Here is a look at our Top 10 Games of the Week for Week 6 with predictions from Joe Pinkos, USA TODAY HSS and FloridaHSFootball.com
West Orange (4-1) at Apopka (5-0)
Comment: This will be the defacto District 8A-4 championship game very likely despite the fact it is the first district game of the season for both teams. The biggest in common for both West Orange and Apopka coming into this game is the fact that both teams have a win over a common opponent – Dr. Phillips. However, usually Apopka does not lose at home often, so the advantage for this game goes to the Blue Darters.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Apopka 15 over West Orange
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Apopka 40, West Orange 28
FHSF Prediction: Apopka
Oxbridge Academy (3-1) at Delray American Heritage (3-1)
Comment: The Game of the Year as some are calling is taking place in Delray Beach as Oxbridge Academy play in its first FHSAA district game in school history. This game will decide the District 3A-7 champion as both teams are at the top while the third team, Cardinal Newman, has struggled this season. Both teams are eager to prove a point and expect a lot of rushing yards in this game from both teams.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: American Heritage 9 over Oxbridge Academy
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: American Heritage 35, Oxbridge Academy 20
FHSF Prediction: American Heritage
Plant (3-2) at Wharton (5-0)
Comment: It is unusual to see a Plant team come into a district game with already two losses like this, but both have been to great teams in the Armwood Hawks and the Colquitt County, Ga., Packers. Wharton comes into this game looking to be the first of two undefeated teams (the other being Sickles) looking to knock off Plant to keep them from making the playoffs, but can Wharton do it? This week will tell us a lot about both teams for sure.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Plant 1 over Wharton
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Plant 33, Wharton 14
FHSF Prediction: Wharton
Winter Haven (4-1) at Kathleen (5-0)
Comment: It is rarity that a four-team district could possibly have four good teams that would be potential playoff teams, but that is what is like for District 7A-7 in Polk County. Winter Haven comes into the game with just one loss to Kissimmee Osceola, while Kathleen is still undefeated on the season. Both have a chance to set the tone for the remaining weeks ahead, so this game is just as important as the remaining games are.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Winter Haven 1 over Kathleen
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Winter Haven 20, Kathleen 13
FHSF Prediction: Kathleen
Miami Central (4-1) vs. Miami Carol City (4-1)
Comment: Both teams come in to this key district game with the same record and the same mojo playing every game like it means the season is on the line. With this being a key District 6A-16 game, a loss for either team could have a huge impact on how the rest of the season plays out for both the Rockets and Chiefs. Just don’t be surprised if this game doesn’t go the way you think it might go.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Miami Central 16 over Miami Carol City
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Miami Central 34, Miami Carol City 13
FHSF Prediction: Miami Central
Escambia (4-1) at Pine Forest (4-1)
Comment: Both teams have started off the 2015 season with a quick pace and both teams are looking to make a statement this week. With this being a key District 6A-1 game, both teams will need to start the game off quickly or they could find themselves on the wrong side of things. Do expect to see a sold out stadium, with fans of both teams out supporting there teams.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Escambia 9 over Pine Forest
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Escambia 34, Pine Forest 26
FHSF Prediction: Escambia
West Nassau (4-0) at Bolles (5-0)
Comment: It has been rare for both Bolles and West Nassau to enter this game undefeated, but that is exactly the case here for both teams as they enter this key District 4A-2 contest. The key question will be to see if West Nassau has any answers for Bolles or at least push Bolles around. If West Nassau can at least push Bolles around, this could be a thrilling district game right down to the end.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Bolles 29 over West Nassau
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Bolles 42, West Nassau 6
FHSF Prediction: Bolles
Sanford Seminole (3-1) at Lake Brantley (5-0)
Comment: A rivalry like none other, pitting two of the oldest programs in Seminole County together in a key District 8A-2 contest, this game will tell us a lot about the district in the remaining weeks ahead. If Lake Brantley win this game, it will take sole control of the drivers seat. If Seminole wins, it will put everything back to square one in the district, creating an interesting scenario that could see the district in a tiebreaker situation come at end of Week 10. Either way, the game is a key one for both teams.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Lake Brantley 1 over Seminole
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Lake Brantley 34, Seminole 28
FHSF Prediction: Lake Brantley
Tampa Bay Tech (3-2) at Plant City (4-1)
Comment: A key District 7A-9 game that will likely decide who controls the driver seat of the district for the rest of the season. Both Tampa Bay Tech and Plant City both have two district wins already, but one will leave this game with one loss. Tampa Bay Tech has been known to play its best football when it comes to district games while Plant City has been up and down depending on what game it is.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: Tampa Bay Tech 2 over Plant City
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: Tampa Bay Tech 22, Plant City 20
FHSF Prediction: Plant City
Martin County (4-1) at South Fork (4-0)
Comment: The annual Martin Bowl is now a key District 7A-7 game that will have playoffs on the line for both teams. Both teams are combined 8-1 coming into this game, so the power and energy of this rivalry will have the fans into the game for all four quarters. Whoever, wins will likely be playoff bound come after Week 8.
Joe Pinkos Prediction: South Fork 14 over Martin County
USA TODAY HSS Prediction: South Fork 24, Martin County 6
FHSF Prediction: South Fork
Records from Last Week
Joe Pinkos: 8-2 (.800)
USA TODAY: 8-2 (.800)
FloridaHSFootball.com: 8-2 (.900)
Season Records:
Joe Pinkos: 41-9 (.820)
USA TODAY: 35-15 (.700)
FloridaHSFootball.com: 36-14 (.720)
