FloridaHSFootball.com’s Top 10 Games of the Week

It is Week 3 and with a crazy first two weeks behind us including a hurricane, let’s look ahead to some of the best games for this weekend’s slate including predictions from FloridaHSFootball.com, USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor and Joe Pinkos.

1. Plantation American Heritage (2-0) vs. Miami Northwestern (2-0)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Why: Both the American Heritage Patriots and the Miami Northwestern Bulls are off to hot quick 2-0 starts to the season already after defeating Don Bosco Prep and Columbus respectively last week. However, the Patriots must now face a big test by playing in Miami’s famed Traz Powell Stadium, a place that has proved very hard for teams outside of Miami-Dade County to win at.
FHSF Prediction: American Heritage 24, Miami Northwestern 21
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: American Heritage 21, Miami Northwestern 7
Joe Pinkos’ Forecast: Northwestern 17 over American Heritage

2. Miami Southridge (1-0) vs. Columbus (1-1)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Why: This is a matchup could that mint one of these two teams as the potential Class 8A south representative for the FHSAA’s Drive To December Class 8A Championship. Miami Southridge scored six offensive touchdowns last week after having their season opener cut short due to weather. Columbus is still stinging to a lost from Miami Northwestern last week, which could be an issue this week when both the Spartans and Explorers roll into Tropical Park.
Predictions
FHSF Prediction: Southridge 17, Columbus 10
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Columbus 28, Southridge 7
Joe Pinkos’ Forecast: Colmbus 4 over Southridge

3. Manatee (1-1) at Venice (1-0)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Why: Manatee has a lot to prove after giving up 78 points in their first game to Hewitt-Trussville, Alabama in Week 1, while only scoring 7 points in a struggle to defeat Palmetto in a makeup on Labor Day. Venice is looking to get things rolling again after having an unexpected week off due to Hurricane Hermine canceling their matchup against Sarasota Riverview. That is all after having defeated Camden County, Georgia soundly in Week 1.
Predictions
FHSF Prediction: Venice 30, Manatee 17
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Venice 38, Manatee 28
Joe Pinkos’ Forecast: Venice 1 over Manatee

4. Orange City University (2-0) at Bishop Moore (2-0)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Why: Lorenzo Lingard is the biggest threat Orange City University brings into this game against the defending Class 5A state champions, the Bishop Moore Hornets. Lingard exploded for five touchdowns last week against New Smyrna Beach. Bishop Moore has easily defeated cross-the-street rival Edgewater and Lyman easily in the first two weeks, but this will be their first big test against a legitimate top-tier team this season.
Predictions
FHSF Prediction: University 42, Bishop Moore 24
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Bishop Moore 35, University 23
Joe Pinkos’ Forecast: University 1 over Bishop Moore

5. Tampa Catholic (0-0) at Bergen Catholic, NJ (1-0)
Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET
Why: Tampa Catholic has not played a game yet this season either due to an expected off week (Week 1) or having an unexpected bye week (last week) thanks to Hurricane Hermine. This could make them more energized and ready to go for this game, giving, Bergen Catholic something to try to defend off a little bit harder. However, Bergen Catholic played nearly lights out against Archbishop Wood out of Pennsylvania, sending a statement to the Crusaders about this week’s game.
Predictions
FHSF Prediction: Bergen Catholic 31, Tampa Catholic 14
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Bergen Catholic 48, Tampa Catholic 14
Joe Pinkos’ Forecast: Bergen Catholic 14 over Tampa Catholic

6. Madison County (1-0) at Wakulla (1-0)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Why: Both teams are looking to get this week in the books after both teams were dealt a blow in playing a game thanks to being in the direct path of Hurricane Hermine. This is a long time natural rival between the two programs and the wins can be bounced back and forth as to whoever plays the best. No matter what, it will be almost certain both Cowboys and War Eagle fans are ready to have a little bit of normalcy back on Friday night.
Predictions
FHSF Prediction: Madison County 28, Wakulla 27
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Wakulla 28, Madison County 14
Joe Pinkos’ Forecast: Madison 1 over Wakulla

7. Miami Carol City (0-2) at Lakeland (2-0)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Why: Miami Carol City is looking to bounce back from dropping their first two games – something that has caught most in Florida off guard as most have thought they would battle with district rival Miami Central for Class 6A supremacy this season. Lakeland has outscored opponents 83-0 in the first two weeks, but with the Chiefs coming in this could be their first real test of the season. However, the Dreadnaughts don’t want to repeat losing to the Chiefs at home again this season, like they did last year.
Predictions
FHSF Prediction: Lakeland 35, Miami Carol City 21
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Miami Carol City 24, Lakeland 20
Joe Pinkos’ Forecast: Lakeland 7 over Miami Carol City

8. Trenton (1-1) at Port St. Joe (1-0)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Why: Both teams were impacted by the effects of Hurrican Hermine, however Trenton managed to get half a game in against rival Bell, which turned into a 27-0 shutout victory in the end. Port St. Joe smashed rival Wewahitchka, 64-0 in Week 1, so the momentum is still there after having not used it last week’s canceled game against Marianna. One thing is likely certain – don’t expect one-sided affair this season with this 2015 Class 1A state championship rematch.
Predictions
FHSF Prediction: Port St. Joe 27, Trenton 24
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Trenton 28, Port St. Joe 20
Joe Pinkos’ Forecast: Trenton 3 over Port St. Joe

9. West Orange (1-1) at Dr. Phillips (2-0)
Friday, 7:00 p.m. ET
Why: The Battle of the Orange Crate comes to Dr. Phillips where the Panthers will try to take the crate back from the Warriors. The Warriors were stunned at home last week by Winter Park in a lopsided effort and will have to play much stronger this week against the Panthers who already have scored 60 points in their first two games while only giving up just over a dozen points. Expect a packed house for this game in Orlando.
Predictions
FHSF Prediction: Dr. Phillips 35, West Orange 20
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Dr. Phillips 27, West Orange 20
Joe Pinkos’ Forecast: Dr. Phillips 22 over West Orange

10. University Christian (1-0) at Trinity Christian-Jacksonville (1-1)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Why: This classic Jacksonville-area rivalry pits the defending Class 2A and Class 3A state champions together here and with the Christians playing the Conquerors closer last season in a 35-20, there will be some confidence to keep making the game closer. However, Trinity Christian is coming off a big win over Lake City Columbia in a game that was hastily put together, so the Christians will have to fight to take the momentum away in this game.
Predictions
FHSF Prediction: Trinity Christian 34, University Christian 20
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Trinity Christian 42, University Christian 14
Joe Pinkos’ Forecast: Trinity Chrisitan 23 over University Christian

Season Records (does not count Week 2 with games being washed out for some of GOTW)
FHSF: 6-4
USA TODAY HSS: 3-7
Joe Pinkos: 6-4