FloridaHSFootball.com’s Top 10 Statewide Games of the Week for Week 3

Here are FloridaHSFootball.com’s Top 10 Statewide Games of the Week Preview for Week 3, which will feature several games between ranked teams either in FloridaHSFooball.com’s Classification Rankings or Sunshine State 25 rankings. Predictions included are from Joe Pinkos, USA TODAY High School Sports’ Score Predictor and our own Prediction.

#17 Columbus (2-0) vs. Miami Southridge (2-0) at Southridge Stadium, Miami
When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m. ET
Internet Stream: NFHS Network (Subscription Required)
Comments: After starting off with a big win in Week 1, Columbus need its defense to help them win a 13-6 battle over Miami Northwestern last week to stay undefeated. Miami Southridge has started the season off with a bang having only given up 7 points in the first two games as they rolled over Dr. Krop 51-7 last week. Looking at the scoring averages, Columbus is averaging 25.5 points per game while giving up 15.5 points per game, while Miami Southridge is scoring 35 points per game while only giving up just 3 points per game. A defensive battle could certainly take place here and we would not be surprised despite the predictions.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: Columbus 19 over Southridge
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Columbus 28, Miami Southridge 6
FHSF Prediction: Columbus

#10 Dr. Phillips (2-0) at #14 West Orange (2-0)
When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m. ET
Comments: The Battle of the Ole Orange Crate rivalry returns for the first time in four years as both teams are currently ranked in Class 8A and in our Sunshine State 25 rankings. The rivalry began in the late 1980’s when Dr. Phillips was built and opened (pre-Universal Studios days) to relieve West Orange High School. The history behind the “Orange Crate” trophy is still somewhat of a mystery to this day. Looking back over the first two weeks of the season Dr. Phillips has scored 27 points a piece each in those first two games, but gave up 17 against Lake Mary after shutting out Wekiva the week before. For West Orange, they are a machine to contend with as they have racked up 40 points in both games, while having only given up a total 14 points so far – all to Winter Park last week.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: West Orange 3 over Dr. Phillips
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Dr. Phillips 27, West Orange 26
FHSF Prediction: West Orange

#1 (1A) Port St. Joe (1-0) at #3 (1A) Trenton (2-0)
When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m. ET
Comments: A huge battle of top Class 1A teams with defending state champion Port St. Joe making the 3-plus hour trek over to Trenton to take on very good Tigers team. However, Port St. Joe might not be 100% as a team coming into this game as they are still reeling from the effects of a viral meningitis scare that forced the cancellation of their Week 1 game against Wewahitchka. Port St. Joe won last week by a score of 3-2 over Marianna in what was a defensive battle over a much improved Marianna program. Trenton has scored at least 50 points in their first two games, but we don’t expect Trenton to be scoring 50 points in this game. A closer game by 7 to 10 points is more likely to be expected at this point.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: Trenton 11 over Port St. Joe
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Port St. Joe 21, Trenton 14
FHSF Prediction: Trenton

Miami Norland (2-0) vs. #8 (8A) South Dade (1-0) at Harris Field, Homestead
When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m. ET
Comments: This game could prove to be nasty – as in how nasty the defense could be for the Miami Norland Vikings. After Norland LB Emmett Rice collected up five sacks last week in a 31-0 shutout win over American, folks have circled this game for a potential game that the Vikings could win to make a big statement. South Dade is currently ranked, while Norland isn’t so the chip is on the shoulders of the Vikings for a good reason. So far in two games South Dade is scoring an average of 40 points per game while they have given up 24 points. On the other hand Norland has given up on a total of 12 points so far – all to Jacksonville Ribault. So if the defense gets going quickly for Norland, it could be a long night for South Dade.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: Miami Norland 11 over South Dade
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Miami Norland 21, South Dade 14
FHSF Prediction: Miami Norland

#10 (8A) Fort Pierce Central (2-0) at #4 (4A) Clewiston (2-0)
When: Tonight, 7:00 p.m. ET
Radio: WAFC 590 AM & 100.5 FM, Clewiston; 92.5 FM Belle Glade
Comments: A solid matchup between a Class 8A Fort Pierce Central team and a Class 4A Clewiston team that could prove to be a nasty defensive battle. Fort Pierce Central has given up zero points in their first two games despite the fact it coming to weaker competition. The same could be said about Clewiston only given up 16 total points in their first two games, again to weaker competition. Both have scored at least 30 points per game in their first two games. Nonetheless, this should be one game fans will want to keep an eye as it could tell us a bit more about what each team is capable of against decent competition.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: Fort Pierce Central 6 over Clewiston
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Clewiston 34, Fort Pierce Central 27
FHSF Prediction: Fort Pierce Central

Miami Carol City (1-1) vs. #3 (7A) Lakeland (2-0) at Bryant Stadium, Lakeland
When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m. ET
Internet Stream: Lakeland Dreadnaughts Team Site
Comments: Miami Carol City bounced back last week with a statement win against Oxbridge Academy after a 2-point loss in Week 1 to Coral Gables. As such the Chiefs will take that momentum up to Lakeland where they will take on a solid Lakeland team that has put 35 points in each of their first two games while only giving up 16 total points between the two games. For Lakeland, this Miami Carol City team is no cupcake and they shouldn’t treat the game as such. Miami Carol City has the talent to be competitive on both sides of the ball and if the Chiefs come out firing on all cylinders, it could be a very long night for the Dreadnaughts who rarely lose at home inside Bryant Stadium.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: Lakeland 7 over Miami Carol City
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Lakeland 25, Miami Carol City 14
FHSF Prediction: Miami Carol City (upset pick of the week)

First Coast (0-1) vs. #6 Miami Central (1-1) at Traz Powell Stadium, Miami
When: Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
Comments: First Coast will make the long 4-hour road trip to Miami from Jacksonville in another Duval vs. Dade showdown and the Buccaneers will be looking to bring back home a big victory. However, that is going to take playing their best football all season after struggling at times in a 31-26 loss to Class 6A Gainesville last week. Miami Central bounced back last week with a 35-0 thumping of Miami Killian. As such the Rockets and Buccaneers will try to test each other, but playing in a hostile environment as an out-of-town as is the case for First Coast, will be one tough challenge to overcome for a 48 minute ball game.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: Miami Central 28 over First Coast
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Miami Central 35, First Coast 14
FHSF Prediction: Miami Central

#9 (5A) Lakewood (2-0) at #21 Bolles (2-0)
When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Radio/TV: WFXJ 930 AM, Jacksonville; Internet Stream: Sports Radio 930 AM
Comments: Bolles will take on a Lakewood team that is suppose to be rebuilding, but looks a lot better than a rebuilding team at the moment. Lakewood has been scoring at least 31 points per game in the first two weeks while only giving up 13 points to opposing teams. Bolles, which is coming off a 28-21 win over Palm Bay Heritage last week, is averaging 38.5 points per game, but is giving up over 20 points per game – 25 points per game to be exact. Not knowing what Lakewood could potentially do, Bolles will have to play a great game tonight in this one while defending home turf, while Lakewood looks to make a statement with a win.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: Bolles 21 over Lakewood
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Bolles 39, Lakewood 14
FHSF Prediction: Bolles

Glades Central (2-0) at #4 (3A) Delray American Heritage (1-1)
When: Tonight, 7:00 p.m.
Comments: Glades Central make a trek out of the muck of western Palm Beach County and come to Southeastern Palm Beach County to take on a formidable opponent in Delray American Heritage. Glades Central has started off the season hot and is looking to get a big win here against the rival Stallions. American Heritage is coming off a brutal 37-7 loss to Bergen Catholic last weekend and there are questions starting to surround the program. However, if the Stallions can put together a win here, it should ease those questions for the time being. If they lose, more questions will even start to pop up as we we advance closer to district play.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: American Heritage 17 over Glades Central
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: American Heritage 28, Glades Central 14
FHSF Prediction: Glades Central (second upset pick of the week)

#13 Cocoa (2-0) at IMG Academy (2-0)
When: Tonight, 7:00 p.m.
Comments: Cocoa makes a quick trip over to the west coast of Florida where they will find a daunting challenge in the IMG Academy Ascenders. However, it is a good challenge in many ways that should only help the Tigers prepare for another deep playoff run. However, with the roster being way smaller than IMG’s all-star roster, the Tigers will have to make sure they get out of their with little or no injuries. IMG is on a roll after the first two weeks, smashing teams like Miramar and DeSoto, TX with their roster and scoring at least 30 points per game. Cocoa is also on a roll after defeating Palm Bay in Week and shutting out Western Branch, VA at home last week. If Cocoa does somehow comes out a winner in this one, we could likely call it an upset, given the known factors.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: IMG Academy 17 over Cocoa
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: IMG Academy 35, Cocoa 14
FHSF Prediction: IMG Academy

Records from Last Week
Joe Pinkos: 8-2 (.800)
USA TODAY: 7-3 (.700)
FloridaHSFootball.com: 7-3 (.700)

Season Records:
Joe Pinkos: 16-4 (.800)
USA TODAY: 15-5 (.750)
FloridaHSFootball.com: 12-8 (.600)