The Bishop Verot (Fort Myers, FL) varsity football team will host Lakewood (St. Petersburg, FL) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Bishop Verot High School. This game is part of the 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 2A FHSAA Football tournament.

Lakewood vs Bishop Verot High School Football Game Info:

What: Florida High School Football
Who: Lakewood vs Bishop Verot
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:30pm.
Bracket: 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 2A FHSAA Football
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Lakewood vs Bishop Verot

The Bishop Verot (Fort Myers, FL) varsity football team will face off against Lakewood (St. Petersburg, FL) in an exciting 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 2A playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Bishop Verot High School. This game marks a pivotal moment for both teams as they aim to continue their playoff journey.

Team Records and Rankings

• Lakewood comes into the game with a 6-5 overall record, finishing 1-1 in district play. The team has struggled at times on the road, posting a 3-2 record away from home. Their offense has averaged 22.3 points per game this season, with standout performances from key players like Tayshawn Bell, who has averaged 83.7 rushing yards per game, and Ayden Wallace, who leads the passing game with 160.1 yards per contest.
• Bishop Verot, on the other hand, boasts an 8-3 overall record and an undefeated 2-0 district record. The team has been dominant at home, with a 5-2 record away from their home field. They have been explosive on offense, scoring an average of 38.1 points per game, led by Deshon Jenkins Jr., who is averaging 136.4 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Carter Smith has been a key contributor, with 146.1 passing yards per game, while Ayden Gonzalez has made a major impact in the receiving game.

Team Scoring and Stat Comparisons

• Lakewood has scored an average of 22.3 points per game this season, while Bishop Verot has averaged a much higher 38.1 points per game. The teams’ offensive strengths contrast, with Lakewood relying heavily on the running game (198.6 rushing yards per game), while Bishop Verot has a more balanced attack, totaling 244.0 rushing yards and 160.8 passing yards per game.
• Both teams have strong defenses, with Bishop Verot leading the way in tackles per game (73.3), compared to Lakewood’s 40.8 tackles per game. The Bishop Verot defense has been stifling all season, only allowing 289 points through 11 games, while Lakewood has allowed 218 points.

Key Players to Watch

• Lakewood will look to Tayshawn Bell to lead the offense on the ground, as well as Ayden Wallace, who is responsible for moving the ball through the air. On defense, Lexander Coleman-Tunsil will be crucial in stopping Bishop Verot’s explosive offense.
• For Bishop Verot, expect Deshon Jenkins Jr. to be a game-changer in the running game, while Carter Smith will be critical in leading the passing attack. Jj Bolz and Dwyer Camron will play key roles on defense to stop Lakewood’s offensive threats.

Common Opponents

Both teams have had similar experiences with common opponents this season. They each posted a 2-1 record against teams they both faced:

• Lakewood lost to Cardinal Mooney, while Bishop Verot also fell to them but by a larger margin.
• Both teams beat Tarpon Springs and Glades Central.

The Road Ahead

Bishop Verot enters the game as the higher-seeded team, with their undefeated district record and home-field advantage. However, Lakewood has shown they are capable of upsets and will not back down easily. Both teams will need to bring their best football to this crucial playoff matchup.

The stakes are high as the Lakewood and Bishop Verot football teams look to advance in the 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 2A tournament. Fans are in for an exciting game as these two teams battle it out for a chance to continue their championship pursuit.