Western, Park Vista in for tests
Palm Beach Central, Atlantic will try to derail pair of upset winners
Midway through Marvel’s blockbuster comicbook adaptation “Doctor Strange,” the title character is struggling through a training montage as he’s being overwhelmed by mystical, cosmic forces he had no idea previously existed.
As Stephen Strange struggles to come to grips with this new reality, one of his instructors advises him, “Forget everything you think you know.”
That mantra can be applied to the Class 8A playoff race after a shocking first round in which the top two teams in the entire classification were sent home early.
Park Vista, which needed multiple games to break its way in the final week of the season just to make the playoffs at the eight seed, stunned No. 1 Miramar 28-20. The upsets continued as sixth-seeded Western upended reigning state semifinalist Deerfield Beach 20-17 to pick up the school’s first playoff victory.
After their upset victories, the Cobras and Wildcats will try and keep the momentum rolling in the regional semifinals. Park Vista will see a familiar foe as it faces district rival Atlantic, which topped Plantation 29-14 last week. The Eagles edged the Cobras 10-3 in the team’s first meeting this season.
Park Vista’s QB/WR duo of John Smith and Atorian Perry connected for two scores in last week’s playoff game and have consistently torched opposing defenses throughout the regular season. Atlantic’s balanced offensive attack was runheavy in monsoon-like conditions Friday as Shelley Singletary rushed for over 100 yards and scored two touchdowns.
In the other 8A matchup, Western will hit the road to face Palm Beach Central, which is coming off a dominant 32-0 win over Seminole Ridge. Senior quarterback Nick Atkins was electric, throwing for four touchdowns and running for another score in the win. The Wildcats have a dynamic QB of their own in Harrison Story, who’s put up monster numbers all season. Western running back Keshaun Clarke (1,146 rushing years and 11 touchdowns) will be counted on once again for the team.
W. Broward faces St. Thomas
Another playoff thriller came in the form of West Broward overcoming a late nine-point deficit to top Forest Hill 31-26 to pick up its first-ever playoff win. The Bobcats’ reward for the historic victory? A date with three-time defending state champion St. Thomas Aquinas. West Broward will bring its single-wing offense to Brian Piccolo Stadium as it tries to score the major upset.
St. Thomas, which suffered a shocking 17-point loss to Miramar in the regular-season finale, bounced back strong with a 56-0 win over South Miami. The Raiders are looking to become the first Broward team to win four consecutive state titles.
Oxbridge sees familiar faces
Oxbridge Academy has been the presumptive favorite to represent the north half of the bracket in the Class 3A championship, but the ThunderWolves first will have to get by a strong Melbourne Central Catholic squad. The Hustlers are coming off a 55-21 thumping over previously unbeaten Orlando First Academy in the regional semifinals.
Melbourne Central Catholic is led by a few familiar local faces. Former American Heritage-Delray coach Stacy Sizemore heads up the Hustlers, while former St. Thomas Aquinas offensive coordinator Ryan Schneider is in his first year as the team’s OC.
Oxbridge continued its dominant 2017 season last week with a 42-7 running clock win over King’s Academy. Since dropping its season opener 14-13 to Archbishop Wood (Pa.), the ThunderWolves have won eight straight games. All those victories were by double digits. Junior dualthreat quarterback Gio Richardson has stepped up in his second year as the starter, throwing for 16 touchdowns and rushing for eight scores.
Chaminade looks to continue run
After falling short in the 3A state title game a year ago, Chaminade-Madonna is looking to reach the mountaintop this season. The top-seeded Lions hammered American HeritageDelray 38-0 in the opening round of the playoffs behind 189 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Auburn commit Shaun Shivers. Junior signal-caller Daelan Menard threw for two touchdowns.
The Lions will face off against Benjamin, which coasted past Everglades Prep 43-6 in the regional semifinals. Louisville QB commit Jordan Travis threw for touchdowns — three to standout junior Kaiir Elam — in the opening round.
Pahokee aiming for semifinal
While the Blue Devils may be a small-school program, they showed they have plenty of depth. With starting running back Jatarie Washington sidelined with an ankle injury, sophomore backup Tamichael Boldin, who received third-team reps for the majority of the season, rushed for nearly 200 yards and one touchdown in the team’s 41-17 win over Williston. While Pahokee is hopeful Washington will be back versus Frostproof, it’s proven they have a stable of backs who can step up when needed. A win would likely set up a state semifinal matchup with Madison County, the top-ranked team in 1A.