Game balls: Sarasota, Manatee high school football top Week 3 performers

Week 3 of high school football in Sarasota and Manatee showcased exceptional individual performances by several standout players. Braden River claimed a 3-0 start, overcoming Lakewood Ranch with quarterback Louisen Desinor leading the way, passing for 117 yards and running for 97 more, while also scoring a touchdown. Palmetto rebounded from a 21-point deficit to defeat Riverview, with quarterback Matthew Hennesey completing 10 of his 14 passes for 280 yards and scoring four touchdowns, including three crucial over 60-yard bombs.

Connail Jackson of Cardinal Mooney shone in the running back position, scoring five touchdowns on 195 yards, a performance that helped Mooney secure a 56-34 victory over True North. Venice's Dorien Jones led the charge with 28 carries for 134 yards and three touchdowns, including a crucial one in overtime that secured a 35-25 win against Lakeland.

Jaxon Lawhun of Out-of-Door Academy had a stellar day with 175 passing yards and three touchdowns, contributing to the team's 28-0 win over Saint Stephen's. Venice's Nazir Pitchford, a three-star UNC commit, added to the team's win with two receiving touchdowns, including a 75-yard and a 49-yard score. Venice's Kymani Reed played a crucial role in the overtime victory over Lakeland, intercepting a game-sealing pass.

Camdon Stancil of Bayshore was the most versatile player of the week, scoring three touchdowns in three different ways – a punt return for a touchdown, a 47-yard run, and two yards into the end zone. Wellen Park's Noah Wireman completed the list of top performers with 198 passing yards and three touchdowns in Wellen Park's 40-0 blowout of DeSoto.