Sucker punch
Montreal’s Max Domi suspended for rest of preseason for cheap shot on Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad.
Week 5 of high school football brings us some elite matchups of South Florida powers and state title contenders.
St. Thomas Aquinas hosts Miami Central in a showdown that local high school football aficionados have long been clamoring for in recent years. Broward County’s two defending state champs, American Heritage (Class 5A) and Chaminade-Madonna (3A) square off.
Here are the predictions of the outcomes of these and eight other games involving teams in Broward and Palm Beach counties. After a 9-1 Week 4, we are 31-9 on the season.
Listed games are at 7 p.m. in Broward and 6 p.m. in Palm Beach County, unless noted.
Miami Central (3-1) at St. Thomas Aquinas (4-0)
A true clash of the class of high school football in South Florida. St. Thomas has won state titles in seven of the past 11 seasons and Central in five of eight — of course, they’ve never competed in the same classification. It’s the first meeting between the two powerhouses, and the two are nationally ranked — Aquinas sixth and Central 18th in one MaxPreps list and seventh and 11th, respectively, in another. I see the Raiders having a little bit more in every phase and coming away with a contested victory. St. Thomas Aquinas 27, Miami Central 20
American Heritage (3-1) at ChaminadeMadonna (3-1)
Broward’s two defending state champions. Last year, it was a rout for Heritage. I think it’ll be closer this time. The Lions have more experience and talent at the skill positions, but the Patriots wear them down with the running back combination of Tyler Jones and powerrunning Lavelton Williams, plus that big offensive line, as the game progresses.
American Heritage 24, Chaminade-Madonna 20
Palm Beach Gardens (3-1) at Dwyer (3-1)
Neighborhood rivals go at it, and it just seems like the Panthers have the edge. The Gators started on a three-game win streak, but took a step back falling to Seminole Ridge last week. FAU commits in quarterback Gio Richardson and safety Antavious Lane make
plays on the two sides of the ball. Dwyer 27, Gardens 16
Atlantic (3-0) at Park
Vista (2-2)
The Eagles have one more to get through out of that four-game gauntlet to start the season before the schedule softens. I don’t think they’ve come this far — with wins over Palm Beach Central, Dwyer and Pahokee — to drop this one. Quarterback Kalani Ilimaleota and Atlantic improve to 4-0. Atlantic 28, Park
Vista 10
McArthur (4-0) at
Nova (2-2)
The Mustangs could possibly go into their Nov. 2 matchup with Cardinal Gibbons undefeated. The Titans are always tough, as shown in the 10-8 decision they dropped against West Broward, but McArthur too talented right now.
McArthur 24-10.
Miramar (0-3) at South Plantation (0-3)
The Patriots are winless against one of the state’s toughest three-game stretch to open the season. They’re going to be eager to put a good whoopin’ on the Paladins. Miramar 42-0.
American HeritageDelray (3-0) at Archbishop McCarthy (1-2)
The Stallions are off to an impressive start, especially after a convincing 42-7 victory over Miami Pace. They keep it rolling over the outmatched Mavericks, who are coming off a district win against Boynton Beach.
Heritage-Delray 41-7.
Key West (3-1) at Benjamin (4-0)
The long bus ride up to Palm Beach Gardens from the bottom of the Florida Keys won’t be kind to the Conchs when they need fresh legs to take on Kaiir Elam and the Buccaneers.
Benjamin 28-14.
Cardinal Gibbons (2-2) at Douglas (2-1)
The Eagles had a tough go at it last Saturday against Piper, losing 36-6 in a district game after a 2-0 start. It doesn’t get any easier against the high-octane Chiefs. Gibbons 41-6.
Glades Central (1-2) at Clewiston (1-3)
This used to be a key district game, but no more since last season’s realignment with the new playoff point system. The Raiders get the win against a former district rival. Glades Central
27-13.