Osceola (6-1) at Bradenton Manatee: The Kowboys may not continue their shutout streak, which reached three games with a dominating 58-0 rout of Freedom last week, but Osceola can get some revenge on Hurricanes for last year’s 28-17 upset loss in the playoffs. The Kowboys are healthy on offense, and will lean on running backs DeWayne McGee, Ja’Randy Swint, Roshaun Dudley and quarterback Devon Wells to churn yards, grind the clock and hopefully beat Manatee like they did 44-16 in the 2017 playoffs.
Viera (4-2) at St. Cloud (5-2): The Bulldogs’ slim hopes of still winning District 7A-5 rest on defeating the favored Hawks in this game. St. Cloud was withing striking distance of defeating Melbourne last week, but couldn’t finish third-quarter drives with touchdowns and couldn’t overcome a two-score deficit. Bulldogs will need an efficient game from QB Garhett King and some key stops on defense to get this ‘W’.
Harmony (2-5) at Tohopekaliga (3-4): An intriguing in-county battle and 7A-5 title. While the Tigers’ offense rolls along with QB Tyler Wesley and running backs Blake McCullough and Sir Giles, Longhorns’ signal caller Keaghan Black may miss another game due to injury, leaving the reigns of the offense to Chris Skeldon, which worked out in last week’s 15-14 win over Palm Bay. There’s a few former Harmony players, like brothers Kareem and Ahmeen Dinzey, on Tohopekaliga’s roster.
Cypress Creek (1-6) at Celebration (3-4): Storm QB Will Bohn was stymied by Lake Nona in a 42-0 loss last week, but he’s having a fine season with 1,413 passing yards and 511 rushing yards. Last year Celebration beat the Bears, who are coming off their first win of the year, 32-14 over Titusville, who Celebration beat 46-7 earlier this year.
Bartow (4-3) at Poinciana (3-4): This is a winnable game for the Eagles, who watched George Jenkins return the opening kickoff and race to a 53-13 win from there. Coach Randy Beeken said five starters did not play due to injuries, and hopes to get a big game from QB Justin Carpenter and a stable of wide receivers in order to get back to .500 on the season.
Lake Gibson (7-0) at Liberty (0-7): This is a tall task for the Chargers to get their first win against the Braves, one of the best teams in Class 7A
Gateway (0-7) at Palm Bay Bayside (2-5): The Panthers are rebuilding after making he playoffs three of the last four seasons. But this is GHS’ best chance at a win in weeks.
