Numbers Game | Braden River High School's big win over Venice sets up second straight district unbeaten battle

The first of three weeks in the Class 7A-District 11 schedule to determine two playoff representatives saw Braden River turn away Venice in a battle of state-ranked unbeatens, while Palmetto kept pace with the Pirates.

So here at Numbers Game, we dive into that monumental Pirates victory and take a peek at the Braden River-Palmetto showdown looming this Friday.

Of course, we won't forget the other important digits concerning area programs in Week 8 and what's ahead in Week 9, so let's dig in:

100

Braden River quarterback Jacob Huesman's completion percentage in the second half of the

30-20 victory over Venice. Huesman misfired on just three of his 15 pass attempts. He ended the first half with his third interception of 2015, which matched his 2014 season tally. But he was razor-sharp in the last two quarters, connecting on all seven attempts for 70 yards and a 4-yard scoring strike to Juwaan Jenkins that stretched the lead back to a two-score game and out of reach from the Indians.

8.86

Pirates running back Raymond Thomas' average yards per carry, tops among Manatee County public school programs with a minimum of 50 attempts. Thomas churned out a season-high 23 carries for a season-high 202 yards, including his 13th and 14th touchdowns of the year. His 14 rushing touchdowns leads county tailbacks.

Meanwhile, Braden River's opportunistic defense added its 18th interception (21st takeaway) to seal the program's first victory in six tries against Venice. The Pirates gave up season-highs in rushing yards and passing yards, but take away Indians sophomore quarterback Bryce Carpenter's production and Venice's supporting cast was limited to 132 total yards and held the Indians well below their 40 points per game average. The win sets up another 7A-11 heavyweight bout with first place on the line when Palmetto visits Braden River this week.

7

While Braden River's defense has generated plenty of buzz this season, Palmetto's defensive unit shined in the Tigers' 44-7 blowout victory over North Port. But the seven isn't for points allowed, but how many yards Palmetto's defense gave up. That's right, the Tigers held the Bobcats to just seven total yards of offense, while racking up five sacks, a safety and linebacker Henry Bradley added a touchdown off a fumble recovery.

Palmetto begins its own daunting three-game schedule to end the year, beginning with road games against Braden River this week, Venice the week after and a non-district finale with Punta Gorda Charlotte -- a top-10 team in Class 6A.

4

Interceptions Jack Allison threw in last season's district championship game against Braden River. The Pirates baffled the Palmetto quarterback, who played the majority of 2014 with a torn Achilles' tendon, into the miscues that added up to a 38-14 Braden River win. It served as the first district title for the Pirates program, which began in 2006. The Pirates are again unbeaten when the two teams lock up this year, bringing a 17-game regular season winning streak into a game that will net Braden River another district title if the Pirates can thwart the Tigers.

3

Sacks on IMG Academy quarterback Shea Patterson this season, who might be running from the pocket a bunch this Friday. The Ascenders take on Paramus (N.J.) Catholic and the consensus No.1-rated college recruit in the country, defensive lineman Rashan Gary this week. Gary boasts offers from the likes of Michigan, Auburn, Alabama and many more.

16.38

Manatee running back Lorenz Allen's average yards per carry against Sarasota Riverview last Friday. Allen toted the rock 13 times for a career-high 213 rushing yards as the Canes clinched a playoff berth for the seventh straight season. It was also Allen's fourth game cracking the 100-yard rushing barrier. Manatee is the lone unbeaten in Class 8A-District 6, with two district games remaining. The Rams and Tampa Alonso each have two losses, but play each other. Manatee wins the head-to-head tiebreaker with either program, even if the Canes falter down the stretch, which is unlikely considering their last two district games are against opponents with a combined .375 winning percentage.

They'll look to make it 2-for-2 on district titles during the John Booth Era with a victory at Riverview in Hillsborough County. Lutz Steinbrenner is in second place with one loss in the district, but that defeat came against the Canes, who hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Warriors. The Canes have outscored four district foes 189-34 this season, while generating a running clock for having a 35-point lead in the second half for three consecutive games.

2

Programs officially eliminated from playoff contention following Friday's action. Lakewood Ranch and Out-of-Door Academy each had its postseason dreams end with losses. Bayshore and Bradenton Christian also lost, but are still mathematically alive by the slimmest of margins. Southeast lost control of its own destiny with a 14-7 loss to Englewood Lemon Bay, and visits Wauchula Hardee this week.

Jason Dill, sports reporter, can be reached at 745-7017 or via email at jdill@bradenton.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jason__Dill and like his Facebook page at Jason Dill Bradenton Herald.

This story was originally published October 20, 2015 at 12:21 AM with the headline "Numbers Game | Braden River High School's big win over Venice sets up second straight district unbeaten battle ."