The South Shore Six (SS6) had their work cut out for them on Friday, Sept 5, with high profile games occurring in the county: Sumner faced a Gaither squad that came to the Tank at 2-0 and only two losses in 2025; Lennard went to St. Petersburg Catholic to face a team confronting controversy amid a 12-1 2025 campaign; East Bay, Riverview and Spoto all had to travel into enemy territory for their match-ups. However, the SS6 stood up to these challenges and came away with four victories, including both Sumner and Lennard standing tall, with Spoto and Riverview struggling to pull off the SS6 sweep.
All games this week are on Thursday, Sept. 10, (NOT Friday as is customary).
The Sumner Stingrays, led by head coach George Selvie and coming off a loss to a tough TB Tech team (#35 in FLA), took to the field in the Tank on Friday, Sept. 5, and hammered the previously 2-0 Gaither Cowboys, 43-14. The Cowboys lost only two games in 2025 and presented another tough game for the Stingrays. The game started out reminiscent of the game vs. TB Tech, where the teams went back and forth. The Cowboys found the end-zone first, but Sumner did not take long to score its own TD after a couple of big plays, punctuated by Robert Garcia punching it in. Gaither took the lead again, but the Rays matched the score with a 22-yard run by Brandon Jerrido II. Sumner added a field goal and held onto a halftime lead after a nice defensive play by Caden Daniels to force a fumble at the goal line, saving a go-ahead Gaither TD. Sumner dominated after the half, adding three TDs to pull away. Gavin Altman (106 yards rushing), Robert Garcia (53 yards) and Santana-Cruz Griffin (41 yards) also scored rushing TDs as part of a 302-yard day from the ground game. Makai Frederick threw for 179 yards and two TDs, both to Tyler Lynch (with 80 yards) and Tommy Scott.
The Stingrays stay home to renew acquaintances with Durant, which is playing its third road game in a row, winning 6-0 at Kathleen and defeating Strawberry Crest 44-14, a team that the Stingrays beat in week 1. Durant had become a rivalry game for the Rays, who had played them every season since Sumner opened play in 2020 but did not face the Cougars in 2025.
The Lennard Longhorns, under the direction of head coach KB Belton, faced another big test in their first two games. After losing to Armwood on the road, the Longhorns headed out to St. Petersburg and hung in to capture a well-earned 32-14 win over the St. Pete Catholic Barons, a team that has a “do not play” order for Pinellas County high schools, due to alleged recruiting concerns. The Barons went 12-1 in 2025 but lost the week prior to Tampa Catholic, and the Longhorns extended the Barons’ losing streak while starting their own winning streak. St. Pete held a 14-0 lead at the half, but the Longhorns were not to be denied and took over the game, scoring 32 unanswered points for a huge road win in a tough place to play. Antonio Balaguer had a huge game, accounting for over 300 yards total, 341 yards to be exact (242 Pass/72 Run) with four passing TDs. Chayse Brown caught two of the TDs and led with 109 yards receiving, while Marcus Dixon and Al’quan Smith caught a TD each.
The Longhorns return home to take on a 3-0 Newsome squad that went 3-7 in 2025 and is coming off a 32-30 win over Bloomingdale on Sept. 4. The ’Horns will be looking for a win to continue their momentum heading into a huge SS6 tilt at East Bay on Sept. 18.
The East Bay Indians, led by head coach DeAndra Simmons and playing their second of three on the road after opening the season at home, also headed into St. Petersburg and came away with the 26-14 win over Gibbs Gladiators, extending their winning streak to open the season to three games. The Indians overcame an early fumble and scored the first TD, a Preston Cooper 1-yard run. Cooper finished with 122 yards. The Indians added a FG (first of two) to open the second quarter and tacked on a third quarter TD on a Jeremiah Argo pass to Justin Dominguez, the first of two, to pull ahead 17-0 before Gibbs ended the run of 10 quarters without the defense being scored upon. The teams exchanged TDs after that, separated by an Indian FG to set the final score. Argo finished with 60 yards passing and Dominguez finished with 39 yards receiving. The defense forced three turnovers to assist the offense.
The Indians travel to 1-2 Hillsborough, which is coming off a 34-8 home loss to Plant, before returning home for a huge SS6 clash with the Lennard Longhorns.
The Morgan Mustangs, under head coach Marlo Hollingshed, won again at home, their second in their first two home appearances on the early season, routing Sickles 41-15 and are now 2-1 on the season. Sickles fell to 1-2 after a 1-9 season in 2025. Mustang junior Cole Verzosa threw for 195 yards, his biggest output of the season, and added 38 yards on the ground. He tossed a TD, connecting with J Stephen (105 yards receiving) and was picked off once. Z Taylor piled up rushing yards, accounting for 129 of the Mustangs nearly 300, and a TD. Jeremiah Roberson, Sirmani Gamble and Bryson Beaupre also had rushing TDs. Morgan did have three fumbles, which ended drives that could have added to the rout.
The Mustangs stay home to take on a Robinson team that has won two in a row, coming off a 1-9 2025 season, and beat SS6 member team Spoto 20-12 on Aug. 28 before downing Middleton this past Friday. Morgan has an upcoming SS6 game at Riverview the following week for its second SS6 match-up.
The Riverview Sharks with head coach Tony Rodriguez struggled on the road at Alonso, losing 53-7. The Ravens are now off to a 3-0 start to the 2026 campaign. Alonso went 6-4 in 2025 but were very tough at home, winning all of their home contests, making it a very difficult place to play for opponents, and the Sharks are just the latest victim. Carter Peternell threw for 179 yards and a TD but was also intercepted twice. He connected with Doniven Persaud for the only Shark score. Persaud had 116 yards receiving to lead Riverview. Alonso QB Keenan Phillips was also picked off twice by the Sharks. Tevin Ponder had an INT and Dominic Persaud recovered a fumble for the defense.
The Sharks return home to take on Plant City. The Raiders are 1-1 on the season and suffered a 35-0 loss at the hands of Armwood. Riverview will host SS6 rival Morgan the following week.
The Spoto Spartans, under head coach Keith Chattin, traveled to Lake Gibson and were shut out by the Braves defense, losing 15-0 in a low scoring game. The Braves notched their second consecutive win and have not surrendered a point in the last two games after an opening night home loss to a tough TB Tech squad.
The Spartan defense was also strong in the game and although they allowed a mid-first quarter touchdown, they locked down the Braves offense until mid-way through the fourth quarter. Spoto was building momentum towards a game tying TD with field position just outside the Lake Gibson 30-yard line in the third quarter, but a Camron Bailey interception for the Braves ended the threat. Positive yardage was hard to find and the Spartans Jarvis Howell threw for the only positive yards on offense, 85. The rushing attack finished in the negative. Lake Gibson featured a ground game that accounted for 173 total yards, scored a TD and setup the offense for the second.
The Spartans stay on the road and will have another tough task in taking on 2-1 Armwood. The Hawks are coming off a 35-0 win over Plant City.
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