Week 2 high school football predictions
Wells Dusenbury and David Furones return for Week 2 to pick the top local high school football games in Broward and Palm Beach County. In Week 1, Furones went 6-4, while Duse finished 4-6 on predictions. All games today at 7 p.m. unless noted.
CHAMINADE-MADONNA AT MIRAMAR Duse: Chaminade 24, Miramar 17 The Lions are looking to rebound after getting punched in the mouth by a loaded Miami Central in a 48-24 loss. Miramar is coming off a Week 1 bye, so there’s an unknown factor with them. Chaminade’s offense is loaded with playmakers and I think they bounce back. Furones: Chaminade 20, Miramar 13 While no coach likes to lose, I think Dameon Jones at least sees a bright side to the 24-point defeat to Miami Central: It was only Week 1. Jones likes that his 3A team is facing tough tests early to prepare his guys for the playoff run. After getting bottled up, Shaun Shivers will be opportunistic when he finds running room. LIBERTY (NEVADA) AT AMERICAN HERITAGE, 7:30
Duse: American Heritage 17, Liberty 10 The Patriots face an out-of-state opponent for the second straight week after toppling one of Virginia’s top programs. Liberty, ranked No. 24 in the nation, presents another stiff challenge, but Heritage has one of the top defenses in the country and I think they’ll shut down the Nevada power. Furones: American Heritage 20, Liberty 10 The Patriots defense might slip up in lane containment on one play early and give up a big touchdown run, but aside from that, Heritage remains disciplined against the Triple-I. Pats score another win against a national foe.
AMERICAN HERITAGE-DELRAY AT CARDINAL GIBBONS
Duse: Gibbons 28, Heritage-Delray 20 Will there be a letdown for Gibbons after its resounding 27-6 win over defending 8A champ Southridge? Heritage, led by Florida WR commit and former Chief John Dunmore, has the talent to pull of the win despite a Week 1 loss. Gibbons’ defense made a statement Saturday and I think they help secure another win.
Furones: Gibbons 31, Heritage-Delray 17 I’d like Heritage’s chances of pulling off an upset more if Dunmore was playing wideout and Ryan Rizk was at QB. That Chiefs defense has some dogs on it, and after giving up 34 points to Miami Belen, I don’t see the Stallions holding down quarterback Nik Scalzo and his Air-Raid attack to much less. ATLANTIC AT DWYER Duse: Atlantic 21, Dwyer 20 Atlantic’s loaded WR corps was unable to get loose in a 14-13 loss to Palm Beach Central, but the Broncos have one of the county’s top secondaries with Akeem Dent and Tre Jackson. While Dwyer impressed in an OT win over Park Vista, I think Atlantic does just enough to nip the Panthers.
Furones: Atlantic 24, Dwyer 23 I don’t see Atlantic starting 0-2. That deep group of receivers with UF commit Corey Gammage — along with Cadarius Gaskin, Oyeh Lurry-Davis and Aydin Henningham — will be able to get into a rhythm finally and end up on the right side of a one-point outcome this time.
DEERFIELD BEACH AT ST. JOSEPH (N.J.); SATURDAY 1 P.M.
Duse: Tough road test against a nationally-ranked opponent, but I think the Bucks stout defense gets it done. DB 10-6.
Furones: Bucks go up there and show this team what South Florida speed is about. Also first game for St. Joseph. DB 14-7.
WESTERN AT DILLARD
Duse: Dillard played Booker T. Washington strong in a 25-8 loss, but I think Western pulls off a tight win. Western 24-21. Furones: Western has a knack for stepping up in big
games, but I see RB Keyondre White as the X-factor. Dillard 20-14.
BOYD ANDERSON AT BOYNTON BEACH
Duse: Boyd Anderson is looking for revenge after BB’s upset win last year kept them out of playoffs. BA 24-21. Furones: BA gets a little bit of offense going after a shutout defeat at the hands of Miami Pace. BA 20-17.
ARCHBISHOP MCCARTHY AT UNIVERSITY SCHOOL
Duse: I think RB Kenny McIntosh and University pick up where they left off after their impressive road win vs. Glades Central. U-School 28-20. Furones: Looks like Wells learned about picking against U-School after last week. Sharks win again. U-School 31-17.
BENJAMIN AT NORTH BROWARD PREP
Duse: Louisville QB commit Jordan Travis lit it up for Benjamin in Week 1 and I think he’ll be too much for the Eagles. BEN 35-31. Furones: Kevin Austin makes some plays for NBP, but Travis ultimately too much for Eagles defense. BEN 31-30.
PALM BEACH LAKES AT LAKE WORTH
Duse: After its narrow 6-2 road loss to Pahokee, Lakes gets back on track. PBL 21-14 Furones: Lakes has the talent to rebound after playing Pahokee tough. PBL 20-13.