District races still at stake
We’re into the home stretch of the regular season.
The playoff picture is getting clearer as teams are finishing up district play, and there are more good games coming up this week
Adam Lichtenstein predicts the outcome of 10 of this week’s most interesting contests involving teams from Broward and Palm Beach. He is 26-4 so far this season.
All games are Friday at 7 p.m. in Broward County and 6 p.m. for Palm Beach County, unless noted.
Hallandale (4-3) at Cardinal Gibbons (5-2): This could be a trap game for the Chiefs and a chance for the Chargers to really boost their profile and their playoff hopes. No. 2 Cardinal Gibbons is coming off a massive win over rival American Heritage, but they can’t just cruise to a district title and the playoffs. Hallandale will pose a challenge if the Chiefs come out unfocused. But if Gibbons stays on track, they should win this one. Pahokee (5-2) at Seminole Ridge (4-3): After starting the year 4-0, the Hawks are in a three-game skid, including two losses to district opponents. No. 4 Pahokee is not the team you want to face when looking to turn things around. The Blue Devils have won three straight and are looking to keep building their playoff resume. Doral Academy (7-1) at Chaminade-Madonna (5-2), Thursday, 7 p.m.: Like Cardinal Gibbons, the Lions are coming off a big win. Chaminade-Madonna took down Miami Booker T. Washington and now has to turn around and play Doral on a short schedule. This is also a game the Lions should win, but it could be close if they’re still worn out from their victory over the Tornadoes. American Heritage-Delray (5-2) at Glades Central (3-3): This has the potential to be a big game for determining how the season ends for both of these teams. The Stallions have dropped two straight games after starting the season 5-0, but they’re still No. 1 in their region in points. Glades Central is the toughest team remaining on the schedule, so if they right the ship here, they can build some momentum going into the postseason. The Raiders do not have it easy. After the Stallions, they get a resurgent Cardinal Newman and a strong Pahokee team. Glades Central is currently fourth in its region, and if it drops this game to Heritage, it will be tougher for them to stay in the playoff picture. Monarch (3-4) at Deerfield Beach (7-1): A win is a win, but the Bucks came back from a drubbing at the hands of St. Thomas Aquinas with a 21-6 victory over Stoneman Douglas — a smaller margin than their four previous victories. It’s unlikely the Knights upset the Bucks here, but Deerfield can’t sleepwalk through the remainder of the regular season. There is still a looming matchup with Piper that will decide the district. Palm Beach Gardens (4-3) at Wellington (5-3), Thursday, 6 p.m.: The Gators need this game to have a reasonable chance to make the playoffs. A loss to the Wolverines gives them their second district loss and makes it unlikely they’ll have the points to make it to the postseason. A win keeps them alive. Wellington, on the other hand, has a loss to district leader Palm Beach Central but currently sits at No. 7 in the regional standings. A win would keep them afloat. Taravella (4-3) at Stoneman Douglas (4-3), Thursday, 7 p.m.: These teams are having similar seasons. Both are 4-3 with 1-2 records in district play. Neither team can win the district, each having lost to Deerfield Beach and Piper, both of whom are undefeated in district play. But Taravella is 11th in points, and Douglas is 13th. The winner of this game keeps their playoff dreams alive, while the loser will see their chances slip away. Atlantic (7-0) at Lake Worth (1-6), Thursday, 6 p.m.: The Eagles are No. 1 in both Palm Beach County and in Class 8A. They have outscored their opponents 134-7 in their last three games. The Eagles are flying, and they’ll continue to soar this week as they roll toward a potential undefeated season.
Cardinal Gibbons 38, Hallandale 24.
Pahokee 31, Seminole Ridge 21.
ChaminadeMadonna 38, Doral Academy 20.
American Heritage-Delray 24, Glades Central 21.
Deerfield Beach 35, Monarch 13
Wellington 28, Palm Beach Gardens 21.
Taravella 24, Stoneman Douglas 20.
7.
30, Everglades 17
20.
Atlantic 45, Lake Worth
Everglades (3-4) at Miramar (4-3): Miramar’s two district rivals square off on Friday. The Gators have looked decent lately, winning three of their last four with the only loss coming in a five-point defeat to a strong Plantation team. The Patriots have won four straight and just took down Hallandale. Miramar is looking to boost its playoff chances, and it needs a win to do that. I think the Patriots come out ahead.
Miramar
Benjamin (8-0) at St. Andrew’s (5-2), Friday, 7 p.m.: The Buccaneers, under firstyear coach Eric Kresser, have all the hype. It’s deserved, as they’ve gone undefeated so far. But the Scots are quietly having a decent season as well. But St. Andrew’s will have a tough time standing up against fourstar cornerback Kaiir Elam, breakout quarterback Santino Marucci and the two-headed rushing attack of Joseph Labovick and Joshua PierreLouis.
Benjamin 41, St. Andrew’s