Week 5 Playbook: Vero Beach expecting stiff test from Pahokee

VERO BEACH — You may have heard about Vero Beach High School football team’s regular season win streak.

The one that dates to October 4, 2013. The one that now sits at 47 consecutive wins. The one that is the second longest in Florida history.

It’s also the one the Fighting Indians don’t talk about.

Maybe it’s one of the reasons the streak has lasted as long as it has — the coaching staff stresses the need to focus on each opponent above all else.

That shouldn’t be an issue this week as Vero Beach travels to perennial small school power Pahokee.

“Everything they do has my attention,” Fighting Indians coach Lenny Jankowski said. “Team speed — they’re flying around to the football. They beat some good teams. They have a quarterback that can pull the trigger. They got big guys up front and they have depth. A lot of times people will look at a Pahokee team and be under the impression that they’re a smaller school so they may not have a bunch of depth. You watch them on film and they have 11-12 DBs rolling in and out — all of high caliber. They’ve got good rotations. They have a lot of skill. They’re a very, very good football team.”

In typical Pahokee fashion, the Blue Devils have several elite playmakers, including running backs Ja’tarie Washington (multiple Power 5 offers) and Lavonski Williams and wide receiver/defensive back Deante Nelson (Florida Atlantic commit).

Vero Beach counters with a defense that has not allowed a touchdown in 14 quarters.

“We have to limit their big plays,” Jankowski said. “They have big play capability on every snap, so we have to keep those to a minimum. And we have to tackle. When you have those type of athletes, you have to tackle well. You can’t shoulder bump and forearm shiver and that type of stuff. You have to wrap up and tackle.”

Here’s a look at the best games of Week 4

1. Vero Beach (4-0) at Pahokee (2-1): On paper this is David vs. Goliath as Vero Beach is in Class 8A and Pahokee is in Class 1A. On the field, these are two outstanding teams with standout players on both sides of the ball. This game could be determined by whichever team wins in the trenches. Vero Beach’s line play was outstanding in last year’s 28-13 win in the Citrus Bowl.

2. St. Lucie West Centennial (4-0) at Martin County (1-3): Last year's game was an instant classic, with Centennial winning 40-37. The 2017 game was highlighted by great quarterback play; this year’s quarterbacks (Centennial’s Blayne Watkins and Martin County’s George Johnson) are capable of putting on another show Friday.

3. Pine Crest (2-1) at John Carroll (2-2): Another strong test for the Golden Rams, this time from a Class 4A opponent. The Golden Rams rallied for an emotional win over North Broward Prep last week and should enter this game with a lot of confidence.

(Note: Showdown 39 – Fort Pierce Central vs. Fort Pierce Westwood will be covered in a separate Playbook)

Under-the-radar game

Port St. Lucie (1-3) at Okeechobee (0-3): The Jaguars got their first win last week and will be looking to build some momentum heading into the second half of the season. Okeechobee is young and has struggled but could get a lift from the play of senior quarterback Blaine Keathley, who returned last week from a preseason collarbone injury.

Top individual matchups

Vero Beach WR Demarcus Harris vs. Pahokee DB Deante Nelson: Harris (No. 3 TCPalm Super 11, Kentucky commit) is averaging six catches, more than 130 yards and two touchdowns per game this season. Nelson will be the best athlete Harris has lined up against this season. Don’t be surprised if Vero Beach lines up Harris in different spots to get favorable matchups.

Matanzas QB Braden Gilyard vs. Treasure Coast DE Xavier Correa: Gilyard, who is being recruited by several Division I-AA programs as a defensive back, is the Pirates’ top offensive playmaker and scored the game-winning touchdown last week. Correa, a junior, has done a nice job setting the edge and will be called on to help keep Gilyard from getting into the open field.

Pine Crest QB Kamran Kadivar vs. John Carroll Catholic ILB Nate Gornitzky: Kadivar is a dual-threat quarterback, who has thrown for 352 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 161 yards and four touchdowns. Gornitzky, the Golden Rams’ leading tackler, could be used a spy this week and also is solid in pass coverage.

Martin County QB George Johnson vs. St. Lucie West Centennial’s DBs: Johnson had a big game against the Eagles last season, throwing for 198 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Centennial has allowed only one passing touchdown and has intercepted at last one pass in every game this season.   

Get Your Camera Ready

At some point, John Carroll Catholic quarterback Jay Allen will stop being a secret. The sophomore has thrown for 604 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 252 yards and five touchdowns. Coaches raved about his maturity after leading the Golden Rams to a come-from-behind win last week. He’s one of those guys that is worth the price of admission.

By the numbers

2: Touchdown passes Martin County quarterback George Johnson has thrown in each of the past two games. It’s also the same number of touchdowns Centennial’s defense has allowed this season.

6: Team-high tackles for loss by St. Edward’s School senior T.J. Kenney, who also is tied for third on the team with 7.3 tackles per game. The Pirates travel to Jupiter Christian on Friday.

10: Points Treasure Coast needs to equal its point total from 2017 (174 points). The Titans have scored at least 20 points in all four games this season – the first time the team has accomplished the feat since 2015.

159: Average rushing yards per game for Port St. Lucie senior running back Motavious Yearby.