A roundup of Sarasota and Manatee area high school football games played on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.
Riverview 62, Sarasota 34
Gabe Halperin knows about redemption. He felt it in about 15 minutes.
With under seven minutes left in the third quarter, the senior running back fumbled. Sarasota recovered it at Riverview's 34-yard line, and Sailor quarterback Hudson West capitalized on the opportunity, ending the drive with a 14-yard passing touchdown to receiver Evan Larrick. The score was tied at 34.
But Halperin also plays on defense. And the middle linebacker made up for the fumble by the end of the quarter. He not only picked off West, but he also returned it 70 yards to the Sarasota 10.
"I saw Hudson just looking right at my eyes," Halperin said. "It was basically telegraphical. I just caught the ball and took off."
It was the turning point in an otherwise close game. Running back Justin Flores ran it in, and the Sailors didn't score for the rest of the game. Riverview defeated Sarasota 62-34, marking its 15th straight win against the Sailors. Riverview (7-2) hasn't lost to its cross-town rival since 2011.
"It was super hype," Riverview quarterback Logan Carrillo said of Halperin's interception. "Everyone was trying to keep everyone on the sideline. It was amazing. Really a game-changing play. It was really cool to see how Gabe responded. He fumbled earlier in the possession, and he responded really well."
Carrillo finished with three passing touchdowns. Imari Thomas caught all three as Halperin emerged as the unlikely hero.
"Halperin's been exactly who we knew he was," head coach Mark Cristiani said. "He's stepped up these past two games. Tough, hard-nosed linebacker who filled in when we had a little bit of injury at running back. He answered the bell. He's exactly what this program is built, tough kids who work really hard, and try to take advantage of opportunities."
The two teams traded scores to open the game. Flores scored a 3-yard TD with 5:19 left in the first. Then, West completed an 8-yard pass to Larrick to tie. But Riverview scored three unanswered touchdowns. Carrillo connected with Imari Thomas on two touchdowns passes, including for more than 40 yards and 4 yards.
But led by West, Sarasota (6-3) inched within nine. At the Rams 17, West found Larrick for a 15 yards. Cameron Houston then ran up the middle for a 3-yard score.
Riverview led 27-19 at halftime.
In the third quarter, West found Larrick again for 34 yards. Then, receiver Jayden Rivers made the 2-point conversion to make it a one score game. But then came the fumble, and Halperin's salvation.
"I feel like the adversity in what I've been through during this season has really, really pushed me and made me who I am right now," Halperin said. "At the start of the season, I wasn't getting all the running back reps, but as soon as they needed me my name was called. I just made the most of my opportunity."
Riverview's offense continued to expose Sarasota's defense as Flores scored from 8 yards out. Kobran Waters found a way into the end zone at the 7-yard line. The Rams scored two more for insurance.
"Our physically was shown throughout the third and fourth quarters," Carrillo said. "And I think it took a toll on the Sarasota defense."
— Emma Moon
Palmetto 37, Sumner 0
PALMETTO — The Palmetto Tigers (7-1, 3-0) claimed the Class 5A-District 10 crown in fine fashion on Friday night in front of their hometown fans at Harllee Stadium.
The Tigers trounced the Sumner Stingrays, 37-0, to guarantee themselves at least one home playoff game as a district champion.
“We finally played a 4-quarter game,” Palmetto head coach Eric Sanders said. “We played a lot of complimentary football, offense, defense and special teams.”
Senior quarterback Matthew Hennessey and junior wide receiver Jok Harris hooked up for a 38-yard touchdown and 7-0 lead on Palmetto’s first possession. Hennessey was 9 of 13 through the air for 195 yards.
The Tigers wasted no time making it 14-0 later in the first stanza when senior Arturo Pierce recovered a high snap in the end zone on a Sumner (5-4, 1-2) punt attempt.
“We were fortunate to get on them early,” Sanders said. “We got the momentum going our way and we stayed steady and played good, solid fundamental football for all 4 quarters. I hope we can sustain this, because this is what it’s going to take to win in the playoffs.”
Palmetto’s Ashton Kelly scored on a 54-yard burst in the first minute of the third quarter for a commanding 30-0 lead. Senior Shane Partridge scored on a 2-yard run early in the 4th quarter for Palmetto.
Senior Maleek Lee collected 3 sacks to spearhead Palmetto’s tenacious defense. Jayson Dupree and Nazir Pitchford also intercepted passes for Palmetto.
“The defense played lights-out,” Sanders said. “It’s a credit to our defensive line up front. They have really been stepping up to the challenge. I’m super proud of these guys.”
It was also a big night for senior placekicker and punter Brandin Gallaway. The 6-4, 195-pound left-footer, nailed field goals of 46, 40 and 25 yards against the Stingrays.
Prior to the game, Palmetto High honored Gallaway for being selected to play in the Under Armour All-America game, scheduled for Jan. 3, 2027, in Orlando. Gallaway was selected for the game after being named the No. 1 punter at Kohl’s National Scholarship Camp last June in Gatlinburg, Tenn.
“It means a lot to me because I’ve been going to camps for a while, and that was the big one,” Gallaway said. “I won it. That was my goal for the camp.”
Gallaway, who has received 26 DI scholarship offers, has verbally committed to Clemson University.
— Jim Brockman
Cardinal Mooney 58, Palm Beach Central 36
Venice 62, North Port 8
Freshman quarterback Mason Polley finished 5-for-7 for 193 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Mike Blakely had two receptions for 129 yards and two scores. Jayvian Hoffman had two receptions for 37 yards and one score. Dorien Jones rushed for 130 yards and four touchdowns on seven carries. Austin Bowman had eight carries for 80 yards and a score. Cornerback Jayshon Campbell returned a punt for an 88-yard TD.
Venice held North Port's offense to 198 total yards on 58 carries. North Port finished 0-for-11 in passing attempts.
Saint Stephen's 17, St. Joseph Academy 14
Saint Stephen’s Episcopal scored all 17 of its points in the first quarter and then relied on its defense to hold off a second-half comeback by Saint Joseph’s.
The Falcons came out fast offensively, with Dion Donkor catching both Saint Stephen’s touchdowns. Quarterback Steven LeBlanc handled nearly all of the passing duties, while Ashton Fischer connected with Donkor for one of the scores on a double pass.
Simeon McBride added a 30-yard field goal, and Luke Zieglar converted a two-point attempt to help Saint Stephen’s build the early advantage.
After halftime, the game became much more physical and eventually got chippy late, but Saint Stephen’s was able to keep its composure and finish the game.
“I was really proud of the character our guys showed,” head coach Chris Valcarcel said. “It was a tough, physical game and it got pretty heated at the end, but our guys kept their cool. They kept playing football, kept battling and didn’t let the emotions of the game take us out of what we were trying to do.”
The Falcons’ defense came up with big plays throughout the night, forcing five takeaways. Fischer led the way with three interceptions, while Joshua Tomlinson and Zach Bonisch each recovered fumbles.
Senior Carlos Barrera made a major impact in his first game back after recovering from an injury that had kept him out since early in the season. Barrera recorded a tackle for loss and three quarterback hurries while helping lead a defensive front that consistently put pressure on Saint Joseph’s offense.
“Carlos gave us a huge lift,” Valcarcel said. “He has worked hard to get himself back on the field, and you could feel his presence out there. He is a senior, he is one of our leaders, and in a game like this we needed guys like him to step up. He did.”
Wesley Clayton added a sack and forced fumble, while Simeon McBride also forced a fumble. Max Miele contributed two quarterback hurries, and Dylan McLeod made an impact on special teams with a blocked kick.
Levi Roughton finished with four tackles and a tackle for loss. Jack White recorded three tackles, while CJ Boyette added three tackles and two assists.
“This wasn’t one of those games where everything was easy,” Valcarcel said. “We had to fight for it. We had to make plays, deal with some adversity and finish a close game. I was proud of the way our guys responded and proud of the way they stayed together.”
Sarasota Christian 31, Keswick Christian 28
Quarterback Tait Zeltwanger finished 13-of-29 for 145 yards and two touchdowns. He added seven carries for 28 yards. Will Hughes had nine carries for 108 yards and one touchdown (69 yards). Receiver Noah Spenn recorded six catches for 72 yards and a score, adding two tackles. Receiver Cale Zeltwanger had four catches for 34 yards and one touchdown (two tackles). Running back Elijah George had 11 carries for 49 yards and one touchdown.
On defense, Matthew Manyak had six tackles. Linebacker Wyatt Campbell had seven tackles. Trist McConnell Hass addd five tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Lucas Williams had three tackles and a sack.
Lakewood Ranch 29, Lehigh Senior 14
Manatee 49, Parrish Community 6
Braden River 10, Bayshore 0
Canterbury School 15, Out-of-Door Academy 7
Southeast 37, Wellen Park 20
Bradenton Christian 28, The Classical Academy 8
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Week 10 Football: Riverview Palmetto, Venice, Cardinal Mooney among winners