avoid any letdowns in its playoff push in Class 7A-District 11.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Braden River 42, Lakewood Ranch 14
SOUTHEAST (5-0, 3-0) AT WAUCHULA HARDEE (4-3, 2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m.
The scoop: The Seminoles boast a fast and ferocious defense that’s added up to the unbeaten start. Before the season, this was looked at as a potential title game in Class 5A-District 11. With Bayshore’s monumental upset of Hardee last week, it’s taken on even more importance for the Wildcats. A victory means they would own the district tiebreaker over the Seminoles. Southeast can clinch the district with a win and a Sarasota Booker loss. Hardee QB Kai Washington is the team’s driving force. He was held in check by Bayshore, and that’s who Southeast must stop to thwart Hardee this week. Of course, RB Latrell Peavy and QB Alex Taylor need to continue their form on offense for the Noles to win a tough road game.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Southeast 21, Wauchula Hardee 14
RIVERVIEW (3-3, 1-2) AT MANATEE (3-2, 3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m.
The scoop: Last week’s loss ended Manatee’s bid for the Class 8A-District 6 championship, but this week’s opponent doesn’t pose the same threat as Sarasota Riverview. The Riverview team from Hillsborough County is a traditional run-first, run-often team. Hurricanes QB Keyon Fordham or backup Ryan O’Neill should have plenty of targets to hit in the passing game, while RB Josh Booker and Co. are poised to do what they’ve done against previous Hillsborough County programs in their district: feast often.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Manatee 42, Riverview 0
PALMETTO (4-2, 2-1) AT NORTH PORT (3-3, 0-2)
When: 7:30 p.m.
The scoop: This has trap game written all over it with the Tigers’ Class 7A-District 11 showdown at Venice looming next week. But this Palmetto team, with an experienced senior class, most likely isn’t overlooking North Port. The strong defense coupled with Eddravian Butler, Elijah Davis and Johnnie Jones in the running game should spell a comfortable win for the Tigers.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Palmetto 49, North Port 7
ARCADIA DESOTO (1-3, 0-2) AT BAYSHORE (1-4, 1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m.
The scoop: The Bayshore Bruins aren’t finished yet in Class 5A-District 11. Last week’s big win over Wauchula Hardee breathed some life into a program that hadn’t won since the 2015 regular-season finale. Now Bayshore has to back it up with games against teams the Bruins are capable of beating. It won’t be easy, but Bayshore’s defense has been stellar all season. The Bruins should hang close, unless the offense plays well all four quarters. If that happens, then look for Bayshore to enjoy a second straight win without much trouble. Otherwise, it could be another close one, something that’s happened regularly this season with the Bruins losing three games by a combined 10 points.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Bayshore 14, Arcadia DeSoto 7
SAINT STEPHEN’S (5-0) VS. SEFFNER CHRISTIAN (1-5)
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Strawberry Crest High
The scoop: A week after tallying his 100th career TD, QB Fred Billy is looking to add to that tally with RB Chase Brown and S Sydney Brown, who also has received some carries this season, providing the dynamite in Saint Stephen’s explosive offense. The Falcons begin their bid for another Sunshine State Athletic Conference title in their playoff opener next week.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Saint Stephen’s 35, Seffner Christian 14
CLEARWATER ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL (0-5) AT BRADENTON CHRISTIAN (3-4)
When: 7:30 p.m.
The scoop: Winless Clearwater Academy shouldn’t provide much of a challenge to Bradenton Christian, which began last week’s game with rival Saint Stephen’s with a fast start. The trouble for the Panthers was stopping Saint Stephen’s offense, which no team has done this year. Giving up the big plays should be a big focal point this week as the Panthers gear up for their SSAC playoff opener next week.
Jason Dill’s prediction: Bradenton Christian 28, Clearwater Academy International 21
IMG ACADEMY BLUE (5-0) AT SALT LAKE CITY EAST (8-1)
When: 9 p.m.
The scoop: Manatee County fans already know IMG’s opponent this week. East High in Salt Lake City is where former Manatee High star Johnnie Lang and Lakewood Ranch High standout Daymon Murray played and led the team to a state title a couple seasons ago. The biggest challenge likely will be getting acclimated to the thinner air, though that shouldn’t prevent IMG’s team full of future Division I players from beating East for another signature road victory on the Ascenders’ national schedule.
Jason Dill’s prediction: IMG Academy Blue 35, Salt Lake City East 14
Last week: 7-2
Season: 37-12
This story was originally published October 19, 2017 at 1:44 PM with the headline "Week 9 high school football preview capsules."