Tampa Bay Tech vs. Wharton
Two of Class 3M’s top teams collide Friday night as Tampa Bay Tech puts its 7-0 record on the line against a red-hot Wharton team that has won five straight. Both teams have very strong defenses; this Florida high school Week 8 game, however, will likely come down to whether the Wildcats’ defense can slow down a Titans offense led by running back Roderick Gainey Jr. that is averaging 42.1 points per game.
Prediction: Tampa Bay Tech 30, Wharton 20
Booker T. Washington vs. Miami Northwestern
Two of Miami’s best will face off Saturday night as Booker T. Washington takes on Miami Northwestern in a Class 2M-District 14 matchup. Coming off back-to-back losses, as well as having lost three of their last four, the Bulls will certainly be looking to get back on track, but it won’t be easy by any means against a Tornadoes team that has won four straight.
Prediction: Booker T. Washington 28, Miami Northwestern 27
Trinity Christian vs. University Christian
This Class 1M-District 1 matchup features not only two of the top teams from the Jacksonville area, but also two teams who are unbeaten to this point. The Conquerors, who are led by the backfield trio of Colin Hurley, Treyaun Webb, and Darnell Rogers, have not lost since November of 2021, but they will certainly have their work cut out for them against a University Christian team that has outscored opponents 303-54 this season.
Prediction: Trinity Christian 30, University Christian 24
Ocoee vs. Edgewater
Coming off arguably their biggest win of the season over Winter Park, Ocoee is set for yet another tough Florida high school challenge in Week 8 this Friday night as the Knights host an Edgewater team that entered the week undefeated at 6-0. The Knights are red-hot at the moment, having won five in a row, but that streak will be put to the test against the Eagles, who are one of Class 3M’s best and are led by one of the state’s top running backs, senior Cedric Baxter Jr.
Prediction: Edgewater 30, Ocoee 20
Union County vs. Hawthorne
Two of Class 1R’s best will collide Friday night as Hawthorne travels to Union County, putting its undefeated 5-0 record on the line against the Fightin’ Tigers in the process. The Hornets, who are ranked No. 10 in our latest Classes 1-2 Top 25 rankings, are a perfect 3-0 in road contests. They’ll be challenged by a 4-1 Union County team whose lone loss came in late August on the road to University Christian.
Prediction: Hawthorne 20, Union County 17
Creekside vs. Bartram Trail
Round out our Florida Pick-6 segment in Florida high school Week 8 action is a look at this Class 4S-District 3 matchup between Creekside and Bartram Trail. The Bears come into the contest undefeated at 6-0 and have owned this head-to-head matchup in recent years; the Knights (5-1 overall) last defeated Bartram Trail in 2014.
Prediction: Bartram Trail 28, Creekside 24
