As the regular season winds down, fewer teams are in the hunt for a playoff spot yet there still are district titles up for grabs.
Lakeland and Lake Wales, unofficially, have won their districts. Barring massive upsets this week and/or next week, the two top teams in the county will enter the playoffs as district champions. Lakeland has district games against Bartow this week and Lake Gibson next week. Lake Wales plays Kathleen next Thursday.
Class 6A, District 9 is the most interesting. The Poinciana-Haines City winner is in control. If Poinciana wins, it still has a tough game against George Jenkins. Haines City has to play Davenport.
Here is where it get interesting. If Poinciana wins then loses to Jenkins, Haines City then goes on to beat Davenport, and Jenkins beats Winter Haven this week, then three teams will be tied for first place at 4-1.
Two districts will be decided next week. Tenoroc can clinch its first district title by beating Liberty, and Lakeland Christian and Victory will play for the 1A-7.
It wasn’t a good week last week as I went just 8-4 to bring my season mark to 82-26 (.759).
This week’s picks:
Poinciana (5-2, 3-0) at Haines City (4-3, 3-0)
Haines City’s Franc Guillaume ran for 172 yards in the victory over Winter Haven. The key to Hornets, however, will be defensively. They need to keep it a low-scoring game. Haines City 17-14.
Lakeland (6-1, 3-0) at Bartow (5-2, 2-1)
Five of Lakeland’s six victories have been by at least 34 points. Bartow’s two losses have been by a combined 13 points. Lakeland, 42-7.
George Jenkins (5-2, 2-1) at Winter Haven (3-4, 1-2_
Winter Haven is playing spoiler as its once-promising season has disintegrated after three straight losses. A victory would give George Jenkins six wins for the first time since 2019. George Jenkins, 24-21.
Lake Gibson (5-2, 2-1) at Auburndale (4-3, 0-3)
Both teams are coming off disappointing losses and are now playing for pride. Lake Gibson squandered a 14-point lead to lose in overtime to Bartow, while Auburndale came up short in a 16-14 loss to Osceola. Lake Gibson, 21-14.
Lake Region (3-4, 0-2) at Kathleen (0-6, 0-2)
The Thunder will get a sneak peak at next season as quarterback Jayden McCutchen is out with an MCL injury. Sophomore Patrick Shack Jr. threw for 109 yards and one touchdown in the loss to Brandon although he completed just 6 of 24 passes. Lake Region, 14-7.
American Heritage (7-1) at Lakeland Christian (7-0)
This should be Lakeland Christian’s best tough test prior to the playoffs. LCS quarterback Brody Brenneman has passed for 1,292 yards with 25 touchdowns and just one interception. Fourteen LCS players have at least one reception. American Heritage quarterback Marcus Stracke has thrown for 1,801 yards and 24 touchdowns. Lakeland Christian, 38-24.
Mulberry (4-4) at Avon Park (4-4)
A victory will give Mulberry at least five wins for the sixth time in seven years. The Panthers won four games last year. Mulberry, 31-21.
All Saints (3-4) at Windermere Prep
After a rough start, the Saints have won two of its last three games and reach .500 with a win. Both teams have a forfeit win over Taylor. All Saints 21-7.
Elsewhere
McLaughlin over Discovery, 12-6; Davenport over Ridge Community, 24-6; Frostproof over Lake Placid, 28-7; Santa Fe Catholic over Saint Stephen’s Episcopal, 48-7.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Fuoco's Picks: Keep an eye on Class 6A, District 7 football race