Lake Gibson RB Glover vs. Lakeland DL Dindy one of Week 4's top individual matchups
Two of the state’s most dominant players will face off Friday in a game featuring two of the premier teams in Polk County.
Lake Gibson (1-2) will host Lakeland (3-0, No. 3 Class 7A) in a District 5-7A showdown.
Both teams have plenty of college talent and there will be key matchups all over the field but one of the biggest is Lake Gibson senior running back Jaylon Glover and Lakeland senior defensive lineman Gabriel Dindy.
Glover, a Utah commit, already is Lake Gibson’s all-time leading rusher and on pace for his third consecutive 1,500-yard season. He has 77 carries for 667 yards (8.7 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns in three games this season.
The 6-foot-3, 280-pound Dindy, rated a five-star recruit on the 247Sports composite rankings, is one of the premier seniors in the nation. Out of more than 20 offers, Dundy has narrowed his list to Oklahoma and Texas A&M.
Glover has seen his carries increase each game — from 20 in the season opener against Lake Mary to 30 last week against Winter Haven. Lakeland likely will stack the box to try to slow Gibson and will count on Dindy and senior defensive end Keahnist Thompson (UCF commit) to lead the charge.
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Here’s a look at some of Week 4’s top matchups.
Mosley 2023 TE Randy Pittman vs. Lincoln 2023 LB Raylen Wilson
At 6-3, 225, Pittman (Florida State commit) is a physical mismatch. He has at least 50 receiving yards in each of the Dolphins’ first two games and also has three rushing touchdowns this season. Wilson, considered one of the premier junior linebackers in the state, is averaging 10.7 tackles per game and has two passes defended. The 6-2, 208-pound Wilson’s offers include Alabama, Clemson and Notre Dame.
Mandarin 2023 WR Jeremiah Shack vs. Bartram Trail 2023 CB Sharif Denson
The 6-3, 191-pound Shack caught four passes for 50 yards and a touchdown in the Mustangs' win against First Coast last week. Shack, whose offers include Georgia, Miami and Mississippi State, tied career highs for catches and yards last week. Denson is one of the state’s top cornerbacks in the class of 2023. The 5-11, 170-pounder, who has more than 30 offers, can shut down his side of the field and doesn’t see many passes thrown in his direction.
Cardinal Newman 2024 RB Tovani Mizell vs. Fort Pierce Central 2022 DE Gabe Jacas
Mizell is one of the nation’s top sophomore running backs. The 5-11, 195-pounder, who scored the Crusaders’ lone touchdown against Benjamin last week, is blessed with speed, balance and vision and can catch the ball, too. His offers include Arkansas, Indiana, Pitt and Texas A&M. Jacas, a Tulane commit, gets into the backfield quickly. The 6-3 edge rusher is a state wrestling champion who understands how to use his hands to shed blocks and has a quick first step.
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Fleming Island 2023 RB Sam Singleton vs. Fletcher 2022 OLB Aaron Hester
Singleton is the focal point of the Golden Eagles’ offense and had a season-high 142 yards against Lake Minneola on Sept. 3. The 5-11, 180-pound speedster has more than a dozen Power 5 offers, including Florida State, LSU, Michigan and Tennessee. Hester, an FSU commit, is the son of former FSU/Miami Dolphins linebacker Ron Hester. The 6-3 Hester has 16 tackles, four tackles for loss and six quarterback pressures this season.
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Aquinas 2022 QB Zion Turner vs. Monsignor Pace 2022 DE Shemar Stewart
Turner is a dual-threat quarterback who has completed 65.2 percent of his passes this season for 594 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for a score. The 6-2, 185-pound Turner has handful of offers. Stewart, a five-star recruit, is the No. 8 overall player in the nation on the 247Sports composite. The 6-5, 250-pounder also received more than 30 offers, including Georgia, Miami, Ohio State and Texas A&M.
Trinity Christian 2025 QB Colin Hurley vs. Clearwater Academy International DE Aric Burton
Hurley is one of the top freshman quarterback recruits and has offers from Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami and others. The 6-foot, 205-pound Hurley has thrown for 611 yards and 10 touchdowns with only one interception this fall. He’ll face a strong CAI pass rush, led by Burton (West Virginia commit) and defensive tackle Isaiah Hastings. The 6-5, 215-pouind Burton has five tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hurries this season.
Others to watch
Benjamin 2024 RB Chauncey Bowens vs. Gulliver Prep 2022 LB Travious Lathan
Chaminade-Madonna 2023 WR Edwin Joseph vs. Buford 2022 CB Isaiah Bond
IMG Academy 2023 WR Carnell Tate vs. Jones 2023 CB Jayden Gillens
Carrollwood Day 2023 OL Clay Wedin vs. Trinity Catholic 2022 DE Elijah Russell
Miami Northwestern 2023 QB Taron Dickens vs. Belen Jesuit DE Gavench Marcelin
Sandalwood 2022 QB Christopher Calhoun II vs. Creekside 2022 DE Christian Yousefzadeh
Jesuit 2023 RB Joquez Smith vs. vs. Hillsborough LB Joseph Sipp
South Dade 2023 WR Jabari Lewis vs. Columbus 2022 DB Ken Moore