Week 11 prep football preview capsules and picks
St. Petersburg Gibbs (6-3) at Braden River (9-0)
Online: thecube.com
When: 7:30 p.m.
The scoop: It's Homecoming and Senior Night all wrapped into one for the Pirates, the No. 2 team in Class 7A. Braden River picked up a first-place vote in the latest state poll. The Pirates will miss star RB Raymond Thomas (knee injury) after he was ruled out for the season following last week's game. Without him, the Pirates have Dexter Hodo Jr. joining DeShaun Fenwick and Jaylin Austin in the backfield rotation. A victory would give Braden River its second straight undefeated regular season -- and 20th straight win in the regular season. To do that, the Pirates will have to shut down Gibbs QB D.J. Johnson. The Gladiators senior has accounted for 2,909 yards of total offense this year. Last week, he threw six TDs and ran in another as Gibbs obliterated Dunedin, 74-0. Braden River's defense has stymied offenses with one weapon before, and should continue against the Class 5A-District 9 champs.
Prediction: Braden River 35, St. Pete Gibbs 7
Punta Gorda Charlotte (9-0) at Palmetto (6-3)
Online: palmettohighsports.com
When: 7:30 p.m.
The scoop: After a 6-1 start, the Tigers dropped their final two district games, each by 35 points, the past two weeks to miss the postseason for the first time in six years. On Senior Night, they'll finish the year by trying to end Charlotte's perfect season. The Tarpons' prolific offense averaged 42.9 points per game this year and is anchored by a pair running backs destined for Division I programs. Senior Elijah Mack, a South Florida commit, has run for 986 yards and 15 touchdowns on 135 carries this year and junior Maleek Williams, who has a Cincinnati offer, has run the ball 38 times for 485 yards and 10 touchdowns. For PHS, this will be the final game for several senior standouts, including captains Jack Allison, a Miami-bound quarterback with 1,430 passing yards this year, and wide receiver David Belvin, who recently committed to Florida Atlantic and has six sacks this season from the defensive end spot. Another is athlete Brandon Luckett, who has led the team in catches the past two games and ranks fourth among county public school players in receiving yards.
Prediction: Charlotte 35, Palmetto 28
Bayshore (1-8) at Cardinal Mooney (2-7)
On the air: WSRQ 98.9-FM, 106.9-FM, 1220-AM
When: 7 p.m.
The scoop: It's not a glamour matchup -- the two sides have combined for a 3-15 record this year. The host Cougars, though, earned two district wins to book a playoff spot. Bayshore is still finding its identity. The Bruins haven't made the playoffs since 2005. Bayshore was outscored 95-29 against the top three teams in its district. The Bruins' offensive woes, however, could flip this week. Cardinal Mooney has struggled to contain the running game. The two sides share two common opponents (Englewood Lemon Bay, Southeast) that are heading to the 5A playoffs. Aside from playing Lemon Bay tight, the Cougars shared a similar loss to Southeast as Bayshore. The Bruins have a close victory under the belt this season, and it should be another tight affair to wrap the year up.
Prediction: Bayshore 21, Cardinal Mooney 17
Bradenton Christian (3-6) at St. Petersburg Admiral Farragut (8-1)
When: 7 p.m.
The scoop: The Panthers have missed the postseason once again, so they'll close their season Friday in St. Petersburg against one of the best private school programs in the Tampa Bay area. Admiral Farragut cruised to a Class 2A-District 6 title on the back of star athlete Craig Watts, a four-star prospect in the 247sports composite and a Colorado commit. The athlete has run the ball 27 times this year for 255 yards, a touchdown and three two-point conversions while also contributing 32 solo tackles as a safety. BCS has consistently piled up points, though, scoring at least 26 in four of its last five games. Last Friday in a 35-6 win against Fort Myers Canterbury, wide receiver Kevin Etienne caught three passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns. The wide receiver's 493 yards lead all private school players in the area. Quarterback Dominick Otteni has now accounted for 21 touchdowns this year with 14 through the air and seven on the ground. Defense has been an issue for Bradenton Christian -- they give up 41.2 points per game -- but linebacker Brett Gerber recorded 21 tackles, a sack and two forced fumbles against Canterbury.
Prediction: Admiral Farragut 42, Bradenton Christian 20
Fort Myers Canterbury (4-4) at Out-of-Door Academy (2-7)
When: 7 p.m.
The scoop: ODA freshman Anthony Squitieri continues to build upon his mid-season promotion to starting QB when incumbent Gus Mahler (concussion symptoms) went down injured. Squitieri threw for 230 yards in a loss at Seffner Christian, offsetting two scores with two INTs. However, he does wrap ODA's season up at home against a Canterbury defense that isn't too stingy. The Cougars were gouged for 335 total yards against Bradenton Christian last week. ODA should march down the field like BCS did a week ago.
Prediction: ODA 28, Canterbury 14
Saint Stephen's (8-1) at Boca Raton Christian (7-2)
When: 7 p.m.
The scoop: After winning the first postseason game in program history last week, the Falcons visit Boca Raton Christian with a spot in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference championship game, officially called the Florida Bowl, on the line. Quarterback Fred Billy became SSES' all time leader in touchdown passes Friday after throwing two in a 56-37 win against Lecanto Seven Rivers Christian. The sophomore also ran for 212 yards and five touchdowns in the victory. The Saint Stephen's defense picked off Seven Rivers Christian three times, including a one-handed pick six by safety Peyton Vining, who is playing with a cast on his left hand. Defensive back Jordy Edwards added an interception and a fumble recovery. The Blazers, although reliant on their passing game for 80.3 percent of their yardage, have completed only 34.9 percent of their passes.
Prediction: Saint Stephen's 24, Boca Raton Christian 17
Lakewood Ranch (2-7) at DeSoto County (2-7)
When: 7:30 p.m.
The scoop; Both teams have to be thankful their disappointing seasons are coming to a close. It's especially true for Lakewood Ranch, which entered the season with optimism only to collapse under a bevy of injuries and a defense that failed to meet expectations. The Mustangs got a bright moment when they dominated North Port last week and the same for DeSoto, which upset Hardee in the state's oldest rivalry. This game could be a lot tougher for Lakewood Ranch, which has surrendered 278 points this season. But it's going against a DeSoto team that has scored only 71 points. If the Mustangs win they can carry some optimism into next season though they will be without running back Justin Fischer, their best player this season. The big prize here is that one team can end the season with a smile.
Prediction: Lakewood Ranch 24, DeSoto 17
Southeast (5-4) at Manatee (7-2)
When: 7:30 p.m.
On the air: WLSS 930-AM
Online: manateefootball.com; highschoolcube.com
The scoop: During its current six-game win streak, Manatee has averaged 47 points per game and for the season leads the area with 360 points. That could take a heavy toll on a Southeast defense that lacks depth, but does have some quality individual talent led by Dequan Williams. Manatee has won eight straight in this series and dominated until last season when Southeast trailed 33-26 with less than six minutes to go before losing 39-26. If the Canes defense can keep running back Kevin Johnson in check, the Noles are going to find it tough to score points to keep up with the Hurricanes' prolific offense. Last year, Southeast surprised Manatee by throwing 45 passes (279 yards), but don't appear to have anybody who can equal that this year. Manatee quarterback A.J. Colagiovanni leads the area with 1,945 passing yards and has spread the ball around, which is why the Canes have the area's three leading receivers (in yardage). Southeast is the area's feel-good story this year under second-year head coach John Warren, qualifying for the playoffs after last year's 1-9 debacle. The Noles appear over-matched here, but there is a reason you play the game.
Prediction: Manatee 35, Southeast 17
This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 11:15 PM with the headline "Week 11 prep football preview capsules and picks ."