Don't look now but the start of high school football season is rapidly approaching. Football practices across the state begin Monday with the preseason classics set for about two weeks later.
With that in mind,The Herald-Tribunecompiled a list of what we think will be the best showdowns in Southwest Florida for the 2024 season. There's at least one game highlighted for every week of the regular season (and threw in some secondary options).
Here's an early look at this fall's can't-miss matchups.
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Week 1 (Aug. 23)
Cardinal Mooney at Sarasota
The defending state champion Cougars begin their attempt for a repeat with a game at Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field. It is the first game for Sailors coach Anthony “Amp” Campbell. It is the second meeting between the teams in the past two seasons. Cardinal Mooney won last year’s contest, 31-21, with QB Devin Mignery rushing for a touchdown and throwing for a score to WR Chris McCorkle.
Also: Tampa Bay Tech at Venice
Week 2 (Aug. 30)
Miami Northwestern at Venice
After making the long trip to Miami’s famed Traz Powell Stadium last year for a matchup with the Bulls, defending state runner-up Venice will entertain the perennial state power at Powell-Davis Stadium. Last year’s game on a late Saturday afternoon was an offensive showcase, as Venice used a 28-point third quarter to come away with a 63-46 victory. Northwestern won the first meeting between the teams in 2022, taking a 32-26 decision in Venice.
Also: Southeast at Manatee
Week 3 (Sept. 6)
Venice at Bishop Verot
While every Venice High football game could make the week’s top game, Coach John Peaco*ck’s and defensive coordinator Larry Shannon’s defense will be put to the test by Vikings’ quarterback Carter Smith, a University of Michigan commit. Considered Southwest Florida’s top football player, Smith passed for 2,223 yards and 29 touchdowns with four interceptions a year ago and rushed for 715 yards and 19 scores on the ground.
Also: Braden River at Lakewood Ranch; Manatee at Lowndes (Georgia); Saint Stephen’s Episcopal at Out-of-Door Academy
Week 4 (Sept. 13)
Venice at Port Charlotte
This is a matchup that has been in the works for years and finally will come to fruition. The teams have not played since 2014 when freshman quarterback Bryce Carpenter went 9-for-9 for 91 yards in a 35-6 Venice victory. Venice has won all seven meetings with the Pirates dating back to 2004. The closest contest was a 24-point Venice decision 31-7 in 2006. With talent on both sides of the ball Port Charlotte should keep this one closer.
Week 5 (Sept. 20)
Booker at Riverview
Pending appeal, this will be Tornadoes coach Scottie Littles’ first game on the sidelines this season after serving his six-game suspension for illegal contact with student/athletes from another school. The teams have not played since 2018 when the Rams posted a 41-6 victory. Riverview has a three-game winning streak against Booker after the Tornadoes took the previous three games. The Rams own an 11-4 mark against Booker dating back to 2004.
Also: Bishop Verot at Cardinal Mooney; Cocoa at Venice
Week 6 (Sept. 27)
Riverview at Sarasota
To say the Rams have dominated the Sailors in this city matchup would be an understatement. Riverview has won 13 straight games against Sarasota dating back to 2012, including a pair of victories three weeks apart in 2022. The Sailors’ most recent win against the Rams came in 2011, a 36-0 whitewash. Last year running backs Isiah Belt rushed for 179 yards and three scores and DJ Johnson gained 140 yards and scored once in a 48-6 Riverview win. Both return this year. Despite the lopsidedness of the series, a large crowd usually shows up for the matchup.
Week 7 (Oct. 4)
IMG Academy National at Venice
Like most teams, Venice has not had much success against the Ascenders’ National team. Venice is 0-3 and has been outscored 133-32. The teams first played in 2017 and the most recent meeting came in 2020, two seasons IMG Academy National went undefeated. Venice is 0-3 against only one other team: Seffner Armwood.
Also: Braden River at Palmetto
Week 8 (Oct. 10-11)
Venice at Riverview
The game that likely will decide the Class 7A-District 8 champion, Venice has won the past seven and 18 of the last 19 meetings with the Rams. Six of the wins came in the past three years, as Venice defeated the Rams during both the regular season and in a playoff game. Riverview’s lone win came in 2019, a 24-21 victory at Powell-Davis Stadium on a fourth-quarter field goal.
Week 9 (Oct. 18)
Cardinal Mooney at Riverview
One of the Cougars’ two losses during their state championship season a year ago was a 35-7 home setback to the Rams, who broke a 7-all halftime tie with 28 unanswered points in the second half, 21 in the fourth quarter. In the only other meeting between the teams in 2023, Cardinal Mooney pulled out a 14-7 victory over Riverview at the Ram Bowl.
Also: Palmetto at Manatee
Week 10 (Oct. 25)
Lakewood Ranch at Parrish Community
This will be the first meeting between the neighboring schools which now are district foes. Both teams qualified for the playoffs by receiving at-large bids a year ago. For the Bulls, it was the first time in the third full season of the program. For the Mustangs, it was their first appearance since opting in during the 2020 COVID season and qualifying for the first time since 2011.
Week 11 (Nov. 1)
Manatee at Riverview
Although the Hurricanes own a 10-8 lead in the series with the Rams dating back to 2004, Riverview has won the past six meetings, including two last season and two in 2018. Manatee’s most recent victory in the series came in 2015 when the John Booth-coached Hurricanes won 56-14 on the strength of a 42-point first half at the Ram Bowl. Before the Rams’ current streak, Manatee won the previous 10 meetings dating back to 2006.
