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Game balls: Sarasota, Manatee high school football top Week 3 performers

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It was another eventful week of high school football with many teams playing crosstown rivals in Week 3.

Braden River overcame Lakewood Ranch, earning its first 3-0 start since 2021. Palmetto outlasted Riverview as the Rams worked to overcome a 21-point deficit. And Venice won in overtime against powerhouse and rival Lakeland.

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And since individual performances can get lost in the final scores, the Herald-Tribune is honoring the top performances each week.

Here are the 10 standouts from Week 3:

Wellen Park High School held its inaugural football game on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 by hosting the North Port Bobcats. The Eagles won 45-7. Curtis Bowdre (18) hauls in a pass.

Wellen Park High School held its inaugural football game on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 by hosting the North Port Bobcats. The Eagles won 45-7. Curtis Bowdre (18) hauls in a pass.

Curtis Bowdre, Wellen Park

Bowdre had five catches for 114 yards and two scores in Wellen Park’s 40-0 win over DeSoto.

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Braden River vs. Lakewood Ranch high school football game photo gallery

Braden River beat Lakewood Ranch 39-28 in a high school football game played in Bradenton on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. With nothing but open field in front of him, the Mustangs’ Eldrick Berry (4) finishes off a long touchdown run.

(Stephen McKay/Special to the Herald-Tribune)

Louisen Desinor, Braden River

The quarterback finished with one touchdown, passing for 117 yards and running for 97 more in a 39-28 win over Lakewood Ranch.

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Palmetto holds off Riverview at home

Riverview defensive back Casey Izquierdo (#12) breaks up a pass intened for Palmetto wide receiver Jok Harris (#1). The Palmetto High School Tigers hosted the Riverview High School Rams on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2026.

(Mike Lang / Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

Matthew Hennesey, Palmetto

The quarterback finished 10-of-14 with 280 yards and four touchdowns in Palmetto’s 34-28 win over Riverview. In the first quarter, he threw for over 180 yards, connecting for 12, 47 and 75 yard touchdowns.

Cardinal Newman held off Cardinal Mooney for a 47-46 high school football win on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. Connail Jackson (34) of Cardinal Mooney eludes a would-be tackler.

Cardinal Newman held off Cardinal Mooney for a 47-46 high school football win on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. Connail Jackson (34) of Cardinal Mooney eludes a would-be tackler.

Connail Jackson, Cardinal Mooney

The senior running back scored five touchdowns, covering 195 yards on those carries alone in Mooney’s 56-34 win over True North.

Venice traveled to Georgia to open the 2026 high school football season and won the game over Rabun Gap-Nacoochee in overtime 42-40 on Friday, Aug. 21. Venice running back Dorien Irving-Jones scores a touchdown.

Venice traveled to Georgia to open the 2026 high school football season and won the game over Rabun Gap-Nacoochee in overtime 42-40 on Friday, Aug. 21. Venice running back Dorien Irving-Jones scores a touchdown.

Dorien Jones, Venice

Jones finished with 28 carries for 134 yards and three touchdowns — including the one in overtime that sealed the game — in Venice’s 35-25 win against powerhouse Lakeland on the road.

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Jaxon Lawhun, Out-of-Door Academy

Lawhun went 10-of-24 with 175 yards and three touchdown passes in ODA’s 28-0 win over Saint Stephen’s.

Palmetto wide receiver Nazir Pitchford (#3) is chased by Riverview safety Imari Thomas (#19). The Palmetto High School Tigers hosted the Riverview High School Rams on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2026.

Palmetto wide receiver Nazir Pitchford (#3) is chased by Riverview safety Imari Thomas (#19). The Palmetto High School Tigers hosted the Riverview High School Rams on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2026.

Nazir Pitchford, Palmetto

The three-star UNC commit had two receiving touchdowns, including 75-yard and 49-yard scores.

Kymani Reed, Venice

Reed had the game-sealing tip drill interception during Venice’s overtime 35-25 win over Lakeland.

Lakewood Ranch scored late to beat Bayshore 28-21 on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Bayshore receiver Camdon Stancil (7) leaps up to make a catch.

Lakewood Ranch scored late to beat Bayshore 28-21 on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Bayshore receiver Camdon Stancil (7) leaps up to make a catch.

Camdon Stancil, Bayshore

Stancil scored three touchdowns in three different ways during a 35-13 win over Parrish Community. He returned a punt 42 yards for a touchdown, ran 47 yards into the end zone and plowed two yards for a score.

Wellen Park High School held its inaugural football game on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 by hosting the North Port Bobcats. The Eagles won 45-7. Noah Wireman (8) rolls out while looking for a receiver

Wellen Park High School held its inaugural football game on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 by hosting the North Port Bobcats. The Eagles won 45-7. Noah Wireman (8) rolls out while looking for a receiver

Noah Wireman, Wellen Park

Wireman finished 10-of-14 with 198 yards and three touchdowns in Wellen Park’s 40-0 win over DeSoto.

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WEEK 3 RESULTS

Thursday, Sept. 3

Wellen Park 40, DeSoto County 0

Friday, Sept. 4

Bradenton Christian 39, Hernando Christian 0

Cardinal Mooney 56, True North Academy 34

Braden River 39, Lakewood Ranch 38

Manatee 41, SFA Academy 21

Out-of-Door Academy 28, Saint Stephen’s 0

Bayshore 35, Parrish Community 13

Palmetto 34, Riverview 28

Sarasota 42, Hudson 0

Sarasota Christian 37, Southwest Florida Christian 7

Charlotte 14, Southeast 10

Venice 32, Lakeland 25

Foundation 26, The Classical Academy of Sarasota 14

WEEK 4 SCHEDULE

Thursday, Sept. 10

Lehigh at Venice, 7:30 p.m.

Manatee at Lake Brantley, 7 p.m.

North Port at Sarasota, 7:30 p.m.

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Lakewood Ranch at Riverview, 7:30 p.m.

Wellen Park at Cardinal Mooney, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 11

Babcock at Saint Stephen’s, 7:30 p.m.

Cambridge Christian at Sarasota Christian, 7 p.m.

Donahue Academy at Bradenton Christian, 7 p.m.

Palmetto at IMG Junior National, 7 p.m. 

Palm Harbor at Parrish Community, 7 p.m.

Southeast at Bayshore, 7 p.m.

Shorecrest Prep at The Classical Academy of Sarasota, 7 p.m.

BYE: Out-of-Door Academy, Braden River

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Game balls: Sarasota, Manatee high school football top Week 3 performers

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