How has everything with the football season been going so far?

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How has everything with the football season been going so far?

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How has everything with the football season been going so far?

This is premium content. Please subscribe to view.

How has everything with the football season been going so far?

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Me and my old QB may make it tonight if I can get my car unstuck from the mud this afternoon. May try the Farmer's Market - let me know, meet me there and I'll buy you dinner! You can meet the first non-Lee County Football player to be News Press Player of the Year (Harold "Boo Boo" Weaver; QB / MLB, 1971).

SW FL is still scratching it's palm tree head as to how Ed Perez won it the year before in 1970 from a 2-8 Green Wave team while just up the Trail, the Tarpons 10-2 were a penalty short of the State Title game. We had one of the leading rushes in the state that year, and a guy who the FHSAA named one of the Top 100 players in Florida's History - who went to 3 Super Bowls with the Cowboys - only Rookie starter in X.

I’m going to Eau Gallie High School tonight to see the Eau Gallie Commodores take on the University Orange City Titans. Eau Gallie was an independent town that agreed to merge with Melbourne in 1969.

Anyhow, Eau Gallie is ranked #15 in Florida by MaxPreps. The Laz Index says the Commodores are a 10 point favorite. Both teams are undefeated.

For Gatorman and Silver King, I don’t know if either of you were into the psychedelic folk scene in your youth but singer-songwriter Tom Rapp from the band Pearls Before Swine lived in Eau Gallie. If you were a fan you may not remember them anyway.

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Something tells me I should not have included this video.

This game was an example of why I love high school football. $5 for parking and $6 ticket. The game was a classic ending in a Jones Tigers OT victory 34-28. The Osceola Kowboys jumped out to what looked like a commanding lead only to have Jones tie it up late in the 4th.

The game was tied at 24 all late in the 4th. There was still time for the Kowboys to drive down to the 5 yard like with the clock running. There was a problem though. They were out of timeouts. Osceola had earlier in the 4th quarter burned two timeouts without running a single play. They had the ball on Jones’ 47 yd line. It was 4th and a long 1. The Kowboys coaches called a timeout to ponder whether to punt or go for it. They lined up to run a play instead of punt. Guess what they were trying to do? The old get the defense to jump offsides play. Jones did not take the bait so Osceola called the another timeout which was their last. What now? They decide to go for it. They ran the ball that resulted in the chain crew to measure. The suspense was building with just about the whole crowd on their feet. It was short by a hair so the Jones Tigers took over the ball.

Now back to that last drive in regulation. Remember the Kowboys have the ball with around 20 seconds to go with no timeouts. Tie ballgame. They run the ball and are short of the goal line with the last seconds ticking away. They run to the line to run the next play. They spike the ball leaving 2 seconds on the clock so they can try the winning field goal. There’s another problem that turned out to be major. The spiked ball play was 4th down. Jones took possession and ran off the 2 seconds.

Osceola has school today. I can’t imagine what everyone is talking about.

Please visit www.lazindex.com for complete rankings and forecasts for all 568 Florida High School teams and 766 College teams

Riverview (1-3), is having a uncharacteristically bad year this season. much of it in my mind can be directly related to the amount of returning talent from last years 3rd round playoff team, playing somewhere else this season. The schedule this year is one that appears to illustrate a AD/Coach that felt the Riverview football team would be very competitive this year? Apparently that schedule was made before the talent drain had started, as the ony team Sarasota Riverview has beaten this season has lost games by 26. 42, and 47 points.

What prompted me to write about the talent drain at Riverview, is its most recent loss of talent to Sarasota Booker after the 2024 season started "DJ Johnson". Pre-season I had voted DJ as the best RB in the Sarasota/Manatee County area, primarily due to his ability to rub with authority between the tackles, as well as his ability to flash the kind of speed needed to break long runs. DJ ran for 1600 yards last season and for over 600 yards as a Soph all at Riverview, and now after the start of the 2024 season he transfered over to Sarasota Booker and will finish his HS football career there.

Im no expert of the transfer rules, but transfering mid season seems rather odd if not something requiring special circumstances for it to be considered and then subsequently allowed? In this case DJ apparently (Im guessing as a 17 year old), legally had custodial authority moved to his apparent biological father (who happens to live in the Booker school district)? So now DJ Johnson, a local talent has moved during a active season, to a team with a better chance of advancing come playoff time, who's coach that's already been the focus of a FHSAA investigation and then subsequently suspended for apparent tampering/recruiting violations. How long before transfers like this start happening mid game? Where there is a will, one is surely going to find a way!

What's going on at Sarasota Riverview that some its most talented kids are going else where to play this season and last? Last season saw Riverview's 5* DB transfer to Venice HS for his senior season, and this season has seen a Air Force commitment as well as its 6'5" 290lbs OT transfer over to Venice HS....maybe there were more, I havent looked all that far into it to be sure?

There's nothing nostalgic or wholesome about this era of HS football, operating under this format

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Please email me. I want discuss with you about getting you some medication you may need. I just receive an order of it.

Song writer for the Eagles, as well as performing with various other artist. This popped up just a day or two ago.
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Point of interest: Georgia also has a town named "Gainesville" in Hall county. Georgia's Gainesville High School is known as the "Red Elephants". They are undefeated and playing last year 7A semi-finalist Carrollton tonight....(who is also undefeated)

Last night at Manatee's JV game, at halftime a Bald Eagle decided to perch on a bank of stadium lights for several minutes. I lived on 11th Ave West just a block from Manatee and I dont recall ever seeing a Bald Eagle in Bradenton, you'd have to go out to Myakka to hopefully see one, so it was a odd sight for sure! I attempted to entertain a thought or two for a few seconds, of it potentially being a omen of some sort...........but eventually dismissed the thought.

Tonights game against Buchholz has Manatee a underdog by 8 according to the Lazindex forcast, and Calpreps 2024 has Manatee losing to Buchholz 34-19. I really Like Buchholz QB Trace Johnson, and have pushed him on the Gator message board I frequent. Most last year dismissed him because of his smaller size as a Soph. All he did last year was lead Buchholz to within a point of beating eventual state champ Lakeland in the semis. I watched him in a number of games last year and thought he excelled at operating at a high level of efficiency when under pressure. I've predicted the Gators will eventually offer Trace despite having Jesuit Will Griffin committed for 2026, it fact I believe he'll be a higher rated prospect than Griffin by the end of his senior year.

I believe tonights game will be dominated with defenses controlling alot of the game, but I believe Buchholz will do a better job at keeping Manatee's offense off the scoreboard, than Manatee will keeping Buchholz off the scoreboard. In fact I wouldn't be surprised to see Manatee's QB, being forced to the sidelines due to injury tonight. I see a 38 - 7 final score, in favor of Buchholz

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The buy out money has been raised in Gainesville.
And another fast car was reported on the Highways, of Athens, GA

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Great art work by whoever deveolped the above, but as a side note.....(The Lowndes area and southern part of the state is more noted for it peanut and cotton farms then its peaches......Peaches would be alittle bit further north in Georgia, and harvesting of peaches happens in July)


Neither team has seen good competition during the regular season, so this game will provide insight for both coaches, who both feel at this point of the season they have pretty good teams......but just arent real sure how good at this point?
Manatee's defense has a real nice front 7, as Manatee has added some pretty good pieces to it LB play via the transfer during the off-season. Manatee's DC has thus far decided to use his LB's through 2 games, to bring big time pressure from all over. Last time I saw Manatee employ this type of scheme/ and or defensive play, Manatee radio personality Chad Choate was Manatee's DC. Chad as I recall never had the level of talent with its front 7 as Manatee has this season however. I do feel the current Manatee DC has perhaps leaned a bit too much into this style of defensive pressure, will he continue to do this against Lowndes......Friday will be the reveal I guess? On offense, Manatee's young offensive line will be facing a senior dominated defensive unit. From a over-all skill player and over-all speed, this will be the best group pf players the Lowndes defense has faced thus far............Wondering to myself if coach Green schemes to help the youth of the Manatee offensive line, to allow Manatee to take advantage of its skilled players? Quick shout out for the play of Manatee's TE. The last few years, Manatee has had TE that were adept at catching the ball, but when it came to blocking not so much. This year's TE seems to be just as adept at cathing the ball with a added demension of above average speed, but my goodness what an improvement through 2 games I've seen from a blocking standpoint with this young man too! Its early yet but he could end up being some college's big time under the radar find by season's end! Lots of raw talent and room to grow size at 6'4" 215lbs.

If the Manatee coaching staff is up to the task, of putting its players in a good position to win.....this is the game, but as of right now Im going to give Lowndes the advantage from a coaching standpoint. Its a away game and this is the basically the same 4-6 Lowndes team last year, that beat semi-finalist 11-3 Fort Myers. Dunbar 31-7 in a mid season game. I going to take Lowndes over Manatee 38-17.

It was another humid but beautiful Florida football Friday night in Chiefland. Before the game I had grilled shrimp, real mashed potatoes, lima beans, homemade cinnamon cake and of course sweet tea at Bette’s Big T Restaurant on US 98. The locals and bikers had the restaurant filled to capacity with about 5O% going to the game afterward. I felt like taking a nap in the parking lot but proceeded to go inside the stadium instead.

Upon entering Chiefland’s Pridgeon Field I was immediately drawn to the modest Football State Champions sign on the concession stand. The Indians have won two championships(1961 & 1997). The ‘97 team was honored at halftime. Thirteen members were there that included Jarret Johnson who played at Alabama. He later was drafted in the 4th round by the Baltimore Ravens. He had an 11 year career in the NFL.

The game began by looking like it was going to be a shootout with 3 TD’s scored on the first 3 drives. Unfortunately Lafayette’s starting QB got banged up early while probably playing defense. He continued to play at receiver and corner but he was hobbling the rest of the night. Chiefland’s 6’1” junior QB, Matt Goodale, ran the offense with just the type of confidence and leadership you want in a QB. He is a good athlete but the best player on the field was Chiefland’s DE/RB by the name of Jonathan Adams. He is listed as a 6’2” 200 lb. junior. I could see him as an outside linebacker type in college and possibly a RB. He is very athletic with the type of deceptive speed where he doesn’t look like he is running at top speed but he is pulling away from everybody. As a defender he arrives with disciplined but hard knocking tackles. Adams’ has an offer from Louisville. He probably has others.

Lafayette has a good team with some talent to win a good many of their games. They were overmatched but showed a lot of heart to come back to make the score somewhat respectable. If the starting Hornets’ QB did not get hurt this could have been a game decided during the 4th quarter. It was the Hornets first loss and the Indians remain undefeated.

Now for something new I’ve never seen before. Chiefland was called for some sideline infractions. This prompted the groundskeeper to come out and repaint the line where the players and coaches must stay behind. He did this during play in the 2nd quarter. It kind of reminds me of the time the guy with the snow blower drove out to clear the area for the Buffalo Bills’ placekicker.

I didn't go to the game, kicking myself in the butt for not going even though I bought tickets. I thought it was going to rain looking at the radar and then I didn't sleep well at all last night and was just dog tired tonight.

Looked at maxpreps and see Hardee is up 40 to Avon Park's 7 in 3rd qrt. Would have been nice to see the game tonight. I will kick myself the rest of the week. Oh well, Hardee has a bye week and then plays Mulberry on 9/27. Hopefully by then all this rain Florida has been getting is gone...We have gotten way too much rain this past summer, way too much.

Found this on another site. This article is an example of why I still enjoy going to high school football games.

Apparently the new sod at Buchholz High’s Citizens Field is not taking root so the game is being moved to Santa Fe High stadium near Alachua. There was a strong criticism by Josh Wilson on his show The North Florida Blitz last night to have Alachua County spend the money to put down field turf for all the schools in the county. I doubt this change of venue will have any effect on the game.

PLEASE VISIT www.lazindex.com to see all Florida High School game predictions along with weekly forecasts and rankings for 750+ college teams.

The game was rained out last night and was played this morning at 9am.

Just two-three humble opinions, defense adjusted 2nd half from what I've was told. I did send a text to the DC telling him that a 60 front between the TEs/tackles would stop Lemon Bay dead cold. I left at half time because it was just too hot sitting there and no concession stand opened to get gator aide or water so I don't know if he received it or adjusted. I was told Hardee did shutdown LB second half.

Offense looks good except for QB, IMHO it appears he is having a hard time gripping the football on the passes, may want to get a glove, I know many QBs do this for this reason.
Now, if I were Hardee and I was in charge of the Offense, I would be running the VEER, plain and simple, you have big backs mainly that 44, he is a man beast, and 45 isn't that small neither, but 44 reminds me of Gilliard 2005.

Just by this game I believe Hardee may go 6-4, which is expected. I hope they prove me wrong.

As for Lemon Bay, I LOVED the MISDIRECTION game they run. It looks like the wishbone but without the option and they use misdirection like the Wing T does without all the pulling guards.


That is just my ANALYSIS.

Keep up the great work.

This was a game that could have and probably should have much closer than the final score indicated. The Manatee OL performed at times, like the young and inexperienced OL it is, other times just average at best. Just way too many plays at this point are being made by individual players to over come that poor play and it happen way too many times Friday night......Manatee is blessed to have so many talented skilled players to make that possible.

On defense the 80 Lowndes TD run it, really had me scrachting my head. Manatee lined up with a very tight front 4 on the DL, both DE's were lined up on OT's, the line backers were lined up inside the DE's, Lowndes lined up 3 wide to wide side of the field and ran what basically looked like a toss sweep to that wide side. Manatee had no one to the wide side except for the 3 DB's that were over for the 3 Lowndes WR's. To Lowndes credit the 3 WR's put blocks on all 3 Manatee DB's. Matelau the Manatee LB on that side for what ever reason took a step to the inside...(there was no fake to the inside, it was toss sweep the whole way), and basically that step inside prevented him from having any chance to provide run support to the outside or have a good pursuit angle. The Lowndes RB wasn't touched once on his way to the 80 yard TD run. The defense on that play and player positioning was perfect for the Lowndes toss sweep call, Matelau step inside as the play started just sealed the deal for the TD.......just seemed wrong that the DE's for Manatee wouldn't lined up on the outside shoulders of the Lowndes OT?

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The Lowndes 56 yard run for a TD, Manatee crashed the LB at the line of scrimmage..( something they've done with a very high frquency), but Lowndes had obviously schemed for it and pulled a OL to meet the LB and the back had clear sailing to to the endzone. I had felt before the game, Manatee was crashing the LB's way too much and against a better team they would scheme for it and it would catch up to Manatee.

This matchup is one of the better matchups in the state Friday night. The lazindex.com has Lakeland as a slight favorite(see Laz’s picks on the thread he posted on the board Wednesday). I will be interested to see if Lake Mary can stand up to Lakeland’s physical style of play. The Dreadnaughts will wear you out if you are not prepared for it. It usually takes an all out effort for 4 quarters to put Lakeland away. Lake Mary counters with Notre Dame commit Junior QB Noah Grubbs. Saw him play eventual 5A State Champion Daytona Mainland last year. Grubbs has a quick and easy throwing motion. Give him some time and he will carve you up.

I just spoke to Flavarsity legend Darterblue2 and he is definitely going to this game. Lake Mary super fan Laz probably won’t be able to make it but I’m sure he will be watching it on the internet. I plan to join Darter there.

Charles is 4 star DT who will be a senior in 2024 for the Port Charlotte Pirates. Has anyone seen him play? Looks like a really good prospect.

How can the defense be called for PEEL BACK or Blind Side Block? Never heard of such a thing ON DEFENSE!!