Week 11: PrepZone previews, predicts seven high school football games in Collier County
Game of the Week
Port Charlotte (8-1) at Palmetto Ridge (4-5)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for – Port Charlotte: The Pirates actually have the second-best RPI rating in Class 6A-Region 3 but are bound for the fifth seed at best as district runner-up to Palmetto. The Pirates’ only loss came in Week 3 to Palmetto and they’ve been on a five-game winning streak since, including recent close victories against Charlotte and Braden River. Junior quarterback Logan Rogers has thrown for 990 yards and nine touchdowns and has also run for 496 yards and nine touchdowns. Palmetto Ridge: The Bears come into this game ranked 10th in 6A-Region 4, but a win over an 8-1 Pirates team might just vault them into a playoff spot. Palmetto Ridge has certainly looked like a playoff team since quarterback Evan Rodriguez returned from a concussion, reeling off four consecutive wins. Of the top 10 teams in the region, only Fort Myers has played a tougher schedule record-wise than Palmetto Ridge.
Naples Daily News pick: Port Charlotte 21, Palmetto Ridge 20
Best of the Rest
Barron Collier (5-4) at Gulf Coast (4-5)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for – Barron Collier: This is the 22nd annual Catfish Bowl, which began in 1998 when Gulf Coast opened and took a large chunk of Barron Collier’s students. The Cougars have an 18-3 edge in the series and have won 10 of the past 11. Barron Collier has lost two straight games but holds onto the final at-large playoff bid in Class 6A-Region 4 in the latest RPI standings. Gulf Coast: The Sharks are playing only for pride and to avoid a losing record. They lost 40-6 to Lehigh last week in a game that decided the 7A-District 11 champion, and Gulf Coast’s RPI is too low to get an at-large bid to regionals. The Sharks gave up 368 rushing yards to Lehigh.
Naples Daily News pick: Barron Collier 21, Gulf Coast 14
Lely (6-3) at Port Orange-Atlantic (6-3)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for – Lely: The Trojans are on a roll, winning two straight games to move into the thick of the playoff hunt. Lely is ranked fifth in 6A-Region 4 in the latest RPI, and the top eight teams make the postseason. A loss wouldn’t drop the Trojans’ too far because of Atlantic’s strong record. Jonis Dieudonne’s move from running back to quarterback, which he played the past two seasons, has kick started Lely’s offense. Dieudonne totaled 273 total yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 25-14 win over Barron Collier. Atlantic: The Sharks also are fighting for an at-large playoff bid in 5A. Atlantic is ranked seventh in RPI in its region. The Sharks have lost three of their past five games after starting 4-0, however they beat Melbourne-Palm Bay 24-6 last week.
Naples Daily News pick: Atlantic 24, Lely 18
Fort Lauderdale-University School (7-2) at Immokalee (3-6)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for – University: The Sharks, ranked No. 5 in 4A, make their second straight trip across Alligator Alley to Southwest Florida. Last week University won 21-13 at Bishop Verot. The Sharks are No. 2 in the 4A-Region 4 RPI playoff standings, meaning they’re trying to lock up a first-round bye in the playoffs. The offense is led by junior quarterback Nick Vattiato, who has 1,632 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. Immokalee: The Indians are going to miss the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. They also will finish with a losing record for the first time since 2014 and just the second time in 10 seasons. Despite a 36-7 loss last week, Immokalee fought hard against undefeated Naples. The Indians trailed just 7-0 until halfway through the third quarter.
Naples Daily News pick: University School 31, Immokalee 20
Orlando-West Oaks Academy (2-7) at First Baptist (9-0)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
What to watch for — West Oaks: The Flame come in just 2-7 but had a close loss to Jordan Christian Prep (32-28) and lost last week at Foundation Academy, 35-18. West Oaks beat Joshua Christian Academy, 36-12. This will be the first meeting between the teams. First Baptist: The Lions are going for an undefeated season and will do so on their Senior Night. It would the second unbeaten record in FBA's 11-season history and the first sine 2012. First Baptist is coming off its toughest game of the season, a 12-6 victory at Moore Haven. The Terriers shut down FBA's rushing attack of running back Tyler Coleman and quarterback Rich Mellien, but Mellien threw touchdown passes to Colby Gonzalez and Brody Jameyson. The Lions' defense had nine sacks, led by three from Cooper Dearborn. Dario Araya added three tackles for loss and an interception.
Naples Daily News pick: First Baptist 42, West Oaks 7
Tampa-Carrollwood Day (0-8) at St. John Neumann (7-2)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for – Carrollwood: This isn’t the same Patriots team that went to the regional semifinals last year and made four playoff appearances in six seasons. Carrollwood has been outscored 299-42 this year and has scored just six touchdowns in eight games. The Patriots average 133.1 yards per game. Neumann: The Celtics sit fourth in the latest RPI playoff standings and would be hard for them to fall out of the top six (who make the playoffs) even with a loss. However, Neumann still has a lot left to play for. A victory likely makes the Celtics the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in 2A-Region 4, which would mean a first-round home game (top two seeds get byes). Neumann is on a five-game winning streak.
Naples Daily News pick: St. John Neumann 36, Carrollwood Day 0
Miami-Somerset Academy Silver Palms (6-2) at Community School (1-7)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for – Somerset: The Stallions are battle for an at-large bid to the Class 3A regionals. They are fifth in RPI in their region but just 0.001 points ahead of sixth. Only the top six teams get into the playoffs in 3A. Somerset has been dominant the past month, winning five straight games by a combined score of 228-6. CSN: The Seahawks are coming off a bye, hoping to end a disappointing season on a high note. Community School has lost six straight games since a 1-1 start. The highlight for the Seahawks has been the emergence of junior running back Louvenson Xavier, who has 443 rushing yards in seven games.
Naples Daily News pick: Somerset 37, Community School 13