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The Top 10 Friday night games on the Florida high school football Week 7 slate

With mostly the entire state back in action this Friday, we picked out the top 10 games of the night

This Week 7 Friday night slate of games is so good, we don’t really need to say a whole ton when it comes down to most of them. The Miami Central Rockets taking on Miami Northwestern at Traz Powell Stadium should be an electric atmosphere as always. St. Thomas Aquinas will be challenged when they face a talented Dilliard squad and the battle of undefeated’s in the panhandle should be a packed house in Pensacola. We picked out the Top 10 games on Friday night and take a look and comment your thoughts if there’s a game we missed.

Plantation American Heritage running back Mark Fletcher heads in with 862 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Plantation American Heritage running back Mark Fletcher heads in with 862 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Miami Central (5-0) at Miami Northwestern (3-2): This one has always been the go-to-game when it comes to Miami and Traz Powell Stadium. Former Northwestern grad/Miami Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has already sided with his alma mater Bulls in this matchup, but the Rockets have been arguably the state’s best team behind quarterback Keyon Jenkins. Miami Northwestern counters with signal caller Taron Dickens, who has thrown for 1,159 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Cocoa (2-2) at Sanford Seminole (4-1): After two losses to start off the season, Cocoa has started to look like themselves the last two games with blowout wins over Space Coast and Melbourne. Tigers quarterback Blake Boda has thrown for 1,337 yards and 15 touchdowns through four games. He will be rivaled by Sanford Seminole’s Luke Rucker, who has thrown for 1,050 yards and 10 touchdowns. Should make for a lot of passing in this one.

St. Thomas Aquinas (5-0) at Dillard (2-2): This game had a lot more intrigue at the beginning of the season, but a couple losses by the Panthers have the Raiders looking more like the prohibitive favorite. The Raiders have received good play from their backfield in running back Jordan Lyle (400 yards) and Jordan Clemons (175 yards).

Columbus (6-0) at Homestead (6-0): The matchup between the Explorers and Broncos could end up being the best one down in south Florida. Both teams come in undefeated and Columbus has been hit behind the passing of quarterback Alberto Mendoza, who has thrown for 1,103 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Niceville (6-0) at Pine Forest (6-0): Without a doubt this game is the best one out in the panhandle on Friday night. These two teams have been on a proverbial collision course since the season began and for good reason. Pine Forest will look to lean on quarterback Tierra Wilson to kickstart the offense while Harrison Orr has been clutch for Niceville. Standing room only over at Lon R. Wise Stadium expected for this one.

RELATED: Pine Forest, Niceville on a collision course in battle of undefeated’s tomorrow night

Fleming Island (3-1) at Bartram Trail (5-0): The Bears have a series of tough matchups down the stretch of the season that will test their undefeated record. This will be one of them when they face Fleming Island. Running back Layton Biddle has been to go-to-guy in the offense for Bartram Trail with 563 yards and 10 touchdowns. Fleming Island’s Sam Singleton has rushed for 411 yards this season so far.

Barron Collier (4-0) at Naples (3-1): It’s been an incredible cleanup and recovery effort down in Collier County in order for schools to get back up and running. Playing high school football was absolutely on the back burner, but the community has made it happen. This will be the top game down in a southwest Florida region that was hit hard by Hurricane Ian.

St. John Paul II (4-0) at Wakulla (5-1): The video game-type numbers Wakulla quarterback Haden Klees has been putting up have been impressive. The junior has thrown for 1,538 yards and 15 touchdowns so far. War Eagles’ linebacker Tanner Lanier has been everywhere on defense, notching 71 tackles. St. John Paul II counters with a backfield that features three backs who have rushed for over 200 yards.

Western (3-1) at Plantation American Heritage (5-1): Will it be the Brandon Inniss show for the Patriots again? He did so against Cardinal Gibbons and Western could be in for a long night versus the ultra talented American Heritage group. Mike Smith has the dudes over at Plantation, with Mark Fletcher at running back and freshman phenomenal Malachi Toney at receiver next to Inniss.

Wildwood (4-1) at Chiefland (4-0): You like small town football? This would be the game to go to. Plenty of talent and the best 1A-Rural contest in the state. The Wildcats’ lone loss was to a really good South Sumter group. James Corbin’s Indians pack a punch behind the play of Dakota Fisher and Michael Tovine.

RELATED: Chiefland prepares for physical Class 1A-Rural matchup with Wildwood on Friday night

Other top games on Friday night 10-7-2022

Clearwater Central Catholic (4-1) at Jesuit (3-2)

Marathon (3-2) at Coral Shores (5-1)

Eau Gallie (5-1) at Flagler Palm Coast (4-2)

Lake Highland Prep (4-0) at Windermere Prep (4-1)

Seminole (3-3) at St. Petersburg (4-1)

University (3-2) at Mainland (3-1)

North Marion (4-2) at Vanguard (3-2)

Rockledge (4-1) at Carrollwood Day (3-1)

Northview (5-0) at Blountstown (4-2)

Wharton (4-1) at Newsome (4-1)

Calvary Christian (4-1) at Trinity Catholic (3-2)

Northside Christian (4-0) at Seffner Christian (3-2)

The Villages (2-2) at Mitchell (3-3)

Westminster Academy (4-0) at Bishop Snyder (4-1)

George Jenkins (3-1) at Frostproof (4-1)

Stranahan (3-2) at Martin County (4-2)

Monarch (5-1) at McArthur (3-2)

Boca Raton (4-2) at Palm Beach Central (4-1)

Clearwater Academy International (4-0) at Madison County (2-3)

Wellington (3-2) at Vero Beach (6-0)

Palm Bay (4-1) at Melbourne (3-2)

North Broward Prep (3-2) at Saint Andrew’s (4-1)

Coconut Creek (2-3) at Fort Lauderdale (4-1)

Gulf (4-2) at Tarpon Springs (2-4)

Auburndale (2-1) at Pasco (5-0)

Atlantic (3-2) at Pahokee (4-2)

Fletcher (4-2) at Ed White (4-1)

Father Lopez (3-2) at Faith Christian (3-2)

Baker (4-2) at Jay (3-2)

Munroe (3-2) at FSU High (5-0)

Lecanto (3-2) at Crystal River (3-3)

Rocky Bayou Christian (4-2) at Aucilla Christian (3-2)

Alonso (5-1) at Riverview (3-2)

South Sumter (6-0) at Zephyrhills (3-2)

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.