FLABOY941

Again...Privates have an unfair advantage when it comes to public schools period. STA and IMG are in the same boat imho. We might as let IMG compete in the FHSAA playoffs being that STA has about the same amount as Division 1 players as them.

I knew STA would have to play a bad game and Venice would have to play their best game in order to get the nod in this one being that they lost in 3OT to #1 team in the nation Bishop Gorman. I thought it would be a lot closer. I was totally wrong. It was a great season for both teams. STA will steamroll the winner of the other semifinal game being that Venice beat Plant earlier this year.

It's a slap on the wrist. The players will be playing tonight and not having a spring game doesn't impact anything if you still can have the spring practices.

Just be Frank about the situation, STA is just like Tampa Jesuit and other schools that can "openly" recruit in high school. They are stacked but beatable. It is what it is. I hope both teams escape the game with no serious injuries. Go Venice!

I'm looking forward to the game tonight.

The only prediction that I don't agree with is the 21 by Carol City over Charlotte. I think it will be a lot closer than that but I could be wrong. I am rooting for Charlotte but I think CC wins by 10 or less.

STA and Hallandale are nowhere near the same boat so I wouldn't dare use them as a comparison. Many teams recruit, even though it is illegal, don't be naive sir. Private schools have the ability to "openly" recruit due to them being a private school which gives them an unfair advantage in my opinion. Any team can lose if turnovers is involved but STA is like playing an IMG type of team. Venice is as good as advertised, and for the record, they are not my team. Being good as advertised, doesn't mean they have the athletes to compete with a stacked team. The point is that private schools have an unfair advantage being that they can openly recruit.

I think Venice has a team that can defeat STA but certain things are going to have to happen. Venice will have create turnovers, and get pressure on the Qb. If not, STA WRs will give Venice CBs a hard time. If STA and Venice both play their best game, STA will win by 14 points minimum. Hopefully, Venice can pull off an upset. I've always been against teams like STA that recruit players statewide to play HS football. They are too similar to IMG and I feel that they shouldn't be allowed to participate in the playoffs or they need to have a separate playoffs for private schools that recruit.

I've been hearing that the RB for Manatee, Josh Booker (transferred from Sarasota High), is transferring to Venice next year.

Dr. Phillips vs Riverview will be interesting. I'm leaning towards Riverview....Prediction: 28-24

I've seen Riverview play a couple times this year, against Manatee and Olympia. Riverview has 4 Division 1 defensive backs in their secondary and 2 are only juniors. They don't have much speed on offense, but they run a no huddle, fast pace offense with a nice downhill back, and they do it very efficiently. They are very disciplined and well coached. Riverview has a GOOD chance of beating Dr. Phillips this Friday.

I think Venice wins a close one. I will be at the Riverview/Dr. Philliips game.

Vero is a solid team but I don't think they are going to have an easy path to the state championship. I think Riverview will upset Dr. Phillips this week and beat Vero Beach on the road the following week.

I didn't expect Riverview HS to make the playoffs or win the district either. They beat Manatee for the first time since 2008 (somewhere along those lines) and finished 8-1 on the season. They play Olympia HS this Friday in the first round of playoffs.

I think Cardinal Mooney will get past MCC in the first round. I also think Manatee will lose their first round game to Dr. Phillips. Manatee's defense is awful, and their offense isn't too hot either. That program is on a downhill spiral. The freshman team hasn't one a game in 2 years. If they don't get a ton of transfers, they will be a average team in the next couple years.

Venice wins this one by 14. Braden River is good but nothing like last year's team. On the other hand, Venice is better this year than last year. Venice has played tougher schedule this year also. Both of these teams will make playoffs. The loser will beat Palmetto. I'm looking foward to seeing both of the RB's. LaRoche for Venice and Thomas for Braden River. It will be a great atmosphere tonight.

This is a simple case of "looking too deep into the name." This is ridiculous and shouldn't have been put in the daily newspaper. People are too sensitive these days.

IMG this year so far is not impressive. They are loaded but don't play like a loaded team. I think BTW beats them this year if they played, by a touchdown or FG.

Cocoa is a great team that beat another great team in Colquitt County but Bishop Gorman might a bit much for them. Cocoa is probably one of the best small schools in the country. They are going against an IMG type team and I think they get beat up pretty bad in this one.

Kudos to STA but Braden River played too conservative on defense. Those 3 down lineman created no pressure at all. Whether you believe it or not, Braden River could have won the game. I think we can just crown STA as champs at this point. I would have loved to see STA vs. IMG this year.

Good game but Braden River made to many mistakes, and gave up some big third downs defensively in the 1st half that led to STA touchdowns. Offensively, Braden River ball control, methodical drive type offense moved the ball well but they don't have the ability to score quickly so it's hard to come from behind. They were able to run the first half. Defensively, Braden River didn't put enough pressure on the QB. He had too much time to throw and that hurt Braden River. Turnovers hurt also. STA only scored 6 points in the second half. I was surprised that STA didn't have more of a run game. I forgot Harriot from University School was the coach. His OC is a spread em out pass happy type of coach. I remember when University Christian came down and played Manatee and Manatee ran it down their throat in the second half to come back and win. Univ Christian jumped out 21-0 and lost.

Being that the game is shown of TV, I'm sure that contributes to the low numbers also.

I think the game will go as follows...STA will come out and score within the first 2 drives. Everyone will say STA is going to blow them out. Braden River may answer with a field goal. STA will score again to make it 14-3 first quarter. Braden River settles down and scores before half to make it 14-10 STA. Braden River grinds it out on the ground and short passes down the field to make it 17-14 Braden River. STA answers with a score but gets it called back due to a penalty and everyone says the Refs are cheating. STA scores in the 4 quarter and Braden River answers with a score. Final score 24-21 Braden River is going to the 7A state championship.

I would give the advantage to STA in terms of skill positions but I would give Braden River the advantage when it comes to the line. I honestly cannot not see Braden River getting blew out if they were to lose. If I had to predict the score of the game I would say...........Braden River 24 STA 21.

Braden River had a RB by the name of Raymond Thomas who was injured about 2 games ago and is out for the season. He was a Manatee High School football transfer and fast as lightning.They also have another RB that is just as good. They are huge across the offensive and defensive line and have a top notch QB. Braden River will prove a lot of doubters wrong on Friday night.