FloridaHSFootball.com’s Top 10 Games of the Week Preview for Week 5

Here is a look at our Top 10 Games of the Week for Week 5 with predictions from Joe Pinkos, USA TODAY HSS and FloridaHSFootball.com

St. Thomas Aquinas (4-0) at Hallandale (3-0)
Comment: This will be St. Thomas Aquinas’ first true test of the season going up against Hallandale. When it comes to talent, both teams are stacked with multiple athletes holding Division I offers. Hallandale however, has a disadvantage having only ever won two games against St. Thomas Aquinas in the life time of the series between the two schools. But will this be the year that thing change with this game being at home for the Chargers?
Joe Pinkos Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 17 over Hallandale
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 42, Hallandale 14
FHSF Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas

Heritage (2-1) at Kissimmee Osceola (4-0)
Comment: The Heritage Panthers will be a team that is looking to get an upset win over a tough team that the Osceola Kowboys. The Panthers have a rushing attack could be hard to contain, but Osceola has shown no weaknesses so far in rolling through most of their games so far this season.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Osceola 1 over Heritage
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Osceola 31, Heritage 20
FHSF Prediction: Osceola

Escambia (3-1) at Columbia (4-0)
Comment: Some felt Columbia would be down this season, but that has proven to be further from the truth at this point. Some even felt Escambia would be down, but despite the loss to Jesuit, La., last week, that has not been the case either. The biggest problem for Escambia in this one will be the travel time and having to cross the timezone line in making the trip from Pensacola to Lake City that could tip the game fully into Columbia’s favor.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Columbia 6 over Escambia
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Escambia 35, Columbia 28
FHSF Prediction: Columbia

Vanguard (3-1) vs. Buchholz (3-1) at Citizen’s Field, Gainesville
Comment: Both teams have seen considerable improvement, something that was not sure if that could happen at this point in the season when we look back before the start of the season. Vanguard has gotten off to a quick 3-1 start and the one loss to North Marion was a a closer game than some expected. Buchholz is on an emotional high right now after getting a big upset win over Oakleaf last week and that certainly could play a factor of how the game plays out this week.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Buchholz 1 over Vanguard
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Vanguard 30, Buchholz 27
FHSF Prediction: Buchholz

Booker T. Washington (2-2) vs. Miami Central (311)
Comment: This game has lot of meaning despite both teams being down. Read more on the indepth of history and involving the series here.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Miami Central 27 over Booker T. Washington
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Miami Central 28, Booker T. Washington 14
FHSF Prediction: Miami Central

Plant (3-1) at Armwood (3-0)
Comment: This rivalry returns to the regular season slate after being off the schedule for two seasons due to the districts both teams were in the past two years. However, a lot think Plant is down and that could play a big factor of how close the game is with Armwood. No matter what though, this is one game fans are excited to see this week in the Tampa Bay-area.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Armwood 18 over Plant
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Armwood 28, Plant 14
FHSF Prediction: Armwood

Bartram Trail (3-1) at St. Augustine (4-0)
Comment: Despite the fact that St. Augustine is 16-0 in the series against Bartram Trail, the record doesn’t speak for how the series has been over the years. With Bartram Trail so close coming within one point several times over the last five seasons, we know the Bears are close to breaking through and get a win against the Yellow Jackets. Will that change this year? Very possible!
Joe Pinkos Prediction: St. Augustine 8 over Bartram Trail
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: St. Augustine 21, Bartram Trail 14
FHSF Prediction: St. Augustine

Gainesville (3-1) at North Marion (4-0)
Comment: Gainesville has been on a hot streak after losing to Columbia in Week 1. North Marion is coming into this game looking for their first 5-0 start since 2006, according to Florida high school football historian, Richard Burton. Both teams have talent, but North Marion looks like they have the advantage here in this one.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: North Marion 12 over Gainesville
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: North Marion 28, Gainesville 20
FHSF Prediction: North Marion

Trenton (3-0) at Dixie County (2-1)
Comment: A rivalry game that draws fans out no matter if the game is in Trenton or if it is in Dixie County. The atmosphere is electrified when this game is being played and you can always expect an almost sold out crowd. The question that surrounds the game this year is if Dixie County can keep it close on Trenton or actually win the game? Some are thinking Trenton will win a blowout and some are saying it will be a dog fight to the end. We shall see what gets left on the field.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Trenton 30 over Dixie County
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Trenton 28, Dixie County 26
FHSF Prediction: Trenton

Tampa Catholic (3-0) at Clearwater Central Catholic (4-0)
Comment: A big rivalry game between two of Tampa Bay’s most storied Catholic high school programs and this one has both teams coming in with unblemished records. Both teams have played tough and have proven they can make noise no matter the competition. However, the advantage is going towards Tampa Catholic who have an advantage with athletes like Nate Craig-Myers and Devan Barrett. Expect this game to be close.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Clearwater Central Catholic 8 over Tampa Catholic
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Clearwater Central Catholic 35, Tampa Catholic 14
FHSF Prediction: Tampa Catholic

Records from Last Week
Joe Pinkos: 9-1 (.900)
USA TODAY: 7-3 (.700)
FloridaHSFootball.com: 9-1 (.900)

Season Records:
Joe Pinkos: 33-7 (.825)
USA TODAY: 27-13 (.675)
FloridaHSFootball.com: 28-12 (.700)