Week 10 high school football previews

SPRING HILL BISHOP MCLAUGHLIN (3-5) AT SAINT STEPHEN’S (6-0)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

The scoop: A big-play offense and a pressuring defense are reasons why Saint Stephen’s remains unbeaten and earned the No. 1 seed in the Coral Bay division playoffs of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference. There are several Falcons on both sides of the ball who can punish the opposition, including QB Fred Billy (65.9 completion percentage, 803 rushing yards), RB Chase Brown (52 carries for 918 rushing yards), WR Demetrius Davis (34.0 yards per catch), LB Cam Vining (10 tackles per game), DE Tyler Burnham (5 1/2 sacks), DB Vaughn Hayes (12 pass breakups, one INT, two fumble recoveries) and more. This SSAC first-round playoff game should go the way most games at the Moore Athletic Complex at Turner Fields have gone this season: a Saint Stephen’s blowout.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Saint Stephen’s 49, Spring Hill Bishop McLaughlin 7

LAKELAND SANTA FE CATHOLIC (4-3) AT OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY (5-1)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

The scoop: The Thunder are making their first playoff appearance since qualifying for the FHSAA Class 1B playoffs in 2010 under former head coach and Southeast High alumnus Brett Timmons. ODA’s triple-option offense was new this season for head coach Ken Sommers and it’s worked well in five victories. That’s given ODA a Sunshine State Athletic Conference Coral Bay division first-round home playoff home. The Thunder are going to have to contain QB Cam’ron Ransom, who is a dual-threat option for Santa Fe Catholic. Miles Thompson is another running game choice for Santa Fe. If the Hawks control the ground game, then it could be a long night for ODA.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic 30, Out-of-Door Academy 28

BRADENTON CHRISTIAN (3-5) AT MOUNT DORA CHRISTIAN (8-0)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

The scoop: For the second straight year, the Panthers made the SSAC playoffs. Their stay, though, might not be long with the trek to Mount Dora. The Bulldogs secured the No. 2 seed without much trouble this year. The closest margin of victory in eight games was 12 points. First-year BCS head coach Dan Fort has made some gutsy play calls in key spots that have worked. He’ll need more magic and Bathie Thiam, Zach Seagreaves, Travis Windham and others to lead the charge for an upset.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Mount Dora Christian 42, Bradenton Christian 14

HOLLYWOOD WEST PARK PREP (0-4) AT IMG ACADEMY WHITE (2-3)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

The scoop: It’s the battle of two first-year programs. West Park Prep has seen some tragedy with gun violence claiming one player’s life, and, according to the Tampa Bay Times, needing some equipment from Tampa Cambridge Christian for its Week 1 game to even happen. IMG’s White team is a tough one to figure out. The Ascenders are up and down each week, but shouldn’t have issues defeating, arguably, the greatest nickname in high school football: the Crimson Trunk Elephants.

Jason Dill’s prediction: IMG White 35, Hollywood West Park Prep 14

BAYSHORE (1-5 OVERALL, 1-3 DISTRICT) AT ENGLEWOOD LEMON BAY (2-5, 1-3)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The scoop: Another close loss has Bayshore playing for pride the last two weeks of the season. A couple late victories to end the season, including in their Class 5A-District 11 finale, could give the Bruins some momentum heading into offseason conditioning. Their defense is good and has kept them in games, and QB Brian Coleman gains more confidence and experience with every start. The sophomore signal-caller is matching up against Lemon Bay QB Hayden Wolff, who has a Kentucky offer and looks the part at 6-foot-5. The Manta Rays aren’t the biggest 5A team, but won’t need to score a bunch to win this one the way Bayshore’s season has gone.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Englewood Lemon Bay 16, Bayshore 7

PALMETTO (5-2 OVERALL, 3-1 DISTRICT) AT VENICE (7-1, 4-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The scoop: The Tigers were the only team to hold a halftime lead against Venice last year until the Indians ran into Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas in the 7A state semifinals. The Indians offense isn’t as explosive as the 2016 version, but the unit is superb with QB Bryce Carpenter and WR Jaivon Heiligh, who are both heading to Coastal Carolina, as the go-to options. Palmetto’s defense has to stop Carpenter in the running game and force him to throw to someone other than Heiligh. Meanwhile, WR Jason Spicer Jr. and QB Anthony Marino need to turn out vertical plays in the passing game, while RB Eddravian Butler, RB Elijah Davis and RB Johnnie Jones need to keep the chains moving in the raucous environment at Powell-Davis Stadium in this Class 7A-District 11 matchup. But unlike the past two seasons, a failed upset bid doesn’t eliminate Palmetto from playoff contention. It would, however, put more emphasis on the season-finale against Punta Gorda Charlotte.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Venice 35, Palmetto 14

SOUTHEAST (5-1, 3-1) AT SARASOTA BOOKER (3-5, 3-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The scoop: The Seminoles were dealt a severe blow last week with a road loss to Wauchula Hardee and the suspensions for six players that followed for the post-game brawl. For the Seminoles, they need to regroup and refocus fast. A visit to rejuvenated Sarasota Booker in this Class 5A-District 11 matchup can’t be taken lightly. WR/QB Talik Keaton is a South Florida commit and should be the primary option for the Tornadoes’ offense. That said, the Seminoles must avoid the turnover bug that plagued last week’s loss. Noles QB Alex Taylor was picked off five times and there was another completion that resulted in a fumble. Clean up the turnovers and the penalties, and the Noles should have enough to keep their push for a playoff spot intact. A win plus a Hardee loss to Arcadia DeSoto in the oldest rivalry game in Florida means Southeast is a district champion.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Southeast 28, Sarasota Booker 14

SARASOTA (3-5 OVERALL, 1-3 DISTRICT) AT LAKEWOOD RANCH (3-3, 1-3)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The scoop: Lakewood Ranch is still alive for a Class 7A-Region 3 playoff berth despite losing three straight to District 11 heavyweights (Venice, Braden River and Palmetto). The Mustangs must limit the big plays, which Sarasota is more than capable of, to make a playoff push to end the season. With two games left, there’s little margin for error. Lakewood Ranch RB Mason Fischer is especially important. When he’s going good and QB Justin Curtis can peel off a few passes, then the Mustangs offense starts to click.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Lakewood Ranch 21, Sarasota 20

CARDINAL MOONEY (2-5) AT CLEARWATER CENTRAL CATHOLIC (8-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The scoop: With two forfeited wins gone and last week’s tough loss to Winter Haven, the Cougars’ playoff chances are dismal. What they can control, though, is beating longtime rival Clearwater Central Catholic. The teams have played some doozies in the past, including playoff games. CCC is likely playing for seeding at this point, so Mooney can thwart the Marauders’ bid for the region’s No. 1 seed with a big victory. To do so, RB Bryce Williams (Minnesota commit) needs a monster game.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Clearwater Central Catholic 30, Cardinal Mooney 28

Last week: 7-4

Season: 44-16

This story was originally published October 26, 2017 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Week 10 high school football previews."