Week 1 high school football predictions
Wells Dusenbury and David Furones return for another season to pick the top local high school football games in Broward and Palm Beach counties. All games today at 7 p.m. unless noted.
ST. JOHN BOSCO AT ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
Duse: St. Thomas Aquinas 24, St. John Bosco 17 Last year, STA had its hopes of a national title extinguished in its 27-23 season opening loss to Booker T. Washington. I don’t think it happens for a second straight year. Bosco’s offense was sensational last year, but the Raiders’ defense is stacked with Division I prospects who have experience against high-octane offenses. Furones: St. Thomas Aquinas 21, St. John Bosco 20 Top to bottom, I think last year’s Aquinas team was a little more deep, but where this team will separate itself is finishing these close games against another elite team. I see the Raiders falling behind early in junior quarterback Curt Casteel’s first start, but defense will keep them in it, and Casteel will lead a second-half comeback once he settles in.
DEERFIELD BEACH AT MIAMI CAROL CITY (AT TRAZ POWELL STADIUM), 7:30
Duse: Deerfield Beach 14, Carol City 10 The Bucks defense is loaded across the board, so this will come down to whether the offense can put up enough points. The unit wasn’t sharp in its kickoff classic versus Chaminade-Madonna, but TE Daniel Barker and WR Cornelius McCoy are big-play threats. I think they’ll help upset the defending 6A champs. Furones: Carol City 17, Deerfield Beach 14 It was a shocking upset when Benedict Hyppolite led Hallandale over Deerfield in Week One last year. Now with the reigning 6A state champs, he’ll beat the Bucks again. Two strong defenses should keep it a low-scoring game, but the Chiefs running back combination of Cam’ron Davis and Nay’quan Wright will just keep pounding Deerfield.
CARDINAL GIBBONS AT MIAMI SOUTHRIDGE, SATURDAY
Duse: Southridge 21, Cardinal Gibbons 14 I think Gibbons is in for a really big year, but the Spartans present a tough opening-week challenge. With a stout defense, points will be at a premium. despite standout junior QB Nik Scalzo returning for the Chiefs. I think Gibbons will lose a close one, but come out stronger for it. Furones: Southridge 17, Cardinal Gibbons 13 Southridge graduated plenty off its 8A state championship team last year but returns enough to potentially finish back on top. The Spartans have an elite defense that can hold down the Chiefs’ Air-Raid offense. Gibbons has a solid defense of its own, but UM-committed receivers Mark Pope and Dee Wiggins will make enough plays.
DWYER AT PARK VISTA
Duse: Park Vista 17, Dwyer 14 Betting against Dwyer usually isn’t a good idea, but there’s such an unknown factor with this team after graduating 37 seniors and losing star safety Cameron Jonas in camp. Park Vista QB John Smith and WR Atorian Perry can make opposing defenses play, and I think they’ll make just enough to win. Furones: Park Vista 24, Dwyer 21 We’ll see Jack Daniels’ squad improve as the season progresses, but at least for the early going it’ll be tough for the Panthers to shake off all the graduating seniors and the shock of losing safety and Syracuse commit Cameron Jonas for the season. Dual-threat Cobras quarterback John Smith should come through for this team that won 10 games a year ago.
AMERICAN HERITAGE AT BISHOP SULLIVAN CATHOLIC (VA.), SATURDAY, 6
Duse: Heritage’s defense is loaded on all three levels and showed off in a preseason win versus Booker T. AH 28-13 Furones: Heritage has done this before, going out-of-state for a Week 1 victory. South Florida speed on display. AH 34-17.
COOPER CITY AT CYPRESS BAY
Duse: Should be a tight battle between the two big school Broward programs, but I like Cooper City to edge out the win. CC 17-14.
Furones: Both teams carrying momentum from strong finishes last year. I’ll bet on Mark Guandolo’s senior-laden squad in a close one. CB 21-20.
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL AT GLADES CENTRAL
Duse: U-School QB George Bubrick can put up major numbers, but I think the Raiders will pick up the win in coach Jessie Hester’s return. GC 28-24.
Furones: U-School was close to turning that corner last year. Now is the Sharks’ time to make a move with those young players more experienced. US 31-24.
OXBRIDGE ACADEMY VS. ARCHBISHOP WOOD (PENN.)
Duse: Oxbridge has one of the top secondaries around and offensive playmakers in QB Gio Richardson and RB James Meeks who can make Archbishop pay. OX 21-17.
Furones: Wood tight end Kyle Pitts, at 6-foot-6, creates matchup problems for anyone. The UF commit should help earn a win for Pennsylvania’s No. 1 team (MaxPreps). AW 24-17.
ATLANTIC AT PALM BEACH CENTRAL
Duse: Atlantic struggled in its kickoff classic loss to Ely, but there are so many weapons out wide. ATL 21-14. Furones: Central will break through later in the season, but it’s not ready for Atlantic. Akeem Dent can only cover one guy. Eagles too deep at WR. ATL 27-17.
PALM BEACH LAKES AT PAHOKEE
Duse: The Blue Devils graduated a decent chunk of its offensive playmakers, but there’s always talent at Pahokee. PAH 28-24.
Furones: The Blue Devils are taking on this season with a vengeance after being stripped of last year’s title. They showed some of it in kickoff classic vs. Park Vista. PAH 24-16.