FOOTBALL: The Blitz – Southwest Florida Pick Six recap for Week 2

Another week of Florida high school football brought plenty of excitement, and The Blitz – Southwest Florida Edition is here with this week’s Pick Six Recap. We take a closer look at six matchups that stood out across the Southwest Florida region, highlighting big moments, key performances, and games that kept fans talking.

SARASOTA 27, BRADEN RIVER 7

Sophomore quarterback Hudson West threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns as Sarasota (1-1) bounced back from its season opener to defeat visiting Braden River (1-1) in Friday’s contest. … West found receiver Jayden Rivers for scoring passes of 40, 32 and 13 yards to pace the Sailors offense against the Pirates. … Colton Dempsey opened the scoring with a seven-yard rushing touchdown before departing with injury, allowing freshman Darrell Yarborough to contribute 81 rushing yards on 12 carries. … Braden River answered early when David Louis turned a reception into a 51-yard touchdown run from quarterback Louisen Desinor. … Sarasota’s secondary responded with interceptions by Austin Atkinson and Cooper Buck to limit the Pirates’ offensive opportunities.

Information via Sarasota Herald-Tribune

LAKEWOOD RANCH 42, SEMINOLE (SEMINOLE) 0

Justin Flores tallied three rushing touchdowns from 16, 37 and 18 yards out to lead the Mustangs (2-0) past Seminole (Seminole) (0-2) in Friday’s lopsided contest. … Lakewood Ranch established control early, taking a 28-0 advantage into intermission after finding the end zone on four of five initial drives. … Elidrick Berry broke loose for a 57-yard scoring run before Flores converted the subsequent two-point attempt for an 8-0 margin. … Quarterback Brett Traver extended the lead with a second-half rushing score, while Sebastian Engel contributed an eight-yard touchdown to complete the rout. … The Mustangs offense generated 42 points through their ground game while the defense recorded the shutout against the visiting team.

Information via Sarasota Herald-Tribune

MANATEE 42, SOUTHEAST 14

Junior quarterback Mason Summer connected with senior Dontarius Prince on a seven-yard scoring strike while sophomore Jared Sanders returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown as the Hurricanes earned their first victory of the season against the visiting Seminoles. … Senior Logan Rogers added a 31-yard touchdown pass to Sean Wilson in the fourth quarter to help Manatee pull away from their crosstown rivals. … Southeast opened the scoring when Liam Fernandez found Cornelius Fields for a 70-yard touchdown connection, but the Hurricanes answered with scores from Malik Bryant (19-yard rush) and Summer (one-yard run) to take a 14-7 halftime lead. … Keith Smith extended Manatee’s advantage with a seven-yard rushing touchdown before Fields scored from one yard out to cut the deficit to 21-14. … The Hurricanes defense forced three interceptions of Fernandez, with Sanders collecting two picks and Jordyn Lowery adding another, while outgaining Southeast 357-178 in total offense.

Information via Sarasota Herald-Tribune

RIVERVIEW (SARASOTA) 42, RIVERVIEW (RIVERVIEW) 7

Junior quarterback Parker Nippert completed passes at a 75% rate for 220 total yards and two touchdown passes in 2 1/2 quarters as visiting Riverview (Sarasota) (2-0-1) overwhelmed Riverview (Riverview) (1-2) in Friday’s matchup. … Senior receiver Noah Chieffo hauled in four catches for 146 yards and one touchdown, while Anthony Miller added five receptions for 85 yards to lead the Sharks’ aerial attack. … Sophomore defensive end Miles Przekwas recorded three sacks to lead Riverview (Sarasota)’s dominant defensive performance. … Senior Jordyn Bailey scored the lone touchdown for Riverview (Riverview) while rushing for 64 yards on four carries and adding four receptions for 48 yards, but the Sharks defense did collected one interception and forced three fumbles with three sacks in the losing effort. … Riverview (Sarasota) controlled the contest from the opening quarter, building a commanding lead while limiting the Rams to seven points in the decisive victory.

GOLDEN GATE 29, ISLAND COAST 6

Junior quarterback Timothy Stauffer accounted for two touchdowns and 83 total yards while junior Mikenson Demezier rushed for 108 yards and one score as visiting Golden Gate (1-1) defeated Island Coast (0-2) in Friday’s matchup. … Stauffer completed one of four passes for 48 yards and one touchdown while adding 35 rushing yards and another score to lead the Titans past the Gators. … Sophomore Gam Tanis hauled in the lone reception for 48 yards and one touchdown to contribute to the offensive attack. … Golden Gate’s defense dominated the contest, with freshman Josiah Senecharles recording two sacks and sophomore Reid Pharisien intercepting one pass. … The Titans controlled both lines of scrimmage, accumulating 292 total yards while limiting Island Coast to six points in the road victory over their Southwest Florida opponents.

VENICE AT MIAMI NORTHWESTERN – CANCELED

Thunderstorms forced the cancellation of Friday’s matchup between Venice (0-1) and Miami Northwestern (0-1), ranked No. 3 in the Florida Power Rankings Index, at Traz Powell Stadium with no makeup date currently scheduled. Northwestern will face Miami Carol City on Thursday, while Venice is set to host Bishop Verot in their next scheduled contests.