High school football: County matchups highlight schedule

Dunnellon's Lj Fitzpatrick (1) is a player to watch at Friday night's game.

Inner-county matchups Dunnellon at Vanguard and North Marion at West Port will highlight a seven-game slate this week.

Included in the schedule is the first game of the season for St. John, as well as a battle of unbeatens at Lake Weir.

All games start at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise indicated

Dunnellon (0-1) at Vanguard (2-0)

FIRST DOWN: The Tigers were off last week, while the Knights defeated West Port, 21-0, last Friday.

SECOND DOWN: DHS has won three straight in this series, including two in 2020 (one on each home field) by a combined five points. Those were VHS’s only losses last year. The first game concluded with a memorable touchdown pass from Dunnellon’s Trent Townsend to LJ Fitzpatrick. The second one came in the FHSAA playoffs and ended the Knights’ season. Townsend played hurt and gave a gutty performance that night at Booster Stadium.

THIRD DOWN: Want an individual matchup to watch? Keep an eye on when Vanguard cornerback Emile Sancho is lined up on Fitzpatrick. Those are two of the county’s best at their positions.

FOURTH DOWN: Dunnellon will host Crystal River next Friday, while the Knights will host Miami Carol City.

North Marion (1-0) at West Port (0-2), 7 p.m.

FIRST DOWN: The Colts were unable to play last week due to COVID-19, while the Wolf Pack fell to Vanguard, 21-0.

SECOND DOWN: In their team’s opener against Forest, NMHS juniors Christopher Foster and Elija Walton combined to make seven receptions for 163 yards and three touchdowns.

THIRD DOWN: West Port likely is on the short list of teams statewide who had the toughest opposition in its first two weeks. Prior to facing always-tough VHS, WPHS was beaten by Tampa Jesuit, which turned around and knocked off national powerhouse Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas a week later.

FOURTH DOWN: The Colts are scheduled to have next week off, but could be looking for a replacement game for Week Two. West Port will visit Forest next Friday.

Gainesville (1-1) at Trinity Catholic (0-1), 7 p.m.

FIRST DOWN: The Hurricanes defeated Orlando Bishop Moore, 14-6, last Friday, while the Celtics lost 38-19 at Clearwater Central Catholic.

SECOND DOWN: GHS will be spending two of its first three Friday nights in Marion County this year. The Hurricanes were defeated by Vanguard, 30-8, at Booster Stadium in the season opener.

THIRD DOWN: Trinity will look to get off to a better start this week. At CCC last Friday, the Celtics fell behind 31-7 at the half. They actually won the second half, 12-7, but climbing all the way back was a big ask.

FOURTH DOWN: Gainesville will visit Palm Coast Matanzas next Friday, while Trinity Catholic will host Tampa Carrollwood Day.

Belleview (2-0) at Crystal River (0-2), 7 p.m.

FIRST DOWN: The Rattlers won at Bronson, 64-8, last Friday, while the Pirates were beaten 49-7 at The Villages.

SECOND DOWN: Belleview is averaging 48.5 points through two games, but don’t let that overshadow the Rattlers’ defense. BHS already has 16 sacks as a team with Jaquan Donely and Trace Mims accounting for five each. Donely also leads Belleview with two recovered and two forced fumbles.

THIRD DOWN: It has been a tough start to the season for CRHS, but junior middle linebacker Dwann McCray is averaging 9.5 tackles-a-game and has recorded the team’s only sack.

FOURTH DOWN: Belleview will host Lecanto next Friday, while Crystal River will travel to Dunnellon.

Lakeland George Jenkins (2-0) at Lake Weir (1-0)

FIRST DOWN: The Eagles defeated Lake Alfred Discovery, 25-0, last Friday, while LWHS topped visiting Brooksville Central, 19-14.

SECOND DOWN: A team that usually posts winning records, George Jenkins finished just 3-6 a year ago. The Eagles have bounced back nicely in 2021, not allowing a point in either of their first two contests.

THIRD DOWN: LWHS junior Walter Turner made the most of his three touches last week. In addition to a 7-yard rush, he had a 57-yard reception and a 73-yard kickoff return. He scored on both long plays.

FOURTH DOWN: George Jenkins will visit Lakeland Kathleen next Friday, while Lake Weir will host Leesburg.

Clermont Real Life Christian Academy (0-1) at OCA (2-0), 7 p.m.

FIRST DOWN: The Raptors had last week off, while the Crusaders defeated Winter Haven All Saints’ Academy, 22-8.

SECOND DOWN: In Real Life Christian Academy’s 18-14 loss to West Melbourne Calvary Chapel Academy on Aug. 28, junior Zacharie Padilha finished with 15 tackles (12 solo).

THIRD DOWN: In knocking off the defending state 8-man champions last week, OCA senior Logan Forello had a big night, recording seven tackles with a pair of sacks.

FOURTH DOWN: Real Life Christian Academy will host St. Petersburg Shorecrest Prep next Saturday, while OCA will host Valrico Foundation Christian Academy.

Winter Haven Oasis Christian (1-1) at St. John (0-0)

FIRST DOWN: The Lions defeated Valrico Foundation Christian Academy, 58-0, last Friday afternoon.

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