St. Lucie West Centennial, Vero Beach showdown has postseason feel

PORT ST. LUCIE — Since fall football practice started in July, this is the game we’ve been waiting for.

Honestly, the only question was whether St. Lucie West Centennial and Vero Beach would make it to Friday’s District 8-8A opener undefeated.

Both teams have done just that, setting the stage for a midseason game with a postseason feel.

“Most important, it’s a district week,” Vero Beach senior linebacker Jack Karshner said. “Them being in our district means everything for the playoffs, so we just have to take it as we do every other week. They’re a good team. We have to prepare to play our best. They’re going to give us their best. It should be a good game.”

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

It should be a good game for several reasons.

Both teams have a lot of talent, including a combined 12 players with Division I or I-AA offers.

Both teams have defenses that have been dominant this season. Both teams can score in bunches and have big play capability.

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

Both teams enter Week 6 with a perfect 5-0 record in 2018 and a regular season win streak that extends beyond this season. Vero Beach has won 48 consecutive regular season games — the second longest streak in Florida history. Centennial’s streak is at six.

To make it seven, Centennial will have to do something it hasn’t done in a long time.

“The last time we beat Vero was 2011, when I was in fifth grade,” Eagles senior defensive lineman Jadarius Bernard said. “So (a win) would be big for us.”

More:Week 6 Playbook: Martin Bowl 35 could be decided on the ground

Individual matchups to watch

Vero Beach WR Demarcus Harris vs. Centennial DB Dre Grace: These are two of the best, most productive players on the Treasure Coast. Harris (No. 3 on the TCPalm Super 11, Kentucky commit) leads with the Treasure Coast in receptions (28), receiving yards (574) and touchdowns (eight). Grace (No. 11 Super 11) has an area-best five interceptions and was named the Midseason’s Outstanding Defensive Player.

Centennial RB Cedrick Wilcox IV vs. Vero Beach LB Jack Karshner: The speedy Wilcox (Super 11 Next Wave) has been outstanding the past two weeks, averaging 15.35 yards per carry and scoring six total touchdowns. Karshner, a senior, is fourth on the Fighting Indians with 6.2 tackles per game and is tied for fifth with 5.5 tackles for loss.

Vero Beach G John Moran vs. Centennial DT Jadarius Bernard: This won’t be the first time Moran and Bernard have gone up against each other, it will just be the first time it happens in a game. The two were Centennial teammates in 2017. Both have been outstanding on the interior this season, earning midseason first-team honors at their respective positions.

Centennial OT Ryan Carrington vs. Vero Beach DE Jahfari Harvey: Carrington (honorable mention on the midseason all-area team) has been strong during the first half of the season but will face his stiffest test of the season Friday. Harvey (No. 2 Super 11, Miami commit) has four sacks and 12 quarterback hurries this season.

By the numbers

7: Combined number of Centennial and Vero Beach players on the TCPalm Super 11. Vero Beach has four: Harvey, Harris, WR Javien Cuff (No. 8, Buffalo commit) and DB Dennis Fisher (No. 11). Centennial has three: DBs Dwight Toombs (No. 4) and Tahron Sims (No. 7) and Grace. All seven have Division I offers.

12: Total number of points Centennial’s defense has allowed in six games this season, including the Kickoff Classic.

24: Combined number of Centennial and Vero Beach players to earn first-team or honorable mention honors on the midseason all-area team, including the Outstanding Offensive Player (Vero Beach QB Nick Celidonio) and Outstanding Defensive Player (Grace).

211: Passing yards Celidonio needs to break former South Fork star Stone Labanowitz’ career passing record (6,673 yards).