PrepZone rankings: Vero Beach-Centennial game offers rare matchup of local 5-0 teams

There are a lot of words that could be used to describe Friday's District 8-8A opener between Vero Beach (5-0) and St. Lucie West Centennial (5-0).

Here's a good one: Historic.

In the area's 96-year football history, rarely have two area teams with 5-0 or better records hooked up, especially in a game with a lot on the line.

More:What are the biggest district games left on the prep football schedule?

There have been at least four previous meetings of area teams matching 5-0 or better records. Here's the list.

2006: South Fork (6-0) vs. Sebastian River (6-0). Result: Sebastian River, 19-7.

2010: Fort Pierce Central (8-0) vs. Fort Pierce Westwood (8-0). Result: Westwood, 22-21.

2015: Vero Beach (6-0) vs. Treasure Coast (5-0). Result: Vero Beach, 41-0.

2016: Sebastian River (9-0) vs. Vero Beach (8-0). Result: Vero Beach, 28-6.

The stakes are big for No. 5.

For Vero Beach, a 48-game regular-season winning streak, a No. 4 state ranking in the Associated Press Class 8A state poll and a No. 1 position in the Region 2-8A playoff power points.

For Centennial, validation of a turnaround fueled by a spread offense and reinforced by a defense that allowed two touchdowns all season.

A share of the District 8-8A lead goes to the winner.

More:8-8A rivals Vero Beach, Centennial, Treasure Coast on track for top-4 seeds in playoffs

Expect an electric crowd Friday at South County Regional Stadium — anything less would be a huge disappointment — and perhaps a gem of a game to go with it.

The 75 previous area teams that started 5-0 were a combined 58-15-1 in their bid to make it 6-0. Vero Beach tied Merritt Island in 1974, the year before overtime was created.

More:PrepZone football poll: Undefeated Vero Beach, Centennial headed for showdown

Area teams facing another area team while trying for a 6-0 start are 19-1 in those games.

Vero Beach's 2015 win against Treasure Coast accounted for the lone loss.

So what are Centennial's chances Friday?

Seven years ago, Centennial stunned Vero Beach 17-14 at the Citrus Bowl to win its most recent district title and hand Lenny Jankowski his first loss as the Fighting Indians' coach after a 6-0 start.

Centennial's last try for 6-0 was in 2003, with the Eagles beating — you guessed it — Vero Beach 28-21 in triple overtime.

Area teams were 7-4 last week, pushing the season record to 32-32.

More:Week 5 roundup: Vero Beach rallies past Pahokee

Here is a look at the area entering Week 6:

1. Vero Beach (5-0/LW: 1): Fighting Indians face huge test in District 8-8A opener this week. Next: Friday at St. Lucie West Centennial (5-0).

2. St. Lucie West Centennial (5-0/LW: 2): Eagles' defense playing at an elite level, but can it slow Vero Beach's high-octane spread offense? Next: Friday vs. Vero Beach (5-0).

3. Treasure Coast (4-1/LW: 3): Titans scored 35 first-half points against Matanzas last week. You start to wonder if a 60- or 70-point effort might be possible at some point. Next: Friday at Fort Pierce Central (1-3).

4. Fort Pierce Westwood (4-1/LW: 4): Panthers staged dramatic rally to beat Fort Pierce Central in Showdown 39. Next: Idle

5. Sebastian River (3-1/LW: 5): Sharks have a chance to make the turn at 4-1. Not bad for a team that finished 3-6 last year. Next: Friday vs. Jensen Beach (2-2)..

6. Jensen Beach (2-2/LW: 9): Falcons' District 14-6A game against Sebastian River feels like an elimination game as far as playoffs go. Next: Friday at Sebastian River (3-1).

7. Fort Pierce Central (1-3/LW: 9): Cobras pushed Fort Pierce Westwood to the limit before falling in overtime in Showdown 39. Next: Friday vs. Treasure Coast (4-1)..

8. Martin County (1-4/LW: 7): Tigers' defense had three interceptions in loss to undefeated Centennial. Next: Friday vs. South Fork (1-3) in Martin Bowl 35.

9. South Fork (1-3/LW: 8): Bulldogs had two weeks to prepare for rival Martin County. Next: Friday at Martin County (1-4) in Martin Bowl 35.

10. Port St. Lucie (2-3/LW: 10): Jaguars have scored 42 points in back-to-back games. Next: Friday at Suncoast (2-3).

11. John Carroll Catholic (3-2/LW: 11): Back-to-back come-from-behind wins should bolster Golden Rams' confidence for second half of season. Next: Idle.

12. Okeechobee (0-4/LW: 12): Jalen Pryor had punt-return and interception-return touchdowns in loss to Port St. Lucie. Next: Friday vs. Heritage (3-1).

13. St. Edward's (0-4): Pirates have yet to be shut out this season. Next: Friday at Seffner Christian (4-0).

14. Nation Christian Academy (1-4): First-year Eagles had to settle for a paper win when Citrus Park Christian forfeited. No chance of that happening this week. Next: Friday at Foundation Academy (5-0).