Week 9 football predictions
Week 9 in high school football in Broward and Palm Beach counties may not have the headliner of an American Heritage-Cardinal Gibbons game or Deerfield Beach at St. Thomas Aquinas like we’ve seen the past two weeks, but Sun Sentinel reporters Wells Dusenbury and David Furones have predictions on 10 quality matchups to look forward to. Furones is 44-16 on the year while Duse is two games back in the standings at 42-18. All games are today at 7 p.m. unless noted.
SEMINOLE RIDGE (7-1) AT PAHOKEE (4-1)
Duse: Pahokee 20, Ridge 17 The battle between 1A and 8A foes will likely be won in the trenches as both teams have great running backs and love to pound the ball. Pahokee has proven capable of knocking off the big dogs and seems to have a chip on its shoulder after having last year’s state title revoked due to an ineligible player. Furones: Pahokee 24, Ridge 23 Pahokee may be in Class 1A, but the Blue Devils sure don’t play like it. They often prove capable of playing up to competition in higher classifications and coming through — like they did against Palm Beach Lakes and Palm Beach Gardens, plus Park Vista in a kickoff classic. Both teams will be effective in the running game, and Pahokee will do it a little better.
HIALEAH CHAMPAGNAT CATHOLIC (5-1) AT UNIVERSITY SCHOOL (5-0)
Duse: University 23, Champagnat 17 Fun two-county showdown as two of the top teams in their respective classifications square off. University’s one-two running back punch of Kenny McIntosh and Michael Hurt have been dynamic all season long and will help the Sharks pull off a win over the reigning Class 2A state runner-up to remain unbeaten. Furones: University 24, Champagnat 19 The Sharks have answered every test on the schedule thus far and this may be the toughest one with a team that went to state in 2A coming to town. Champagnat leans on its stout defense and the Lions’ lone loss came on a road trip to visit a strong Kentucky team. It won’t be easy, but QB George Bubrick, RB Kenny McIntosh and receiver Zay Flowers make enough plays to get it done.
GLADES CENTRAL (4-2) AT AMERICAN HERITAGE-DELRAY (4-3)
Duse: Junior RB Dallis Small proves to be the difference as Heritage notches its sixth straight over the Raiders. AH-D 24-21.
Furones: Small plays big and the Stallions defense has a second straight strong defensive showing after shutting out Fort Myers Bishop Verot. AH-D 20-16.
DEERFIELD BEACH (5-2) AT MONARCH (5-1)
Duse: Bounce-back season for Monarch, but Deerfield is too loaded on both sides of the ball. DB 35-7. Furones: Monarch has been a pleasant surprise, but the Bucks show how much distance there is between them and the rest of District 11-8A. DB 34-3.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (6-1) AT BOYD ANDERSON (2-4)
Duse: Raiders handle the Cobras with ease. STA 49-0. Furones: Aquinas pounds BA with the ground game like it did against Fort Lauderdale, and the defense pitches a shutout. STA 42-0.
COCONUT CREEK (4-1) AT STRANAHAN (3-3)
Duse: Cougars pick up a key win to stay in contention for a wild-card playoff berth. CC 24-21.
Furones: Two solid defenses go at it as winner gets a leg up for a possible second wild card to come out of District 16-5A behind Cardinal Gibbons after American Heritage. CC 16-14.
ST. ANDREW’S (6-0) AT BENJAMIN (5-1)
Duse: SA is 6-0 and it’s not lacrosse season! Benjamin QB and Louisville commit Jordan Travis will be tough to slow down, though. Benjamin 35-31.
Furones: Scots come in unbeaten, but they haven’t seen anybody with Benjamin’s ability. I like the Buccaneers to put up some points. Benjamin 41-27.
KEY WEST (5-0) AT KING’S ACADEMY (6-0)
Duse: Dual-threat QB Justin Wake keeps King’s win streak alive as the Lions bolster the playoff resume. King’s 28-24.
Furones: Key West is a great story, undefeated after Hurricane Irma ravaged the area, but the four-hour travel will take its toll. King’s 28-20.
WELLINGTON (3-4) AT PB GARDENS (3-3)
Duse: It’s been an up-and-down year for Gardens, but they get back on track. Gardens 34-14. Furones: Dropping three of their last four with Dwyer, Ridge and Pahokee beating them, no way the Gators let this one slip away. Gardens 35-10.
WEST BOCA (3-3) AT PALM BEACH LAKES (3-4)
Duse: Thanks to its stingy defense, Lakes is back in the district title race. Rams keep that momentum going. Lakes 14-10.
Furones: Like where Lakes is going after the win at Olympic Heights. Rams stay on track, once again thanks to the D. Lakes 13-6.