Numbers Game | Palmetto, Braden River, Manatee, Southeast and Cardinal Mooney unbeaten in district football

As we head into Week 7 in the Numbers Game, teams are beginning to separate themselves in various playoff races. Palmetto kept pace with the other two heavyweights, Braden River and Venice, in Class 7A-District 11, while additional area programs continued their march toward a potential district championship or runner-up postseason berth.

So here's a quick look at the numerals that highlighted last Friday and what's in store this week:

68

Palmetto quarterback Jack Allison's completion percentage in the Tigers' 44-14 rout of Lakewood Ranch. That kept Palmetto unbeaten in district play, and the Tigers are tied atop the standings with

Braden River and Venice, who are also 2-0. Allison, a Miami commit, shredded the Mustangs with two touchdown passes and 192 yards. It could have been worse as Palmetto receivers dropped six passes, while Allison finished with eight incompletions.

283

Number of victories during Paul Maechtle's 33 years as Southeast's head coach. Maechtle returns to John Kiker Memorial Stadium, where the Seminoles will honor the longtime coach by naming the field after him, this week as an assistant with Cardinal Mooney. Maechtle became an assistant with the Cougars when former head coach Josh Smithers asked for his services.

Maechtle's grandson, Robby Vassallo, plays at Mooney. During his Southeast tenure, Maechtle led the Noles to two state titles in five state title appearances, eight regional titles and 17 district championships.

Southeast also became the first program in state history to collect 15 wins in a season when the Noles polished off the 1993 season with the first of two consecutive state titles.

45

After averaging 26 points in the first three games this season that yielded a 1-2 start, Manatee's offense has crushed district foes to the tune of 45 points per game. The Hurricanes defeated Tampa Alonso 38-0, went on a bye week and returned last Friday by blasting previously unbeaten Lutz Steinbrenner 52-17 behind A.J. Colagiovanni's precision passing (65.3 completion percentage) and Kavious Price (six catches, 159 yards) and Reggie Carter (six catches, 74 yards) doing most of the damage.

The Canes lead Class 8A-District 6 with a comfortable 2-0 mark, but they've also lacked discipline with 26 penalties for 297 yards in those two league victories.

5

Teams leading their district races with unbeaten records. Manatee, Braden River, Palmetto and Southeast are each 2-0, while Cardinal Mooney is 1-0. The Canes are the only ones with a district matchup this week as they host Palm Harbor University, who they lead by one game in the standings.

The Pirates and Tigers are both off this week, and battle on Oct. 23 with Braden River's highly-anticipated game with Venice looming on Oct. 16.

The Seminoles kept pace with Wauchula Hardee for first place in Class 5A-District 11, while the Cougars put themselves into a tie with Clearwater Central Catholic in the Class 3A-District 6.

2,358

Total yards of offense produced between the area's five private schools on Friday. The Bradenton Christian-Out-of-Door Academy tilt saw 95 points and 839 offensive yards. Cardinal Mooney and Clearwater Calvary Christian produced more than 800 combined offensive yards and 77 points. Saint Stephen's quarterback Fred Billy ran for 100 yards and passed for 88, while IMG tacked on 338 yards against a stifling St. Joseph's (Montvale, N.J.) Regional defense.

28

Games since IMG Academy quarterback Shea Patterson last threw two interceptions in a game. Patterson, an Ole Miss commit, threw picks to a St. Joseph's defense, which had yielded 10 points a game prior to Friday's matchup, on his third and eighth pass attempts. Patterson only has thrown 10 interceptions in his high school career, with the last two-pick game coming in his second game of his sophomore season at Calvary Baptist in Shreveport, La.

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 6, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Numbers Game | Palmetto, Braden River, Manatee, Southeast and Cardinal Mooney unbeaten in district football ."