Prep football preview capsules

MANATEE (5-3) AT KISSIMMEE OSCEOLA (8-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The scoop: The Hurricanes are dancing in the playoffs for the ninth straight year. Getting there wasn’t easy with a young team that battled through injuries to secure the last wild-card berth in Class 8A-Region 2. Manatee earned the last spot by one-eighth of a point over Lithia Newsome after Palmetto defeated Punta Gorda Charlotte last week. Keyon Fordham is expected back this week after picking up an injury in October against Sarasota Riverview. The focal point of the game against the No. 4-ranked team in 8A is stopping the run. Osceola utilizes the wing-T offense smoothly. The Kowboys are averaging 250.9 yards per game on the ground. They have seven players with 35 or more carries this season. Every Manatee defensive player must stick to his assignment or else Osceola could run all over the Hurricanes.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Kissimmee Osceola 35, Manatee 14

BRADEN RIVER (8-1) AT SOUTH FORT MYERS (3-4)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The scoop: The Pirates possess one of the strongest resumes and playoff point averages in 7A-3, but the format gives home-field advantage to a district champion in the first round. So for the second straight season, Braden River is hitting the road to begin the playoffs. RB Deshaun Fenwick (1,065 rushing yards, 10 TDs) and WR/RB Knowledge McDaniel (1,151 receiving yards, 14 TDs) lead an explosive offense, while the defense is playing well at the right time. South Fort Myers WR Jeshaun Jones is a consensus three-star recruit, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and is garnering attention from several major Division I programs. He leads the Wolfpack, the alma mater of NFL WR Sammy Watkins, with 131.9 yards per game.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Braden River 45, South Fort Myers 7

PALMETTO (6-3) AT PINELLAS PARK (8-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The scoop: For the first time in three seasons, the Tigers are in the playoffs. The FHSAA’s revamped format keyed Palmetto’s spot in this year’s playoffs, and the path to a region final is favorable if the Tigers can focus on one game at a time. That starts with a trip to Pinellas Park, a team that likes running the ball – it averages 308.7 rushing yards per game. Palmetto’s experienced senior class, especially on defense, is more than capable of shutting down Pinellas Park’s running game. Sophomore Lawrance Toafili (1,583 rushing yards, 21 TDs) is the driving force for the Patriots.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Palmetto 28, Pinellas Park 21

JUPITER CHRISTIAN (8-2) AT SAINT STEPHEN’S (8-0)

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

The scoop: The final two steps to back-to-back Sunshine State Athletic Conference championships begins Saturday with a semifinal matchup against Jupiter Christian. The Eagles aren’t a slouch and have scheduled some tougher games (South Fort Myers and Belle Glade Glades Day), but they haven’t faced anything quite like the Saint Stephen’s offense. QB Fred Billy and RB Chase Brown can break one to the house at any moment, while WR Demetrius Davis and the line play featuring Parker Lansberg, Tyler Burnham and Dylan Davis were key during the Falcons’ first two SSAC playoff blowouts.

Jason Dill’s prediction: Saint Stephen’s 42, Jupiter Christian 7

BISHOP SULLIVAN (VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.) (5-4) AT IMG BLUE (7-0)

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

The scoop: It’s the final chance for the Ascenders to win a national title. To do so, they’ll need a convincing home victory and Mater Dei to lose during California’s high school playoffs. Bishop Sullivan caused lots of agony for IMG in last year’s game before QB Kellen Mond (Texas A&M) rescued the Ascenders in the second half. This time around shouldn’t be as problematic. Also on the menu Saturday is the IMG White team wrapping its inaugural season with a bowl game against Clearwater Superior Collegiate. That game is slated for a 1 p.m. start to kick off a doubleheader at IMG Academy Stadium.

Jason Dill’s prediction: IMG Blue 42, Bishop Sullivan 14

Last week: 9-2

Season: 62-20

This story was originally published November 9, 2017 at 4:21 PM with the headline "Prep football preview capsules."