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

STUART — The season hasn’t started the way South Fork or Martin County wanted, but Martin Bowl 35 provides a chance for both teams quickly to get back on track. 

Martin County (1-4) hosts South Fork (1-3) on Friday in the District 6-7A opener for both teams.

“They’ve had two weeks to prepare for us,” Martin County coach Rod Harris said. “It’s a district game, a rivalry game. It’s Martin Bowl at home. The seniors haven’t won in a couple weeks, so it’s a huge game for the program and for this season.”

Both teams believe the path to victory Friday will come on the ground, which has been an issue at times for both teams this season.

Martin County has not had a running back score a rushing touchdown this season. South Fork has had success moving the ball at times but has failed to score in six possessions inside the opponent’s 10-yard line.

“We need to be significantly better on offense,” South Fork coach Mike Lavelle said. “We need to execute, not turn the ball over and finish drives.

“We have been brutal inside the 10 this season. We have left a lot of points out there.”

The Bulldogs will look to running backs Joe Macgillivray and Jonah Morse to get the offense on track against Martin County.

The Tigers still are looking to get their own run game going. Martin County has scored only three rushing touchdowns this season – all by quarterbacks. The Tigers will try to get the duo of Marvelle Pittman Jr. and Terrence Sims involved quickly.

“We have to establish the run game and keep our defense off the field,” Harris said. “We have to make sure we’re very disciplined.

“We still haven’t established the run consistently. We need to get four yards (per carry). If we do that successfully Friday, I think we’ll be OK. If not, the advantage clearly goes to South Fork.”

Here’s a look at the best games of Week 5:

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

1. Martin Bowl 35: South Fork (1-3) at Martin County (1-4): Not only is this a big rivalry game, but it also is the District 6-7A opener for both teams. The winner of this game not only gets confidence and a boost from a big win, but also controls its own destiny in the district.

More:Martin Bowl: 10 things you might not know about the 35-year rivalry

2. Jensen Beach (2-2, 1-0 District 14-6A) at Sebastian River (3-1, 1-0): This is another key district game. The winner puts itself in strong position to contend for a district title; the loser will need help from other teams to have a chance. Both teams are coming off a bye and this is the first game for the Sharks since the sudden passing of senior Kamaree Lyons.

More:Sharks unite around classmate's death; Sebastian coach committed to keep momentum going

3. Treasure Coast (4-1) at Fort Pierce Central (1-3): This District 8-8A game quietly has been one of the best two of the past three years – a stunning Titans upset on a last-minute touchdown in 2015 and a triple-overtime thriller (also a Treasure Coast win) in 2016. The Titans have a lot of momentum, but Central is coming off its best performance of the season.

Under-the-radar game

Port St. Lucie (2-3, 0-1 District 15-5A) at Suncoast (2-3, 1-0): This is a big game for Port St. Lucie for several reasons. A win keeps them alive in the District 15-5A race (a loss officially would eliminate the Jaguars). A win would get Port St. Lucie back to .500 after an 0-3 start. A win would be a confidence boost considering Suncoast has dominated this series in recent years, including a 28-21 win in 2017.

Top individual matchups

Martin County QB George Johnson vs. South Fork LB Camp Gobler: Other than playing for different schools on different sides of the ball, these guys have a lot in common. Seniors. Leaders. Playmakers. Bright futures. Midseason first-team all-area selections. Whoever wins this matchup could decide the game.

Treasure Coast OL Cody Olsen vs. Fort Pierce Central DT Kameron Schulz: Battles in the trenches may not get a lot of attention, but this is a crucial matchup. Treasure Coast’s big offensive line will be asked to pave the way against a Central defensive line that can be tough to move – especially in the interior. Olsen was a midseason first-team all-area pick, while Schulz earned honorable mention.

Port St. Lucie RB Montavious Yearby vs. Suncoast DL Mitzseen Joseph: Port St. Lucie’s offensive strategy isn’t a secret. The Jaguars want to get Yearby the ball early and often, as his success opens up the rest of the offense. Yearby has scored three touchdowns in each of the past three games. Joseph leads Suncoast with 20 tackles, four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.

Sebastian River RB Javian Tomlinson vs. Jensen Beach LB Colin Fadden: Expect these two, who both were honorable mention selections on the midseason all-area team, to collide a lot Friday night. Tomlinson has emerged as the feature back in the Sharks power run scheme. Fadden, a senior, is a physical player who can get into the backfield and make big plays.

By the numbers

0: Points Port St. Lucie’s defense has allowed in its past two games.

2: Touchdown passes for Fort Pierce Central senior quarterback Lance Bianchini in his first career varsity start on Saturday. That’s one more passing touchdown that Treasure Coast has this season. (In fairness, the Titans have scored 203 points and are on pace to shatter the school’s single-season scoring record.)

3: Interceptions for Martin County’s defense against Centennial last week. It was the first time a team had intercepted a pass against an Eagles quarterback in 2018. Defensive back Trevor Parent has an interception in two consecutive games.

4: Touchdown runs for Sebastian River wide receiver Corbin Gibson the past two games. The Sharks hope to use Gibson at quarterback in the wildcat formation at least three times a game.

14.75: Average tackles per game for Jensen Beach junior safety Liam Zaccheo

102.5: Average yards per game for The Nation Christian Academy running back Fletcher Marshall Jr. The Eagles play Winter Park-Foundation Academy on Friday.