Prep football | Week 4 prep preview capsules
Land O' Lakes Sunlake (4-0) at Lakewood Ranch (1-3)
The scoop: This has been a most disappointing season for Lakewood Ranch. Its defense was supposed to be a strength, but the Mustangs have allowed the most points of any team in Manatee County giving up 122 for a whopping 30.5 average per game. Take away that 40-0 victory over struggling Bayshore and Lakewood Ranch is surrendering 40 points per game. Running back Justin Fischer remains a bright spot, but it will be tough this week against undefeated Sun Lake, which s averaging 37.5 points per game and 315 yards from scrimmage. It looks like another long night for Ranch, which has also hurt itself with turnovers.
Prediction: Sunlake 42, Lakewood Ranch 14
Bayshore (0-4) at Palmetto (3-1)
Online: palmettohighsports.com
The scoop: The Tigers enter their first game without leading wide receiver Azavion Smith, who injured his right knee in Friday's 28-20 win against Sarasota and will be out at least three weeks. ... In Smith's absence Brandon Luckett had his best game of the season, hauling in five catches for 77 yards, including a crucial 47-yard grab just before halftime to set up one of running back Octavious James' three touchdowns. ... Jack Allison was efficient once again, completing 11-of-17 passes despite a season-low 119 yards. The quarterback is 8-for-10 with 134 yards in meaningful situations the past two weeks. ... The Bruins finally scored last week on a pick six by safety Hakeem Harris, but BHS is still looking for its offensive score of the year. ... Bayshore wide receiver Yandy Rocamora has been effective when given the opportunity. He caught two passes for 59 yards in Bayshore's 24-7 loss to Southeast on Friday.
Prediction: Palmetto 42, Bayshore 7
Leesburg (2-2) at Braden River (4-0)
When: 7:30 p.m.
Online: thecube.com
The scoop: Prior to becoming Braden River's head coach, Curt Bradley was the defensive coordinator at Leesburg. ... Sophomore QB Wyatt Rector is a dual-threat option that leads the Leesburg offense. ... The Class 6A Yellow Jackets are coming off a 31-17 loss to Ocala Forest. ... Braden River is the top-rated public school team in the Herald's Power Poll, and ranked No. 4 in MaxPreps' Class 7A poll. ... The Pirates haven't allowed a touchdown on defense this season through four victories by an average score of 35.25 points, while allowing an average of 133 total yards per game. ... QB Jacob Huesman (60.7 completion percentage) leads a balanced attack that's seen the triple-headed rushing attack of Raymond Thomas (9.86 YPC), Jaylin Austin (8.75 YPC) and DeShaun Fenwick (8.15) record touchdowns in the same game three times this season.
Prediction: Braden River 42, Leesburg 7
Englewood Lemon Bay (2-1) at Cardinal Mooney (0-3)
When: 7 p.m.
On the air: WSRQ 98.9-FM, 106.9-FM, 1220-AM
The scoop: The Manta Rays opened up Class 5A-District 11, the same district that Southeast and Bayshore compete in, last week with a 23-3 victory over Arcadia DeSoto. ... Lemon Bay is riding a two-game winning streak, too. ... The Manta Rays are ranked No. 300 in Florida, according to MaxPreps.com. ... Winless in three games, the Cougars are coming off a bye week at the right time. ... Mooney's run defense failed to hold any opponent to fewer than 225 rushing yards during the first three weeks of the season. ... Bryce Williams is averaging 28.4 yards per rushing attempt.
Prediction: Cardinal Mooney 28, Englewood Lemon Bay 24
Bradenton Christian (1-2) at St. Petersburg Northside Christian (4-0)
The scoop: The Panthers' start to district play was rough - a 52-7 loss to Tampa Carrollwood Day, which was the first team outside of the Associated Press' 2A Top 5 this week. ... Northside Christian, which is coached by former Buccaneers running back Mike Alstott, is No. 2 in that AP poll. ... The Mustangs are also quarterbacked by Alstott's son, junior Griffin Alstott, who has thrown for 597 yards this season, but completed fewer than 50-percent of his passes. ... His blindside is protected by Notre Dame commit Dillan Gibbons, also a junior. ... BCS is still trying to establish its ground game this year. After rushing for 1,213 yards in 2014, Zack Cooper Jr. has 58 yards on 29 carries.
Prediction: Northside Christian 31, Bradenton Christian 7
Sunlake (4-0) at Lakewood Ranch (1-3)
The scoop: This has been a most disappointing season for Lakewood Ranch. Its defense was supposed to be a strength, but the Mustangs have allowed the most points of any team in Manatee County giving up 122 for a whopping 30.5 average per game. Take away that 40-0 victory over struggling Bayshore and Lakewood Ranch is surrendering 40 points per game. Running back Justin Fischer remains a bright spot, but it will be tough this week against undefeated Sun Lake, which s averaging 37.5 points per game and 315 yards from scrimmage. It looks like another long night for Ranch, which has also hurt itself with turnovers.
Prediction: Sunlake 42, Lakewood Ranch 14
This story was originally published September 25, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Prep football | Week 4 prep preview capsules."