Jesuit Tigers at Bishop Verot Vikings
When: Friday
Where: Viking Stadium, Fort Myers
Kickoff: 7 PM ET
Coaches: Matt Thompson, Jesuit; John Mohring, Bishop Verot
Key Players: Jesuit: OG TreQuan Alexander (2022), MLB AJ Cottrill (2022); Bishop Verot: QB Jacob Azizi (2021), WR Malik Curtis (2021), DE Chris Paraison (2021), CB Lucas Tejera (2021), CB Amos Zephir (2021)
Skinny: This is the first-ever matchup between two of the top Catholic school programs located along Florida’s West Coast. For the visiting Tigers, they are going to have to look towards some of the younger guys who got a few reps last year to step up to replace all-state athletes like offensive tackles Connor McLaughlin and Trevor Mayberry as well inside linebacker Brett Gerena who have all graduated. Also, another, huge hole that the Tigers will be having to fill in the hole left behind by running back Ricky Parks who transferred to Tampa Gaither during the offseason. Whoever steps into the role will have to fill with a running back that rushed for over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns. On the Bishop Verot sideline, John Mohring takes over from Josh Vogelbach who steps aside after last season giving Mohring his shot to run the program after leading one of the best defenses last season anywhere in the Sunshine State. However, Vogelbach isn’t going anywhere, returning strictly to his role as offensive coordinator. In all of this though Mohring won’t have some of the key pieces to that talented defense from last year, like DL Marc Taglieri Jr., LB Derrick Erickson, and LB Dylan Insolia who have all graduated. However, there are still a few returners that will step up even further like Paraison (45 total tackles, 11 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 4 FF in 2019), Tejera (28 total tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 11 pass breakups, 1 FR in 2019) and Zephir (51 tackles, 1 INT, 11 pass breakups). On the offensive side of the ball Azizi (1,540 yards passing, 16 TDs, 8 INTs; 178 yards rushing, 2 TDs in 2019) and all-state receiver Curtis (34 receptions, 680 yards, 8 TDs in 2019). With all that said, this matchup looks to potentially have the makings of coming down to the wire at the end of the night.
Joe Pinkos’ Forecast: Bishop Verot by 1
Twitter Poll
Who do you think wins Friday night?
Jesuit at Bishop Verot
When: Friday 9/4
Where: Viking Stadium, Fort Myers
Kickoff: 7 PM ET@JesuitTigers_FB @JesuitTampaFL @BishopVerotFB @VerotAD @CoachMohring— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) September 2, 2020