High school football spring game previews for Sarasota and Manatee counties from Friday to May 24
It may feel like mid-summer but this week a sense of fall returns to Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Area high school football programs will be wrapping up their 20-day spring practice allotments by playing exhibition games. Here is a look at the remaining games beginning Friday night.
Lakewood Ranch at George Jenkins
AT: George Jenkins High, Lakeland, 6:30 p.m.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: In Coach Scott Paravicini’s first season at Lakewood Ranch, the Mustangs finished 4-7 last year and qualified for the Class 4-Suburban playoffs, losing at eventual state runner-up Venice, 53-6. Lakewood Ranch used four players behind center last season, including rising senior QB Colin Hait. … Rising junior MLB Cole Wetherington, also a baseball player, should be an impact player on defense. … George Jenkins went 4-5 last year, winning its first four and losing its final five.
Southeast at Hollins High
AT: Osceola High, Seminole, 7:30 p.m.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: A new era begins at Southeast High, where Coach Curt Bradley takes over after spending 12 seasons at Braden River High. … The Seminoles struggled through an 0-10 season in Coach Brett Timmons’ sixth and final season and have lost 14 straight dating back to 2022. … They look to improve an offense that scored 80 points with new offensive coordinator Nate Strawderman, the former Bradenton Christian coach. … Rising sophomore RB/WR Marvelous Jackson and OLB/FB/RB Myreon Lowe are players to watch. … Hollins also went 0-10 last season.
Braden River at Boca Ciega
AT: Boca Ciega High, Gulfport, 7:30 p.m.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Former long-time offensive coordinator Eric Sanders moves up to head coach to replace Curt Bradley, now at Southeast High. … The Pirates went 5-5 a season ago, averaging 28 points per game. … With rising senior QB Lucas Despot, who threw for 18 touchdowns last season, set to return, Braden River has an experienced signal caller. … Rising senior RB Marcus Galloway figures to be the featured back. … Boca Ciega went 2-8 last season.
SATURDAY'S GAMES
Jamboree: Sarasota Christian at Out-of-Door Academy
AT: Out-of-Door Academy, Thunder Stadium, 10 a.m.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: After playing its first two seasons in 8-man football, Sarasota Christian moves up to 11-man under Coach Jacob Spenn. … The Blazers went 15-8 in its two seasons in the Sunshine State Athletic Association, putting up gaudy offensive numbers. … Rising juniors QB Justin Brock (15 touchdown passes) and Ben Milliken (13 TD passes), rising sophomore RB Daniel Jacinto (8 rushing TDs) and rising senior WR Randall Collins (10 receiving TDs) lead the way. … Out-of-Door Academy went 6-5 in Coach Rob Hollway’s second season, winning its final four to capture the SSAA Class 4A championship. … The Thunder found its offense in the playoff bracket, averaging nearly 39 points in the three games. … Rising junior QB Allen Clark, who rushed for 17 touchdowns a year ago and has received an offer from Florida Atlantic, figures to be a big part of the ODA offense. … Saint Stephen’s and Fort Myers Canterbury also were scheduled to compete, but will not.
TUESDAY'S GAME
Naples at Venice
AT: Powell-Davis Stadium, Venice, 7:30 p.m.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: A heavyweight matchup for a spring game, Venice looks to get back to the state championship game for the third straight year and win a title for the first time since 2021. … Venice fell to Lakeland High the past two seasons. … Venice must look to replace graduate QB Jadyn Glasser and RB Jamarice Wilder, who transferred to Booker High. … Venice returns a number of playmakers, including WR Ryan Matulevich, ATH Asharri Charles and DT Eli Jones. … Naples ended 10-3 last year, losing to Fort Myers Dunbar in the regional final.
FRIDAY, MAY 24 GAMES
Island Coast at North Port
AT: The Preserve at North Port, 7 p.m.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Looking to build off its first winning season in program history, North Port carries some momentum into the spring. … The Bobcats had their first five-game winning streak in their 22-year history. … Beginning his fourth season, Coach Garon Belser used a large number of underclassmen last year, and that will provide much-needed experience heading into this season. … Island Coast went 4-6 last season, but was outscored by 100 points.
Jamboree: Riverview, Christopher Columbus at Bishop Verot
AT: Viking Stadium, Bishop Verot High, 6 p.m.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Riverview steps into the deep end in the three-team jamboree against some top-notch teams. … After a 3-4 start, which included a victory over state champion Cardinal Mooney Catholic, the Rams ripped off five straight wins, including a couple over Manatee High, to reach the regional final. … Rising senior RB DJ Johnson, who gained 1,660 yards and scored 23 touchdowns last year, returns along with running mate rising junior RB Isaiah Belt, who gained more than 1,000 yards and found the end zone 14 times. … Riverview also added a weapon in rising junior RB Yahshua Edwards, who transferred from Braden River High after gaining 967 yards and scoring 15 TDs for the Pirates. … Rising senior LB Landon Marsters heads a stout defense.
Schedule of games: Bishop Verot vs. Riverview, 6 p.m.; Riverview vs. Columbus, 7 p.m.; Bishop Verot vs. Columbus, 8 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota and Manatee County high school football spring game previews for May 17-24
