Fearless Fridays Week 6: Venice, ODA Stay Unbeaten as Cardinal Mooney, Riverview Roll
Sarasota-Manatee High School Football Scores, Records, Rankings and Player Highlights
Games played Sept. 24–25, 2026
Week 6 delivered a full slate of statement performances across Sarasota and Manatee counties. Venice and Out-of-Door Academy remained unbeaten, Cardinal Mooney and Riverview Sarasota posted dominant district victories, and Manatee earned a hard-fought road win over Sumner.
The biggest local individual efforts included Cardinal Mooney running back Connail Jackson’s five-touchdown night, Venice standout Dorien “Macho” Irving-Jones’ 208 rushing yards and three touchdowns, Sarasota quarterback Hudson West’s 420 passing yards and four touchdown passes, and Out-of-Door Academy quarterback Jaxon Lawhun’s three-touchdown performance.
Week 6 Area Scoreboard
| Team | Opponent | Final Score | Result | Record After Week 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayshore | Wellen Park | 26–38 | Lost | 3–3 |
| Booker | — | No game | Varsity season canceled | — |
| Bradenton Christian | Sports Leadership & Management | 24–28 | Lost | 5–2 |
| Braden River | Cardinal Mooney | 7–62 | Lost | 4–1 |
| Cardinal Mooney | Braden River | 62–7 | Won | 4–1 |
| Classical Academy of Sarasota | Ave Maria | 20–6 | Won | 3–2 |
| Lakewood Ranch | North Port | 21–33 | Lost | 2–4 |
| Manatee | Sumner | 30–27 | Won | 4–2 |
| North Port | Lakewood Ranch | 33–21 | Won | 2–4 |
| Out-of-Door Academy | IMG Academy State | 46–7 | Won | 6–0 |
| Palmetto | Parrish Community | 52–0 | Won | 5–1 |
| Parrish Community | Palmetto | 0–52 | Lost | 0–6 |
| Riverview Sarasota | Lehigh | 71–8 | Won | 5–1 |
| Saint Stephen’s Episcopal | Marco Island Academy | 62–0 | Won | 5–2 |
| Sarasota | Venice | 33–57 | Lost | 4–2 |
| Sarasota Christian | Northside Christian | 21–41 | Lost | 4–3 |
| Southeast | Gadsden County | 33–56 | Lost | 0–5 |
| Venice | Sarasota | 57–33 | Won | 6–0 |
| Wellen Park | Bayshore | 38–26 | Won | 4–1 |
Scores and records were compiled from MaxPreps, Florida Gridiron Preps, Florida Prep Football and local Week 6 reporting.
Week 6 Highlights
Venice 57, Sarasota 33
Venice remained unbeaten and moved to 6–0 with a 57–33 district victory over Sarasota. Senior running back Dorien “Macho” Irving-Jones rushed for 208 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns as the Indians continued to show why they are among Florida’s top programs. (ON3)
Sarasota quarterback Hudson West kept the Sailors competitive with 420 passing yards, 30 completions, and four touchdown passes. Sarasota fell to 4–2, but the offensive output showed the Sailors can create explosive plays against high-level competition.
Cardinal Mooney 62, Braden River 7
Cardinal Mooney made one of the loudest statements of the week, rolling past previously unbeaten Braden River, 62–7. Senior running back Connail Jackson accounted for 228 rushing yards and five touchdowns as the Cougars improved to 4–1.
The loss was Braden River’s first of the season, dropping the Pirates to 4–1. Cardinal Mooney entered the matchup ranked No. 7 in Florida by MaxPreps, while Braden River was listed at No. 257 statewide.
Riverview Sarasota 71, Lehigh 8
Riverview Sarasota continued its offensive surge with a 71–8 district victory over Lehigh. The Rams improved to 5–1 after scoring at least 46 points in each of their last three completed games.
The win followed Riverview’s dramatic 49–47 victory over Manatee in Week 5 and further strengthened the Rams’ position in the Class 6A district race.
Out-of-Door Academy 46, IMG Academy State 7
Out-of-Door Academy remained perfect at 6–0 with a 46–7 road win over IMG Academy State. Quarterback Jaxon Lawhun threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns, while sophomore receiver/defensive back Dominic Reddick had 83 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Senior Nathan Crews added two fumble recoveries.
The Thunder have outscored opponents 254–41 through six games, making ODA one of the area’s most consistent teams entering October.
Manatee 30, Sumner 27
Manatee earned one of the week’s most important close wins, edging Sumner 30–27 on the road. The Hurricanes improved to 4–2 and 1–0 in district play.
Manatee finished with 160 passing yards. Junior receiver Eli Christian caught four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, while senior receiver Deno Dalacas added three catches for 39 yards and a touchdown.
Palmetto 52, Parrish Community 0
Palmetto posted a 52–0 district shutout over Parrish Community to improve to 5–1. The Tigers have won five straight since their season-opening loss and now enter October with momentum in the Class 5A district race.
Parrish Community fell to 0–6 after the loss.
North Port 33, Lakewood Ranch 21
North Port earned a 33–21 district victory over Lakewood Ranch, improving to 2–4 and 1–1 in district play. Lakewood Ranch also stands at 2–4 after the loss.
The Bobcats’ win gives the program needed momentum heading into its next district matchup.
Saint Stephen’s Episcopal 62, Marco Island Academy 0
Saint Stephen’s Episcopal blanked Marco Island Academy, 62–0, for its second consecutive shutout victory. Quarterback Steven LeBlanc completed six passes for 258 yards and four touchdowns as the Falcons improved to 5–2.
Classical Academy of Sarasota 20, Ave Maria 6
Classical Academy of Sarasota earned a 20–6 road win over Ave Maria, improving to 3–2. The Patriots’ early statistical leaders include sophomore Max Cruz, averaging 94.5 rushing yards per game, and sophomore Cruz Seppala, who leads the team with four total touchdowns.
Sarasota Christian 21, Northside Christian 41
Sarasota Christian fell 41–21 to Northside Christian. Despite the loss, sophomore quarterback Tait Zeltwanger produced 406 total yards and four total touchdowns. Senior Noah Spenn caught five passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, while senior Peyton Gray recorded eight tackles.
Bradenton Christian 24, Sports Leadership & Management 28
Bradenton Christian fell just short in a 28–24 homecoming loss to Sports Leadership & Management. The Panthers moved to 5–2 but remain a highly ranked SSAA eight-man program.
Wellen Park 38, Bayshore 26
Wellen Park defeated Bayshore, 38–26, in a district matchup. The Eagles improved to 4–1, while Bayshore fell to 3–3 and 1–1 in district play.
Southeast 33, Gadsden County 56
Southeast dropped a 56–33 road decision to Gadsden County. The Seminoles entered the week seeking their first victory and are listed at 0–5 after the loss.
Week 6 Storylines
- Biggest area win: Riverview Sarasota over Lehigh, 71–8.
- Most points scored: Riverview Sarasota, 71 points.
- Largest shutout: Saint Stephen’s Episcopal over Marco Island Academy, 62–0.
- Top rushing performance: Connail Jackson of Cardinal Mooney, 228 yards and five touchdowns.
- Top passing performance: Hudson West of Sarasota, 420 yards and four touchdown passes.
- Closest major area result: Manatee 30, Sumner 27.
- Unbeaten area teams: Venice, 6–0; Out-of-Door Academy, 6–0.
- District race to watch: Venice, Riverview Sarasota, Sarasota, North Port and Lakewood Ranch remain part of a competitive Class 6A district picture.
Week 6 Rankings Snapshot
Rankings below are MaxPreps computer rankings updated through Sept. 27, 2026. They are not official FHSAA standings. MaxPreps updates its rankings twice weekly, and placements can change as scores, schedules, and results are entered.
| Team | Record | Florida / Division Ranking | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinal Mooney | 4–1 | No. 7 in Florida | No. 83 |
| Venice | 6–0 | No. 12 in Florida | No. 42 |
| Manatee | 4–2 | No. 43 in Florida; No. 10 in Class 5A | — |
| Out-of-Door Academy | 6–0 | No. 137 in Florida | — |
| Sarasota | 4–2 | No. 206 in Florida; No. 40 in Class 6A | — |
| Braden River | 4–1 | No. 257 in Florida | — |
| Saint Stephen’s Episcopal | 5–2 | No. 302 in Florida; No. 15 in SSAA | — |
| Bayshore | 3–3 | No. 340 in Florida | — |
| North Port | 2–4 | No. 396 in Florida; No. 69 in Class 6A | — |
| Bradenton Christian | 5–2 | No. 3 in SSAA eight-man | No. 241 |
Cardinal Mooney, Venice, Manatee, Out-of-Door Academy, Sarasota, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal, Bayshore, North Port and Bradenton Christian ranking data reflect their latest available MaxPreps team pages.
Tempo News Area Top 12 After Week 6
Rankings and records reviewed as of September 29, 2026, using results from games played September 24–25, 2026. MaxPreps ranking pages were reviewed September 27–28, 2026. The Source column identifies the primary reference used for each row.
| Area Rank | Team | Record | MaxPreps Florida Rank | Classification Rank | National Rank | Week 6 Result | Movement | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IMG Academy Ascenders* | 5–0 | Not directly comparable | Not directly comparable | Not directly comparable | Defeated Legacy School of Sport Sciences, 56–7 | Unchanged | Tempo News editorial file; independent national program |
| 2 | Venice Indians | 6–0 | No. 12 | No. 2, Class 6A | No. 42 | Defeated Sarasota, 57–33 | Unchanged | MaxPreps 2026–27 team rankings (MAXPREPS) |
| 3 | Riverview Sarasota Rams | 5–1 | No. 52 | No. 13, Class 6A | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Defeated Lehigh, 71–8 | Unchanged | MaxPreps 2026–27 team page (MAXPREPS) |
| 4 | Cardinal Mooney Cougars | 4–1 | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Defeated Braden River, 62–7 | Unchanged | Tempo News editorial ranking |
| 5 | Palmetto Tigers | 5–1 | No. 75 | No. 25, Class 5A | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Defeated Parrish Community, 52–0 | Unchanged | MaxPreps 2026–27 team listing (MAXPREPS) |
| 6 | Out-of-Door Academy Thunder* | 6–0 | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | No. 1, SSAA | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Defeated IMG Academy State, 46–7 | Up 2 | Tempo News editorial ranking; private-school program |
| 7 | Manatee Hurricanes | 4–2 | No. 53 | No. 12, Class 5A | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Defeated Sumner, 30–27 | Up 2 | MaxPreps 2026–27 team rankings (MAXPREPS) |
| 8 | Braden River Pirates | 4–1 | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Lost to Cardinal Mooney, 62–7 | Down 2 | Tempo News editorial ranking |
| 9 | Sarasota Sailors | 4–2 | No. 206 | No. 40, Class 6A | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Lost to Venice, 57–33 | Down 2 | MaxPreps 2026–27 team page (MAXPREPS) |
| 10 | Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Falcons* | 5–1 | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Not directly comparable | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Defeated Marco Island Academy, 62–0 | Up 1 | Tempo News editorial ranking; private-school program |
| 11 | Bradenton Christian Panthers* | 5–2 | No. 3, SSAA eight-man | No. 3, SSAA eight-man | No. 241 | Lost to Sports Leadership & Management, 28–24 | Up 1 | MaxPreps 2026–27 team page (MAXPREPS) |
| 12 | Wellen Park Wolverines* | 4–1 | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Not directly comparable | Not listed in reviewed snapshot | Defeated Bayshore, 38–26 | New | Tempo News editorial ranking; developing private-school program |
Week 6 results and the updated records for Venice, Sarasota, Manatee, Palmetto, Cardinal Mooney, Bradenton Christian and IMG Academy were confirmed through current team pages and game recaps.
Ranking Notes
- Not listed in reviewed snapshot means a team did not appear in the specific MaxPreps ranking category reviewed for this chart. It does not mean that the program is unranked across every MaxPreps category or local comparison.
- Not directly comparable applies primarily to independent, specialized, and private-school programs whose schedules or classifications do not align neatly with standard FHSAA public-school comparisons.
- IMG Academy remains marked with an asterisk because it operates as an independent national program. Its national-level schedule and recruiting profile should not be directly compared with a typical local FHSAA program.
- Out-of-Door Academy, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal, Bradenton Christian and Wellen Park are marked with an asterisk because their private-school or SSAA competitive structures make direct comparison with FHSAA public-school classifications imperfect.
- Venice’s current MaxPreps listing shows the Indians at No. 12 in Florida, No. 2 in Class 6A and No. 42 nationally after their 57–33 win over Sarasota. (MAXPREPS)
- Sarasota’s latest reviewed listing shows the Sailors at No. 206 in Florida and No. 40 in Class 6A. (MAXPREPS)
- Bradenton Christian’s current listing shows the Panthers at No. 3 in Florida’s SSAA eight-man ranking and No. 241 nationally. (MAXPREPS)
- The Area Rank and Movement columns remain Tempo News editorial judgments based on record, schedule strength, quality wins, recent performance, head-to-head context and overall program profile.
Ranking Source Note
Tempo News’ Area Top 12 is an editorial ranking. MaxPreps Florida, classification and national rankings are computer-generated comparison points reviewed September 27–28, 2026. Rankings may change as scores, corrections and team records are updated. Programs marked with an asterisk operate in an independent, private-school or specialized competitive setting and may not have directly comparable classification rankings.
Editorial rationale for Week 6 movement
- Out-of-Door Academy rises two spots after improving to 6–0 with a convincing 46–7 road win over IMG Academy State.
- Manatee rises two spots following a meaningful 30–27 district road win over Sumner.
- Braden River drops two spots after the 62–7 loss to Cardinal Mooney, though the Pirates remain a quality 4–1 team.
- Sarasota drops two spots after losing to unbeaten Venice, but the Sailors’ 33-point effort against a top Class 6A program keeps them in the Top 12.
- Saint Stephen’s Episcopal moves up after its 62–0 shutout of Marco Island Academy.
- Bradenton Christian remains in the rankings despite a close loss to Sports Leadership & Management; the Panthers’ 5–2 record and strong SSAA eight-man standing continue to support their placement.
- Wellen Park enters at No. 12 after improving to 4–1 with a 38–26 win over Bayshore.
- Sarasota Christian falls out of the Top 12 after moving to 4–3 with its Week 6 loss to Northside Christian.
