Prep Football Week 9 Capsules, Polls & Predictions

By  //  October 24, 2013

SPACECOASTDAILY.COM TEAM COVERAGE


ABOVE VIDEO: SpaceCoastDaily.com’s Matt O’Hern talks with Melbourne coach Todd Wilson after the Bulldogs knocked off Viera 21-10 in Space Coast prep football action last week. Melbourne takes on Martin County in Week 9 – see the capsule and prediction below.

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FNLR-435-090513EDITOR’S NOTE: Space Coast Area high schools enter Week 9 of the 2013 Football Season and SpaceCoastDaily.com’s incomparable team of experts offer their insight and prognostications below on this Friday’s games. SpaceCoastDaily.com’s team of prep football gurus includes recruiting expert Rae Kameka, Friday Night Locker Room’s Orville Susong, Steve Wilson and Anthony Nachreiner, and SpaceCoastDaily.com’s Matt O’Hern and Ron Lighthall.

WEEK 9 SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, OCT. 25 GAMES

FNLR-595-090513

Friday Night Locker Room – Mike Erdman Cadillac Nissan Games of the Week
FRIDAY NIGHT LOCKER ROOM GAME OF THE WEEK
ATLANTIC (3-4) @ COCOA (6-1) – WPIO 89.3/90.3 FM

FRIDAY NIGHT LOCKER ROOM GAME OF THE WEEK
VIERA (6-2) @ SPACE COAST (6-2) – WMEL AM 1300 

OTHER GAMES:

ASTRONAUT (2-6) @ SATELLITE (3-5)
BAYSIDE (7-1) @ OKEECHOBEE (1-6)
ORLANDO JONES (1-6) @ COCOA BEACH (0-7) 
EAU GALLIE (5-2) @ SEBASTIAN RIVER (2-5)
HERITAGE (7-0) @ SOUTH FORK (3-4)
FIRST ACADEMY (3-4)  @ HOLY TRINITY (5-2)
MELBOURNE (5-2) @ MARTIN COUNTY (2-5)
MICS (1-7) @ CORNERSTONE CHARTER ACADEMY (3-5)
ORANGEWOOD (3-4) @ MCC (7-0)
PALM BAY (5-2) @ MERRITT ISLAND (7-0)
TITUSVILLE (4-3) @ ROCKLEDGE (2-5)

HERITAGE @ SOUTH FORK
Heritage has outscored its last five opponents 228-17. The way Heritage is playing doesn’t bode well for South Fork who needs an upset win to stay alive in 6A District 14 playoff race. Heritage continues to dominate with its running game and swarming defense. This game should be much of the same as Heritage has one of the top Seniors in Brevard County in Dedric Witherspoon. Just too much talent to be stopped right now Heritage wins Big.

Prediction: Heritage 37, South Fork 7

Key Players Heritage: Clinton Moxam (Sr. QB), Josh Gaines (So. RB), Dedric Witherspoon (Sr. ATH)

ATLANTIC @ COCOA 
Last time these teams met Atlantic took a beating at home 42-0 in 2010. Chevelle Buie accounted for 257 all-purpose yards. Look for some of the same results as Lorrenzo Pratt will have another dominating performance for Cocoa. Atlantic runs a double wing offense and with Cocoa size and speed it doesn’t look good for the Sharks who are tied for 1st in the district with Cocoa. Look for a very lopsided game. Lorrenzo Pratt leads the County in rushing with over a 1000 yards.

Prediction: Cocoa 49, Atlantic 7

Key Players: Cocoa: Freddie Booth-Lloyd (Sr, DT, Tulane Commit), James Folston(Sr,ILB, Purdue,Minnesota Offers), Jamel Dean(Jr, DB Ohio State Offer), Chauncey Gardner (So,DB Miami Commit), Jamel Jackson(Sr,DB Temple Commit), Lane Burnett (Sr,DL), Tavares Parks (Sr,DL), Lor’renzo Pratt (Sr,RB), Bruce Judson(Fr,QB)

PALM BAY @ MERRITT ISLAND (UPSET ALERT)
This game might look like a college game to some. There will be DI and DII players all over the field. The stakes don’t get bigger than this in the 5A District race for top playoff seed. Sekai Lindsey and the Palm Bay Pirates have been running wild the past few weeks rushing for over 400 yards of offense. Merritt Island has a great run defense led by Boston College commit Ty Schwab. Something has to give and other players will have to step up and make a big play in this one. Look for Nick Smith to be a game-changer. If he can connect with his receivers and stay away from throwing towards Palm Bay’s senior defensive back Alex Jasmin (Eastern Illinois commit) Merritt Island will emerge victorious. Expect Palm Bay to stick to its running game and avoid throwing the ball much with Shaq “Island” Jones (DB South Alabama commit), John Batch (Sr. ATH) and P.J Kellem, (Sr,DB) guiding the Mustangs’ secondary.

Prediction: Palm Bay 17, Merritt Island 14

Key Players: Ty Schwab( Sr. LB Boston College Commit), Shaq Jones (Sr. ATH South Alabama Commit), Nick Smith(Sr,QB), Johnny Batch(Sr,DB), P.J Kellem (Sr. DB), John Batch(Sr. ATH)
Key Players Palm Bay: Stephon Williams(Jr. LB), Alex Jasmin(Sr. DB), Sekai Lindsey (Jr. RB), Reggie Benjamin(Sr. RB)

 Orangewood Christian MCC (UPSET ALERT)

Orangewood Christian has a 3-4 record but the Rams have been playing some good football the past few weeks, including a District win over First Academy, 41-35.

With a 1-1 record in the district and a close 21-14 loss to Holy Trinity, Orangwood Christian will need to upset MCC to stay in the playoff hunt. MCC, on the other hand, can wrap up a playoff spot with the victory. Look for Rams’ senior quarterback Curtis McWilliams to stretch the field with Cincinnati recruit Waynedriko Smith (Sr. ATH). Smith starred defensively at the IMG 7 on 7 National Championship this past summer and is having a great season. Look for lots of scoring and a possible upset.

Prediction: MCC 35, Orangewood Christian 31

Key Players MCC: Max Erdman(Jr. WR), Austin Perlman (Jr. WR), Brandon Ziarno (Jr. QB), Alec LeFlore (Sr.RB
Orangewood Christian: Waynedriko Smith(Sr.ATH), Curtis McWilliams(Sr. QB), Jimmy Martin(Jr. FB), Davis Harbin(Jr. MLB)

MELBOURNE @ MARTIN COUNTY
Martin County is coming off a loss to Sebastian River last week and need a win or they will be eliminated from playoff contention. Melbourne can look up a number one seed in the playoffs with a victory this week and next week vs Sebastian River. Look for Melbourne to dominate with its running game as they run away with this one. Chris Singh (So.RB) is the 8th leading rusher in the county.

Prediction: Melbourne 34, Martin County 13

Key Players Melbourne: Dwane Robinson(Sr. QB), Bryson Hill(Sr. RB), Chris Singh

EAU GALLIE @ SEBASTIAN RIVER
Sebastian River can cause havoc in the district with a upset win here but it doesnt look likely. If Eau Gallie wins and Melbourne wins they will ensure a playoff spot thus eliminating Viera from playoff contention. Eau Gallie will rely on its outstanding QB Torrance Brown. Look for Eau Gallie to win big in this one.

Prediction Eau Gallie 33, Sebastian River 14

Key Players Eau Gallie: Torrance Brown (Sr. QB),Antoine Rutledge (Sr. ATH)

VIERA @ SPACE COAST  (UPSET ALERT)
Both teams are coming off a loss and would like nothing more than to get back to a winning streak. A win here will build momentum going into final district game that could decide the final playoff spot. Nick Rittenhouse who is having his best season,and leading the County in passing , will need to hit on all cylinders against a tough Viera defense. Cody Dentmon will have to avoid the rush of Ellijah Milledge to find his receivers down field. Look for Hawks to outscore the potent Vipers in a shoot-out.

Prediction: Viera 32, Space Coast 28

Key Players Viera: Tre Nixon (So. WR), Devin Nixon (Jr. ATH), Cody Dentmon (Sr. QB), Zack Blanch(So,RB)
Space Coast: Nick Rittenhouse (Sr. QB), Chase Colantino (Sr,WR), Ellijah Milledge (Jr,DL), Alec Dansereau (Jr,WR)

BAYSIDE @ OKEECHOBEE
Bayside can look up a playoff spot with the victory and set a match up with Heritage to decide 1st and 2nd place in the district. Okeechobee has only 1 win on the season and still finding it hard to score. Look for William Harrell to run wild as he is the 7th leading rusher in the County with 615 yards. Bayside wins big in this one as they tune up for the rivalry match up next week vs Heritage.

Prediction: Bayside 38, Okeechobee 0

Key Players Bayside: William Harrell (Sr.RB), Lucious McKay (Sr.ATH), Greg Miclisse (Sr. LB)

RAE’S TOP 10

PREP-FOOTBALL-BROADCASTERS-180 1. Heritage 2. Cocoa 3. Merritt Island 4. MCC 5. Palm Bay 6. Space Coast 7. Eau Gallie 8. Space Coast 9. Bayside 10. Viera

ANTHONY’S TOP 5

1. Cocoa 2. Heritage 3. Merritt Island 4. Palm Bay 5. Melbourne

STEVE’S TOP 5

1. Heritage 2. Cocoa 3. Palm Bay  4.Merritt Island 5. MCC

ORVILLE’S TOP 5

1. Cocoa 2. Heritage 3. Merritt Island 4. Palm Bay 5. MCC

MATT’S TOP 5

1. Cocoa 2.Heritage 3. Merritt Island 4. Palm Bay 5. Melbourne