Here are the previews and predictions for Week 5 high school football games played by Sarasota and Manatee area schools on Thursday, Sept. 24 and Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
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THURSDAY
Out-of-Door Academy (5-0) at IMG Academy State (0-3)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for: On Friday, Sept. 18, ODA defeated Sarasota Christian 50-21. Quarterback Jaxon Lawhun finished 8-of-12 for 218 yards and four touchdowns, adding five rushing yards. Running backs Nathan Williams (99 yards, one TD) and Cam Yates (71 yards, two TDs) combined for 170 yards and three touchdowns. The Thunder have outscored opponents 208-34 this season. IMG Academy State has not won a game this season, losing to North Port and Ida Baker. The Ascenders have only managed 44 points this season. With ODA's
defense, expect a shutout, or at the very least, something close to it.
Moon's prediction: 56-0
FRIDAY
Sarasota (4-1) at Venice (5-0)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
What to watch for: Sarasota dominated Parrish Community in Week 5, winning 48-7 for its third straight win. Junior quarterback Hudson West — who became a four-star in September — has led the Sailors in 2026, passing for 1,351 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 69.8 percent of his passes. And he has a lot of talented receivers to pass the ball to, including Evan Larrick, Jayden Rivers, Jayden Montgomery, Julian Wilcom and AJ Heater. With West at the helm, a talented receiving core and an improved O-line, Sarasota has already equaled last season's win total. The Sailors finished 4-7 in 2025. They will face their biggest test of the season against an undefeated Venice team that's primed to make the Open Division. The Indians are coming off a 63-21 win over Cape Coral, which was head coach John Peacock's 200th win. Venice has secured overtime road wins against Rabun Gap (Georgia) in Week 1 and powerhouse Lakeland in Week 3. And while West has been Sarasota's leader, running back Dorien Jones has been Venice's. The three-star senior has 590 yards and 14 touchdowns on 81 carries, averaging 118 yards per game. He scored both of the two-point conversions that helped Venice to its statement wins. Expect a battle between two very difference offenses that both average over 45 points per game.
Moon's prediction: Venice 49-28
Bayshore (3-2) at Wellen Park (3-1)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
What to watch for: Bayshore fell to Hawthorne in Week 5, losing 50-15. Through the first half of the season, the Bruins have been led by running back Jashun Judge, who has 454 yards and five touchdowns on 69 carries. Senior Camdon Stancil – who does a little bit of everything for Bayshore — has 379 yards and four touchdowns on 20 receptions, adding 82 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Wellen Park is coming off a bye week after being routed 67-10 by Cardinal Mooney in Week 4. Still, the Eagles' inaugural season has been impressive. Led by head coach Sascha Hyer, Wellen Park began the season 3-0, defeating Mariner, Gateway and DeSoto County. In Week 3, the Eagles won by 40, shutting out DeSoto despite starting later than other programs.
Moon's prediction: Bayshore 35-21
Braden River (4-0) at Cardinal Mooney (3-1)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for: Mooney had a bye in Week 5 following a 3-1 start. The Cougars routed True North Academy and Wellen Park, but fell to defending state champions Cardinal Newman 47-46 after coming back from a 27-point deficit. Through midseason, Cardinal Mooney has been led by senior Connail Jackson, who has 925 yards and and 13 touchdowns on 69 carries, averaging 231.3 yards per game. Under first-year head coach Rick Farmer, Braden River is off to its best start since 2021. The Pirates are led by David Louise who has 490 yards and three touchdowns on 62 carries, averaging 122.5 yards per game. Senior quarterback Louisen Desinor has 520 yards through four games, passing for six touchdowns while completing 52.2 percent of his passes. Against North Port, Braden River's defense held North Port to 25 yards on offense in the first half, allowing a total of 121 yards.
Moon's prediction: Cardinal Mooney 45-14
Lakewood Ranch (2-3) at North Port (1-4)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
What to watch for: Following a 2-2 start, Lakewood Ranch has lost its last three games, narrowly falling 14-13 to Dunnellon at home. After playing its first four games on the road, Lakewood Ranch will travel once again. North Port is 1-4. After picking up a Week 1 win against IMG Academy State, the Bobcats have lost four in a row. They are coming off a 37-6 loss against North Port.
Moon's prediction: Lakewood Ranch 35-13
Palmetto (4-1) at Parrish Community (0-5)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for: After dropping its Week 1 match against Clearwater Central Catholic, Palmetto earned its fourth straight win, defeating Naples 38-28. Through the midseason, Palmetto has been led by senior quarterback Matthew Hennesey who has 1,081 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, completing 69.6 percent of his passes. Running back Ashton Kelly has 336 yards and 37 carries on four touchdowns. And receiver Jok Harris has 172 yards on 12 receptions and four touchdowns. Four-star Georgia Tech commit Maleek Lee has 35 total tackles, including 12 tackles for loss, one sack and three quarterback hurries. Parrish has struggled to find consistency as the Bulls are still searching for first-year head coach Kody McNear's first win. Senior running back Jacoby Thomas has been Parrish's saving grace, rushing for 494 yards and four touchdowns on 57 carries through five games. He averages 98.9 yards per game.
Moon's prediction: Palmetto 40-7
Lehigh (0-4) at Riverview (4-1)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
What to watch for: In Week 5, Riverview won a narrow victory over Manatee after a back-and-forth game. Riverview scored on every drive during the first half as running backs Michael Peterson and Justin Flores combined for over 250 yards on 37 carries. Quarterback Logan Carrillo, who has been a standout this season, has thrown for 1,1318 yards and 15 touchdowns, completing 66.7 percent of his passes through five games. Lehigh is coming off a bye week following a 0-4 start. The Lightning last loss to Venice 69-0. Through five games, Lehigh has scored 19 points, getting shut out twice.
Moon's prediction: Riverview 42-0
Manatee (3-2) at Sumner (3-2)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
What to watch for: Following a narrow loss to Riverview, Manatee football has a big test in Week 6. Through the midseason, sophomore quarterback Nolan Downes — who transferred from IMG Academy — has 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns, completing 67 percent of his passes. Downes averages 231.2 yards per game. Running back Caedon White has been the standout, rushing for 955 yards and 15 touchdowns on 117 carries. The junior averages 191 yards per game. Senior receiver Deno Dalacas has added 341 yards on 16 receptions for five touchdowns. Sumner is ranked 37th in Florida, according to MaxPreps. Sumner's roster includes four-star offensie lineman George Selvie III. He has 26 offers, including Ohio, Florida and Ohio State. Wide receiver/cornerback Tyler Lynch, who is committed to Bowling Green, has nine receptions for 125 yards and one touchdown this season. He's added five solo tackles, one pass deflection and one forced fumble.
Moon's prediction: Sumner 35-28
Southeast (0-4) at Gadsden County (1-4)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for: Southeast is coming off a bye week, following an 0-4 start. In Week 4, Southeast fell 35-21 to Bayshore after leading at halftime. Two of Southeast's losses have been within a touchdown or less. Senior quarterback Mason Summer has led the led the team, throwing for 330 yards and three touchdowns, completing 56.9 percent of his passes. He's also added 235 yards on the ground, adding three scores. Gasden County, which is ranked 258th in the state, picked up a win in Week 4, but has struggled otherwise.
Moon's prediction: Gadsden County 35-28
Sunshine State Athletic Association
Saint Stephen's (4-2) at Marco Island Academy (2-2)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for: Saint Stephen's defeated Seven Rivers 45-0 on Friday, Sept. 18. Saint Stephen's had 336 yards of total offense as quarterback Steven LeBlanc went 5-of-12 with 165 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman William Roseboro Jr. had a 65-yard touchdowns, finishing the night with 158 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. Marco Island is 2-2, losing in Week 1 and forfeiting in Week 3. Marco Island Academy is coming off a 21-7 win over Babcock.
Moon's prediction: Saint Stephen's 35-14
Northside Christian at Sarasota Christian (3-2)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for: Sarasota Christian fell 50-21 to ODA on Friday, Sept. 17. Quarterback Tait Zeltwanger had 170 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, completing 12 of his 34 passes. His brother, Cale, had three catches for 76 yards and one score. Receiver Noah Spenn also added six catches for 62 yards and one touchdown. Northside Christian is 0-5, ranked 414th in Florida, according to MaxPreps.
Moon's prediction: Sarasota Christian
Slam Tampa (4-1) at Bradenton Christian (5-1)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for: Bradenton Christian earned its third straight win against Lake Mary Prep on the road, routing the Griffins 60-12. Through six games, quarterback Holland Hume has 1,294 yards and 20 touchdowns. Receiver Cohen Fuller has 451 yards and nine touchdowns on 25 carries. Slam Tampa is 4-1, losing 34-30 on Friday, Sept. 18, to Shorecrest Prep.
Moon's prediction: Bradenton Christian 42-14
The Classical Academy of Sarasota (2-2) at Donahue (0-3)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for: TCA is coming off a bye week. On Friday, Sept. 11, TCA defeated Shorecrest Prep 48-34. Sophomore Max Cruz has 378 yards and four touchdowns on 68 carries, averaging 94.5 yards per game. Receiver Nico Ianelli has six receptions for 136 yards and four touchdowns.
Moon's prediction: TCA 45-0
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida High School Football Week 6: Sarasota, Manatee game previews
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