Game balls: Sarasota, Manatee high school football top Week 8 performers

As the regular season nears its end, some Sarasota-Bradenton area high school football teams are starting to resemble their postseason selves. Palmetto handed Manatee a lopsided 37-14 loss, while Riverview and Cardinal Mooney both outscored their opponents by a wide margin.

In a close match, Sarasota Christian fell to Indian Rocks Christian 37-14, and Sarasota edged Lehigh 34-20. Braden River also claimed a 31-0 victory over Southeast.

The Herald-Tribune is recognizing the top player performances from Week 8. Venice's Austin Bowman shone with 170 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries in the team's 49-14 win over Lakewood Ranch. Mylin Brown from Cardinal Mooney contributed two touchdowns on 25-yard and 29-yard passes in the 55-7 win against Bayshore.

Riverview quarterback Logan Carrillo was impressive with 182 passing yards and three touchdowns, while completing nine of his 11 passes. Braden River's Louisen Desinor had 144 passing yards and two touchdowns along with a solid 39-yard rushing performance in the 31-0 win over Southeast. Sarasota linebacker Peyton Gray recorded 13 tackles in the 37-14 loss to Indian Rocks.

Sarasota's Cameron Houston ran for 65 yards and two scores, and also had a significant receiving performance, while Palmetto's Ashton Kelly amassed over 130 yards and three touchdowns in the 35-14 win over Manatee. Venice's Mason Polley had 184 passing yards and two touchdowns in the 49-14 win over Lakewood Ranch.

Bayshore's Camdon Stancil played a versatile role, contributing with eight receptions for 144 yards and three rushing attempts for 39 yards, along with a 51-yard touchdown pass. Sarasota West's Hudson West completed 14 of 23 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns in the 34-20 win over Lehigh.