High school football third-round playoff predictions
It may be Thanksgiving break, but the high school football playoffs wait for no one, and Sun Sentinel reporters Wells Dusenbury and David Furones have predictions on all seven games featuring teams from Broward and Palm Beach counties. Furones is 93-27 on the year while Duse remains three games back in the standings at 90-30. All games are today at 7:30 p.m.
REGION 3-8A FINAL
(6) WESTERN AT (4) ATLANTIC
Duse: Can Western pull off its third road upset in a row? Can Atlantic finally break through to the state semifinals in its third straight regional final appearance? Harrison Story and Keshaun Clarke have the ability to take over, but this feels like a different Atlantic team, and I think the big-play ability on offense is the difference here. ATL 21-17.
Furones: I’m saying the magic continues for Western, because I don’t think it’s magic. This team is legit. You can argue deep postseason experience for Atlantic here, but Western got it done against Class 8A favorite Deerfield Beach. The Wildcats also have proven they can pull one out late. Western 22-20.
REGION 4-7A SEMIFINALS
(3) DORAL ACADEMY (1) ST. THOMAS AQUINAS Duse: It’s hard to envision a scenario where Doral manages to upset the three-time defending state champions. STA 42-6. Furones: Great run for Doral to pull the 6-5 upset of Dwyer, but playing at St. Thomas is a different animal. STA 38-6.
REGION 4-5A FINAL
(6) CARDINAL GIBBONS AT (1) AMERICAN HERITAGE
Duse: It’s the rematch as the two 5A heavyweights go toe-to-toe again. American Heritage was victorious in the first match, but it was a tight 23-19 contest. I think this one is another battle, but Heritage makes just enough plays to pull off another win. AH 21-20.
Furones: Does American Heritage continue to show Cardinal Gibbons who’s boss, or do the Chiefs rise as the new team to beat in Class 5A? Expect Gibbons to come out with a great game plan, but the Patriots march on in another close one. AH 20-17.
CLASS 4A STATE SEMIFINALS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL (9-1) AT COCOA (10-1)
Duse: Make no mistake, Cocoa is an absolute juggernaut, and the defending 4A state champs are loaded once again. University’s offense is rolling, though, and it has major weapons in Kenny McIntosh, Michael Hurt, Zay Flowers and Josh Sanguinetti. I said I wasn’t picking against University again this season, so I’m going with the Sharks to pull off the upset. U-School 31-30.
Furones: U-School has been impressive in the first two rounds, validating regular-season wins over regional foes, but the defending champs are a different monster. Louisville commit Javian Hawkins will be difficult to contain. Go ahead. Put me on the bulletin board! Prove me wrong! Cocoa 24-17.
CLASS 3A STATE SEMIFINALS FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY (7-5) AT OXBRIDGE ACADEMY (9-1)
Duse: No, it’s not Jimbo Fisher’s squad, but the high school team does enter with at least five losses, too. After a 5-5 regular season, the Noles have advanced on the back of two upset victories, but their surprising run comes to an end Friday. Oxbridge is too talented, and this one likely won’t be competitive. Oxbridge 49-6.
Furones: Oxbridge is solid, but how will the ThunderWolves contain Cam Akers or get open against Tarvarus McFadden? … Oh, not that FSU? The high school? Never mind then. Oxbridge 49-3.
CHAMINADE-MADONNA (9-2) AT CLEARWATER CENTRAL CATHOLIC (11-0)
Duse: We’ve been calling the Oxbridge-Chaminade 3A title game since the beginning of the season, and it’s just an inevitability at this point. No one has been able to stop Chaminade RB Shaun Shivers, and that won’t change this week. Chaminade 38-13. Furones: This Central Catholic team may be undefeated, but it hasn’t seen anyone with anywhere near the firepower the Lions bring. Chaminade 34-13.
CLASS 1A STATE SEMIFINALS PAHOKEE (8-2) AT MADISON COUNTY (12-0)
Duse: This one is essentially the state title game as these are the top two teams in 1A. The Cowboys are loaded, but the Blue Devils beat them in this round last year. And I think they do it again as Jatarie Washington and the run game rack up major yards. Pahokee 28-27.
Furones: Madison County is battle-tested for a 1A team and has answered every call. The five-hour drive turns out to be tough to overcome. Madison County 27-23.