(This story was updated to add new information.)
FORT PIERCE - Needless to say, following losing season after losing season, Fort Pierce Central and its players are enjoying positive vibes at the midway point of the 2024 campaign.
“Winning cures a lot of things,” Central head coach Mike Watkins said.
The Cobras have claimed victory in their last four contests after winning just two games in each of the past two years. They legitimately could be unbeaten if a play or two went differently in their season opener. With another triumph, the team would break a string of seven consecutive losing regular seasons.
Winning also creates big-game atmospheres.
For the Cobras, there won’t be too many better chances to provide that feeling than what they’ll soon walk into. Central plays its District 11-7A opener against Vero Beach at 7 p.m. Friday from the Citrus Bowl.
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“I hope our kids are excited for the opportunity,” Watkins said. “Still, trying to get them prepared for all the X's and O's is one thing. But just trying to get them used to that experience there is impossible, just because a lot of them haven’t been there and done it.”
Central enters Friday with the better overall record as their opponent currently is below .500. But for several good reasons, Watkins is throwing all marks out.
The Cobras head coach first points to the plethora of Division I prospects that suit up for the area’s most talented team. From Ohio State commit T.J. Alford, Austin Peay commit Anthwone Montgomery to uncommitted prospects like junior offensive lineman Micah Smith and freshman quarterback Champ Monds, who Watkins believes, “by the time it’s all said and done, he’s going to be the top player in the country,” the Cobras won’t have the luxury of honing in on simply one player or one unit for that matter.
Secondly, Watkins is highly complementary of the opposing coaching staff, led by long-time head coach Lenny Jankowski, who Watkins was an assistant under at three different stops, including serving as Vero Beach’s offensive coordinator in 2011.
Lastly, Central has enjoyed a far easier strength-of-schedule. According to MaxPreps, the Cobras have played the eighth-easiest schedule among teams ranked in the top 200 in the state. Meanwhile, Vero Beach has played the 47th toughest schedule in the state.
Following its first 0-3 start in 48 years, Vero has given up a total of seven points in back-to-back road wins.
“With what they’ve done and who they’ve played, Vero is still Vero,” Watkins said.
Although the schedule hasn’t been as tough, Central has been dominant against whomever it has lined up with, beating teams by an average margin of 37.8 points per game during the winning streak.
Praise for how well the team has played begins with the offensive line, as the big men have the Cobras’ strongest unit according to Watkins.
Seniors Julian Rodriguez and Omarion Lexine along with juniors Angel Stewart and Jaden Freeman have been fixtures up front while senior Deandre Antoine and junior Nate Lennon have been key as rotation pieces. They’ve all protected senior quarterback Anthony LaMattina, who is tied for the area lead with 16 total touchdowns.
On the other side of the ball, senior D.J. Thomas, who Watkins calls “the best defensive lineman” in the area, has posted a team-best five sacks. Meanwhile, senior Ryan Fenelon paces Central with two interceptions.
Due to injuries, namely to senior wide receiver Rupert Blackwood, Fenelon, along with juniors Jakobe Blackwood and Jamario Moody, play on both offense and defense and rarely come off the field and have been excellent in their roles.
All of those players have been instrumental for a Cobras squad that rolled through the first half of the year. The question is will the team be up to the task ahead?
“I think the kids are excited that they are winning and see the opportunity,” Watkins said. “They look forward to a major challenge, but Vero is really, really good. I hope we’re good enough to make it a good game.”
Here’s a look at the Week 6 slate on the Treasure Coast.
Week 6 preview
Martin County (2-2) at Olympic Heights (0-5)
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Corey Lewis Stadium
Key players: Martin County - Paul Hendrix (RB, Jr.), Vaughn O’Brien (QB, Sr.), John Connolly (K, Sr.), Jake Jocks (OL, Sr.), Amarion Queen (ATH, Jr.); Olympic Heights - Michael Palmieri (QB, Sr.), Allen Townsend III (OL, Sr.), Luiz Maciel (OL, Sr.), Mathias Loorits (DB, Sr.)
Maxpreps Florida rankings: Martin County (4.3) - eighth in Region 4-5A, 33rd in Class 5A, 218th overall; Olympic Heights (-53.1) - 550th overall
Previous week’s results: Martin County - Bye; Olympic Heights - 41-0 loss at Dr. Joaquin Garcia
Last meeting: N/A
Note: The revamped Tigers defense is young, but has been a pleasant surprise for head coach Rod Harris and the rest of his staff. That side of the ball has kept the team in games, allowing no more than 20 points in a single game and 59 points overall. Jahree Hutchinson is among the area leaders in interceptions (3) while Caden Glover has three of Martin County’s 10 sacks. Meanwhile, the Lions have been shut out in their previous two games.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Martin County 35, Olympic Heights 6
District 11-7A - Fort Pierce Central (4-1, 0-0) at Vero Beach (2-3, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Citrus Bowl
Key players: Fort Pierce Central - Anthony LaMattina (QB, Sr.), D.J. Thomas (DL, Sr.), Ryan Fenelon (DB, Sr.), Rupert Blackwood (WR, Sr.), Jamario Moody (ATH, Jr.); Vero Beach - T.J. Alford (LB, Sr.), Robert Jones (ATH, Sr.), Champ Smith (OL, Jr.), Champ Monds, (QB, Fr.), Efrem White (ATH, Jr.), Affeon Rivers (LB, Sr.)
Maxpreps Florida rankings: Fort Pierce Central (9.6) - fifth in Region 3-7A, 33rd in Class 7A, 182nd overall; Vero Beach (26.7) - second in Region 3-7A, 14th in Class 7A, 82nd overall
Previous week’s results: Fort Pierce Central - 34-6 win at Inlet Grove; Vero Beach - 10-7 win at Heritage
Last meeting: Sept. 29, 2023 - Vero Beach 45, Fort Pierce Central 6
Note: Vero Beach has won the last 10 meetings in this matchup. The Cobras last earned a victory in this series back in 2013.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Vero Beach 31, Fort Pierce Central 14
District 13-5A - South Fork (2-3, 0-0) at Heritage (1-4, 0-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Heritage High School
Key players: South Fork - Tony Jefferson (WR, Sr.), Omar Mejia (RB, Sr.), Cal Fritz (QB, Sr.), Maddox Weiner (LB, Sr.), Matt Dennis (RB, Jr.); Heritage - Demetres Samuel Jr. (DB, Sr.), Isaiah Cordero (WR, Sr.), Rahmir Davis (LB, Jr.), T.J. Monroe (WR/DB, Jr.), Syntyche Miracle (OL, Sr.)
MaxPreps state rankings: South Fork (-4.40) - 12th in Region 4-5A, 44th in Class 5A, 287th overall; Heritage (24.4) - third in Region 4-5A, 13th in Class 5A, 87th overall
Previous week’s results: South Fork - 21-7 win vs. Sebastian River; Heritage - 10-7 loss vs. Vero Beach
Last meeting: Oct. 24, 2014 - South Fork 34, Heritage 33
Note: Playing four of their first five games at home, the Bulldogs hit the road for their last three contests. South Fork was blanked in its lone game away from Joebud Staggs Stadium, suffering a 28-0 loss against Melbourne. The Panthers have dropped four games in a row, but that was against opponents all ranked inside the top 100 in the state.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Heritage 20, South Fork 14
District 13-4A - Port St. Lucie (0-4, 0-1) at Jensen Beach (4-1, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Jensen Beach High School
Key players: Port St. Lucie - Terriel Harmon (RB, Fr.), Jeremiah Speer (ATH, Sr.), Jordan McKenna (QB, Jr.), Jayden Endres-Gomez (OL, Sr.), Antonio Richardson (WR/CB, Jr.); Jensen Beach - Julius Puryear (LB, Sr.), Carlos McCormack (EDGE, Sr.), Tristan Taylor (WR, Sr.), Johnny Delancy (ATH, Sr.), Jonny Ahern (QB, Sr.), Easton Scott (LB/DB, Sr.);
Maxpreps Florida rankings: Port St. Lucie (-27.0) - 15th in Region 4-4A, 59th in Class 4A, 451st overall; Jensen Beach (20.10) - fifth in Region 4-4A, 59th in Class 4A, 113th overall
Previous week’s results: Port St. Lucie - Bye; Jensen Beach - 21-14 loss at Benjamin
Last meeting: Sept. 29, 2023 - Jensen Beach 41, Port St. Lucie 0
Note: The Falcons will likely be a team on a mission after suffering their first loss of the season last week. They’ll look to join John Carroll Catholic as the only teams with a 2-0 mark in District 13-4A play. The Rams were also the last team that the Jaguars, as Port St. Lucie was blanked 49-0 two weeks ago.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Jensen Beach 41, Port St. Lucie 13
District 13-4A - Okeechobee (1-3, 0-1) at Sebastian River (2-3, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Sharks Stadium
Key players: Okeechobee - Nathan Pfennig (LB, Jr.), Chris Evans (QB, Jr.), Jaleik Brifil (RB, Jr.), Fred Hill (TE/OL/LB, Jr.), Andre Santiago (DL, Sr.); Sebastian River - Buddha James (RB, Sr.), Dantay Diorio (RB, Sr.), Daniel Oliver (DL/OL, Sr.), Michael Howard (LB, Sr.), Sergio Hogue (WR/LB, So.)
Maxpreps Florida rankings: Okeechobee (-25.7) - 14th in Region 4-4A, 58th in Class 4A, 440th overall; Sebastian River (-9.0) - 10th in Region 4-4A, 47th in Class 4A, 328th overall
Previous week’s results: Okeechobee - Bye; Sebastian River - 21-7 loss at South Fork
Last meeting: Oct. 2, 2020 - Okeechobee 21, Sebastian River 6
Note: If this was professional wrestling, this game would essentially be a loser-leaves-town in terms of district hopes, as a loss would in all likelihood eliminate their chances for a district title. After winning its season opener, Okeechobee has been outscored 125-24 through its last three games, all defeats. Sebastian River and its offense has not scored since the team’s Week 3 victory over Harmony. The Sharks’ lone score last week came on special teams. The team was without senior running back Buddha James, who was out of action with an upper-body injury.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Sebastian River 21, Okeechobee 10
St. Lucie West Centennial (2-3) at Fort Pierce Westwood (0-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Lawnwood Stadium
Key players: St. Lucie West Centennial - Brooks Williams Jr. (EDGE, Sr.), Mason Brown (QB, Jr.), Eddie Keyes (DL, Sr.), Cameron Harris (ATH, Sr.), Giovani Jean Pierre (LB/DB, Sr.); Fort Pierce Westwood - Cameron Gooden (DL/OL, Sr.), Colton Foster (WR, Sr.), Jordan Crutchfield (ATH, Jr.), Travis Townsend (RB, Jr.), E.J. Weathers (QB, Jr.)
Maxpreps Florida rankings: St. Lucie West Centennial (-15.0) - 12th in Region 3-7A, 54th in Class 7A, 377th overall; Fort Pierce Westwood (-5.0) - 13th in Region 4-5A, 46th in Class 5A, 292nd overall
Previous week’s results: St. Lucie West Centennial - 13-0 win at Bayside; Fort Pierce Westwood - Bye
Last meeting: Oct. 30, 2020 - Fort Pierce Westwood 28, St. Lucie West Centennial 12
Note: It’s rare when a team gets one special teams touchdown in a game. The Eagles used that unit to get in the end zone twice last at Bayside as Emmauel Dorelus scored off of a blocked field goal while Anthony Saget swatted a punt and returned it to pay dirt. Centennial snapped a three-game slide while the Panthers will have 10 days of rest to try and get into the win column. Three of Westwood’s four losses have been by seven points or less.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Fort Pierce Westwood 24, St. Lucie West Centennial 20
SSAA - Jupiter Christian (5-1) at Tradition Prep (0-6)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: South County Regional Sports Complex
Key players: Jupiter Christian - Shea McMillan (QB, Sr.), Gideon Douglas (RB/DB, Sr.), Randolph Wilkerson (RB/LB, Jr.), Cayden Alula (WR/DB, Jr.), Luke Beach (WR/DB, So.); Tradition Prep - Ahmar Atwell (QB, Sr.), Drindans Malvoisin (RB, Sr.), Jahzion Drummond (WR, Sr.), Miguel Patrillou (OL/DL, Sr.), Anthony Camara (RB, Sr.)
Maxpreps Florida rankings: Jupiter Christian (-10.1) - 11th in SSAA, 338th overall; Tradition Prep (-35.7) - 33rd in SSAA, 493rd overall
Previous week’s results: Jupiter Christian 50-7 win at Boca Raton Christian; Tradition Prep - 60-20 loss vs. John Carroll Catholic
Last meeting: Aug. 31, 2023 - Tradition Prep 36, Jupiter Christian 27
Note: The two teams have split their previous two meetings. Following an opening-week loss, the Eagles are winners of their last five games. Jupiter Christian put up a season-best 50 points in a win over Boca Raton Christian. On the other end of the spectrum, the Pirates look to bounce back after allowing a season-worst 60 points against John Carroll Catholic.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Jupiter Christian 37, Tradition Prep 20
8-man - Eastside Christian (1-4) at Master’s Academy (4-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Leisure Square
Key players: Eastside Christian - Grayson Oldson (Fr.), Diego Perez (Jr.), Zayden Ebanks (Sr.), Joel Green (Sr.); Master’s Academy - Josh Namvar (QB, So.), William DaSilva (Sr.), Payton Baker (Sr.), Nolan Wilke (Jr.), Isaiah Willimas (Jr.)
Maxpreps Florida rankings: Eastside Christian (-44.7) - 24th overall; Master’s Academy (4.2) - sixth overall
Previous week’s results: Eastside Christian - 62-6 loss at Real Life Christian Academy; Master’s Academy - 42-0 win vs. Lakeside Christian
Last meeting: Oct. 28, 2022 - Master’s Academy 44, Eastside Christian 12
Note: The Patriots have rebounded nicely after their long string of regular season victories came to an end in late August. Master’s Academy has won three in a row behind a defense that has created eight takeaways. Meanwhile, seven players have made trips into the end zone in that stretch, led by Grady Kovaleski and Josh Namvar, who each have contributed five touchdowns.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Master’s Academy 41, Eastside Christian 14
Patrick’s predictions so far this season: 28-12
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
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