Here are the previews and predictions for Week 5 high school football games played by Sarasota and Manatee area schools on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.
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FRIDAY
Manatee (3-1) at Riverview (3-1)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
What to watch for: After an opening loss to Tampa Plant, Manatee has rebounded, winning its last three games. Through four games, sophomore quarterback Nolan Downes has thrown for 951 yards and seven touchdowns, completing 69 percent of his passes. Junior Elijah Christian, Kansas commit Tavares Powell and senior Deno Dalacas have split receptions, combining for 774 yards and 5 touchdowns. Junior Caedon White has 80 carries for 683 yards and 12 touchdowns. Riverview shut out Lakewood Ranch 46-0 in Week behind senior quarterback Logan
Carrillo's three touchdown passes and running back Justin Flores' two rushing scores. The Riverview defense also had six sacks. Carrillo has been a standout this season, passing for 1,103 yards and 14 touchdowns, completing 65 percent of his passes. This matchup will be a challenge for both teams, which are two of the best in the area. Riverview is ranked 57th in Florida, according to MaxPreps. Manatee is ranked 65th.
Moon's scoring prediction: Riverview 35-28
Braden River (3-0) at North Port (1-3)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
What to watch for: Braden River is off to its best start since 2021 under first-year head coach Rick Farmer, who served as the Pirates' defensive coordinator. In Week 2, Braden River won its first road game since 2023. Senior quarterback Louisen Denisor has 364 passing yards and three touchdowns through three games, completing 49.1 percent of his passes. Senior David Louis has added 51 carries for 342 yards and two touchdowns. And in Week 3, the Pirates rallied from a 12-point deficit, scoring 29 unanswered points. North Port is 1-3. While the Bobcats earned a 28-21 win over IMG Academy State in Week 1, they have lost their last three games. In Week 4, North Port fell to Sarasota 56-13.
Moon's scoring prediction: Braden River 34-13
Cape Coral (2-1) at Venice (4-0)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
What to watch for: In Week 4, Venice routed Lehigh 69-0, marking head coach John Peacock's 199th win. Against Lakeland in Week 3, Peacock tied former head coach Jim Powell's record before breaking it in Week 4. Senior running back Ira Dale Jr. had six carries for 78 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Mason Polley finished 8-of-10 with 170 yards and one touchdown. Venice takes on Cape Coral on Friday, Sept. 18, which is ranked 222nd in Florida, according to MaxPreps. The Indians should likely cruise to a win as Peacock searches for his 200th victory. Heading into Week 5, Venice looks primed to make the Open Division — a bracket with Florida's top eight teams regardless of class — after defeating Rabun Gap (Georgia) and Lakeland on the road.
Moon's scoring prediction: Venice 63-7
Parrish Community (0-4) at Sarasota (3-1)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
What to watch for: In Week 4, Sarasota thwarted North Port. Junior quarterback Hudson West led Sarasota, throwing for 257 yards and four touchdowns before halftime. Junior AJ Heater had a 68-yard punt return and a 92-yard return during the second-half kickoff. After finishing 4-7 last season, the Sailors are on track for a much better record, if things continue. Parrish is off to its worst start ever since its inaugural season in 2020, when the Bulls finished 0-6. First-year head coach Kody McNear said he's looking for consistency as the season continues.
Moon's scoring prediction: Sarasota 49-7
Naples (2-2) at Palmetto (3-1)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
What to watch for: Since its Week 1 loss to Clearwater Central Catholic, Palmetto has won three straight games. Palmetto had seven plays of 20 yards or more against IMG Jr. National. Senior Shane Partridge had 111 yards at halftime on five carries, finishing with 179 yards on nine attempts. And the Tigers' defense limited IMG to 69 yards of total offense. Palmetto will play Naples at home in Week 5, which is ranked 100th in Florida, according to MaxPreps. After losing its first two games, Naples has won the last two, 63-0 and 54-7. Running back Jevan Raphael has 471 yards and six touchdowns on 34 carries this season.
Moon's scoring prediction: Palmetto 28-14
Dunnellon (4-0) at Lakewood Ranch (2-2)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for: Following a convincing 2-0 start, Lakewood Ranch has struggled over the last two weeks, losing to Braden River 39-28 and Riverview 46-0. Running back Elidrick Berry and receiver Ka'marion Jones have been the Mustangs' calling cards, but both were shut down in last week's loss against Riverview. Undefeated Dunnellon will be a big test for the Mustangs, who are finally at home after four road games to start the season. Dunnellon is ranked 122nd in Florida, according to MaxPreps.
Moon's scoring prediction: Dunnellon 35-14
Hawthorne (4-0) at Bayshore (3-1)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for: After freshman quarterback Jake Carr exited the game, Bayshore found a way to win behind running back Jashun Judge and Camdon Stancil. Judge had three touchdowns, while Stancil took over for Carr late in the second quarter and throughout the second half. The Bruins are working to replicate their 4-1 start from last season, but will have to defeat Hawthorne at home to do it. Hawthorne is ranked 32nd in Florida, according to MaxPreps. The defending champion lost its starting quarterback, Richard Roundtree Jr., who suffered a broken fibula against Miami Northwestern. He threw for 2,581 yards and 30 touchdowns, winning the Florida Dairy Farmers Rural Class Player of the Year.
Moon's scoring prediction: Hawthorne 21-7
Sunshine State Athletic Association
Sarasota Christian (4-1) at Out-of-Door Academy (4-0)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for: ODA is coming off a bye week and will face Sarasota Christian on Friday, Sept. 18. The Thunder are undefeated, allowing only 13 points this season. ODA has outscored opponents 158-13. The Thunder are ranked 149th in Florida, according to MaxPreps. In Sarasota Christian's win over Cambridge Christian, quarterback Tait Zeltwanger finished 11-of-18 with 194 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. He had 15 carries for 98 yards. Running back Elijah George had 15 carries for 81 yards. Receiver Cale Zeltwanger had eight catches for 161 yards and four touchdowns. Safety Wyatt Campbell had 11 tackles. ODA is arguably Sarasota Christian's biggest challenge so far. The Blazers are ranked 296th in Florida, according to MaxPreps.
Moon's scoring prediction: ODA 35-7
Seven Rivers Christian (1-4) at Saint Stephen's (3-2)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for: Babcock forfeited its game against Saint Stephen's on Sept. 11, so the Falcons' last matchup was a 28-0 loss to ODA. This season, sophomore quarterback Steven LeBlanc has thrown for 534 yards and eight touchdowns, completing 53.6 percent of his passes. Junior William Roseboro Jr. has 202 yards and six touchdowns on 33 carries, while freshman receiver Dion Donker has 290 yards and five touchdowns behind 16 catches. Seen Rivers Academy is ranked 490th in Florida, according to MaxPreps.
Moon's scoring prediction: Saint Stephen's 28-7
Bradenton Christian (4-1) at Lake Mary Prep (1-3)
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for: In 8-man football, Bradenton Christian is ranked second in Florida, according to MaxPreps. The Panthers have recorded three shutouts this season, allowing 42 points across five games, while averaging 41.8 points per game. Lake Mary Prep has lost its last two games.
Moon's scoring prediction: 35-0
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida High School Football Week 5: Sarasota, Manatee game previews
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