Final scores
Jesuit 28, Bishop Verot 21
Carrollwood Day 37, Northside Christian 6
Tampa Catholic 43, IMG White 7
Cambridge Christian 43, St. Petersburg Catholic 7
Zephyrhills Christian 34, Central Florida Christian 21
Gainesville Oak Hall 30, Lakeside Christian 24.
Hot topics
Stellar quarterbacking debuts
Quarterbacks had the spotlight Friday night. After all, six area programs had new ones under center. Nearly all of them performed well.
Jesuit’s Joe Pesansky, who moved from Virginia, emerged from a crowded summer competition to be the leader to replace Kiael Kelly, now at Gaither.
Pesansky opened some eyes, throwing for three touchdowns — two to deep threat Jaydn Girard and another to tight end Mikey Leonardo — to lead the Tigers in a 28-21 road win over Bishop Verot.
Tampa Catholic’s Xavione Washington is taking over as a full-time starter and ran for three scores and threw for two more to help the Crusaders cruise to a 43-7 win over IMG White.
Cambridge Christian’s Chris Stephenson, who split time with three other quarterbacks last season, took over full-time duties and did most of his damage with his feet. The dual-threat dynamo scored three rushing touchdowns as the Lancers routed St. Petersburg Catholic 43-7.
Zephyrhills Christian’s Nick Novo, who was at Zephyrhills High two years ago before moving to California, started his senior season by throwing for a pair of touchdown passes to Hezekiah Langley in a 34-21 win over Central Florida Christian.
Plethora of playmakers
Carrollwood Day, bolstered by the addition of several skill players via transfers, showed off their revamped passing game against Northside Christian.
Tight ends Michael Trigg and Tony Livingston, who both came over from Seffner Christian, each caught touchdown passes. Bredell Richardson, a sensational freshman who has an offer from Penn State, also hauled in a touchdown pass.
Winning start for Walker
Cambridge Christian’s Chad Walker was the only coach making his debut with a new program Friday night. Walker, who came from Land O’ Lakes, got off to great start with a resounding win over the Barons.
