Bradenton Christian Panthers (7-1) at Westminster Christian Lions (7-1)
When, where: 6 p.m., Thursday, Westminster Academy, 5601 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale Last week: Bradenton Christian 35, Out-of-Door Academy 7; Westminster Christian 41, SmartEn Sports Academy 0
The series: Westminster Christian 2-0
Last year: Westminster Christian 23, Bradenton Christian 0
The skinny: This is a Championship Bracket first-round game in the Sunshine State Athletic Association playoffs. … The teams played earlier this season with Westminster Academy taking a 34-10 victory Sept. 8 in Bradenton, handing the Panthers their only loss of the season to this point. … Bradenton Christian enters with a fivegame winning streak. … ATH Jaden Baker had two touchdown receptions from QB Caden Ott against Out-of-Door Academy… WR Ben Bradshaw returned a kickoff 86 yards for a score. Ott and RB Colton Dempsey scored on short rushing touchdowns. … Westminster Academy’s lone loss is 42-7 to 8-0 NSU University. … The Lions bounced back with their second shutout win of the season, scoring all 41 points in the first half. … Maffezzoli’s prediction: Westminster Academy 28, Bradenton Christian 24
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
Booker Tornadoes (5-3) at Lemon Bay Manta Rays (7-1)
When, where: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Veterans Stadium, 2201 Placida Road, Englewood
Last week: Wiregrass Ranch 30, Booker 21; First Baptist Academy 44,
Lemon Bay 13
The series: Booker 7-2 Last year: Booker 33, Lemon Bay 22
The skinny: This is for the Class 2 Suburban-District 15 championship. … Both teams are 2-0 in district play. … Both are coming off losses. … Booker allowed 263 passing yards to Wiregrass Ranch QB Luke Knight, who was 24-for-38 with two passing touchdowns and one rushing score. … Booker QB Jordan Johnson went 8-for-13 for 88 yards and a scoring pass to WR Joshua Burrows. … RB Ahmad “Tooda” Hunter had 52 rushing yards and a touchdown. … LB Jordan Radkey finished with seven tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks. … DB Karaijus Hayes picked off a pass and defended another for the Tornadoes’ defense. … DB Abraham Brown III returned a fumble for a touchdown for Booker. … Lemon Bay permitted 444 yards through the air and four passing touchdowns to defending 1S state champion First Baptist. … QB
Lorenzo Mauceri threw a 12-yard scoring pass to WR Haden Skellet, but turned the ball over three times in the loss. Maffezzoli’s prediction: Booker 30, Lemon Bay 27
Southeast Seminoles (0-8) at Braden River Pirates (3-4)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Braden River High, 6545 E. State Road 70 E. Bradenton
Last week: Sarasota 25, Southeast 6; Braden
River 21, Charlotte 10
The series: Braden River 7-4
Last year: Braden River 16, Southeast 7
The skinny: This is a
Class 3 Suburban-District 13 contest. … Braden River received two passing touchdowns from QB Lucas Despot (15-for-22, 184 yards), one to TE Cody Kawcak (27 yards) and one to WR Matt Schefer (17 yards). … RB Yahshua Edwards had the other score, a 7-yard run. … The Pirates trailed Charlotte 10-7 at halftime before scoring all 14 points in the second half. … Southeast managed a 5-yard touchdown pass from QB Tooda Thomas to WR Connor Arpelia with 56 seconds left in the game to avert the shutout against previous winless Sarasota. Maffezzoli’s prediction: Braden River 27, Southeast 10
IMG Academy White Ascenders (7-0) at Venice (6-2)
When, where: 7:30 p.m, Friday, PowellDavis Stadium, 1 Indian Way, Venice Last week: IMG Academy White 35, Lake Highland Prep 14; Venice 51, Palmetto 16
The series: Venice 1-0
Last year: Venice 41, IMG Academy White 9
The skinny: