Let’s look at the games in the Class 7A slate with one game slated for Thursday night and the rest for Friday as the regional quarterfinals are here. Picks are included from Joshua Wilson and Mike Reno from The Drive To State Show from Tuesday night, which you can watch the show in full on our Playoff Central page.
GAMES TO WATCH
REGION 1
No. 5 Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (7-3) at No. 4 Flagler Palm Coast (9-1), Fri. 7:00 p.m. – The Bulldogs won the first meeting just weeks ago, but the Hawks are looking for revenge and want to make sure that they can continue the postseason in stride. For Flagler Palm Coast, this is one of the best seasons in program history. Flagler Palm Coast is averaging 44.4 points per game while Spruce Creek is scoring on average of 38.1 points per game. What is impressive is that Flagler Palm Coast has been averaging 520.9 total yards per game and is led by QB Hayden Hayes, who throws for an average of 274.0 points per game while totaling 311 yards per game on average. For Spruce Creek keep an eye on PJ Miller who is averaging a 171.7 total yards per game. Josh’s Pick: Flagler Palm Coast; Reno’s Pick: Spruce Creek
REGION 2
No. 5 Sumner (Riverview) (6-4) at No. 4 Newsome (Lithia) (7-3), Fri. 7:30 p.m. – A rematch from early in the regular season, the visiting Stingrays took that one over the host Wolves in a close 17-14 contest. Newsome is averaging 27.6 points per while Sumner is averaging just over 20 points per game. With Newsome averaging 358 yards per game, Sumner will have to work a little harder this time around to keep pace. For Newsome keep an eye on QB Noah Guenther who is a dual-threat quarterback to make plays both through the air and on the ground as he is averaging 129 total yards per game. For Sumner watch out for QB Antoni Balaguer. Josh’s Pick: Sumner; Reno’s Pick: Sumner
REGION 3
No. 6 Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie) (3-6) at No. 3 Jupiter (9-1), Fri. 6:30 p.m. – Don’t act surprised about this game being on a game to watch. Treasure Coast may have gotten off to a sluggish start, but their strength of schedule was one of the top schedules anywhere in the state. That could be a huge reason why the Titans might be a favorite to win here in this game because looking at the schedule Jupiter has played, it might explain why they went 9-1. While the visiting Titans do not have any offensive statistics posted, defensively they are posting 2.1 sacks per game on average this season and that could be something that could cause problems for the host Warriors. For Jupiter keep an eye on QB Andrew Embick who is averaging 127 yards passing per game. Josh’s Pick: Treasure Coast; Reno’s Pick: Treasure Coast
REGION 4
No. 7 Western (Davie) (4-6) at No. 2 Miami Palmetto (6-4) at Tropical Park, Fri. 7:30 p.m. – Western ended Miami Palmetto’s season in the regional quarterfinals last year, and this year the visiting Wildcats are looking to do the same. Western would have been a higher seed had two forfeits not been thrown into the mix that is where the record needs to be thrown out the door on this one. The host Panthers, who have not posted any stats this year will face off against a Western team that averages nearly 300 yards per game with their balanced offensive approach. Expect QB Sebastian Circo to throw heavy here on the offense while Julian Mendez will be out there racking up tons of tackles and collecting sacks for Western. Josh’s Pick: Western; Reno’s Pick: Western
REST OF THE SLATE
REGION 1
No. 8 DeLand (5-5) at No. 1 Lake Mary (8-2)
Josh’s Pick: Lake Mary; Reno’s Pick: Lake Mary
No. 2 Seminole (Sanford) (8-1) at No. 7 Creekside (St. Johns) (5-5)
Josh’s Pick: Seminole; Reno’s Pick: Seminole
No. 6 Winter Park (7-3) at No. 3 University (Orange City) (8-2)
Josh’s Pick: University; Reno’s Pick: University
REGION 2
No. 8 Haines City (6-4) at No. 1 Venice (9-1)
Josh’s Pick: Venice; Reno’s Pick: Venice
No. 7 Riverview (Sarasota) (4-5) at No. 2 Plant City (8-2)
Josh’s Pick: Plant City; Reno’s Pick: Plant City
No. 6 Apopka (4-5) at No. 3 West Orange (Winter Garden) (8-2)
Josh’s Pick: West Orange; Reno’s Pick: West Orange
REGION 3
No. 8 Fort Pierce Central (5-5) at No. 1 Palm Beach Central (Wellington) (9-1)
Josh’s Pick: Palm Beach Central; Reno’s Pick: Palm Beach Central
No. 5 Lake Nona (Orlando) (7-3) at No. 4 Vero Beach (6-3)
Josh’s Pick: Vero Beach; Reno’s Pick: Vero Beach
No. 7 Tohopekaliga (Kissimmee) (6-4) at No. 2 Dr. Phillips (Orlando) (9-1)
Josh’s Pick: Dr. Phillips; Reno’s Pick: Dr. Phillips
REGION 4
No. 8 Spanish River (Boca Raton) (7-3) at No. 1 Columbus (Miami) (6-3), Thu., 7:00 p.m.
Josh’s Pick: Columbus; Reno’s Pick: Columbus
No. 5 South Dade (Homestead) (5-5) at No. 4 Santaluces (Lantana) (8-2)
Josh’s Pick: Santaluces; Reno’s Pick: Santaluces
No. 6 Goleman (Miami) (6-4) at No. 3 Boca Raton (9-1)
Josh’s Pick: Boca Raton; Reno’s Pick: Boca Raton
