Inside Friday Night: Vero Beach-Fort Pierce Central series turns one-sided

Five thoughts on Week 10 of the high school football season:

1. No longer white-hot

Remember when the Vero Beach-Fort Pierce Central rivalry was a much-talked about, can't-miss affiair?

Not this year.

The Fighting Indians manhandled the Cobras 51-13 for their sixth consecutive win in the series.

More:Week 10 roundup: Another perfect regular season 1 win away for Vero Beach

Vero Beach dominated from the start, getting a safety and fumble return on defense, a punt return on special teams, one long touchdown run and four touchdown passes.

The 51 points matched the most in the series' 37-game history. The Indians also won 51-20 in 1974, also at the Citrus Bowl.

Vero Beach (9-0) meets rival Sebastian River next week as it tries for a jaw-dropping fifth consecutive undefeated regular season.

Fort Pierce Central (1-8) has lost eight consecutive games for the first time since ending a 16-game losing streak in 2000.

2. On a collision course

Jensen Beach and Martin County had solid wins to set up an intriguing showdown next week with the Fergie Ferguson Championship Trophy at stake.

The Falcons (5-4) breezed past winless Okeechobee 42-7, with four players scoring touchdowns.

Will that versatility be enough to cancel Martin County's George Johnson Show? The senior quarterback accounted for all three of the Tigers' touchdowns on offense (two running, one passing) in a 27-17 win against Melbourne.

Johnson's terrific skill set aside, the Tigers would benefit by help in other areas. The defense produced a touchdown against Melbourne that helped Martin County take control.

3. Cardiac Carroll

John Carroll Catholic's ability to come from behind is a big reason why the Golden Rams have clinched a winning season in Mickey Groody's first season as coach.

An early 10-point lead against Calvary Christian turned into a 10-point, second-half deficit before the Golden Rams rallied in the fourth quarter for a 31-27 win.

Sophomore quarterback Jay Allen accounted for all four touchdowns (three rushing, one passing), including a go-ahead 4-yard touchdown run with 40 seconds to play.

Earlier this season, John Carroll overcame a 13-point deficit to beat North Broward Prep on a touchdown pass with 1:38 to play, then erased a 31-21 halftime deficit to beat Pine Crest.

4. Cruise control

Fort Pierce Westwood was not expected to have any trouble with winless Pompano Beach, but who could have expected the Panthers to score more points on defense and special teams combined than on offense?

The Panthers (6-3) got a kickoff return, punt return and fumble return in a 35-0 win that clinched a second consecutive winning season.

Westwood can finish out its first seven-win regular season in eight years by beating Champagnat Catholic (4-4) next week.

More:St. Lucie West Centennial's defense set tone for signature win | Jon Santucci

5. Rivalry week

Too bad Fort Pierce's celebrated Showdown, the annual Fort Pierce Central-Fort Pierce Westwood game, can't be played on Week 11 as a main attraction instead of the Saturday morning afterthought it's been for two seasons.

How much interest will anyone have in Central's finale against Melbourne Central Cahtolic or Westwood's against Champagnat Catholic?

Rivarlies are the heart of high school football — always have been, in fact — and ending the season against a rival is a nationwide tradition that dates backs decades.

Look at the long-running series on tap for next week to close out the area's 96th regular season: Clewiston at Okeechobee, Martin County at Jensen Beach, Sebastian River at Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie at St. Lucie West Centennial for the Pride of Port St. Lucie trophy.

Think there won't be a little extra energy in the air for those games? 

Even Jupiter at South Fork has a cool storyline. Jupiter coach Tim Tharp was South Fork's athletic director before taking the Warriors job.

It's long past time for Showdown to be given the same main-event treatment.